Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu web novel

　--Two important people disappearing at the same time.

　Naturally, facing an experience that had never occurred to him in any of the previous loops, Subaru was filled with a sense of unease.

　Subaru rushes through the Sanctuary and heads to the temporary lodgings where Lewes was staying. He learns that while he is renting his house to Emilia, Lewes is living in a hut on the outskirts of the village.

"...Here we go."

　Subaru violently pushed open the door and stepped in, where he was greeted by Garfiel, who was standing with his arms crossed inside the building. He glared at Subaru with an irritated look on his face, his nose furrowed, and said,

"You're late. How long have you been making people wait, you bastard?"

"I-I came here in a hurry... More importantly, what about Lewes-san going missing?"

"Just as you saw."

　Garfiel jerked his chin and gestured around the small room. There wasn't much space to really look around. Ryuzu's temporary residence was a shack-like structure, a simple space with just a bed placed there by itself in a cramped room.

　And if Ryuzu wasn't to be found by the bed, there was no doubt that she was away.

　Taking a steadying breath, Subaru roughly wiped the sweat off his chin with his sleeve.

"I can see that she's not there, but... isn't it a bit of an exaggeration to say she's missing? Even Lewes-san looks young, but she's a fine adult. There's no need to make such a fuss over something as simple as going out for a walk..."

"Don't make fun of me! What do you know?! That old hag hasn't missed breakfast even once without giving any explanation. I've never seen her oversleep or stay sick in bed, and now she's going for a walk? I'll eat her alive."

"Even though you speak rudely, what a homely relationship you and Lewes have..."

　Despite the circumstances, the evidence that determined Lewes' disappearance was heartwarming and relaxing. But Garfiel had no interest in my relaxation.

　He approached Subaru, who had finally straightened his back, and bared his fangs,

"Something that has never happened before suddenly happened this morning. If something unprecedented is happening in this village right now, even a fool can see that it's because you guys have something to do with it. --You, haven't done anything unnecessary to that old hag, have you?"

　Although it was merely a false accusation, in this instance Garfiel's suspicions were spot on.

　Lewes - θ was supposed to be in charge today, but Subaru was almost certainly responsible for θ's disappearance. It was hard to imagine that θ had been kidnapped by someone, just like Emilia.

　She left the place on her own two feet, without leaving a message for Garfiel. Just like Emilia, she was blocked by the barrier of the Sanctuary, and was unable to escape. So θ's goal was to hide. --But she had an even more urgent time limit than Emilia.

"In Mr. Theta's case, if we can't find it by today..."

　The role would be passed on to another Crown tomorrow - either α, β, or Σ. If that happened, it would be impossible to have a discussion with θ before the deadline two days later, which would mean the complete capture of the Sanctuary would be thwarted.

"Did you...?"

　Subaru calls Lewes that, causing Garfiel to look questioning.

　Subaru was thinking of asking for help in finding Theta, but when he saw Garfiel's expression, he suddenly changed his mind.

　The doubt that welled up in his mind caused Subaru to choke on his previous words.

"――――"

　It was a simple question, and yet it was one I had never looked into before.

　--I wonder if Garfiel knows that Ryuzu has four representative personalities?

　Garfiel knows about the abandoned testing site deep in the forest and Lewes Meyer inside the crystal. Having taken on the Trials and met Echidna, he is also qualified as an Apostle of Greed. As the current holder of command over the clones, Garfiel naturally knows that Lewes is a clone of the original, and that there are many identical doubles.

　But what happens next? Does Garfiel know that the four representatives of Ryuzu are Alpha, Beta, Sigma, and Theta?

"What? What are you doing all of a sudden going quiet? If you have any idea, then come clean and confess. They say, 'An honest and straightforward Lilib is happy even if he is deceived.'"

"That means you've been fooled until the very end, LivLiv..."

　While drawing out a Happy Prince-esque story, Subaru racks his brains over how to respond to Garfiel's pursuit.

　The encounter with Garfiel is the final hurdle in conquering the Sanctuary. To be honest, taking on the θ before he's even heard what he's really thinking is extremely unprepared. However, depending on how he responds here, he may have to touch on that point unintentionally.

　--How should he respond? After much deliberation, Subaru decided,

"Hey, Garfiel. If you really wanted to, you could summon Lewes, right?"

「――――!!」

　As soon as he'd spoken, Subaru saw Garfiel's expression change drastically. Garfiel's eyes shook in agitation and he grabbed Subaru by the collar, pulling him towards him with all his might.

　So close that their foreheads nearly collided, Garfiel's golden eyes were filled with rage, a rage so intense it seemed as if he could burn his opponent to ashes with just his gaze.

"What on earth are you trying to say? I don't understand a single thing, not even a fragment of it, not even a single Mewflam, hey."

"I, I don't know what Mewflam is, but... this isn't the reaction of someone who has the slightest clue... let go, you idiot."

　Did his temper rise to the point that he grabbed Subaru by the collar, and then regained his composure? Garfiel's words were incoherent as he tried to hide something he shouldn't have said.

　Subaru's remark hit the nail on the head and Garfiel's grip loosened, allowing Subaru to use his time to shake his body free from his grasp. He straightened out his tattered clothes, took a step away from him, and then,

Subaru: "What I want to say, I mean it literally. You're not stupid enough to not understand that. There is a way. The quickest solution. Why don't you choose that?"

"Just say it casually..."

　Grimacing in disgust, Garfiel glared at Subaru with genuine hatred.

　However, even though the emotions dwelling in their eyes were increasingly anger and hostility, Subaru could also see a clear shadow of grief casting over them.

　Subaru's expression changed as he noticed the sadness in his eyes, and Garfiel, having seen the shadow of emotion rising within himself, clicked his tongue and turned away.

"This is what happens to those with the qualifications, so you can't let your guard down. There's no telling what sort of things that wicked witch has been putting into her. Don't make fun of me, don't make fun of me."

"――――"

"He acts like he knows about the old hag's experiment site. That means he must know about the old hag's origin inside the stone... but he's not going to be very useful."

　Garfiel holds his right hand close to his chest, as if to hide it from Subaru's gaze. It may not be directly there, but it shows that he possesses the invisible power of "command."

　As Subaru interpreted his actions that way, Garfiel, still holding his arm,

"Me, you and Roswaal are different. Even if I knew it was there, I would never take advantage of it... I would never think of it."

"...Garfiel."

"I alone am enough. With me alone, there's no need for anything else. Even this power, I won't use it until the last, last, last minute comes. ――Grandma is my grandma."

　He muttered a final word.

　He had called Ryuzu "Grandma" only once before, but this time he didn't call her "I" either, as if to show off.

　Could this unintentionally leaked out be Garfiel's true feelings?

"--Tch."

　Realizing he'd said something unnecessary, Garfiel kicked the floor in frustration. The force of the kick made the whole shack shake, and Subaru felt dust fluttering down on his head and neck as he waited for Garfiel to act.

　Realizing that he was the only one feeling heated, Garfiel's expression twisted in even more discomfort and he roughly pushed Subaru away, who was standing in front of the door.

"Get out of the way. I don't need you anymore. If you can't figure out where that old hag is going, I'll just find her first. And I won't let you touch me anymore."

"You're being so judgmental and saying it's all my fault."

Subaru: "You guys…Until you guys came, nothing happened here and it was peaceful. I'll take back that time. I don't need anything anymore, inside or outside. I don't need anything anymore."

　Leaving those words weakly, Garfiel strode out of the hut. As soon as he stepped outside, he lightly bent his knees and accelerated with the strength of an animal's legs - even though it was a single road, he ran off at such a speed that he was invisible within a matter of seconds.

　Brushing away the dust caused by Garfiel's kick, Subaru looked around the room once more before following him outside.

　Putting aside Garfiel's hasty conclusion, did Lewes really leave without leaving any trace behind? Perhaps he left behind even a hint as to his destination.

"Well, if such a thing existed, someone who'd known me longer would have noticed it by now. I'm not as good-natured and I have a meaner eye than him."

　After searching for about five minutes, he sighed with self-deprecation when he found nothing. Subaru then left the hut and, casting his gaze towards the village, he began to think.

"――――"

　Emilia and Lewes θ disappeared at almost the same time.

　They had probably each left the building of their own accord, hiding from Subaru and the others. Is it possible that the two of them were acting together?

"From what I've seen, I don't recall Emilia and Lewes being friendly with each other..."

During her time in the Sanctuary, Emilia was constantly worrying about issues such as the Royal Selection and the Trials. She couldn't remember a time when she had a peaceful relationship with someone.

　At most, he may have had casual conversations with Subaru, Ram, and Otto, but it seems he didn't exchange many words with representatives of the Sanctuary, such as Lewes and Garfiel.

　Thinking back now, he realizes that such little contact with the outside world may have led to Emilia seeking responsibility for her lonely sense of mission from within, highlighting his own lack of consideration. If Subaru had handled things better, Emilia might not have ended up feeling overwhelmed by her emotions, and might have been able to find a clearer solution.

"But it's too late now..."

　Now was not the time to reflect on the indirect causes of Emilia's disappearance. Above all, if one digs deep into the reason, it can only lead to Subaru's own self-denial.

　I tend to get lost in negative thoughts, but now I don't have time to indulge in self-loathing.

"It was a blessing in disguise that Garfiel didn't know that Emilia was missing... He probably wouldn't prioritize finding her over Lewes-san, but who knows what he'll say for that reason?"

　However, that relief would be for naught if Subaru could not secure Emilia quickly. And the matter of Crown θ was not something that could be put off.

　If θ cannot be secured before Garfiel, he will be under the protection of the overprotective Garfiel, and contact will become difficult.

　In other words, what Subaru needs to do can be clearly stated as follows:

"We need to secure Emilia and Lewes θ before Garfiel. We need to secure both of them within half a day, have θ explain his reasons for opposing the liberation of the 'Sanctuary', and have Emilia recover and take on the 'Trial'… right?"

"...Natsuki-san, how long do you have to keep walking down this thorny path before you're satisfied?"

　Subaru's conclusion was more than depressing, it was one that could only be described as a bleak future. Just as he was about to speak of it, Otto, who had just arrived at the entrance to the hut, interjected.

　Otto, who had arrived much later than Subaru, frowned as he looked around the room that Subaru had thoroughly trashed, searching for any traces of the place.

"Even when it comes to house hunting, I'd like to see a bit more dignity. It seems your discussion with Garfiel went smoothly."

"We made it through safely, but it's hard to say if we gained anything from it. For now, we were able to reconfirm the situation, and based on that, what I muttered just now was our next plan of action."

"To me it just sounded like a whole bunch of messes were piled on top of each other before the problem was solved."

"..."

　Subaru's shoulders slumped in response to Otto's reasonable comment, no longer able to make jokes.

　Still, she felt a little better than before, perhaps because Otto's presence gave her the strength to know that "there's no need to continue worrying alone."

"...It's really troubling when you make a face like that, looking so obviously relieved."

"--? What is it?"

"That's what I'm saying. I don't think he's aware of it. I don't think he is. If that's the case and he's doing it to me, then I'm completely being played by him, oh my God."

　Subaru tilted his head to the side as Otto violently ripped his grey hair. However, instead of replying to Subaru's questioning expression, he raised his voice and said, "Anyway!"

"There's no doubt that the already deadlocked situation has gotten even worse. What will we do? How will we break through the situation that already made us want to run away, with even worse conditions now being piled on top of it? I feel like right now I would still be allowed to drop everything and run away."

"You're going to leave behind everything you've seen, heard, and been involved with up until now? Neither you nor I are the type to do something so irresponsible."

"...Emilia-sama may have done just that."

　Otto averted his gaze and muttered under his breath.

　He had no ill intentions, he just wanted to let out the frustration that had been building up inside him. Subaru didn't go out of his way to blame him for his attitude.

　However, in response to his words, Subaru shook his head slightly,

Subaru: "Even Emilia is not the type of girl who would run away with her tail between her legs from the problems that have piled onto her back…"

"Can you be so sure that you don't have it, Natsuki-san? I've been meaning to say this for a while now, but aren't you just focusing on Emilia-sama's pretty side too much?"

"...What do you mean? It's true that Emilia is so beautiful it could make your eyes pop out."

"I will freely admit that, but you know that it's not what I meant."

　The trivial joke was easily brushed aside, and Subaru curled his lips as he met Otto's gaze.

　Otto, as if he was seeing something pitiful, raised his finger and said, "Is it okay?"

"When you're in love with someone, it's understandable that you want to see only their good side. That happens all the time. There's nothing to blame for projecting your ideal image onto someone."

"――――"

"But Lady Emilia is not a perfect person. In fact, she has many problems. That includes things that are beyond Lady Emilia's control. Her origins, her position, and many other ties all follow her around."

　Listening to Otto's fluent words, Subaru thought that he had probably been planning to give him a similar lecture for some time, and had prepared what he was going to say.

　And indeed, his words consisted entirely of sound reasoning that left no room for argument.

"Of course, such external factors have nothing to do with Emilia-sama's own inner nobility. I would honestly say that your beautiful appearance is a good point. But, Natsuki-san, Emilia-sama is also a human… an ordinary woman. I'm sure she has her fair share of worries, weaknesses, and ugly sides, just like any other woman."

"That's something only Emilia would say..."

"It's strange to blindly think of Emilia-sama as something separate from the rest. You yourself, Natsuki-san, have seen Emilia-sama's shortcomings more than enough in this Sanctuary, haven't you? This isn't limited to this place, it's likely to happen again and again in the future. After all, the place Emilia-sama seeks is somewhere high up, beyond the reach of ordinary people."

　The throne. Otto described it as the height that Emilia should aim for, the pinnacle.

　Just like Emilia, Subaru knows the people aiming for that summit.

　Crusch Karsten is noble and honest, with high ideals and a strong ability to execute.

　Priscilla Barielle is arrogant and vicious, but because of that she has an unwavering sense of self.

　Anastasia Hoshin is greedy and calculating, and has poured everything into achieving her dreams, rising to her current position with unrivaled competitive spirit.

　Felt rose from a poor and weak position to become successful in no time, yet showed an upwardly mobile spirit that refused to stop there, demonstrating a talent beyond what one would expect for his age.

　Both candidates are running for king with strong aspirations and virtues that they will not compromise on.

　Does Emilia have what it takes to stand shoulder to shoulder with such worthy rivals?

　He's just kind, more kind-hearted than anyone else. But is that not enough?

"Even now, Emilia-sama is lacking in many things. She is incomplete. Because that is the case, there will be times when the hardships that befall her will frighten her and she will want to run away. Why don't you think that now is the time when she would want to run away, Natsuki?"

"...That's something. I, Emilia, will never..."

　Absolutely. Subaru has a hard time putting what comes next into words.

　He couldn't find it. His feelings for Emilia were certainly smoldering inside his heart. What words could he use to explain them, to refute what Otto had said here?

"――――"

"...Stubborn, eh?"

　Subaru bit his lip and looked at him with eyes that clearly contained only a rebellious intent, and Otto was taken aback by his wordless gaze.

　He shrugged, shook his head in exasperation, and looked up at the village.

"We don't need to reach a conclusion on this matter here. If we keep arguing, the situation won't progress. It won't change the fact that we have to find both Emilia-sama and Lewes-san."

"...Sorry. I really need to tell you more about this."

"I'll let you off the hook, since we're just friends. So, what are you going to do?"

　Pointing outside with his chin - to the "sanctuary", Otto entrusted the course of action to Subaru.

　Should he run away or resist? Which of the two missing should he go looking for? Otto's trust in Subaru is what throws all these various problems at him.

　Though he had no intention of taking it lightly, Subaru laughed at himself for being so fortunate.

　and,

"Garfiel doesn't know that Emilia has disappeared. And it's not like Emilia will have any problems if Garfiel finds her. The worst case scenario would be if Garfiel captures Lewes first. If you can't create an opportunity to talk with Lewes, then you can be sure that the best ending will just get further away."

"...In other words"

"--Let's look for Lewes. Find him before Garfiel and hear his story."

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

"--Emilia. I have something important to tell everyone. So, please wait quietly in the usual place."

　And with that, she was whisked away to the hollow of a large tree deep in the forest - commonly known as the "Princess Room." This was one of the most disappointing events for the young Emilia.

　Emilia grew up in a hidden forest village where elves lived, loved by everyone.

　The adults were all kind to Emilia, and would put up with her if she was a little selfish without showing any signs of displeasure. She felt a little lonely that she had had few opportunities to interact with children her age, but she had to follow her instructions. Her surrogate mother, Mother Fortuna, had told her sternly that she had to abide by such rules.

　Fortuna was a surrogate mother figure who looked after Emilia in the elven settlement.

　She shared Emilia's physical features with silver hair and amethyst eyes, but she cut her long hair short as it was annoying, and she had sharp eyes which were very different from the Emilia we see now.

　Emilia doesn't remember when she started living with Fortuna, but she has been told that she is not her biological mother, but rather her aunt.

"I'm your father's little sister. Brother… Emilia's father and mother are busy right now and can't be with us… so I'm taking care of you."

　Emilia was deeply shocked by Fortuna's explanation. However, it was not a negative shock. Fortuna always claimed that she was not her real mother, but to Emilia, there was no doubt that she was her mother.

　And even though she had Mother Fortuna, she had two people, a father and a real mother. Normally, a person only has two parents, a father and a mother. But she had one father and two mothers. How lucky she was, she thought.

"Emilia's silver hair comes from her brother. Her eye color also seems to have been heavily influenced by our family. …But her gentle features come from her mother. None of us have mean eyes."

"…I like the look in Mother Fortuna's eyes, you know?"

　A stern, harsh gaze was a common sight, and if she occasionally disobeyed her orders and angered Fortuna, that stern gaze would intensify, making Emilia tremble in fear.

　But apart from those bad moods, Fortuna was the ideal mother to Emilia. Even with her sharp gaze, she could still feel affection for her.

　Fortuna was a strict but kind mother.

　He imposed strict discipline on young Emilia, to the point that it may have seemed excessive, but Emilia understood from an early age that it was all for her own good.

　His discipline had never involved violence, and he had never unreasonably scolded or hit Emilia. On the rare occasions when she had misbehaved he would scold her and make her cry, but on the nights they made up he would sleep together in the same bed, holding her close all night.

"There's something I really regret. I should have been kinder to so many people. If I'd realized that sooner, I'm sure my brother wouldn't have had to rely on me in the end."

　When Fortuna said the word "amazing," a look of loneliness crossed his face.

　This feeling remained so strongly within Emilia that she made a point of imitating it herself, not when she was sad, but when she was happy or laughing.

　It was a child's foolish wish to paint over her mother's iconic catchphrase, a wish to convince her that she was not burdened with sadness or loneliness, with good memories.

"Hmm... boring."

　The story returns to the beginning, with Emilia locked alone in the "Princess Room."

　She doesn't particularly like being called Princess, but since everyone in the village calls her that, she has now become completely accustomed to it.

　She knew that it wasn't an insult, but rather a friendly gesture, and so she had never asked him to stop.However, being dragged into a room where she was to be locked up was one of the few things that young Emilia found frustrating.

"What is everyone doing...?"

　The only time Emilia would be locked in the Princess Room was when someone came to visit the village. A significant number of people had entered the forest, and were visiting the hidden elven village. Emilia knew it without being told by anyone.

　In truth, this sensation was the result of Emilia unconsciously interfering with the subtle spirits of the forest, gaining information from these non-human beings, but at the time, Emilia was unaware of this.

　He simply passed the time in his small room, hugging his knees to his chest, turning the pages of the book he was given to kill time, or playing with the clumsy doll Fortuna had made for him.

　She had been told that it was a secret discussion only known to adults, but it seemed that other children besides her were also involved, something that had recently made Emilia dissatisfied.

　It was Mother Fortuna who taught Emilia that lying and hiding things were wrong. But isn't it wrong for Mother Fortuna and other adults to lie and hide things from Emilia?

　Once every ten or so days, she would visit the princess room. Even if Emilia had been dissatisfied, she had not been bad enough to show it.

　However, at that time, she had spent countless hours in the princess room, and had had a small argument with Fortuna the night before. And most of all, she had forgotten to bring the doll that Fortuna had given her into her room, leaving it there instead.

"I want to go outside."

　It was just a muttered word, no one heard it.

　However, what Emilia blurted out was not heard by anyone she knew, but it was clearly heard by "them" who knew her.

"--?"

　Inside the cave, the room that had been lit by the white light of the ragmite ore was suddenly mixed with a pale blue phosphorescent light. Emilia blinked, her eyes captivated by the sudden light.

　The phosphorescent light danced gently before Emilia's eyes, piquing the young girl's curiosity and captivating her, before moving to the far end of the princess' room - and disappearing as if sucked into the wall.

"――――"

　Emilia stood up and walked unsteadily towards the place where the light had disappeared. Though she felt a little scared, curiosity burned in the young girl's heart more than anything.

　Standing in front of the wall that was absorbing the light, Emilia felt around for a moment, trying to feel the texture of the wood, when she found a hole in the wall just big enough for a small arm to fit through.

　The pale blue light from earlier had escaped from here.

　The front door to the princess room was barred from the outside and could not be opened from the inside. Even if Emilia tried to escape, it was designed to keep her from getting out.

　Thinking back on it now, that treatment was far from normal and excessive, but Emilia had always taken it for granted and had no doubt about it.

　However, when she discovered the possibility of being able to get outside from a place where it wasn't supposed to be possible, Emilia was torn between her curiosity and her mother's discipline.

　I want to know what everyone in the village is doing outside while I'm away.

　However, Mother Fortuna has been strict with her to follow her orders, so she must wait here until Fortuna returns to the princess room.

　But maybe I could try and sneak out, see what everyone was doing, and then come back later without getting caught.

　Besides, lying and hiding things are wrong, and it was the adults who broke the promise first.

　If Emilia had just broken one of them, it would have been a draw.

"――――"

　It was a small but noble cause that the young girl had thought up so hard.

　Looking closely, I saw that the hole I'd stuck my arm through was one of the gaps between the tangled tree roots. I put in as much strength as I could and I could definitely feel the gap widening, little by little.

　Relying on that feeling, the young Emilia pushes aside the tree roots, desperately trying to make space for herself to get through. With sweat on her forehead and muddy clothes, and even if she told Fortuna at this point that "nothing happened," she would still be left with traces of what she had done, but somehow Emilia still managed to widen the gap in the tree roots and succeeded in crawling out of the cave.

"----ah"

　When she went outside and got some fresh air, a strange sense of accomplishment filled her heart.

　Even though he had done something bad that would get him in trouble if he was found out, he was filled with the urge to go up to Fortuna right away and brag about it, saying, "Hey, I did it!"

　Of course, doing something like that would certainly earn her a fiery anger, so Emilia stopped herself right before she started to run. It was a close call.

　But Emilia also thinks this way.

　--I should have followed that stupid conclusion back then, gone to Mother Fortuna to be praised, only to be scolded by her whole being, cried and yelled, regretted my actions, and forgotten all about the gap in the tree roots.

　If that had happened, the trigger for the subsequent tragedy would not have been pulled.

　--What is a tragedy?

　The voices of doubt never reached the young Emilia, who had managed to escape from the princess room and jogged off in the direction where everyone was likely to be.

　Aware that she was doing something wrong, Emilia forced herself to sneak around and peek. With the help of the micro-spirits, she could vaguely make out where everyone was.

　Soon, Emilia found everyone gathered in the village square, and there she saw a group of people she didn't recognize, dressed in black.

"――――"

　Hiding behind a particularly large tree, the young Emilia would eagerly climb up the branches with agility. Little Emilia was quite mischievous, jumping from tree to tree like a small animal and causing trouble for the adults who were desperately trying to catch her.

　In any case, the acrobatics he had acquired in this way resulted in him being able to watch the discussion from the adults' blind spot.

　There were about forty people in the elf village in total, from adults to children, and everyone except Emilia seemed to be there. The group of people in black seemed to be smaller, about twenty people.

　Several people were having a discussion in the middle, while the others were handing over luggage. It seemed that people in black clothes had brought a cart, and as they received the luggage, everyone in the village had bright faces and could be seen bowing repeatedly.

"---I'm sorry for always relying on you."

　What are they doing, what are they talking about?

　Emilia was wondering, and was about to lean forward when the voice suddenly seemed very close, as if whispering in her ear.

　Emilia's spine flinched, but even when she looked around, there was no one who sounded like the voice she was hearing. Before that, the voice was undoubtedly Mother Fortuna's.

　And right now, the Fortuna in question was below Emilia - at the front of the group, in the middle of a conversation with a person clad in black.

"They've been able to provide us with things that we couldn't get in the forest, so everyone is very grateful and happy."

"I am grateful for those words. It is we who are regretful that we are only able to offer this type of support. We are always putting a burden on you, Fortuna-sama."

"That's what we call a mutual thing."

　I could clearly hear the two of them grimacing and what they were talking about.

　From Fortuna's behavior below, Emilia realised that the conversation had undoubtedly been taking place at that exact moment. For some reason, it seemed that her ears had become incredibly sharp.

　In reality, the micro-spirits had been following Emilia's wishes, but naturally the young Emilia was unaware of the micro-spirits' trickery.

　Facing Fortuna was a man with a bold look and wearing a black robe.

　His muscular, tall build made him stand out among the slender people in the elf village, but the man seemed to be bowing low as he interacted with Fortuna, something that was hard to imagine given his imposing appearance.

　Seeing Fortuna being shown such lavish respect by the strong man, Emilia felt a sense of pride, even though she was only watching from a spy position.

　He thought that his mother was an amazing person who could make a grown man bow down to her.

"Also, this is something we do every time, but... how about a seal?"

　Emilia had been puffing up her chest with such misplaced pride, but the moment the man spoke the next topic, those emotions were blown away.

　The more I felt that way, the more complex and weighty the emotions contained in the man's words just now were.

"I don't feel like laughing at you for being a worrier. It's fine, everything is as solid as ever. There's no way it could be loosened. --It would mean I wouldn't be able to face my brother and sister-in-law."

"I'm very sorry about what happened to you and your wife."

"…My brother should have been prepared for this. I still don't know what my sister-in-law thought. But I understand the weight of the responsibility that has been entrusted to me. I don't want to abandon it, nor do I want to do it half-heartedly. That goes for you too, doesn't it?"

"I… that's all I have. It's different from the sense of mission or responsibility that Fortuna-sama has. An obsession, a lingering attachment… that's what I'd call it."

　The man let out a sigh and laughed, and Fortuna could see a sad look in his eyes.

　However, these things had no meaning to Emilia right now.

　--What does it mean to say that you are very sorry about your brother and his wife?

　Mother Fortuna's brother was Emilia's father. And his wife was his wife. His wife. That must be Emilia's mother.

　What does it mean that it was unfortunate for those two? Why doesn't Fortuna ask about it again when she hears that?

　Clinging to a branch, Emilia craned her neck and strained her ears to get a closer listen to the group's conversation. Thanks to the power of the micro-spirits, she didn't realize that her actions were meaningless, and with a desperate look on her face, she gritted her teeth, trying desperately not to miss a single word or fragment.

"Motives and the nobility of actions are unrelated. Your actions are something everyone can be proud of. It's so frustrating that I can't go around saying that openly."

"Fu, fufufu. I appreciate your words of comfort. However, it is certainly difficult. If the world were to learn the true intentions of our actions, the public mood, which had begun to calm down, would once again sink into a sea of ​​chaos. Neither I nor you would want that, and most of all, she does not want that."

"...Yeah, I guess so."

　Fortuna tucked her chin in, agreeing with what the man said.

　After that, the conversation seemed to have strayed from what Emilia wanted to know, and the conversation that followed consisted of nothing more than inoffensive small talk.

　As Fortuna and the man exchanged words, it seemed the group finished exchanging things. One of the adults called out to Fortuna, and she nodded back and turned to face the man.

"Thanks to the protection of the spirits, the changing of the seasons doesn't affect the forest much... but still, it's a big help to have the clothes and bedding provided. Thank you."

"You are people with great achievements who should be treated better. It is unacceptable that you are forced to endure the inconvenience of living in a place like this."

"We don't call places like this. We love the woods."

　Fortuna said jokingly and gave a small smile. The man also let out a smile, and for a moment a calm atmosphere flowed between the two of them.

　and,

"Bishop. We have finished preparing for the return of your luggage. Please hurry."

"Yes, I understand."

　When the black-robed figure spoke, the man glanced reluctantly out at the village before bowing to Fortuna, and in response, Fortuna and the other adults saluted the group of people in black, placing their hands on their chests and closing their eyes.

　The group of people in black turned their backs and pulled the cart away. At the very end of the group, a man stopped.

"Yeah, I just had to ask that."

"..."

　The man turned around with his finger raised, and Fortuna silently urged him on.

　The man closed his eyes at Fortuna's attitude, then looked into the depths of the forest,

"--Lady Emilia, are you in good health?"

"--!"

　Hearing her name come out of the man's mouth, Emilia, who was on the branch, involuntarily choked. It was only by luck that she had just exhaled that she managed to avoid letting out a small shriek.

　Thankfully, the faint voice was ignored and did not reach anyone's ears. Fortuna, upon hearing the question, slowly nodded to the man,

"It's okay. Emilia is fine, and is growing up to be a good girl. She's too good for us to have. …But I'm sorry. I can't let you meet her."

"Anything more than that is fine. I understand. However, as long as I can confirm Lady Emilia's health, that will be enough. Hoping for more than that is an excessive wish for a sinner like me."

"..."

　Rather than self-mockery, perhaps this is a self-reflection from a man.

　Whatever the case may have been, Fortuna did not offer any easy consolation.

　The man also looked up, seemingly relieved by Fortuna's silence. For a while, the two of them stared at each other in silence,

"Bishop, what happened? -- Bishop Romanée-Conti."

　A person from the group that had left the man behind returned. The man called out to them with his arms outstretched,

"It's nothing. Come on, let's go. See you soon, Lady Fortuna."

"Thank you as always. I'm sorry, Juice."

　Smiling slightly at Fortuna's last words, the man known as Juice finally left the forest, this time leading the group.

　After seeing them off until they were completely out of sight, Fortuna sighed and slumped her shoulders. Then she clapped her hands, catching the attention of everyone there.

"Now, let's bring in the luggage quickly and distribute it. Please distribute it as usual. I'll go and get Emilia out."

"----!"

　Following Fortuna's instructions, adults and children alike were carrying their luggage and moving away, so Emilia rolled down from the tree and sprinted back to the princess' room.

　Emilia squeezes her small body through the gap in the tree roots she used to escape, and with scratches all over her body, she somehow makes it back. However, as soon as she goes inside, she is shocked to realize that she is not dressed like the child who has been waiting quietly.

　Until just now, I had thought that even if I was caught going outside and scolded, it was something bad that I would be forgiven immediately if I reflected on my actions.

　But after hearing that story earlier, no matter how optimistic she tried to be, Emilia couldn't bring herself to think that way. What's more, she couldn't help but feel that the story she'd just heard was the kind of thing she didn't want Emilia to hear.

"What should I do, what should I do, what should I do?"

　There was no time before Mother Fortuna returned and removed the bolt. If they stepped out into the light, Emilia's outfit would give away their escape.

　If Fortuna were to find out that she had heard their conversation, it would likely spell ruin for the young Emilia.

"If only I could at least hide the scratches..."

　I've scratched myself here and there, and scraped my knees and arms in a number of places, so there are some areas where blood is oozing out. Fortuna is very vigilant, so I'm sure she won't miss it, and I'm also worried that the blood will sting when I take a bath.

　I have to do something, I think, and I become completely absorbed in it.

"--picture?"

　So when she once again saw the pale phosphorescent light appear in the princess's room, it seemed to Emilia like a guiding light of salvation or something.

　The light flickered gently in Emilia's field of vision, and after toying with her consciousness with the same movements as before, it then began to spread the light all over her body.

"--Ah, ah."

　Just as light was being sucked into the wall, a pale phosphorescent light was drawn into Emilia's body. The light gathered around the various cuts and abrasions on the young girl's body as if to accuse her, dyeing the wounds white with a pale glow - and after the light disappeared, only a faint reddish hue remained in the abrasions.

"――――"

　Emilia stiffened, speechless, at the strange change that had happened to her body.

　The wounds that had been causing pain on her elbows, knees, and all over her body have disappeared, and Emilia's body is now exactly as it was before her escape.

　Emilia thought to herself, and took off the clothes she was wearing over her head, and put on the clothes she had in the princess room. Then, not knowing what to do with the clothes that had holes in them,

"And now...!"

　He turns over an ink bottle for drawing and violently paints his clothes with it. The clothes become completely dirty with stains that cannot be removed even by washing.

"--Emilia? Are you awake?"

　Hearing Fortuna's voice from outside the door, Emilia straightened her back.

　My heart was pounding as I tried to reply at the last moment, but the first words just wouldn't come out.

"Emilia? Did you fall asleep?"

"You, you're awake? You're awake, Mother Fortuna. But, right now…"

"Oh, you're awake. Sorry for keeping you waiting..."

　Fortuna seemed relieved when Emilia replied, and removed the door to the outside of the room. Fortuna was smiling, but the moment she entered the room her expression changed, wrinkling her beautiful nose and saying,

"...What is it? It smells really like ink."

"Um, sorry. I spilled a lot of paint on my clothes..."

　In the middle of the room, there was an inkwell lying on the ground, and Emilia looked at it, at a loss as to what to do. Looking at the two, Fortuna put her hand to her face and said, "Ahhh,"

"Well, what has happened can't be helped. Thank goodness there was a change of clothes there. Otherwise I would have had to carry a naked Emilia back to the house."

"Umm, Mother Fortuna... I..."

"It's okay, Emilia. There's no need to be so scared. I didn't mean to do it so I won't be angry. More importantly, you're not hurt, are you?"

　Adjusting her gaze to Emilia's as she timidly walked over to him, Fortuna inspected her daughter's body from top to bottom. She sighed in relief when she saw that there didn't appear to be any visible injuries, and gently embraced her.

"Mother?"

"No, it's nothing. I just really… wanted to see Emilia. Sorry. Please let me do this for a little while."

　Fortuna said this while still holding Emilia in his arms and leaned her cheek against him.

　Fortuna was usually shy and tended to shy away from such gestures, so to Emilia it was extremely unusual, and it seemed to her that Fortuna looked lonely.

　that's why,

"... How cheeky."

　As Emilia embraced him and stroked his short silver hair, Fortuna opened one eye and murmured.

　However, Emilia had determined that she had not been told to stop, and so she continued to stroke Fortuna's head slowly, tenderly.

　There were many things I wanted to ask.

　However, there was too much that young Emilia lacked and did not know to put it all into words, so she remained unable to say anything.

"Right, Emilia."

"...yeah"

　Fortuna narrowed her eyes as she watched Emilia continue to quietly stroke her head. Suddenly, Emilia saw tears welling up in her amethyst eyes, the same color as her own.

　In the blink of an eye, the tears rolled down Fortuna's cheeks, and without wiping them away, Fortuna smiled at Emilia,

"--I love you."

　There was so much I wanted to ask and know.

　--But for now, the young Emilia thought that she would be satisfied with just those words from her mother.

※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※※ ※

　Emilia was walking through the darkness, dragging her feet and with a pale phosphorescent glow surrounding her.

　The exhaustion of her energy had robbed her of the strength to walk, causing her to drag her feet. But her strong will had not allowed Emilia to stop walking, and she continued to move forward.

　Many memories from my childhood come to mind.

　Why was I remembering this past now?

　The past that Emilia saw in the Trial was a slightly different time than the past she had just remembered. The past she remembered was a little before the events of the Trial.

　If, hypothetically, I could go back to that time - I'm sure I could redo everything.

"Fortuna, mother..."

　Kind, warm, and strong, Fortuna remains Emilia's ideal woman.

　I have always wanted to be like Mother Fortuna, I wanted to be just like Mother Fortuna. But I always find myself worrying, regretting, and being scared over small things, which ends up causing irreversible consequences.

"Uh...fuh..."

　When she thought of the irreversible outcome, an overwhelming pain ran through Emilia's heart.

　Emilia is overwhelmed by a mixture of emotions - sadness, regret, pain - and feels ashamed of her own foolishness and shortcomings, to the point of crying.

　It always is. It always is.

　Desperate, with all her might, and trying her best, she didn't think she'd ever slacked, yet Emilia's hands still couldn't reach, let alone graze, what she truly wanted.

　What should have been there, what she had been holding in her hands, slipped through the gaps between her fingers like grains of sand, captivating Emilia with its fleeting sparkle before disappearing.

　Fortuna, Puck, and Subaru, they were all like that.

"It's my fault. I can't even follow my orders. I'm a bad kid, everyone..."

　Emilia dragged her feet and continued forward, letting out what sounded like sobs.

　Slowly, slowly, we continue moving through the lush greenery.

"So everyone, you always hid it from me… you hid it from me… but that's not true. I wish I had never known, never been told… I wish I had never noticed… but…"

　Among the trees in the forest. Pale phosphorescence. Men in black. Mother Fortuna. A big, black snake. A closed door. Snow. A white world. A silver world. The end, the world is ending. Father, Mother.

"So, I..."

　An endless whirlpool of words runs through my head.

　While being tossed about by them, Emilia lifted her head and moved forward.

"――――"

　A weak voice and unsteady steps.

　--But there wasn't a single tear in his eyes.