"Mr. Wilhelm, thank you just now for speaking for us."
After the conversation in the lounge ended, leaving Phyllis crying and Crusch comforting in the room, Yuexing stopped Wilhelm who walked to the corridor.
"Won't"
The sword demon who turned around continued to speak in a way that made it difficult to feel the fatigue of continuous fighting.
"It's not a big deal. It's better to say that I can't help you in the critical scene."
"That's not the case. Without Mr. Wilhelm, I wouldn't have been able to defeat the White Whale, and I wouldn't have been able to find anyone who would let me trust Emilia and the others with peace of mind. Thank you very much," Subaru said
But when faced with Subaru's thanks, Wilhelm couldn't look happy. He was a person who valued friendship and felt responsible for injuries to others. Facing the too gentle Sword Demon, Subaru forced out a smile.
"The situation can't be called stable, but you can still go to Madam's tomb, right? Although I can't say that I feel at ease, at least I have killed my most powerful enemy."
Hearing Subaru's words to change the topic, Wilhelm's cheeks stiffened slightly.
This reaction surprised Subaru, but before he could be confused, Wilhelm did something even more surprising - he suddenly bowed deeply towards Subaru.
"Your Highness Subaru, Your Highness Yuexing, I must thank you."
"Wait, please don't do this! In fact, I should be the one thanking you..."
"No, that's not the case. I didn't speak for you just because I thought about you. I just advocated continuing the alliance with Lady Emilia based on superficial personal reasons. I also concealed my sincerity. I feel ashamed of my shamelessness.
"
Not understanding the meaning of Wilhelm's introspection, Subaru could only have question marks on his head.
In front of Subaru, Wilhelm suddenly rolled up his shirt sleeves and wrapped a bandage around his left shoulder where it connected to his body. It was still bleeding.
"It hurts a lot, but as long as I treat Phyllis..."
"This injury can't be healed. It's a knife wound with the "God of Death's Blessing", which will make it impossible for the opponent to recover."
"It can't be cured... Then, Mr. Wilhelm!"
Facing Wilhelm who shook his head heavily, Subaru was in shock and disbelief.
Subaru could imagine the fear of an injury that could not be healed. If he could not stop the bleeding, his life would be limited.
However, unlike Subaru who was attacked by anxiety, Wilhelm remained calm.
"My life is not a problem at this time."
"How could it not be! What should I do to make that injury..."
"This is not a recent injury, it is an old injury from a long time ago, which just opened again - and this fact is of great significance to me now."
Listening to Wilhelm's calm voice, Subaru found himself trembling all over
The tremors gradually spread to his hands and feet, and at some point he couldn't even bite his teeth. Then he immediately understood that the reason was the dense and terrifying sword energy emanating from the sword demon in front of him.
The sword ghost said calmly
"Injuries received by the "God of Death's Blessing" will become more powerful when the person holding this blessing is nearby. If the person is close to the blessing, the originally healed wound will open again. This is the case with this injury."
"Then, the person who injured Mr. Wilhelm before is nearby..."
"The one who left this wound on my left shoulder was the previous "Sword Master""
These words made Subaru hold his breath and look at Wilhelm.
He stared at Subaru's eyes, filled with calm burning flames, and then said
"Thearesia van Astrea, the wound opened by Azuma's sword——In order to confirm this, I must continue to track the Witch Cult."
…
I just walked around without thinking about anything, but when I came to my senses, I found myself standing in front of the room where Rem was sleeping.
Opening the door and walking in gently, Yuexing was waiting quietly by the bed.
Rem is lying on the bed, her posture does not change at night or during the day.
There is breathing, and the heart is still beating, but other than that there is no sign of any activity. It is obviously there, but it is not there.
"Subaru? Why are you here?"
"I'm a little worried. I came here to see you. I also came to check on Rem's condition."
Yuexing closed the book in her hand and shook her head
"I forgot to tell you about Rem."
"What happened?"
Yuexing took off the bracelet from his wrist and placed it in Subaru's hand.
After a while, Subaru showed a shocked look on his face and looked around nervously. Then he showed a relieved expression and returned the bracelet to Yuexing.
Yuexing pointed to his head and said:
"Thanks to this guy, Rem's existence and memory can be regained."
"It's really convenient to have this thing, so the goal now is to find a way to restore Rem from "Gluttony""
Subaru sighed.
"Squeak——"
"--excuse me"
As the door opened, a silver bell voice came from the door. Subaru's shoulders shook and he turned around. He looked at Subaru with a faint smile. It was the important girl who had been alone for the past few hours.
"Amelia...what's the matter?"
"That girl and I...maybe have something to do with Miss Rem, right?"
"Miss Rem, ah"
Emilia came over, stood next to Subaru and looked at Rem, stroking her silver hair. The honorific name she added sounded strange.
"So," Emilia said after hearing Subaru's words.
"I used to call this girl by her first name."
"Because Emilia-chan is a distinguished guest of Roswaal, and she is Ram's sister, so there is no need to explain this, right?"
"Well, I understand. After all, she looks exactly like Ram, so there can be no mistake."
Looking at Rem's sleeping face, Emilia's mind probably pictured Ram's appearance. The twin sisters looked exactly the same. Except for the color of their hair and pupils, as well as the size of their eyes and breasts, everything else was the same.
"You haven't slept yet, right? It would be better to take a little rest."
“I don’t feel tired because I haven’t done anything.”
"But, actually you want to do something, right? If you keep working hard like that, your body will get tired first, so go and rest."
The room was filled with a strange atmosphere. Yuexing sighed, stood up and walked out.
"I'm going to take a rest first. You guys can chat slowly..."
After Yuexing disappeared at the end of the corridor, Subaru finally looked at Emilia. After entering this room, their eyes met for the first time. The worry revealed in the blue-purple pupils made Subaru exhale.
Because I finally know what Amelia came to this room to do.
"I'm so embarrassed"
"No, that's not the case. Subaru, you helped me a lot, really."
Seeing Subaru laughing at himself, Emilia shook her head. From the beginning, she came to this room because she was worried about the haggard Subaru. She forced herself to touch Subaru tenderly.
Emilia bent over, sat on the chair and looked at Subaru, saying desperately
"It will be fine. I won't say things that I think I understand. I want to understand Subaru's feelings, but... I feel that I have forgotten this girl and I don't know anything. No matter what I say, it will be hurt.
Pleiades"
"————"
"But, there is only one thing I hope you understand - about Rem, don't worry alone, let me share your worries."
"Emilia..."
Subaru's eyes widened at Emilia's sudden words.
Because Emilia’s request was completely beyond Subaru’s expectations.
"But, you don't remember Rem at all..."
"I don't remember, but I can want to do something, right? I also want to help, is it so incredible that I would think so?"
"————"
"Just like Subaru helped me, I also want to help Subaru this time. If Subaru is injured, I will want to do something - this is natural, right?"
Trust that is reposed without hesitation and kindness that requires no doubt
Emilia deliberately said these words, which melted Subaru's stubbornness for the first time. Only then did he realize that his stubborn self was really stupid.
"...Emilia-chan, you are so amazing."
"Is that so? I think Subaru is more powerful."
"No, that's not the case - it's great to have you."
Hearing what Subaru said, Emilia was stunned. She couldn't tell whether she understood or didn't understand. Subaru smiled bitterly.
"Emilia, I have something to ask you."
"What's up?"
"Can I face the back? - I feel like crying."
"Oh, I see"
Faced with Subaru's request, Emilia turned her back to him without asking anything.
Saved by this thoughtfulness, Subaru looked at his knees, letting his emotions surge up, sniffing and crying.
"————"
In a room filled with only sobs, Subaru choked at the sudden warmth.
Emilia hugged Subaru across the back of the chair and gently stroked his head.
"————"
No words, no need for anything
Only by being redeemed by gentleness, Subaru shed his frustration and tears together
then swear
"——I will definitely make this never happen again, absolutely"
"Absolutely, I will welcome you back with the most perfect victory."
"No longer relying on the moon and stars, but using my own strength"