When Subaru opened his eyes, he found himself once again at the precise moment just before his confrontation with Lucas. The memory of pain still clung to him like a shadow, a lingering echo of the piercing sensation in his chest. Though the chill of death had faded, its grip hadn't entirely loosened; the trauma still trembled through him with each uneven but powerful thump of his newly revived heart. His lungs drew in a shaky breath, and as he raised his head, a familiar silence wrapped around him like a suffocating blanket—ominous, knowing.
Ding!!
[Authority: Resonance by Death] has been activated. A magical affinity has been copied from the Sin Archbishop of Pride.
A False Affinity for Yang Magic has been created!
The glowing, translucent screen hovered before Subaru's eyes. He stared at it with a blend of focus and unease. Though he had become somewhat used to these cryptic system messages, each new revelation still carved a fresh mark on the map of his destiny. He narrowed his eyes, the gears of his mind spinning rapidly.
"Flugel. Why only a magic affinity? Why couldn't we copy an actual ability, like a spell or technique?"
The voice of Flugel resonated within his consciousness, a whisper tinged with mild disappointment.
"Because your nature mirrors his. 'Resonance by Death' was never meant to replicate the full scope of an Authority. You, Subaru, are already a bearer of such a burden. Copying another would cause a conflict—like pouring fire into oil. And spirits... well, they don't possess traditional skills to begin with. What they have are tendencies, affinities, elemental leanings. That is all you can echo. Anything more, and the very foundation of your existence would crack."
Subaru closed his eyes for a moment, processing the explanation. Then, with a heavy breath, he gave a small nod.
"I get it. We come from the same wellspring. Our Authorities... they're born from the same twisted roots. I can't wield what was never meant to be mine."
Nearby, Beatrice stood silently, observing him. Her eyes, wide and filled with curiosity, betrayed the seriousness with which she regarded his words. The subtle tremble in Subaru's voice, the thoughtful furrow of his brow—these were not the signs of a passing concern. She could feel the weight of it, though she said nothing, choosing instead to wait.
Suddenly, the sky erupted.
Though dusk had not yet descended, a brilliant beam of light shot through the clouds, swallowing the entire sky in an instant. It collided with the warm hues of sunset, creating a violent clash of color, like a divine spear piercing the heavens. But what should have felt sacred sent a chill crawling down Subaru's spine. It wasn't divine.
It was a warning.
A declaration.
The Sin Archbishop of Pride had returned.
Without hesitation, Subaru turned on his heel.
"Beako, we're going. We need to get back to the camp. Now."
Before she could respond, he seized her wrist, pulling her up with a sense of urgency that brooked no argument. The two of them raced through the forest, Subaru's strides fueled not just by panic, but by a fierce determination. Every leaf rustling in the wind sounded like a footstep. Every breath of air felt like a countdown.
Beatrice didn't struggle. There was no need. Subaru's conviction was infectious, a force she couldn't—and wouldn't—resist. His hand was steady, his grip unrelenting, and in that moment, she surrendered to his guidance.
The camp came into view moments later, still calm, still unaware.
Subaru didn't stop.
"EVERYONE IN THE DRAGON CARRIAGE, OUTSIDE! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
His voice ripped through the camp like thunder, scattering birds from trees and snapping heads toward him. Tents rustled. Sleeping bags stirred. The silence that had once ruled the camp was replaced with alarm.
Rem was the first to appear. She emerged from the side of the carriage, eyes sharp, hand already moving to the hilt of her Morningstar. She rushed to Subaru without hesitation.
"Subaru-kun! What happened? What do you mean attack?"
He wasted no time.
"The Witch Cult is here, Rem. That light we saw? It wasn't random. It was a call. A beacon. The Sin Archbishop of Pride is nearby. I saw him—he's not far."
Rem's expression transformed in an instant. The softness in her features vanished, replaced by the cold precision of a warrior trained for moments just like this. Her stance shifted, grounding herself, preparing.
A second later, Meili and Elsa appeared. Meili rubbed the sleep from her eyes but was already scanning the treeline with narrowed suspicion. Elsa, by contrast, said nothing as she coolly unsheathed her daggers, her gaze distant but focused.
Footsteps followed, slower but deliberate. Julius and Anastasia emerged from the tent. Anastasia's expression was unreadable, composed yet cautious. She stepped toward Subaru, her voice calm but edged with doubt.
"Natsuki-kun, are you absolutely certain? You're making some serious claims. That light—it might not mean what you think it does."
Subaru met her gaze, his tone unwavering.
"You'll see soon enough. I just hope we have time to prepare."
Even as the last word left his mouth, the forest began to shift. Branches parted. Leaves trembled.
And then he stepped into view.
From between the trees came a figure, walking slowly, as though he had all the time in the world. Platinum-blond hair flowed past his shoulders. His eyes glowed with unnatural light, and his every step carried the weight of an entire ideology. The air grew heavier with each pace, as though the world itself were bowing to his presence.
His face held a serene smile, almost reverent, but his gaze gleamed with ruinous pride. It wasn't joy. It wasn't hatred. It was the unmistakable look of someone who believed, without a shadow of a doubt, that everything around him existed solely for his judgment.
The Sin Archbishop had arrived.
And the world would tremble in his wake.
He stood before the group, his presence commanding the space like a shadow cast by the heavens themselves. His eyes glinted with a brilliance that bordered on madness, sweeping over each individual with the weight of divine judgment. Then, with a voice that cracked the air like thunder splitting the sky, he spoke:
"I am the Archbishop of the Sin of Pride. Every fiber of my being is woven with a glory that transcends mortal comprehension. You look at me and see a man, but what you fail to grasp is that I am a living monument to human potential unbound by weakness. I do not merely represent a sin—I am the apex of what humanity can achieve when freed from the chains of humility. Pride—mocked by the frail, feared by the wise, and embraced only by those born to rule. You stumbled here guided by threads of fate, but I am the loom on which those threads are spun. Look closely and understand: the figure before you is no ordinary adversary. I am the living will of defiance, a force bold enough to gaze upon the divine and refuse to bow.
I am Lucas Veilhart, Archbishop of Pride. Kneel before your better—or be obliterated."
Subaru let out a long, exaggerated sigh. He tilted his head, gaze unimpressed, and muttered with his usual dry edge,
"That level of pride might even give Priscilla a run for her money. Honestly... should I just put him down now and spare us the monologue?"
Anastasia couldn't help but suppress a laugh, a short breathy chuckle slipping past her lips despite herself. Even in the midst of this intense standoff, Subaru's irreverent remark managed to momentarily lighten the oppressive air. She gathered herself quickly and stepped forward, voice measured, calm, yet with an unmistakable edge of authority:
"So then... Your Excellency. To what do we owe the pleasure of your grand entrance? What exactly is it that you seek from us?"
Lucas's gaze returned to them like a pendulum, cold and precise. It was as though he were peeling back their layers with a glance, digging deep into thoughts they'd never dared speak aloud. A slow, knowing smile curled his lips, as if savoring some unspoken truth. When he spoke again, his voice was softer, but no less unsettling:
"Sinners, each of you carries a burden you dare not name. And yet, I bring not punishment—but revelation. You will be offered a choice, one far heavier than life or death. For I do not merely hold your lives in the palm of my hand. No... I cradle your destinies. The paths you take from this moment on will echo across the grand design of existence."
The tension in the air thickened, growing heavier with every breath. The ground beneath their feet seemed to hum with invisible pressure. Subaru's hands slowly clenched into fists, his gaze locked onto Lucas with laser focus. He could feel it—the inevitability of what was to come.
Subaru's patience had run thin. Lucas's delusions of grandeur, his messianic arrogance, grated on Subaru's nerves like nails on glass. His words, dripping with self-idolatry, bounced off Subaru's ears like empty bells. His face, however, betrayed nothing but calm detachment. In his silence, there was judgment.
"Flugel," Subaru murmured under his breath, his tone caught somewhere between a yawn and a sneer, "mind taking over and ending this clown? Honestly, I doubt it'd take more than ten seconds."
Flugel's laughter echoed inside Subaru's mind, like the wind brushing through dead leaves. "I'd wager even less. But if I strike, Pandora will know. Instantly. And we can't have that just yet. So no, my friend. This stage... belongs to you."
Subaru groaned quietly, inhaling deeply to steel himself. As if on cue, Lucas resumed speaking, his voice taking on a ceremonial cadence, like a priest delivering divine prophecy:
"The will of our beloved Witch, shaped by the sacred command of Pandora-sama, compels me to act. I have been charged with purging these lands of those who would hinder her vision. We seek the miko—the shrine maiden destined to awaken a sacred tide—whose presence we have tracked through the land of Kararagi for what feels like centuries. And you... your mere existence stifles her emergence. Thus, your presence here is no longer acceptable. Not as guests. Not even as enemies. You are obstacles—obstacles that must be removed."
Anastasia stepped forth, her expression composed, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of calculation. Her voice came cool and level, laced with the subtle sharpness of a negotiator treading dangerous ground:
"Lucas-dono, you've made it clear that this miko is of great significance to you. Perhaps you'd consider describing her to us? If she truly is as sacred as you claim, we'd be more than willing to avoid interfering with her path."
Lucas paused. There was a moment—brief, yet unmistakable—where he seemed genuinely pleased. Perhaps it was the honorific, or simply the acknowledgment of his status, but his posture grew straighter, prouder. A soft hum of satisfaction escaped his throat as he tilted his chin upward, speaking again with renewed solemnity:
"Our Witch commanded that this knowledge remain unspoken to outsiders. Yet I, Lucas Veilhart—the embodiment of Pride, revered by both earth and sky—shall bestow my words upon lesser beings such as yourselves. For in this world, it is not only strength, but knowledge, that is the privilege of the exalted. I speak from a depth your simple souls could never hope to comprehend, and yet, even hearing me is a grace you do not deserve. Consider this moment a divine sermon—a chance for filth to glimpse transcendence.
Know this: as Pandora-sama's chosen, as the faithful herald of ancient will, I carry out this sacred mission with divine purpose. The one we seek is no mere girl... She is a sanctified anomaly, a being who stepped into this realm from the sullied truth of another world. Her very existence causes the prophecies to tremble. The ancient stars, long silent, flicker again because of her. The spirits whisper warnings. Even the air carries the scent of disruption."
His eyes slid toward Subaru, who stood silently at the front. For a heartbeat, silence reigned like a curtain drawn tight before the performance. Then Lucas's lips parted, his voice now heavy with contempt and reverence alike:
"The girl we seek—she is a castaway from the rotting hell of another world. Her arrival is a distortion even fate struggles to endure. Her eyes... they are as black as coal, as if carved from the void itself. To look into them is to confront one's own insignificance. The abyss peers back through her. This is all we know. Yet even that is enough to prove her divine origin. One look, and your soul recoils. One breath in her presence, and destiny withers."
Subaru's heart skipped a beat. His pupils dilated, breath caught in his throat like a hand had closed around it. "No... no way... They're talking about Hikari!"
Flugel's voice, once teasing, now turned sharp as fractured glass. "This is bad. If the Witch Cult is targeting Hikari, we've got a serious problem. Take him down. Now. We don't have time to waste."
Subaru didn't hesitate. As Lucas reveled in his own proclamation, basking in the sound of his own voice like it were divine music, Subaru drew Etherfang in a swift, silent motion. His eyes flicked back toward his allies—Beatrice, Julius, Elsa, and Rem—and gave a quick wink. The spark had been lit.
Julius had not once taken his hand off his sword since Lucas appeared. His stance was steady, ready, alert. Every breath he took was measured, every muscle taut. He was the blade of precision, waiting for release. Rem's grip on her morningstar was firm; she had already begun channeling her magic, her aura steadily growing. Her lips moved in silent chants, mana flickering at her fingertips. Beatrice stood in silence, but anticipation shimmered in her eyes. She had been waiting for this exact moment—a chance to prove herself, to unleash the sealed power she carried.
Elsa, though yearning for bloodshed, understood Subaru's signal. She quietly retreated alongside Meili, choosing stealth over spectacle. Her identity needed to remain hidden—for now, shadows were her stage. Behind the curtains, the assassin watched and waited, licking her lips in restrained hunger.
Then, everything happened at once.
Subaru launched forward, muscles coiling like drawn wires. His breath was steady, but his intent blazed. Even as he moved, Rem and Beatrice had already triggered their spells:
"Huma!" "El Minya!"
Dark, cold crystals spiraled like daggers of frost, mingling with compressed wind that howled like banshees through the clearing. The magical energies carved paths of shimmering chaos as Julius began drawing on his spirit energy. His bond with the spirits shimmered around him like silver fire.
By the time Subaru took his second step, there was no turning back. The threshold had been crossed. This fight had to end quickly. Precision, not prolonged spectacle, would determine the victor.
[Fade - Active]
[Mana Blade - Active]
[Shadow Blades - Active]
[Yin Step - Active]
[Phantom Drift - Active]
He vanished into the shadows.
Lucas blinked. For the first time, his confident smirk faltered. He couldn't track Subaru's movements. They were too fast, too refined. Panic began to bloom in his expression as he hastily surrounded himself with a shimmering yellow energy field, muttering incantations under his breath like a drowning man praying for a raft.
Julius, now fully charged, shouted, "Al Clauzeria!" His spell burst forward, a cascade of radiant slashes tearing through the air. At the exact same moment, Rem and Beatrice unleashed their respective attacks. The three magical assaults collided into Lucas with explosive force.
The barrier held—for a moment. It groaned, shimmered, then cracked violently. Lucas was flung backward, his robe scorched, his composure shattered. He survived—injured, stunned—but alive.
"W-What is this treachery?! You dare lay hands upon me, Lucas Veilhart?! Chosen of Pandora-sama, blessed emissary of earth and sky?! I am divinity made flesh! I—"
But Subaru no longer heard him. There was no fear in his eyes, only unshakable resolve—and a fire born of righteous fury for his sister. Lucas's voice, once thunderous, now sounded distant and irrelevant.
He burst from the shadows like a bullet from a gun. Etherfang's twin daggers shimmered in his hands—one wreathed in frost so cold it made the air shiver and crystallize, the other burning with a searing heat that could melt steel.
Subaru landed squarely in front of Lucas. The impact cracked the ground beneath his feet. His expression was a mask of grim determination. A shadow veiled his face, but his eyes—his eyes were blazing with intensity. This wasn't just a battle.
This was judgment.
Slash!
The moment the cold dagger made contact with the barrier Lucas had conjured, the air was split by a sharp hiss that echoed across the battlefield like the scream of breaking glass. A biting mist billowed out, quickly cloaking the space between the two fighters in a ghostly veil. From the razor-thin tip of Subaru's blade, a wave of unnatural frost surged forward like a living creature, coiling and snapping with frigid intensity. The magical shield Lucas had erected stood no chance. It fractured instantly beneath the relentless onslaught, splintering like ice under a sledgehammer. Shards of magical residue flew in every direction, sparkling as they dissolved in the air. The bitter cold didn't stop there—it crashed over Lucas himself, crawling along his limbs, spreading from his fingertips to his shoulders, and covering his skin in a delicate yet growing sheath of ice.
Lucas reeled, stumbling back with a shocked gasp as the barrier failed. His footing slipped slightly on the frozen earth beneath him, the force of the spell throwing off his rhythm. But Subaru pressed the advantage. Without so much as a heartbeat of hesitation, he funneled every ounce of stored heat energy into his second Etherfang dagger. The warmth pulsed through the blade like molten blood, drawn inward to a single, critical point. The hum of power became a scream.
[Overburst - Core Detonation]
Then the dagger exploded.
A thunderous roar consumed the clearing. The blade split with a wrenching crack, unleashing a tide of superheated energy that incinerated the space around them. The frost on Lucas's body vaporized with a violent hiss, mist and steam engulfing him in a suffocating shroud. The force of the blast hurled both fighters through the air. Subaru felt himself flying backwards, the heat searing his exposed skin, the edges of his clothes igniting into cinders. Pain bloomed across his chest and shoulder, a deep, scorching burn branding his arm. He hit the ground hard, his breath knocked out of him.
"Hot!" Subaru gasped through gritted teeth, his voice raw. His knees buckled—but he caught himself. Refused to fall. Refused to surrender. The fire that burned in his heart had not dimmed; it had only grown brighter.
Even before he could fully process the agony, help was already with him. Beatrice and Rem arrived at his side like twin streaks of light. Their hands moved with practiced speed, weaving healing magic into the air. Beatrice whispered short, clipped incantations, laced with urgency. Rem laid a glowing hand on his shoulder, soothing warmth bleeding into his battered flesh, taking the edge off the worst of the pain.
Across the battlefield, Lucas stirred. He groaned, his body twitching as he tried to rise. The ground beneath him was scorched, the air thick with smoke. Anyone else would have died instantly. But Lucas wasn't just anyone. The Authority nestled deep within his soul shielded him, and the passive regeneration of Yang magic was already knitting torn muscle and scorched flesh. He lived. But not without cost. He was damaged, humbled. And something deeper within him had been wounded: his pride.
And in that moment, clarity pierced the haze.
He couldn't win.
Not like this.
Not alone.
Each breath came in ragged pulls. Golden mana coiled around him, a spiral of desperate power. He pushed himself upright, voice cracking as it rose above the battlefield:
"You will all pay dearly for this! You think your little defiance means anything? That your fleeting courage will change the outcome? No matter how hard you fight, no matter what hope you cling to, you will never save the miko! You stand before a being who walks among gods—and you dare to challenge me?! Your arrogance will be your undoing! Remember this day well, for history will mark it as the hour you rose in pride... and fell in ruin!"
As the last words left his mouth, the skies above answered. A radiant beam of light shot down through the clouds, striking Lucas like judgment from the heavens. The mana around him surged wildly, responding to the call. The pillar of light expanded, blinding in its intensity, swallowing him whole. A final pulse of energy rocked the ground.
And then he was gone.
Only silence remained. The warmth of his presence lingered like an afterimage, a fading ripple of mana gently washing across the battlefield before vanishing into the ether.
Subaru groaned as he pulled himself upright. Every breath was labored. Sweat trickled down his face, mixing with soot and blood. He looked down at the shattered remains of his Etherfang daggers. The weapons glowed faintly, still hot from the detonation. He clenched his fists around the fragments.
"So this... was all I could manage? Against the weakest of the Archbishops? I burned my body, shattered my weapons... and I still wasn't enough."
He shut his eyes, swallowing back the mix of shame and fury swirling within him. Then a voice echoed softly through his mind.
Flugel.
"Do not despair. You've only scratched the surface of your power. With every battle, your resolve sharpens. With every loss, your will deepens. You're forging something greater than you know. This was the beginning, not the end."
Subaru exhaled slowly. He turned his head, scanning the battlefield. Smoke curled from the scorched grass. His heart pounded in his ears, but he forced himself to speak.
"Is everyone alright?"
Julius was the first to answer. He rose to one knee, wiping a gash from his cheek, his face lined with exhaustion—but his eyes were bright.
"Anastasia-sama and I are unharmed, Subaru. We're exhausted, but intact."
Anastasia approached, her cloak fluttering in the wind, dust clinging to her boots. She managed a tired smile.
"We're fine. But tell me something—when exactly did you all coordinate such a perfect attack?"
Subaru gave a breathless laugh. It wasn't joyful, but it was genuine.
"We didn't. I just... acted. And somehow, Rem, Beako, and Julius knew what I needed. Like a song we all remembered, without ever learning the notes."
Rem stepped forward, brushing ash from her sleeves. Her eyes sparkled with clarity.
"Subaru-kun's intent was clear. I could feel it. He needed us. That was enough."
Julius nodded solemnly. "It was instinct. A moment of clarity. I didn't think—I just knew. There was something in his eyes... something that told us all what had to be done."
Beatrice, arms crossed and cheeks puffed in mock annoyance, added:
"Hmph. Betty didn't need a signal. Betty was going to attack either way."
They laughed, quietly. Weary and aching, but not broken.
Bruised. Burned. Bloodied.
But still standing.
And together, they would face whatever storm awaited them next.
Anastasia narrowed her eyes, her expression tightening with suspicion. Her voice was low, calculated, but probing, each word laced with a sharp edge.
"Then tell me why. What made you act so suddenly? Even before the battle began, you and Beatrice moved like you knew exactly what was coming. That wasn't instinct—it was preparation."
Subaru closed his eyes for a moment. He drew a deep breath, feeling the tension coil in his chest, the air trembling in his throat like a prelude to a storm. He could feel everyone's eyes on him, the silence growing weighty, expectant. His vision dimmed briefly as he struggled to contain the tide within him, and when he opened his eyes again, his voice was heavier, steadier, like a bell tolling.
"The person they keep calling the 'miko'... is my younger sister. Her name is Hikari."
A stillness swept through the room. The air seemed to hum faintly, vibrating with the shock that followed. Words failed them. Murmurs flickered like candlelight in the silence, disbelief crackling in the air. Anastasia's brows drew together in disbelief, her lips parting but no sound escaping. Her mind wrestled with the weight of the revelation.
"Subaru, if this is some kind of twisted joke, it's not funny," she said finally, her tone quiet but taut. "The Archbishops have already pushed the limits of what we can believe. And now you're saying the girl they're after—the so-called 'miko'—is your sister? If that's true... then you're not from here at all. You're from her world."
Subaru bowed his head slightly. His shoulders sagged, the burden of countless lies and half-truths finally pressing outward. But his voice gained clarity, shedding the hesitations it once bore.
"I've kept this hidden for so long—too long. But it's true. I came from beyond the Great Waterfall. I don't belong to this world in the way you do. Everything you've seen me draw, invent... all of it comes from the place I was born. A world so different it would feel like a dream or a nightmare to you. The machines, the science, the methods—they aren't miracles or prophecies. They're knowledge. Familiar, mundane knowledge to me and my sister. But to this world, they're alien."
The revelation settled like ash on the air. Everyone fell silent. Even the creak of the wooden floor beneath their feet seemed distant, unreal. Only Beatrice stood unfazed, her expression warm with pride. The others were suspended in disbelief, eyes darting between Subaru and one another as if waiting for someone to laugh, to break the spell.
Rem blinked slowly. Her hands were clasped tightly together in front of her, as though anchoring herself. Her voice, when it came, was quiet, but there was no mistaking its conviction.
"That... makes sense. Nee-sama once showed me your designs, Subaru-kun. I'd never seen anything like them, not even in Roswaal-sama's forbidden libraries. We all had questions... but something kept us from asking. Roswaal-sama told us to be careful, almost like he feared what we might discover. Now I understand. He wanted to protect the truth... or maybe protect us from it."
Beatrice lifted her chin, her eyes bright as they locked onto Subaru.
"Betty already knew. Subaru told Betty the truth a long time ago, and Betty gave him her word. His secret was his burden, and Betty swore to help carry it. Because what Subaru is... what he carries... it defines him. And that was enough for Betty to believe in him."
In the far corner, Meili and Elsa exchanged a smirk. Even in the weight of the moment, there was space for mischief.
"Should we tell them we knew first?" Meili whispered playfully, her voice barely rising above a breath.
Elsa chuckled, folding her arms with a small shrug. "No need. Let them think they're special. But I'll never forget Subaru-kun's face when we figured it out. The sheer panic. It was adorable."
Their quiet amusement was like a gentle breeze in a storm. It didn't erase the tension, but it softened the edges.
Anastasia and Julius, however, remained locked in a thoughtful silence. Their gazes were fixed, not just on Subaru, but on the implication behind his words. Worlds beyond this one. Knowledge that could reshape kingdoms. A miko, chosen by something they couldn't yet comprehend.
Finally, Anastasia stepped forward. The merchant mask had fallen away. Her gaze was sharp now, her tone calm, but unwavering.
"This changes everything. But maybe not in the way you fear. If we can take even a sliver of the knowledge you bring, and adapt it to our world... we could change lives. Save lives. What you and your sister know—it's a gift. And yes, from a business perspective, it's a windfall. But more than that... the more I speak with you, the more I believe this isn't just about profit. You bring something else with you, Subaru. Hope."
She paused, then smiled faintly.
"I want our agreement to continue. And I want it to mean something beyond words. We can do good together."
Subaru was momentarily caught off guard. The shift from "Natsuki-kun" to "Subaru-kun" hadn't gone unnoticed. A simple change, but one loaded with meaning. She no longer saw him as a stranger to be managed—but a partner to be trusted.
He nodded.
"Then let's walk this road together. No more secrets."
The room remained quiet for a few more breaths, the weight of truth still heavy—but now shared. And in that shared weight, a new resolve began to take root.
Julius steadied himself, his breath slow and even as he brushed the dust from his scorched and tattered jacket. The battle had left marks—not just on his body, but on his spirit. His eyes, once calm and composed, now blazed with something sharper, something more intense. They no longer reflected the serene gaze of a knight sworn to duty, but the fire of a man with purpose deeper than oaths and more personal than honor. When he spoke, his voice cut through the silence like a blade through fog.
"There's more to this than any of us expected. And we will need to sit down and talk it through, in full. Secrets, implications, everything. But right now, we don't have the luxury of time. We head to Kararagi. Immediately. We're not just traveling—we're racing. Every second matters now. For your sister's sake, Subaru. And let it be known—I won't let you shoulder this alone. Not while I can still draw breath."
He extended his hand briefly, not just as a gesture of alliance, but of unwavering camaraderie. Subaru didn't speak—he didn't need to. The look in his eyes was answer enough.
From the side, Rem stepped forward without a sound. She didn't make a grand gesture, nor did she announce herself. Her presence alone was enough to calm storms. She stood beside Subaru, close enough that he could feel her warmth. Her hand gently found his shoulder, grounding him.
"Whatever happens, wherever this road leads... I'll walk it with you. I may not know Hikari-san—not yet—but I know you. And if your heart aches for her, then I'll stand beside you. Because she's part of you. And that's all I need. Your grief is mine to share. Your cause... is my cause."
Subaru's jaw tightened. Her words struck a part of him that had been trembling beneath the surface. He nodded, not trusting his voice just yet.
By the time the group reached the dragon carriage, the night had swallowed the world whole. Stars blinked overhead, sharp and clear. A cool wind, brisk and restless, swept across the land, rustling cloaks, ruffling hair, brushing across their skin like whispered encouragement. The moonlight painted their figures in silver as they gathered by the vehicle.
No one spoke. They didn't need to. The silence between them was filled with understanding, resolve, and quiet urgency. Shadows danced at their feet as they climbed aboard, one by one, the dragon-snorting quietly in anticipation.
Subaru stood on the edge of the carriage platform, his back to the others for a moment. The horizon ahead was cloaked in darkness, but to him, it was clearer than ever. Somewhere out there—perhaps miles away, perhaps closer than he feared—his sister was in danger. His sister, Hikari. And that thought alone filled him with both dread and fire.
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, sharper now, brighter.
"Hold on, Hikari... Your big brother is coming. I'll tear through kingdoms if I have to. I'll fight gods if they stand in the way. So don't you dare give up."
There was no hesitation. No more fear. Only forward.
Their goal was no longer vague. It had shape, name, purpose. They would save Hikari. Through fire or storm. Through betrayal or ruin. They would fight. And nothing—not their pasts, not the secrets they carried, not the monsters ahead—could change that.
Because the truth had been revealed.
And once truth finds its voice...
It will not be silenced.
Not by kings. Not by cults. Not by fate itself