2
“So you woke up, Natsuki. I’m glad; that’s such a relief.”
Anastasia flashed Subaru an elegant smile the moment she saw him come in, with Al lending his shoulder for support.
Unlike Crusch, she was wearing the same outfit as earlier in the day: a kimono and her white fox scarf wrapped around her neck. Combining that with her calm outward demeanor, she seemed to be the only one who was acting like this was just another day— No, even she couldn’t manage that. Subaru could see faint traces of fatigue pulling at the fringes of Anastasia’s face.
That only made sense. She was one of the concerned parties that was deeply affected by the Witch Cult’s mayhem.
“Sorry for oversleeping, Anastasia. Do I still have a seat?”
“Not to worry, I have arranged a spot just for you. It’s critical to talk to you about the people you ran into as soon as possible, Natsuki. So come on—sit, sit!” Anastasia beckoned him by hand.
Subaru favored his right leg as he walked to the round table at the center of the room. Borrowing Al’s assistance, he plopped down into his chair, taking a breath as he scanned the room.
“Whew, that’s a lot comfier… Uh, so this is where we’re gathering?”
“This is the Witch Cult Disaster Response HQ. It is a bit seedy-lookin’ for that, though.”
Chiming in after Subaru, Al played with the metal fixtures on his helm as he heaved a hearty sigh. Overhearing his murmur, Anastasia put her hands on her hips and closed one eye as she scolded him.
“Come now, don’t be like that, Al. I can appreciate how worried you are since your precious princess isn’t here.”
“Well, not so much worried as scared. She’ll definitely be angry that I’m not by her side in a situation like this.”
He shook his head in dread. The roster of attendees at the meeting certainly made his fears seem credible.
They were inside a conference room, which was wide enough to accommodate twelve people. Multiple royal-selection candidates, including Anastasia, had assembled, but Al’s master—Priscilla—was not among them.
Of course, she hadn’t been present when Emilia was whisked away by Regulus, either.
“Come to think of it, my party’s way too short on people. Not even Otto or Garfiel are here.”
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to gather everyone involved in the royal selection. On my end, Mimi hasn’t come back since last night, either. Hopefully, Garfiel’s with her.” Anastasia touched a hand to her cheek, concerned that she didn’t know the whereabouts of the girl whom she seemed to treat like a precious daughter.
“If they’re together, then there’s no need to worry about them running into trouble… Anyway, why meet at this place?” Subaru gestured at the building in general. “Al called this the Witch Cult Disaster Response HQ, and that really does seem to be spot-on. The situation in the city sounds serious enough to warrant it, too… But why is the HQ set up inside the Muse Company?”
Subaru finally asked the question that had been bugging him for a while now.
Indeed, Subaru and the others were currently inside the Muse Company building, which was located on the affluent main boulevard of the city.
He’d visited the magic crystal trading company’s main store just a day earlier, and now it was operating as an emergency shelter. The wounded were being treated underground, while refugees were given guest rooms. With the state of his leg, Subaru, too, had been carried underground, where it was so overcrowded that coming up to the conference room had been quite a journey.
“It’s a nice, big building, so I get the appeal of using it as a shelter when push comes to shove, but a company’s still a company, right? They’re not usually the first choice for setting up a response HQ.”
“That’s what you’d think at first, right? But there’s a good reason. The biggest one is that Kiritaka is on the Council of Ten, which runs Pristella… Really, when you get down to it, he’s the leading member of the city’s top ten most influential people.”
“Are we talking about the same Kiritaka? Seriously?”
Subaru’s face tensed up as he recalled the not particularly pleasant run-in he’d had with the man just the day before. Of course, judging from Kiritaka’s station and how much everyone seemed to trust him, Subaru figured that he possessed a talent that matched his status.
It was just that his first impression of the man and the latest incident from the day before were difficult to reconcile with this new information.
“—Master Kiritaka is an upstanding and capable man. There’s no reason to be concerned, Master Subaru.”
Crusch had read his thoughts right as she joined them in the conference room.
Having split off midway up from the underground treatment area to fetch Wilhelm, she’d returned with a freshly dressed Ferris and the Sword Devil in tow.
“Thank you for coming, Crusch. What about Kiritaka?”
“It would seem he is too busy with the evacuation and dispatching of personnel to attend at this time. He said he would join our conference once matters calm down a little.”
After hearing Crusch’s reply, Anastasia went, “I see, I see,” with a nod. Watching the exchange, Wilhelm glanced at Subaru in his seat and the bandage on his leg.
“Sir Subaru, what is the condition of your leg?”
“About as good as it looks. Sorry for the pitiful state I’m in. Wilhelm, you’re…”
“I originally came to seek Sir Kiritaka’s opinion on how to best allocate the city’s forces. Having completed that bit of business, I am currently escorting Lady Crusch. That man is quite accomplished for his age.”
“Hnnngh… At this point, that’s the only thing I can say…”
With both Crusch and Wilhelm vouching for him, Subaru could only conclude that his doubts about Kiritaka’s ability had been misplaced. But if that was true, then just how important was Liliana to Kiritaka if she was able to provoke him that much?
He brushed those pointless thoughts aside when Crusch called his name.
“Master Subaru, it was immediately after hearing the broadcast that Lady Anastasia immediately suggested we relocate here. Thanks to our acquaintance with Sir Kiritaka and this building being designated as a shelter, Ferris has been able to use his abilities where they are most needed.”
“The fact that we were able to keep Subawu’s leg in one piece was also thanks to that decision.”
Apparently, Kiritaka was so reliable that he was the main reason Anastasia had suggested they set up here. Crusch and Ferris both seemed to concur with that assessment. From the way they put it, Subaru had lucked out, given the terrible ordeal he’d been through.
“Worst-case scenario, I could’ve bit the dust right then and there and taken Beako with me…”
“But that didn’t happen. That little girl did everything she could to get ya outta there. You’re a lucky dude, Bro.”
Subaru managed a smile at Al’s lighthearted take on things. If Subaru actually had any luck, he would’ve made it through the day without dying multiple times.
Sadly, reality was not so accommodating. That was why Subaru didn’t trust fortune even a little.
—Subaru Natsuki’s good luck dried up in a back alley on the same day he’d been summoned to another world.
“I’m all out of luck, so the only thing I can do is stay steady and work with what I’ve got.”
Even now, it was only thanks to Beatrice’s sacrifice that he had any moves to make at all. Subaru had to rise to the occasion.
“Incidentally, is everyone here? Setting aside Crusch’s crew for the moment, Anastasia’s team seems way more understaffed than usual…”
Focusing on the matter at hand, Subaru mentioned the missing faces that he expected to be attending. Otto, who should’ve been at the Muse Company already for follow-up negotiations, was concerningly absent. Additionally, Julius, Ricardo, and the Iron Fangs, who served as Anastasia’s main combat forces, were nowhere to be seen.
On top of all that, neither Felt nor anyone associated with her was anywhere in sight.
“Julius, the big doggy-man, and the Iron Fangs escorted Ferri over here. After that, they left to check on the other shelters.”
“They’ve been instructed to contact Ferris if they happen upon anyone gravely injured in the hopes of saving even one more life.”
“Gotcha. That’s… Wait, what do you mean, ‘contact him’?”
In a world where cell phones weren’t widespread or really available at all, there shouldn’t have been an easy way to stay in touch remotely. However, Ferris responded to Subaru’s doubts by saying, “Look,” and raising his hand. In his palm was a folding mirror—or more precisely, a metia that looked like one.
“A conversation mirror?!”
“Heh-heh, that’s right. It’s the same one we seized after the battle against the Witch Cult a year ago. Lady Anastasia has been keeping it safe, and she let us take it out for a spin.”
Ferris winked as he held up the metia that made it possible to communicate with anyone holding its opposite. It really did perform the same role a phone did.
A year ago, this had been part of the spoils of war acquired after the battle with Petelgeuse, the Archbishop of Sloth. Now these metia were apparently seeing use again in another battle against the Witch Cult.
“The ones that can connect with three mirrors at once are rare. It’d be a waste not to break them out at a time like this.”
“So the other ones got distributed to the guys out on patrol—gotcha.”
It was karma that metia once owned by the Witch Cult would end up being used to fight them. Anastasia was incredibly well prepared to have them on hand, ready to go.
“Okay, all that makes sense. But Otto’s not involved in that, is he?”
Subaru asked about Otto, who probably would’ve been irritated that he was being treated like an afterthought.
It was none other than Subaru who’d proudly refer to Otto as a domestic adviser who could hold his own in a fight, but compared with Julius and Ricardo, he was overwhelmingly outclassed as a warrior.
Subaru figured there was no way he’d be part of the crew that went out on patrol, but his question made Crusch lower her eyes.
“Unfortunately, Master Otto is not here. He was nowhere to be seen by the time we arrived. He might be at one of the nearby shelters…”
“Th-that guy’s bad timing is just legendary…”
Subaru cursed Otto’s inability to be at the right place at the right time despite the fact that he was already supposed to be at the Muse Company to begin with.
Regardless of where he was or what he was doing, it would be a serious problem if he wasn’t safe and sound—
“—I guess there’s no need to worry. He’s the last person I expect to slip up, so I’ll save him for later.”
“I-is that really fine? Perhaps you should worry somewhat more…”
“Nah, it’s all good. In terms of pure fighting strength, he can’t hold a candle to a guy like Wilhelm, but…when it comes to staying alive, Otto’s basically second to none.”
“…You must…really trust him a great deal.”
“It’s actually kinda embarrassing, so don’t tell him I said that, okay?”
If nothing else, Subaru fully intended to take that secret with him to the grave.
Either way, he decided to trust that the patrolling unit was on the right track and that Otto was safe for the moment. The same went for the absent Garfiel. He’d worry about the lack of combat strength later.
Setting them aside, the concern that suddenly came to mind was—
“Are Patlash and Fulfew still back at the inn? Both of them are sharp, so there’s probably nothing to worry about… Come to think of it, Priscilla’s one thing since she’s staying in a different inn, but where’s Felt and her people?”
“We currently don’t know the whereabouts of either party. I heard Lady Felt left the inn on some errand, but there is one element of uncertainty.”
“And that would be…?”
“Apparently, she was planning to have a chat with a certain redhead who ruined the mood this morning.”
A troubled expression appeared on Anastasia’s face. Subaru’s was much the same. However, the one with the most concerning face of all was Wilhelm, who found it difficult to maintain his composure for obvious reasons.
Seeing Wilhelm harden his cheeks as he went silent, Anastasia let out a little sigh.
“That being said, Felt has Reinhard with her, so we shouldn’t worry too much… Still, it’s scary to not have any idea what that other little princess is up to.”
Changing topics, Anastasia pressed a hand to her cheek as she pointedly tried to probe Al for information. Al simply went, “Gimme a break…” as he responded with a throaty voice. “A guy like me can’t tell what the princess is thinking. Well, I don’t think she’s gotten herself in trouble or anything, but my guess is that she ain’t gonna just patiently sit and wait this out.”
“Come to think of it, Priscilla was with Liliana at the park in the First District. After we split up, I bumped into the guys who turned my leg into a chew toy, so I’m not sure what happened to her after that, but…”
“The princess was in First District? …That ain’t too far from here.”
Processing the new information that Subaru had offered, Al rubbed his steel helm’s jaw and sank into thought. Of course, the proper thing for a retainer to do after learning of his master’s location would have been to rush out to her side.
“Well, the princess probably has thoughts of her own. No need to dash off in a panic or anything.”
“Are…are you sure?”
“Didn’t you say so yourself, Bro? It’s all about that trust, man. This is embarrassin’, so make sure you don’t tell the princess I said that.”
Subaru made a face when Al took his words and turned them around on him. Subaru’s reservations aside, both of them understood the thought process behind the other’s decision.
“All right, sorry for making you bear with me while I took time to figure things out. Let’s get to the topic at hand. Since we’re in the Witch Cult Disaster Response HQ, tell me—what’s the plan?”
“First, we’re waiting for word from the unit we dispatched. However, the very fact that the Witch Cult broadcast originated from the government office’s metia means…”
“There is no mistaking that the city’s four control towers have been seized.”
As she said that, Crusch stood by a window and gestured outside with her hand. Following where her fingers pointed, if Subaru squinted, he could make out a stonework tower connected to the city’s exterior wall—that must have been one of the control towers.
These structures were administration facilities that regulated the amount of water as well as the flow rate of the city’s always-running waterways. They occupied the cardinal directions, with one each in the north, south, east, and west. Only one of them was visible from the conference room, but—
“—What’s that flag I see up top?”
In the distance, there was a fluttering banner rising over the tower. Subaru didn’t remember seeing one while wandering around the city that morning or the day before. The flag had some kind of strange symbol traced on it using red dye.
The eye pattern pricked at an unpleasant part of Subaru’s memories.
“That is the symbol of the Witch Cult. It’s rare for them to engage in such public displays, but…”
Like Crusch said, that symbol was the same one that marked the signature black outfits of the Witch Cultists. The robe that Sirius had been wearing sported it as well.
And now it was on a flag flying over the control tower—the message was crystal clear.
“Let me guess: All four control towers have the same flag?”
“That is correct. Now that they have seized the control towers, should they wish it, our enemies can submerge Pristella in water at any moment… Action must be taken immediately.”
Crusch made it obvious what an awful situation the city was currently in.
This was like if a baby was holding the detonator for a nuclear bomb—what made it far worse was that unlike a baby, the Archbishops of the Seven Deadly Sins understood perfectly well the value of the switch in their hands.
“Are the city’s residents panicking? Hearing that the Witch Cult has taken over the control towers can’t be good news.”
“Thanks to Pristella’s extensive preparations for floods, chaos in the city has been kept tamped down to a surprising degree. However, evacuating the city is no simple matter.”
One of Lugunica’s five largest cities, Pristella had a population of roughly a hundred thousand. It wasn’t impossible, but conducting a major evacuation of that many people without sparking a panic was far from easy.
Factoring in the Witch Cult only made matters even more complicated, since it would be essential to avoid drawing their attention.
“The city’s main gate is the only real way in or out of the city, and one of the control towers is very close to it, so the enemy’s really got us by the scruff of our necks. Speaking of those guys…”
“—The three Archbishops of the Seven Deadly Sins, huh?”
Taking Ferris’s meaning, Subaru highlighted the reason that the situation was so dire.
Judging by the reactions around the room, everyone else was up to speed. It certainly wasn’t good news, but it wasn’t particularly surprising, either. They were simply wary of the threat that the enemy posed.
“There’s Wrath, who wounded me along with the other people in the square; Greed, who carried off Emilia; and Lust, who’s apparently broadcasting from the municipal offices… An all-star team of assholes.”
“You seem unexpectedly calm about this, Natsuki, even though Emilia was kidnapped and everything.”
“That’s exactly why. If losing my cool and going berserk would get her back, I’d raise enough hell to make it into the history books. But it doesn’t work that way, so…”
Subaru had already made one blunder by losing his cool. The price was Emilia’s abduction. Beatrice had settled the tab in his stead.
He couldn’t afford any more screwups. He needed a heart of steel so that he could take back everything.
“Sir Subaru’s feelings are admirable. I shall do everything in my meager power to assist you.”
“Thank you so much, Wilhelm. That’s super reassuring.”
Wilhelm, who was incredibly invested in helping the two troubled lovebirds for personal reasons, had just pledged his support. That was alone was a big comfort. The Sword Devil’s strength was indispensable if they wanted to last in a direct fight.
“? What is it, Al?”
It was then that Subaru abruptly noticed that Al had been watching the exchange between him and Wilhelm in silence. But when Subaru posed the question, Al offered a noncommittal “Nothing, really” and shrugged. “I was just thinking that you’re pretty twisted in your own way, Bro— Anyway, let’s push on to the main topic.”
“R-right, suppose we should. Uh, so about that broadcast…”
Even though what Al said bothered him, Subaru turned his attention back to the room as a whole to bring up something that had been bothering him since the initial discussion.
Namely—
“—This Archbishop of Lust called herself Capella Emerada Lugunica? What’s up with that?”
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