"...What did you say?" Subaru raised his eyebrows at the sudden metaphor, but it was Emilia who raised his head to express his opinion.
"I've heard that it's a disease that keeps falling asleep and never waking up... That's right, and it doesn't make you grow old or get sick while you're asleep."
"It is a disease with very few cases in the Kingdom. There have been several reports of falling into the "Sleeping Beauty" condition, but I have never heard of anyone waking up. Apart from memory issues, the symptoms are very similar."
The person who makes up for Emilia's shortcomings is Wilhelm, but there is a personal feeling in his voice.
Perhaps one of his close friends also suffers from "Sleeping Beauty" disease
In any case, the relationship between Rem's condition and "Sleeping Beauty" cannot escape the realm of speculation.
"The details can only be obtained from Gluttony."
When Yuexing said these words, Subaru peeked into Emilia's profile
The Witch Cult's obsession with half-elves will also cast a shadow on Emilia's life in the future.
"In this case, Subaru, you guys will have to confront the Witch Cult...Is that so?"
Seeing Subaru like this, Phyllis seemed a little tired and sighed.
Then--
"The alliance we agreed on...is going to be cancelled, meow?"
"————"
——The words Phyllis said made the air in the lounge freeze silently.
For a moment, Subaru didn't know what he was talking about, but when he understood the content, passion began to heat up in Subaru's body.
"What does that mean? Why would the alliance be canceled based on the direction just now?"
However, contrary to his burning inner self, Subaru asked in an extremely calm voice, Phyllis is not someone who talks casually without thinking about anything, at least that's what Subaru believed.
Therefore, Phyllis was surprised that she was not scolded.
"It's nothing, that's all. An alliance is something that is beneficial to both parties. However, our interests have been offset, so there is no point in helping you."
"What do you say about the forest mining rights? It is true that we help you fight the white whale, and you help us eliminate "Sloth", the sinner of the Witch Cult. It is considered even..."
"——If we continue the alliance, it will be equivalent to helping Emilia-sama who is targeted by the Witch Cult? Or can Subaru Jiu guarantee that Crusch-sama will not be hurt anymore?"
"this……"
Phyllis' question made Subaru hesitate about how to proceed.
Seeing Crusch become like this, one cannot deny Felice's worries, because Subaru is still carrying the same wounds as him.
Therefore, Subaru is not the one who opposes Phyllis’s speech.
"I disagree with you, Phyllis."
Wilhelm, who was sitting on a chair, said this to Phyllis' side face. When his own people objected, Phyllis glared at the sword demon.
"Why is Lord Heim opposed? Lord Crusch was like this after being attacked by "Gluttony". What's the point of continuing to cooperate with Lord Emilia and the others?"
"If you want a reason... facing "Gluttony" means you have the opportunity to avenge our master."
"——You mean that is more important than Crusch-sama's life!?"
Wilhelm always retorted calmly, and finally let Phyllis's emotions explode. Phyllis looked down at his palms and bit his lip angrily.
"If you continue to be associated with the Witch Cult, the same thing as this time will definitely happen again. Looking at the current Crusch-sama, she will be unable to protect herself by then - and I will be unable to help at all."
"Phyllis..."
Phyllis directed an almost hateful emotion towards his slender white fingers, touching a part of his anger. Subaru finally understood his regret.
What tortured Phyllis was the same feeling of powerlessness that Subaru also had.
Although he valued Crusch, he was unable to protect her. Phyllis hated herself for being like this, especially since even the ultimate healing magic could not cure Crusch——
"Lord Crusch must also be feeling very uncomfortable. He doesn't know anything, and he doesn't remember anything... So he doesn't want to fight at all, right? Right?"
Phyllis turned to Crusch as if asking for help. Her expression had collapsed, and she had lost the normalcy she had maintained until just now. Her side face, which was about to burst into tears, hid its weakness in a paper shell.
All of this comes from the heart of not wanting Crusch to get hurt——
"I will definitely find a way to deal with memory matters. Even if there is no way now, I will definitely use my magic to solve it. So, dangerous things..."
"——Phyllis, thank you for worrying about me."
Crusch smiled tenderly at Phyllis, who obeyed his sincere confession.
However, behind the smile is not acknowledgment of the waiter's request to escape from danger, but a strong will and awareness.
Faced with Phyllis's plea, she refused gently but firmly, and decided to fight with consciousness.
——She has no memory, but the will of the disappeared Crusch Karsten still remains in her heart.
Even Subaru knows it. As her chief knight, there is no way Felice doesn't know it.
Crusch put his hand on Felice's trembling hand, then looked at Subaru and the others resolutely.
"Now, there are still many things that I don't know. I can't remember my past self at all. It must be very confusing for everyone and they don't know how to treat me... Even so, I still want to thank you for respecting me now."
"Lord Crusch..."
"I understand that Phyllis is really worried about me and wants to hold my hand and escape. If you do as you say, you can walk on a safe road... But"
Crusch took turns looking at the other three, and finally stared tenderly at Phyllis, whose eyes were filled with tears.
"I hate being led away without knowing anything or understanding anything. If I have to choose, I don't want to follow other people's opinions, but rely on my own judgment - I plan to continue to work hard like this
"
——Even without memory, human will is still noble and noble
If human will and essence don't come from memory, where do they exist? Looking at Crusch who has lost his past but is still strong, Subaru can't help but think this way.
It's the "soul" Crusch mentioned before, right?
"——Woo, woo...!"
"Since Crusch-sama says so, no one can even think of canceling the alliance."
"Yes, I am causing trouble for Emilia-sama and Natsuki Subaru."
Felice, who was crying, could no longer participate in the conversation. Wilhelm took over the topic instead, and Crusch, who was holding Felice, apologized to Subaru and the others.
"No, it doesn't matter...we can't say we are all on the same page. If we want to meet up with Ram and his friends who have taken refuge in the "Sacred Domain", we need to discuss it carefully with Roswaal."
"Thank you very much. Master Natsuki Subaru also agrees with this conclusion..."
"——Ah, that's it. What's going on with Anastasia this time?"
Agreeing to continue the alliance between the two camps, at the end of the conversation, Subaru brought up the name
Moby Dick and "Sloth" are indirectly related to these two people, but were not invited to the final meeting.
——How to deal with Anastasia Hessing is a difficult problem for both camps.
"...Julius aside, Anastasia-sama will definitely take advantage of this situation."
Phyllis, who was sniffing and had red eyes, said disgustedly in Crusch's arms.
As far as the current situation is concerned, if Crusch's condition is made public, the reputation that was originally hailed as the "Seed Candidate for the King's Choice" will be severely shaken. Even if it is compared with the merits of exterminating the white whale, it will be a big problem. Anna
There's no way Tasia wouldn't take advantage of this
"However, if you want to reward according to merit, they must also participate. Can Miss Crusch's matter be kept a secret?"
"Then it's up to us, Subaru, you guys... before we decide how to deal with it, just keep it a secret for us. This is included in the conditions of the alliance."
Only the last part moved his mouth very quickly, as if Phyllis was speaking as if he was leaving Subaru behind.
Regarding the alliance, he initially said that it would be canceled and then added conditions without authorization. In short, his attitude was so selfish and willful that people wanted to complain, but——
"Okay, I got it - just because of your crying face"
It's fitting for the relationship between Subaru and Felice to end with bad words like this.
Because of his powerlessness and the feeling of being comforted by important people, Subaru felt the same pain.