"You were the one who sent Emilia to participate in the king's election, right? But now you say you don't trust Emilia...!"
Subaru was so angry that he wanted to approach him, but at this moment he interrupted his words, and then roughly rubbed his eyebrows, saying "calm down" as a mantra to his overflowing brain.
Subaru has a bad habit of getting angry immediately in the middle of a conversation. It is because of this short temper that he made many long detours in the capital.
"... Let's go on in order, starting from the accomplice, and explain everything clearly."
"Okay, if that suits your wish, then what I tell you will be the answer to your question."
Subaru calmed down his anger on his own, which made Roswaal very satisfied. He glared at him with his arms folded in front of his chest. Subaru silently urged the conversation to continue.
"First of all, let me explain what I really mean by "you are an accomplice"... It's actually very simple. I just hope that you will continue to help and support Lady Emilia as before, as long as your mood allows.
All you need to do is sit on the throne."
"You don't need to say this...then what do you do?"
"Of course it's the same. I will fully support Emilia-sama to win the king's election and stand in the position of unifying the kingdom. You see, you have the same purpose as me. Aren't you an accomplice?"
"If this is the only intention, then it's not enough to talk about partners. The meaning of accomplices is too different."
After hearing the conditions described by Roswaal, Subaru still kept his voice low and held it tight.
The reason is very valid. It really does not constitute the "accomplice" element mentioned by Roswaal, and there is no need to discuss it without hiding Emilia's knowledge.
"What you said is very contradictory. If you are serious about letting Emilia sit on the throne, how do you explain the omissions you made before coming to the "Sanctuary"?"
"Omission, does it mean?"
"No need to ask! Once Emilia's participation in the king's election is made public, it is common knowledge that the Witch Cult will take action! Everyone said that Roswaal will definitely have a strategy to deal with it... But I
Why didn’t you see it? If this is not an omission, then what is an omission!?”
Subaru's careless attitude provoked an angry response. At the same time, he also expressed the doubts that had been in his heart. If this became a fuse, dissatisfaction would only flow out in an endless stream——
"After all, you hid the Witch Cult thing and didn't tell Emilia, right? Emilia didn't know anything about the Witch Cult. She didn't even realize what would happen if she participated in the King's Selection. If she knew, everything would be fine.
It’s different! In that case, it wouldn’t be...!”
The more he spoke, the more excited Subaru became, reminding Yuexing of the scene at that time.
The villagers were massacred and there were corpses everywhere
"...If you were here, it would be fine. If you were here, that kind of thing wouldn't happen. But, why, you're not here?"
"Barrus..."
The voice was mixed with endless sadness, so painful that even Ram's cheeks became stiff.
Subaru didn't shed any tears, but his face wrinkled up as he confided in Roswaal.
"If you stay and protect everyone...I..."
"However, you completed the mission on my behalf, which is a meritorious service in the name of a pairing knight..."
"——! Who told you this!"
The gratitude for the knighthood that had just been guaranteed disappeared in an instant.
The result of that battle was indeed worth enough to be knighted, but the battle itself was a symbol of fault for Subaru now. If there could have been no such battle——
"Calm down, Burruss"
"Ram...!"
When Subaru couldn't help but take a step forward, Ram stood in front of him, protecting Roswaal behind him. At the same time, Yuexing, who also took a step forward, stopped Subaru with his hand.
"Even if Lord Roswaal is injured now, one finger is enough to stop Barus's offense... But no one is allowed to be disrespectful to Lord Roswaal in front of Ram."
"Can you accept it? You, being left in the mansion, are treated like an outcast! Roswaal escaped from the Witch Cult's attack with his tail between his legs! Am I wrong!?"
"This has nothing to do with whether you accept it or not. Ram allows all of Roswaal-sama's actions, even if Ram is treated ruthlessly or abandoned."
Ram's reaction was more intense than expected. It was completely unimaginable what kind of relationship Ram and Roswaal had developed over such a long time.
"Ram, step aside. This conversation is between me and him. You are only allowed to attend, but you are not allowed to speak. Do you understand -?"
"...Yes, I'm very sorry for talking too much."
Ram bowed and stood beside Roswaal again.
Roswaal narrowed his eyes and said:
"I will respond to you sincerely tonight. This is my decision, so - I will answer your questions with the truth."
"————"
"Why I concealed the information that I should tell Lady Emilia, and why I was not in the mansion when the Witch Cult attacked - the answer to both is the same."
Subaru strained his neck and raised his head
Roswaal closed one eye and said to Subaru:
"——Because I deliberately induced the situation to develop into a situation where I don't need to confront the Witch Cult."
"……ah?"
Seeing him say this frankly, Subaru couldn't understand what he meant and was stunned.
Bite it into pieces, chew it and swallow it. After tasting this sentence in your mind, the content penetrates your soul.
"I don't understand. What are you talking about? Are you like that? You ran away? You were really afraid that the Witch Church would come, so... why did you do that!"
"Can't understand? As the kingdom's most famous think tank and one of the few powerful factions, I am able to expel them with violence that surpasses the power of the Witch Cult, and I avoid fighting the Witch Cult. So what surprises you?"
"Of course! If you were here, things could be solved easily..."
"Is it because of merit?" Yuexing said
"Hey, eh...?"
Subaru looked at Yuexing with a confused expression.
"The effect is amazing - right? The current attitude of the residents of Alam Village toward Emilia-sama is completely opposite to what it was before the Witch Cult was defeated. From being a witch-related person who did not want to understand, to one who is dedicated to protecting his own life.
Isn’t your benefactor’s evaluation of you similar to this?”
"you you……"
Under the impact, the depths of his throat were shaking, and Subaru's voice became unclear.
That kind of attitude filled Subaru with an incomprehensible fear deep in his heart.
Roswaal just said this: He knew about the threat of the Witch Cult and expected that they would attack, so he used that man-made disaster to gain public opinion.
In the final analysis, it was Roswaal's calculation from beginning to end.
"It depends on the outcome. It just happened to turn out like this. If it were all solved by you, Emilia... her relationship with the villagers might still be like that, but!"
What came to mind was the scene I had seen in the cathedral before evening - the scene where Emilia was talking to the residents who had come to the "Sacred Area" to take refuge, and was entrusted with hope.
Perhaps that is indeed a situation where Roswaal's goal will not be realized until it is achieved.
"This is simply consequentialism! Do you think that because you were away and you didn't tell us, how many people were killed? Indeed, the sacrifices were kept to a minimum, and we only worked so hard to do this! But it's not zero, some people still died!
"
"I express my condolences for the sacrifices on our side. The death of the enemy is natural. Even if I were here, every one of the Witch Cult would be turned into ashes. Do you want me to apologize?"
"——! No! No, no, no, it's not like that! I don't want your apology!"
Subaru shook his head in disgust and powerlessness, expressing his rejection of Roswaal's words.
"...Then what would you do if I was a waste that couldn't do anything? What if it turned out that neither Emilia nor the villagers could be saved?"
"——I believe you. Besides, it's not like I didn't make the second preparation. This is indeed the case."
Roswaal looked at Yuexing and said with a smile
If Subaru really can't do anything, Tsukisei next to him will solve the problem on Subaru's behalf.
So after hearing Roswaal's answer, Subaru could only laugh in disappointment.
"...You don't have the heart to answer seriously?"
"Maybe it's different from the answer you expected, but am I serious? I have decided not to lie to you tonight. I will say things that cannot be said. I will keep my mouth shut about things that are not good for me. But
What I said was definitely not a lie, that’s the only thing I can swear to.”
Roswaal's tone was serious, but his distrust of him was so strong that he couldn't believe his words.
The conversation from the beginning to now has made it impossible for Subaru to accept everything he said.
Even though Subaru remained silent out of distrust, Roswaal continued without changing his expression.
"Let me say it again - I made this judgment because I believe in you. If it were you, you would run for Lady Emilia, try your best to form an alliance with Lord Cursch, and risk your life to repel the incoming attack.
Witch Cult, I believe you will achieve the above achievements."
"What do you know about me!? We've only known each other for two months, but I look like someone who can accomplish something great enough for you to trust!?"
When emotions get aroused, those beautiful words and phrases that only sound nice and comfortable are simply nonsense.
Subaru bared his teeth ferociously and his three white eyes became sharper, pointing at Roswaal and roaring.
"It's impossible. When I was separated from you, I was a real waste. That waste became more or less decent because of what happened after that. And those things, except for what I remember, never happened at all -
—What do you believe in me?”
There is no way to have a conversation. If the other party is not interested in answering seriously, then the conversation is meaningless.
Facing Subaru who was breathing rapidly, Roswaal's attitude did not waver at all. In this case, his eyes were his answer, indicating that he had no intention of correcting his statement or conveying the facts.
"...It seems that tonight's conversation has come to an end -"
As if he could see through Subaru's heart, Roswaal announced the end of the conversation, and Subaru had no objection, at least, until he really wanted to go to the conversation table.
"My evaluation in your heart has plummeted, which makes me extremely regretful... By the way, I think there is no need to confirm, but please keep tonight's matter a secret from Lady Emilia."
"I don't know how to say it. How can I say it out loud? Moreover, no matter what your calculations are, what expressions you use behind your back to snicker secretly... What we are today is the result of Emilia's own choice."
Her determination to challenge the "trial" of the grave, her agreement with the villagers who support her to liberate the barrier, and her determination to move towards the king's election in the future were all chosen by Emilia herself.
It's definitely not for the sake of following Roswaal's bad ideas.
"Although you are so angry now, you understand in your heart that the current situation is correct. It is for the sake of Lady Emilia's path to the king's election, and you should not conflict with me and the villagers."
"————"
"You have become mature - indeed, you are very suitable to be my accomplice"
"...You guys are going to die badly."
"I already knew that I would definitely go to hell. Because of this, before that, I must try my best to be as tyrannical as possible in this world."
Roswaal looked lovingly at Subaru, who was panting because he couldn't do what he wanted, with the gaze of a predator. After returning his gaze with a hostile glance, Subaru turned his back to him.
Then, Yuexing looked at Roswaal and asked
"I want to ask something, although I don't know if you have the heart to answer it seriously."
"What is it? The oath of honest reply is also valid for you, no matter what happens - just ask."