--The dragon carriage made a quiet clanging sound as it advanced down the road.
Inside the dragon carriage, protected by its divine protection, the vibrations and wind were barely perceptible. Subaru entrusted himself to the silence, recalling his own experiences and thinking that this might actually be his first time riding a dragon carriage so calmly.
If he had to say, the first time - when he left Roswaal Mansion for the Royal Capital - should have been the most relaxed he'd felt, but partway through, he'd made the situation very difficult through his own negligence, and he had no time to enjoy the journey. However, he couldn't call it a bad experience, as there were a few things that managed to happen thanks to that experience.
And from the second time onwards, it was always when he was heading from the Royal Capital to Roswaal's territory, and the reason was always something to do with the Witch Cult, so there was no way he could remain calm. As a result, this was the first time that Subaru had been able to ride a dragon carriage without any excitement or reason to be hasty.
However,
"Something...Petra, aren't you close?"
"That's not true? Is there a problem, Subaru?"
Saying this, looking up at Subaru with wide, round eyes was a girl with reddish brown hair - Petra. She sat to Subaru's left, and had been holding his hand and clinging to him ever since the departure.
At first I thought it was because he'd been scared, but after seeing him holding my hand and smiling like this, it was all over.
"I feel like a father. A fatherly instinct that shouldn't exist is bubbling up inside me right now...!"
"You were the only one being mean up until now. It's fine, right? You said we still had time before we reached the capital."
"Petra. Until just now, well, it's not that. You see, there was something really important I had to discuss with Subaru. I wasn't monopolizing him or anything."
"Bah. I'll never lose to my big sister."
Petra's words made the already flustered Emilia even more flustered. The situation was hard to comprehend, but Petra's words and actions didn't suggest that she genuinely disliked him. It was probably just an extension of their playful relationship, but for Emilia, who wasn't used to being around children, the stress she had was no laughing matter.
"Emilia-tan, don't take it too seriously. It's just what a child would say, you know? Laugh, smile, smile and just brush it off."
"Just because it's a child doesn't mean I can do something dishonest like that."
"You don't hear of cheating these days..."
"Mm, you're making fun of me again."
When Emilia pouted her lips in dissatisfaction, Subaru laughed and lightly apologized, "Sorry, sorry." Petra, who had been watching the exchange, then tugged on his sleeve with a dissatisfied look on her face, so he had to deal with her as well.
Being surrounded by beautiful girls on either side is a rare development for Subaru, although one of them is on hold and the other one is something to look forward to in three years.
--Right now, Subaru and his friends were in a dragon carriage heading down the Leafaus Highway towards the royal capital.
It was a different dragon carriage to the one containing the magic ore, and Subaru, Emilia, and the children were riding in it, with a young man from the Youth Association acting as the driver.
At first, the people around them had been considerate and tried to leave Subaru and Emilia alone, but then Petra barged in, acting all energetic.
Even Subaru would have complained about their time being interrupted, but in reality, Petra's interruption was actually a relief to him.
After all, this was the situation he found himself in after making all those embarrassing remarks. Even though he had coolly said "I'll wait" to Emilia, who had put off replying to his confession, the flames of love within Subaru were burning quite vigorously, and coupled with the sense of accomplishment he felt at having safely brought the situation to a conclusion, it was impossible to stop.
At worst, I could have made a fool of myself by asking for more than just a pillow on her lap in advance.
"Wow, that was seriously crazy. It's not like you can just pretend to look cool and not make a decision like that."
"What?"
"I was saved thanks to Petra. Oh, by the way, you also kept your promise not to leave Emilia-tan alone. You're so great!"
"Ehhh."
Gently stroking the hair of the girl who looked up at him, Subaru conveyed his doubly grateful gratitude to her.
If she and the other children had let go of Emilia's hand, she might have pushed herself too hard and gotten hurt again. It was only thanks to them and everyone around her that Subaru's hard work had not come to fruition.
I was truly blessed with the people around me. I was too blessed.
"Once things calm down, there are so many people I need to thank..."
On Crusch's side there was Crusch herself, Ferris, and of course Wilhelm. On Anastasia's side there was Julius and the mercenary group, which was annoying. Russell was so obscure that I almost forgot about him, but I also had to get his message across, and I had promised to give him my cell phone.
I'm sorry that I ended up deceiving you, but considering how lucky I was to have been able to find it, I'll turn a blind eye to that and just consider it a minor issue. I'm sorry.
"There's a lot to think about."
First of all, it is essential that Subaru pursue Roswaal regarding this recent commotion. Furthermore, he will probably need to meet with Crusch and Anastasia to discuss to what extent he will share the results of defeating the White Whale and the Witch Cult's "Sloth." In particular, regarding the White Whale, if he believes what Crusch says, Subaru will also be able to receive some of the merit.
I don't have much of a desire for fame, but if it brings even a little fame to me, a member of Emilia's camp, it will surely help her. Even if it seems brazen, I want to actively aim for it.
Once those various issues were sorted out, the next step would be to secure the village and clean up. The road ahead would be full of difficulties. But before that, Subaru had a mountain to overcome.
"Ah, well, Emilia-tan... there's something very important I need to tell you."
"Yeah, what is it?"
Emilia, who had been running her fingers through her own silver hair, slowly turned to face Subaru, who had turned his head. A strong sense of trust was floating in her amethyst eyes, and every time Subaru saw that sparkle he felt that his actions had borne fruit. But honestly, he was frightened to think of the effect that what he was about to say would have on her eyes.
The one thing Subaru couldn't avoid telling Emilia about was, naturally, Rem.
Speaking of the aforementioned gratitude, there is no one else who has helped Subaru as wholeheartedly as Rem in this loop.
Her deep love and devotion gently healed Subaru's once broken heart, helping him stand up again and regaining the strength to fight against fate.
Without that moment, Subaru wouldn't be standing here, and without her presence he certainly wouldn't have been able to escape the hell of giving up.
And during those times when Subaru was feeling the most helpless due to his pain and suffering, it was Rem who was by his side and continued to support him.
Is it any wonder that Subaru has such deep affection for her, who had done all that for him?
Subaru had always believed that the feelings of a human being could only be dedicated to one person. In fact, the person Subaru had feelings for was the only one in the world, Emilia.
However, Rem's presence did not change Subaru's love for Emilia in any way, but it grew just as strong and remained in his heart.
So Subaru has made a clear decision. It may seem unseemly to be defiant, but he cannot give up on his feelings for either of them.
--I want to get both Emilia and Rem.
And he has already received permission from Rem for this wicked idea. All that remains is to persuade Emilia, and Rem has said that the two of them should do it together,
"If I'm relying on Rem that much, then I've reached a limit."
Even if he creates an opportunity for Rem to join the discussion, it is Subaru's responsibility to be the one to bring it up first. Since he is scheming to win the love of two girls, that is a big hurdle he must overcome.
He takes a breath, feeling his heart pounding as he chooses his words. He turns his gaze forward, almost as if he's about to swim, towards Emilia. She's staring right at him. So cute.
Subaru: "This is something that is extremely difficult to say, but please hear me out. Of course, I will have to tell my sister about it eventually… but first, I want to tell Emilia-tan."
"...Yeah?"
Emilia looked confused as Subaru faltered and made unnecessary preambles. Subaru frantically racked his brains, agonizing over his own weakness as he tried to put things off like that.
Your brain is working harder than it has in days. Heat up your synapses to the point of sparks and come up with the best answer!
「The truth is, it's about Rem. Rem, you know, about me… well, you kind of know, right? So, after confessing like that, it's a bit selfish of me, but…」
Feeling sweat slowly trickling down his forehead, Subaru desperately tried to speak. For some reason, his words were already beginning to sound like excuses, but Emilia was quick to infer what he was saying, so he thought that if he said just this much, she would understand.
Then, in front of the sweaty Subaru, Emilia raised her hand and said, "Hey."
"Subaru, calm down. I don't know what you're trying to say, and I know you're trying really hard. Okay, so be a good kid and take your time."
"Just because I'm a good kid, this criticism makes me kind of depressed! No, that doesn't make me seem manly. Ah, I'll just go for it. You see, the truth is, Rem has told me she likes me too, so when Emilia-tan does fall in love with me, then… we'll both be mine, you know!?"
He lets his momentum carry him and declares that he is cheating on her.
Thinking back on what he had just said, he felt quite put off by it. Of course, Emilia's reaction would likely be similar, or she might look at him with disappointment in her eyes. With such a pessimistic thought in mind, Subaru looked at her timidly,
"――――"
Emilia's reaction was completely different from what Subaru had imagined.
She frowned at what Subaru said, her finger on her lips in thought, remaining silent. She was probably examining what he had just said and thinking up a suitable punishment for Subaru - but it was not the kind of atmosphere that allowed her to tease him.
"Subaru."
"yes"
Upon hearing his name, Subaru looks straight at Emilia.
She too looked directly at Subaru's determined gaze. However, it was one of confusion, and Subaru could not understand why she had reacted like that.
And, the next words were words that truly surpassed Subaru's understanding――
"--Who are you talking about, Rem?"