234 ( part 1 )

Arc 5, Chapter 78: "The Remaining Ripples in the Watergate City"

Reinhardt: "Ah, Subaru. Thank goodness we didn't miss each other. I'm back."

Subaru: "Reinhardt? How quick, you only just left."

When Subaru and the others returned back to the shelter after they'd picked Julius up, they came across Reinhardt, who had just returned to the same shelter.

Subaru gave a surprised response at his speedy work, and Reinhardt, who had slightly raised his hand up as he walked towards them, suddenly broke into a frown. With a face that felt Subaru's awful complexion and the unease in the somewhat anxious attitudes of the four of them, he said,

Reinhardt: "What's the matter, Subaru…..Is there something wrong?"

Subaru: "There's definitely something wrong…..But, it's difficult to choose the words. There's something I want you to confirm too."

Reinhardt: "If I can be of any help, you may ask for whatever you want. What is it?"

Reinhardt's response to Subaru, who'd dropped the tone of his voice, was as sincere as ever. That's why he wanted to trust in his extraordinariness as he'd done so far, starting with the battle against the "Bowel Hunter", all the way up to the battle against "Greed".

However, that line of thinking of attaining salvation by divine grace was――,

Subaru: "――Do you know anything about the guy who's standing next to me?"

Reinhardt: "...You don't mean Beatrice-sama, right?"

Reinhardt said this whilst he looked down at the little girl in the dress that snuggled by Subaru's side. Subaru in silence, didn't reply to Reinhardt's words. He merely kept staring at the "Sword Saint", praying that the answer he desired would be returned.

To the fervour of that gaze, Reinhardt looked at the other person standing next to Subaru, and slightly narrowed his eyes as if he were thinking. However,

Reinhardt: "――My apologies. He's someone I don't know. Judging from his aspect and appearance, I think he's one of the valorous individuals of this battle, though."

Julius: "――――"

Julius' cheeks stiffened at Reinhardt's reply.

The two of them were supposed to be close friends who were companions from the Order of Royal Guards―― With his "name" eaten, that connection of friendship also ended up being cut short.

Julius cast his eyes down gloomily on hearing that reality, and Subaru, looking at him from the side, was feeling dejected too.

The "Sword Saint", as the strongest in the Kingdom, was the most skilled swordsman having cut apart even the Witch Cult.

Not even Reinhardt van Astrea could escape from the influence of the authority of "Gluttony".

Or perhaps having thought that it was possible if it was Reinhardt was only a baseless wish.

That wish was cruelly broken, and only confirmed his own shallowness.

Reinhardt: "My apologies. I don't know the reason why, but it looks like I wasn't able to meet your expectations."

Julius: "...Huh, it should be us who say that. From your point of view that question must have seemed like an accusation. It is us who should apologise for presuming upon that consideration."

It was Julius himself that took responsibility in replying to Reinhardt's apology.

He masked the shock of being treated as a stranger by a friend. He looked around the shelter as he covered himself with words of calmness. And then,

Julius: "It seems like it's almost time for the important people to have gathered. It's high time to start the conference that included what to do next."

Reinhardt: "...I understand. You mean to say that we'll talk about you too there, right?"

Guessing the intentions behind Julius' words, Reinhardt lifted his chin. In fact, the valorous individuals of the defensive battle from earlier―― Those involved in the Royal Selection, along with the City Officials, were beginning to gather inside the shelter.

And right then, a young woman dressed in a kimono came back from outside that very shelter.

Anastasia: "Hmm, it looks like they've gathered before we told 'em to. How convenien'."

Anastasia, who'd finished looking around the outside, said that with a smile as she tugged on her scarf, Echidna. From within the surrounding shelter―― In her field of view, she obviously must have seen the figure of Julius standing next to Subaru, but it didn't look like she was going to mention him.

Anastasia: "It seems like with Emilia-san 'n y'all 'n Felt-san we're nearly jus' about complete. If Priscilla-san comes after, then that'll be enough. Then, I reckon we can start the conference."

Anastasia made her suggestion as she clapped her hands together.

She said it with an air of composure, without even calling out to her best knight who should have been reflected in the corner of her eyes.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

The place that had been designated as the conference room in place of the lost City Hall was a meeting place near the shelter.

This meeting place was also a shelter, but due to its poor provisionings against flooding―― The disaster that had kept the city of Pristella on high alert, it seemed that the shelter hadn't been used during the turmoil.

Anastasia: "To start things off with, it oughta be a good time for the people in the other shelters ta start goin' back ta their homes, dontcha think? In truth, we also wanted ta go back to the inn…. But, it seems like the tidyin' still hasn' ended."

When it came to tidying, was she referring to the inn or the people involved in the current turmoil?

Anastasia had probably made that comment so it could mean either one, so to take the initiative amongst those who had gathered at the meeting place.

Anastasia: "First of all, let me thank ya all for yer hard work. Luckily, the amount of damage which the Witch Cult's grand offensive caused was extremely low... Includin' both the people who are here and those who aren't, that's what I believe. It was a battle like no other."

Those Present in the Conference: "――――"

Anastasia: "Even without those grim faces, I too, understand. The damage was low, your faces say that you ain't convinced by those words."

The looks on those unsuspecting silent faces became harder at Anastasia's words, who in some regards seemed unconcerned. Anastasia shrugged her shoulders and looked around the room at that.

At the meeting place, not only were the original members who had undertook the battle to defend the city assembled, but also the other collaborators who'd gotten involved had joined.

From the Emilia Camp, there was Emilia, Subaru and Beatrice. Both Garfiel and Otto were absent due to the gravity of their injuries.

From the Felt Camp, there was Felt, Reinhardt and Camberly, whose face was pale due to his out of placeness. Gaston and Larkins were absent due to their wounds and exhaustion.

From the Crusch Camp, the most important member, Crusch, was still resting in bed. So Ferris and Wilhelm were participating instead of their mistress.

From the Priscilla Camp, there was Al and Priscilla, whose face looked bored. Next to them was their attendant, Schult, safe and sound. It looked like Heinkel's safety had been confirmed, but he was an absentee.

And from the Anastasia Camp, there was Anastasia, who was standing in the centre like she'd taken the reins. There was Tivey and Ricardo participating as well, the latter of which had white bandages wrapped throughout his body. And Julius, who was seated away from them, on the Emilia Camp side.

Finally, there was Kiritaka, Liliana and the "White Dragon Scales" who'd joined due to their involvement.

Nearly 20 people in total who were involved one way or another had gathered in the room to carry out the post-war conference of the defensive battle.

And the one who got the ball rolling and spoke out a rebuttal against Anastasia's initial speech was Ferris, his attitude unsettled.

His yellow eyes shook with irritation as he raised his hand up,

Ferris: "The post-conference is important... I understand that. I understand that, but I wish to speak about how we're going to deal with the Sin Archbishop. In the end, one of the top brass of the Witch Cult was captured alive, right? There are many things that we need to ask. I want to hurry that up."

Anastasia: "...Well, I knew Ferris-san was goin' to say that. By the way, what's Crusch-san's current condition like? Has there been any change since?"

Ferris: "――I can just say she's stable. We couldn't get any information out of "Lust", so right now she's recovering her strength with my healing magic, and relying on her willpower. For a moment, her symptoms were relieved a bit thanks to Subaru-kun's help, but….."

Being looked at out of the corner of the eye from the frustrated Ferris, Subaru fixated his gaze on his own palm. A part of his palm had turned black, and it was in a state where it exposed an unseemliness like that of a burn or birthmark.

A similar change had occurred in Subaru's right thigh which was covered by his trousers. Subaru didn't feel any pain or the feeling of anything foreign in it, but it wasn't like that for Crusch. The removal of that which was definitely eating up her strength was a matter of the highest priority to save her life.

That, and it was also rather tough for a woman to bear those black veins on her skin. That a beautiful woman like Crusch had been affected made her stand out all the more painfully.

Anastasia: "If I'm ta speak honestly, I ain't in agreement with keepin' that Sin Archbishop alive. That thing is a being that brings only trouble. If it's possible, killin' 'em in a hurry would definitely be for the best."

Ferris: "――! But then our leads would disappear!"

Whilst Subaru worried about the black veins, the argument between Anastasia and Ferris was reaching a boiling point.

In regards to the captured Sin Archbishop's treatment――Sirius, Ferris stubbornly shook his head at Anastasia who had suggested its execution. It was natural from his point of view.

However, Anastasia merely shook her head at Ferris who was getting fired up.

Anastasia: "I think what happened to Crusch-san is a pity. But, they're different mattas. Besides, that "Wrath" even knows anythin' about "Lust"... No, I don't think they do in the long run. To me, it seems very unlikely that the Witch Cult was cooperatin' with each other."

Ferris: "If they're connected, then why!? Why did something like today happen!? The Sin Archbishops all gathered and came to attack the city, and yet, they're not cooperating!?"

Anastasia: "Of course, even I ain't sayin' that their actions overlapped by happenstance. But, their aims, retreat times 'n dispersion don't match, it'd be a little weird to call that cooperation... The Witch Cult doesn't have any awareness of stuff like cooperation. "

Ferris: "That's just a deduction, right!?"

Raising his voice, Ferris completely denied Anastasia's words. It looked like Anastasia as well had realised that her suggestion was difficult to accept, and it didn't seem like she was going to give a rebuttal to that which she'd been denied by Ferris' sentimental argumental.

Thereupon, Subaru slowly raised his hand up.

Subaru: "May I say something? I also have an opinion, but if anything, an opinion that's close to Ferris'. I don't think it's pointless getting information out of "Wrath.""

Ferris: "...What do you mean?"

Subaru: "It isn't a story I'm proud of, but a little while ago, I was allowed to speak with "Wrath" for a short amount of time, there I was able to hear a little bit about "Gluttony". Even if it was only about the length, depth and closeness of their relationship, it's too hasty to say we can't get any information out of them."

In fact, "Wrath" had thrown some words similar to a warning at Subaru about "Gluttony".

Thanks to that, there was a part in which Subaru had realised the possibility of "Gluttony" having several individuals, and had ended up not overlooking Julius when he'd tried to distance himself from the shelter. He couldn't close his eyes to this. Nevertheless, within Subaru's true feelings, he also had a part which agreed with Anastasia.

Subaru: "But, leaving aside whether we can or can't use them as a source of information, I also have a bad feeling in regards to keeping them captured...Though all the Sin Archbishops are like that."

Right now, so that they could partake in the conference, Sirius' guard duty was entrusted to the "White Dragon's Scales".

She was in a condition where she was bound in chains without quarter, and had even been gagged so to stop her from talking. They'd also been instructed to take turns keeping guard, as their hearts had the potential to be manipulated were they stay near her for too long. Nothing should happen during this conference, but his anxiety was unending.

Subaru: "It's necessary to feel this anxiety whilst they are captured alive. I can't unconditionally make a decision about what to do about that."

Ferris: "Which side are you on...!?"

Ferris pointed his eyes, which were full of hatred, towards the fence-sitting Subaru. Subaru grimaced at the heat of his gaze, and said,

Subaru: "I'm not taking sides. Honestly, I think both of you are right... In the worst case, I will do something about the black veins in Crusch-san's body using the parts of my body which haven't turned black, if that solves the issue, then I think that'll be no issue."

Ferris: "――Ha"

Emilia: "Subaru"

Subaru's own judgement was a fairly extreme conclusion in regards to Crusch's black veins. Upon hearing those words, Ferris' face became flabbergasted, and Emilia looked at him with rebukeful eyes.

Everyone else also turned to look at him with shock, and complex emotions in their gazes.

Emilia: "I also heard about that, but that's truly as a last resort, right? Right now we don't know what'll happen even if it's nothing, but, acting like this is normal is...."

Subaru: "Well, it's not like even I want to put that seemingly unhealthy ink in my body for fun. But, we have a precedent with Crusch-san that it relieved her symptoms a little.

Emilia: "――――"

Subaru: "What I mean to say is: don't hurry in drawing conclusions. I understand the feelings of impatience, but even if my back or my butt turns black, given that they're out of sight, I'm not reluctant to help out. That's what I'm on about."

Despite there being a way to be able to do something, letting it go by due to his own cuteness would leave him a bad taste in his mouth.

Crusch was a valued benefactor to him, and more importantly, there was a way that didn't involve his, nor any of the others life. He'd try and help as much as he could if it was something like darkening his skin which was out of sight.

Wilhelm: "Ferris, sit yourself. For the time being, Subaru-dono is right."

Ferris: "...I know. I really know."

The one who pulled Ferris' sleeve, who was lost for words, and made him calm down, was Wilhelm. Ferris looked down and tried to say something to Subaru, but sat down without saying anything in the end.

Subaru let out a sigh on seeing his state; the mood around the then tensened meeting area went back to normal. Even so, the situation from before still continued.

Anastasia: "In any case, I understan' that everyone's opinions regardin' the treatment of the Sin archbishops are divided. It's worryin' to keep 'em alive, 'n even the limits of mine 'n Natsuki-kun's instincts ain' comin' out...In truth, if they'd killed 'em instead of captured 'em, our talk would have gone all the more quicka."

Priscilla: "――What, this worthless spiel has ended? No matter how much you gaze upon mineself, no rewards shalt be given to a show that lacks value. Cease that beggar's look immediately."

Priscilla replied with a yawn to the bantering Anastasia's look.

That misplaced reply was proof that Priscilla hadn't been listening to the conversation properly up until now. Her participating in this conference must also have been some kind of whim of hers.

Anastasia: "Don' speak so slyly. Though that attitude is unbecomin' for one who captured someone from the Witch Cult alive, more than anyone else, why did ya capture 'em? What led to this bizarre turn of events?"

Priscilla: "As if mineself knew whether she'd live or die. When I gave the final blow, the Yang Sword clouded over and its sharpness disappeared. Thus, she survived. The one who dragged her out from the canal was one of the rabble who'd drained the water in search for the songstress. It has nothing to do with mineself."

Anastasia: "It doesn' bother you that the one you'd tried to kill didn' die?"

Priscilla: "The contrary. Mineself drove the sword solely to kill. If she didn't die by that, then mineself has no intention to kill her again. Though she didn't die by mine hand, it seems to be all the more convenient as far as mineself is concerned."

Anastasia: "Haa, I don't understand, but aight."

Anastasia seemed to have given up trying to understand Priscilla, who as ever, had elaborated her enigmatic theory. Subaru didn't know her intentions either, but Priscilla's thinking probably wasn't understood by anyone else.

It was dubious whether even Al and Schult, who stood by her side, understood heads or tails of it.

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Reinhardt: "At least, I am against judging "Wrath" in this place. I do want to respect Ferris' feelings of course, and it's also a unique opportunity for the Kingdom. On top of strictly keeping guard of them, I think that we should make an effort to get what they know out of them."

Felt: "...I think it's better to kill 'em. Even just remembering those Sin Archbishops makes me sick to the stomach, I don't think they'd say anything that half makes sense. It's better to kill 'em before being dragged into something problematic, so that they won't cause any problems in the future, prob'ly."

Reinhardt: "Felt-sama..."

Felt: "For your information, I ain't at all saying this to get on your nerves this time."

And, coming from a different place, the opinions were split between master and servant.

Reinhardt, who had advocated that they should keep "Wrath" alive, and Felt, who had denied that. Although, Felt's opinion wasn't well grounded.

Felt herself didn't seem to think that her opinion would be accepted. In the end, "Wrath's" person would be given into custody to the Kingdom, it looked like it would end up like that. And in the worst case, in the eventuality that a conviction would need to be carried out too."

Anastasia: "When it comes ta bein' suitable for that, ya are it seems. But in this case, will Felt-san follow ya to the capital too? Or shall master and servant go their separate ways….."

Felt: "If Reinhardt's going, I'm going too. ――This time, it can't be helped."

Reinhardt's face changed to one of astonishment on hearing Felt's words. Felt caught a fleeting glimpse of his face from the side, and plastered a deep scowl on her lovely face,

Felt: "Don't get the wrong idea. The fact that I can't stand you ain't changed. It ain't changed, but there's times where I ain't gonna do that."

Reinhardt: "There are times where you aren't going to do that?"

Felt: "I don't know. Try ask that to your own chest. My chest ain't soft enuff to reply back t'ya."

Sticking out her underdeveloped chest for her age, Felt stuck her tongue out at Reinhardt. Reinhardt cast his eyes down seeing his master's attitude, and then quietly lifted his chin up.

Only they themselves knew what feelings there were between master and servant. At any rate, it looked like the Felt Camp too wasn't the same as it had been a year ago.

Camberley: "W-Well, in that case, I'll..."

Reinhardt: "Camberly, look after Larkins and Gaston. Once they can move about, they may first return back to the mansion. Bring them only in contact with Old Man Rom."

Camberley: "Y-yessir, I understand."

A look of relief came over the uncomfortable-looking Camberley on receiving his orders.