Arc 8: Vincent Vollachia
Arc 8, Chapter 3 "Three Reasons"
Subaru runs out of the doorway of the remote house and stands in front of a man who is smiling thinly.
Or perhaps that rigidity was the most foolish choice in the face of this man. But even for Natsuki Subaru, who has experienced all kinds of hardships and even "death" many times, the man's unspeakable eeriness whitens his thoughts.
A fear that not even the Sin Archbishop has, a sense of being entrapped by it.
Todd Fang makes Subaru embrace it.
"----"
Confusion arises beside Subaru, who stops, reflexively responding to the voice he hears.
It is Beatrice who is made to face the same person as Subaru while holding hands. Other than her, Tanza and Idola are also looking at Subaru suspiciously as they stand there.
His mind wanders to the girls and he immediately thinks that he should call out a warning to them,
"--Miss Katya!"
And Rem exclaimed in a high voice, faster than Subaru's trembling lips could move.
If you look, you will see Rem's pale blue eyes looking back at Todd by the door - no, not at him, but right behind him.
Subaru struggles to tear his gaze away from Todd and turn his attention in that direction, but when he does it, he knows the object of Rem's call.
There was a woman in a wheelchair hiding behind Todd's back.
The woman peeking at them, plucking at the hem of Todd's dress, has dark brown habit hair and eyes that glare doubtfully at the world, matching the features Rem has described.
That in itself is a delight - no, being around Todd is not.
"Please stay away from her......!"
"Uuh!"
Rem's voice became sharp and she glared at Todd, as if she had come up with the same idea as Subaru. Inspired by Rem's wariness, Louis, who was all over her, snarled as she looked at Todd.
Todd has lost his trademark bandana and let down his lifted orange hair, but that will not diminish his brutality or his ability to think dangerously.
Even in this situation, it was easy to imagine that he would think of using the woman - Katya - as a shield to manipulate Subaru and the others at his will.
Of course, it was clear from Subaru's previous experience with Todd that the end that awaited him when he did as he was told was death.
".......From here."
If he were to die, we have not ascertained to what extent he would rewind.
Fortunately or troublesomely, Subaru did not lose a single life in this series of interventions in the siege of the Imperial City, breaking through the city walls and riding into the city.
Thanks or perhaps because of this, he doesn't know the starting point of "Return by Death".
He was able to meet up with Louis and Beatrice and join Rem and Flop.
Frankly, he can't calculate how many retries it would take to get this situation, which is going so well that it is working too well, in order.
It's more likely--,
"--I'll do it if I have to."
If he has decided who to save, survive, and move forward into the future, Subaru is firmly determined to make sure he gets it.
That is why he was able to rescue all of the gladiators involved in "Gladiator Island" and fight through to this day as a member of the Pleiades group. --I will absolutely never give up.
Even if the obstacles they overcome to do so are symbolic of the fear that chills their hearts.
Yes, Subaru moistens his nearly dry lips with his tongue and acts decisively--,
"W-wait a minute! This is wrong! I'm not trapped, Rem!"
"Miss Katya?"
"This is a misunderstanding...... Yes, a misunderstanding! Todd is not your enemy!"
Katya, shouting aloud and spinning the wheels of her wheelchair, tries to move forward. But Todd held Katya's slender shoulders and prevented her from moving forward.
Katya stared at Todd with tears in her eyes as the momentum carried her forward,
"What are you doing? It's not safe!"
"You're the one that's not safe. Don't step forward on your own."
"W-who do you think I'm telling you to do that for......!"
"Of course, it's for my own good. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let a woman I'm in love with do something dangerous."
"Ugh......"
Katya, red-faced and biting with vigor, is silenced by his words.
This was not because of shame or bat-shame, but because of the way the other person said things that conveyed that they were thinking of him or her.
It was an honest statement with no sense of deception, which was hard for Subaru to believe.
"Miss Katya, perhaps that's......"
With a small gasp and a fearful body, Rem asks Katya. She did not clearly state the question, but the focus of what she wanted to ask was clear.
Perhaps as a sign of her confusion and anxiety, Rem's hand on Louis's shoulder by her side was weak. Katya bit her lip and nodded in response to Rem's question.
"I've told you, like, a million times. ......My, you know, that thing."
"Your fiancée."
"That's it......"
After being given a hesitant assertion, Katya clearly answers Rem's question as such.
Rem's eyes wavered as she was told this, and she was clearly upset. Subaru was just as shocked as Rem, and he was also very upset.
"Your fiancée......"
I don't have too many good memories of Todd from the encounter to the events that followed, but aside from his insanely cautious and unforgiving nature, what struck him was the story of the "Fiancée".
Todd, who had been deployed as an Imperial soldier and was encamped near the forest where the "People of Shudrak" had a settlement, was constantly talking about how he wanted to return to his fiancée.
But after the bloody exchange with Todd, his expectations of his humanity faded, and it became a memory that was only placed in a corner of his mind--.
"Did it exist......?"
As much as he would like to spill the beans on that, it's a word that doesn't go with Todd and his lovely fiancée.
They may not have heard Subaru's monologue, but Rem looks at Todd with suspicion in her stern eyes,
"Are you sure you are Miss Katya's fiancée?"
"Yes, it's true. As I said before, it is a strange coincidence. I never thought that Katya and you would be surrounded by the Prime Minister's residence."
"----"
"Don't look at me like that. I'm not saying we had a good meeting or a good relationship, but here we are. We both have to put our differences behind us, don't we?"
Todd says shamelessly, and shrugs his shoulders at Rem's silent gaze. Then his gaze turned not to Rem but towards Subaru.
Cramming his breath, Subaru meets Todd's gaze. Cold sweat ran down his back.
However--,
"The kid's right, huh?"
"--ah"
Todd's attitude, with one eye closed and a wink, showed no sign of hostility.
As the saying goes, they have let go of their hostility and caution and reached out to each other, as if it were the duty of those so proposing to work together to get out of this situation.
"Mister, ma'am, who is this soldier?"
At the sight of Subaru and Rem, who were pressed into silence, Flop's soft face took on a serious look.
In response to his question, Subaru could not bypass his current appearance. Instead, Rem continued, "With him," he said,
"I've had contact with him several times before. Each time, though, it nearly cost me my life."
"Huh......"
Looking at Katya, Rem tells her the truth, making an effort to choose her words. Upon hearing this, Katya's eyes widened and she looked at Todd, who was right beside her.
Her lips trembling, she asks her fiancée's profile.
"I-is this true? Todd, you're the one who Rem......."
"If the lady's story is true, it's true. I told you, I have a grudge. I'm a soldier. Sometimes you have to turn your weapon on somebody. It's one of those unwanted situations."
"It's selfish of you to say you don't want......"
"If it was in the walled city, it was because I saw your companion as a danger. If it was before that, I was just following orders like any other soldier. I have nothing personal against you."
As he said this, Todd took the axe at his waist. For a moment, Subaru and the others tensed all over, but he tossed it unenthusiastically, keeping one hand outstretched.
The parabolic axe slides across the ground and rolls under the feet of Subaru and the others.
"Auwh"
Louis picks up the axe and looks alternately at Subaru and Rem.
Apparently, it is not an axe-shaped bomb, but pure disarmament.
When Subaru and the others acknowledged this, Todd waved his hands, which he raised in a flutter.
"As you can see, we have no hostile intent. But we don't want to spend too much time staring at each other, do we?"
"......Ma'am, I think we should have a constructive conversation too, but I don't know."
"----"
Squeezing her own arm, Rem glances sideways at Subaru.
Only two people, Subaru and Rem, are able to share their wariness of Todd and the level of threat he poses. As for acquaintance itself, Louis is also in the position of having been attacked by Todd in the castle city from the same timing as Subaru and the others, and Flop is also in the position of having been attacked by Todd in the castle city, but none of the lapses in which this danger was demonstrated are in theirs.
Therefore--,
"Betty is subject to Subaru's decisions, in fact."
Holding hands with Subaru, Beatrice gives them only the courage to choose, not to be concerned about whether to proceed or not.
She is not alone. Both Tanza and Idola have left their futures to Subaru's choices. --Just being in the same place with these two and Todd is enough to make her heart freeze.
If possible, they would like to keep Todd's presence away from themselves as soon as possible, even for one second, but--,
"......I know you're a friend of Rem, Katya. I want as many of us as possible to get out of here unscathed. I don't think we have time to squabble here."
"--. I... understand, sir."
Subaru turns his head and bites his lip, and Rem also stiffens her cheeks in frustration.
But she doesn't know what Todd will do if she rejects him badly. That is a concern that Rem shares. Now that she's there, she can't let him go.
It's the same reason you can't leave a bomb unattended, not knowing when it will detonate.
"D-don't worry! This guy, this guy is very stubborn! I'm sure he'll help me and you all escape."
"Hey, come on, don't use the fiancée metaphor like she's a zodda worm or something."
Katya poorly follows Todd in the face of Subaru's and Rem's uneasiness. He chuckles at Katya's defense, then while he ruffles his own hair with his hand,
"Well, if they've accepted me, I owe them a debt of gratitude. Thanks, I'll have to pay back Katya for treating me so lightly."
Subaru, who was feeling a bit nervous and unable to relax, was soon on his way to join the group.
△▼△▼△▼△
--There are three reasons why Subaru could not refuse Todd Fang's presence in this situation.
The first is the presence of Katya, Todd's fiancée.
She seems to have developed a friendly relationship with Rem during her time in this mansion, and despite her foul mouth, she is a good person and rightly shows Subaru and his friends that she is a good hand with no ill will. From the looks of it, he doesn't think she understands the root of Todd's humanity, but whatever Subaru and his friends accuse her of here, it is a bad bet for a minute as to whether she will believe her fiancé or Subaru and his friends.
Then would he choose to separate himself from Katya because of his dislike of Todd?
The wheelchair that Subaru had made for Rem - a wheelchair that was no less sophisticated than the one that Subaru had made for Rem - was so teasing as he leaned his weight on it that it was impossible to leave him unattended.
As long as Katya and Todd are nicely together, it is reasonable that they cannot refuse Todd.
The second is that Todd's actions are all attempted due to a series of "Return by Deaths".
With his ruthless nature and cool-headed judgment, Todd has cornered Subaru on numerous occasions at different junctures, taking Subaru's life - or sometimes the lives of Subaru's valued friends.
Flop, who now accompanies him, even Tanza and Idola, have been killed by Todd.
Subaru's strong dislike and fear of Todd is probably because he has taken the lives of his friends in front of Subaru's eyes more than any other person Subaru has encountered in this world.
However, as a result of the attempted "Return by Death" of those situations, Todd was able to turn his deadly blade on Subaru and his friends, but did no further harm to them.
Neither the great fire in the Shudrak Forest, nor the relentless raids in the walled city, nor the massacre of the gladiators on the Gladiator Island, have occurred. --Only that it is feasible for him to do so.
And the third and final one--,
"--Aim from the chest up! Under the feet will only buy you time!"
"Shit, Beatrice!"
"I know, in fact! Minya!"
At the instruction of a sharp voice, Subaru and Beatrice simultaneously hold their hands out in front of them.
Aiming his palm, he shot several pale-faced enemies - zombies - who had been knocked down to the ground.
Some of them escaped a few sharp hits, but--,
"Unfortunately, if your torso is in that state, then......"
"Even if its head is intact, it will be crushed."
The zombie that was not immediately incapacitated was hit by the heel of the falling Tanza, its crystallized torso shattered, and its limbs blown off, leaving it helpless.
The head of the zombie rolls away, and it does not begin to regenerate. Eventually, the safe head loses its color like sand, crumbles, and disappears.
She didn't want to feel the heartache at the sight, though.
"I think we've eliminated the obstacles in the back streets now. Your magic is more effective than ever against these people. How much energy do we have left?"
".......I can still do it, in fact. I have about 10,000 or even 100,000, I suppose."
"That's good. But don't be too forward. You guys are the lifeline."
Subaru and Beatrice have mixed feelings when they are praised for their brilliant handiwork in successfully eliminating a group of zombies, an obstacle blocking their way.
Unilaterally defeating the zombies is the right choice, mentally. On the other hand, it is somewhat distressing that the person who has been praising it is Todd.
And, these feelings of Subaru and others were put aside,
"I had many encounters with those pale-faced people before I met up with Katya at the mansion. They didn't seem to be on either side, the regular army or the rebels, and they couldn't talk to each other."
"Is that so? But they seemed to be able to understand me when they were defeated by my masters at the mansion."
"The words you can speak and the words you can talk are not the same thing, are they? They won't listen to you, and they won't die even if you crush their heads or cut off their heads. They are a nuisance you don't want to make enemies with."
"The soldier who wouldn't die...... as Master Schwartz's companion told me."
When told of the zombies' formidable characteristics, Flop and Tanza ponder.
However, it is Todd's opinion that they are considering, and it is a highly accurate analysis that Subaru cannot ignore.
"In short, you can't beat them with honest means. Swords, lances, and other weapons are just a distraction. The real challenge is......"
"The masters."
"Magic."
"I've also burned some of the spirits I had in my care until they turned to charcoal and they never got up. I haven't yet verified whether it is effective with ordinary fire as well as magic."
"----"
"Well, in case you're wondering, it takes longer to revive someone who's been hit from the neck up than someone who's had other parts of their body destroyed. Legs regenerate surprisingly quickly, so don't expect to take away their mobility."
Even Subaru, who knows his true nature, is impressed by Todd's willingness to give such advice.
As soon as the story of the group's acceptance was settled, Todd generously shared information about the zombies, spitting it out as he did so.
Naturally, he, like Subaru and the others, had moved through the Imperial City, where numerous zombies were roaming around, to join up with Katya. Having accomplished that, Todd might have prepared an effective strategy against zombies and knowledge that would help them get out.
This expectation was the third reason Subaru welcomed Todd.
"Though, I didn't expect it to go this far......"
The zombie outbreak occurred shortly after Subaru and his group climbed over the city walls.
For a moment, Subaru was led to believe that they might have triggered the zombie outbreak, but decided to stomp it out and move on, as that was an unanswerable fear to ponder.
Anyway, from the zombie outbreak to the present, the time available for consideration should have been the same for Subaru and his team and Todd, but they are digging too deep to acquire the information necessary for survival.
It is this attitude, not just toward zombies, but toward anything, anyone, anywhere, that drives Todd's ability to make that unusual decision and execute it.
"Miss Katya, are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, except I'm shaking with all these people I don't know what to do with. ......Are you the one who's okay?"
"I'm much more afraid of an opponent like Priscilla or Madelyn who has no chance of winning."
"That's a bad mindset......"
Lagging behind Subaru and his battle group, who are moving a little ahead to make way, Rem and Katya are slowly following behind. Rem is pushing Katya's wheelchair, and Louis is escorting the defenseless girls as they look around restlessly.
Because of the poor footing and the orderly route chosen to bypass the group of zombies, combined with the speed of the false princes led by Idola on his galloping horse, the speed of travel is not fast.
Still, steadily, they are getting closer to the walls of the Imperial City.
"You look unhappy, mister. Are you still worried about the soldier?"
"Mr. Flop......"
Flop, who is still watching his surroundings closely, sees through Subaru's expression, which is complicated by the fact that it comes at the same time, both happy and bitter.
Being the astute man that he is, he's sure Flop can see that Subaru is more wary of Todd than he should be--at least, more than he needs to be with the amount of information he has at the moment.
Of course, they can't do anything like confiding the fact that Flop was killed to the person in question, because it would violate the "Return by Death" rule.
"Mr. Flop, as I said earlier......"
"You know what I'm saying, right? I understand. The reason why Miss Tanza stays with him as much as she can is because she is doing what you asked her to do."
"----"
"You have grown smaller, your face has become younger, but your thinking has become more mature or prudent, mister. You always do your best to worry, which is also a virtue. But I like you too, the one who proposes cross-dressing in order to conquer a castle city."
Subaru snickered and then chuckled at Flop, who smiled softly and calmly.
He doesn't know how it looks like this, but he feels like he's come to realize Flop's brotherly power, even compared to his original body. It seems only natural that Medium would respect Flop so much.
"--, Subaru, watch your feet, I suppose."
"My feet...... wha..."
When the story comes to a close, Subaru is led by Beatrice and sees his feet--water running down the sloping ground and soaking the soles of his shoes.
Beyond the Crystal Palace, the reservoirs that hold large amounts of water have been destroyed, and the volume of water flowing into the city is beginning to rise in earnest. The enemy is not only imperial soldiers and zombies, but water as well.
If they take too long to retreat, they will eventually be swallowed by the waters that are gaining momentum--.
"If we don't get to the exit before that happens, we're all going to end up together."
Todd, who had come this way, clearly verbalized Subaru's sense of crisis.
Subaru stiffens slightly, and whether or not he realizes the alarm, Todd points the tip of the returned axe toward the Crystal Palace,
"General Mogro's odds are not good against the 'Cloud Dragon'. It will only be a matter of time before we lose. If it's one against one, two against one is fatal...... How will the enemy move after the first general falls?"
"How do you know?"
"The 'Cloud Dragon' is not the only one, but the flying dragon riders who are working together are corpses by the looks of it. So far, the corpses have attacked us as soon as they saw us. That is......"
"The Zombies are trying to kill the living."
"It's infuriating, but that's the way it is."
Todd twists his head, and Subaru knows what he means.
The goal of the zombies is to kill every living person they come across. If there is a way to kill a large number of people for that purpose, it is not surprising that they would choose it.
That stone giant that is clashing with the white dragon right in front of the castle, if it loses, the zombies will completely destroy the walls of the reservoir and flood it with water at once.
If this happens, Subaru and the people of the Imperial City, or the regular army and the rebels who are clashing outside, will be swept away by the roots.
"I'm pissed. But I like the way you call them zombies. We need to call them something. I'm going to call them zombies from now on."
"What do you think about those zombies, in fact?"
Suddenly, Beatrice, who had been silent, skipped such a question toward Todd.
Todd, who had mumbled the word "zombie" several times to familiarize himself with the word, looked doubtful at Beatrice's question,
"What do you think?"
"Most of the zombies we've encountered so far are Imperial Guards just like you, I suppose. I can tell by the way they're dressed, in fact. You know, the way you think you're holding your allies in your hands......"
"First of all, we're not allies. We just wear the same clothes, and if we die, we're not soldiers or anything. You don't need any more recognition than that it's a nasty disorder."
"----"
"I don't think it's important for survival right now to talk about who they work for and what they want. That's for the big boys to figure out and answer."
He responds flatly, and Beatrice silently agrees to terminate the conversation.
Todd shrugged his shoulders at this attitude and looked at Subaru again,
"He is a reliable partner, but if you're having a hard time mentally, you should talk to him more often. You might feel better if you just let out what's in your gut."
"......I'll remember."
In response to Subaru's weighty answer, Todd says, "Do that," and moves on.
They will act as scouts for the road ahead, plan how to position and repel the zombies, and then Subaru and his team will review and implement the plan to secure an escape route. It is a strategy that is currently working well.
However--,
"Subaru, if you're having a hard time, would you tell Betty anything, I suppose?"
As Beatrice looks into his face, it is Subaru who is mentally hard.
This is partly because he continues to devote strong caution to Todd, and partly because Beatrice's magic is using his inner mana.
But the greatest psychological burden of all is defeating the zombies.
It is hard to destroy a zombie that speaks and has something close to a living will.
How much better it would be if, like Todd, they could just dismiss it as a scarecrow blocking the way.
"I think that's one of your virtues, though."
"......I don't know about that. I think Rem is going to kick my butt for being maggoty again."
"Your lady wouldn't do that."
"----"
"Or not."
Strangely, Flop's layered words were persuasive.
Flop has survived this cruel empire with neither arms nor magic, but only with words. Is it because of his only and greatest weapon, his humanity, that makes us think so?
"Mr. Flop has cheered me up a bit."
"I'm glad to hear that! I can't find a way to save my husband if he dents me for something I can't help! Oh, but..."
"But?"
"I think it might have offended the dress a little to say that it was thanks to me."
At Flop's point, Subaru turned around and said, "Huh?", and there was Beatrice, holding hands with Subaru and staring at him with her round, cute eyes.
When Subaru's cheeks hardened at her reaction, Beatrice's cheeks turned red,
"You're in a good position to leave your worried Betty alone, in fact. Subaru will be so quick to befriend a man with a nice face and disrespect Betty again, I suppose."
#Wow, rumors! No, I'm not trying to belittle you by any means, okay? To begin with, Mr. Flop and Cessy are the exceptions, while Idola and Weitz are tasteful but not beautiful...... Hiain is charming but not beautiful."
"I don't need excuses, in fact!"
Subaru's face was suddenly turned away from her and he groaned in pain as if his chest had been strongly gouged out.
Beatrice was worried about him as well. Even though Flop was better at words, he sincerely feels sorry for what he did.
At any rate, after escaping from this situation, he has to make a sincere effort to get in a good mood.
"For now, all I can do is pat her and rub her palms......"
"......What are you doing in a situation like this."
"Wha--"
Subaru is surprised to be called out from behind. Rem, who looks quizzically at Subaru, keeps Louis clinging to her waist as she scurries around, wary of her surroundings,
"You may look like that, but you're still you."
"Oh? You mean you know me well enough to know what it's like to be me?"
"I stand corrected. I am less reserved in my smaller form than I was before."
"I hope you'll just laugh it off as the unrestrained nature of a child."
Subaru is glad to hear Rem's harsh opinion, as she has been away from Subaru for a while.
Unknowingly, he must be careful to consciously tighten his facial expressions, which almost make the corners of his eyes droop, so as not to unsettle Rem.
Besides, speaking of someone he doesn't want to make anxious,
"Hey, is Todd's girl bothering you? Is she being helpful?"
"----"
Yes, that's Katya, who asks in a wheelchair that Rem is pushing, frightened.
Compared to the false crown princes who were released from captivity and followed Subaru and his team's retreat on their own, Katya has also experienced a considerable sense of helplessness in not being able to move on her own.
They can see that she has an unfaithful fondness for her fiancée, Todd, and she seems terribly worried about him as well as herself.
At the pure Katya's concern, Subaru turned to the end of the alley where Todd was headed,
"Oh, it's helping me. He has a good nose and a good eye. He's very precise with his instructions, and he's been very helpful."
"I-I see. That's fine then......"
Katya, eyes downcast, patting her chest in relief.
As aggravating as it was, what he just said was not a cue to reassure Katya, but a fair assessment of Todd's work to this point.
In fact, Todd's work as a soldier is impeccable, and in the current situation of having to flee with a large number of slow-movers, his scouting and choice of route has contributed greatly to survival.
He has no effective strike against zombies, but he is exceptionally well prepared to hit Subaru and Beatrice, both of whom have effective means. --Aside from Subaru's needless psychological wear and tear, there was no disadvantage to Todd's presence.
"----"
--No, Rem, whose interactions with Katya are complicated, is just as mentally burdened by Todd's presence as Subaru is.
"Keeping this up......"
Will they really be able to escape out of the Imperial City without incident and with their faces intact?
When Subaru is struggling with the unanswerable question of what he wants it to be--,
"--I told you to stay back, Katya. Don't catch up with us."
Todd, who had been out as a scout, returns and finds Katya with Subaru and his friends, and sends a word of caution to his fiancée.
Katya's expression at Todd's words almost expressed relief that he was safe, quickly turned to a look of repulsion at the words he had just spoken, and then changed again.
Slightly, as if to express concern about Todd's condition.
"Todd, what's up?"
"......Good grief, she's so intuitive only at times like this."
With that, Todd ran his hand up his bandana-less hair and revealed what he had seen as he looked toward Subaru and the others.
It is--,
"--There was a rather formidable-looking zombie sitting just up ahead. That monocular tribe, probably the one that stood out so much in today's siege", said Todd.
Arc 8, Chapter 3 "Three Reasons"
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Subaru runs out of the doorway of the remote house and stands in front of a man who is smiling thinly.
Or perhaps that rigidity was the most foolish choice in the face of this man. But even for Natsuki Subaru, who has experienced all kinds of hardships and even "death" many times, the man's unspeakable eeriness whitens his thoughts.
A fear that not even the Sin Archbishop has, a sense of being entrapped by it.
Todd Fang makes Subaru embrace it.
"----"
Confusion arises beside Subaru, who stops, reflexively responding to the voice he hears.
It is Beatrice who is made to face the same person as Subaru while holding hands. Other than her, Tanza and Idola are also looking at Subaru suspiciously as they stand there.
His mind wanders to the girls and he immediately thinks that he should call out a warning to them,
"--Miss Katya!"
And Rem exclaimed in a high voice, faster than Subaru's trembling lips could move.
If you look, you will see Rem's pale blue eyes looking back at Todd by the door - no, not at him, but right behind him.
Subaru struggles to tear his gaze away from Todd and turn his attention in that direction, but when he does it, he knows the object of Rem's call.
There was a woman in a wheelchair hiding behind Todd's back.
The woman peeking at them, plucking at the hem of Todd's dress, has dark brown habit hair and eyes that glare doubtfully at the world, matching the features Rem has described.
That in itself is a delight - no, being around Todd is not.
"Please stay away from her......!"
"Uuh!"
Rem's voice became sharp and she glared at Todd, as if she had come up with the same idea as Subaru. Inspired by Rem's wariness, Louis, who was all over her, snarled as she looked at Todd.
Todd has lost his trademark bandana and let down his lifted orange hair, but that will not diminish his brutality or his ability to think dangerously.
Even in this situation, it was easy to imagine that he would think of using the woman - Katya - as a shield to manipulate Subaru and the others at his will.
Of course, it was clear from Subaru's previous experience with Todd that the end that awaited him when he did as he was told was death.
".......From here."
If he were to die, we have not ascertained to what extent he would rewind.
Fortunately or troublesomely, Subaru did not lose a single life in this series of interventions in the siege of the Imperial City, breaking through the city walls and riding into the city.
Thanks or perhaps because of this, he doesn't know the starting point of "Return by Death".
He was able to meet up with Louis and Beatrice and join Rem and Flop.
Frankly, he can't calculate how many retries it would take to get this situation, which is going so well that it is working too well, in order.
It's more likely--,
"--I'll do it if I have to."
If he has decided who to save, survive, and move forward into the future, Subaru is firmly determined to make sure he gets it.
That is why he was able to rescue all of the gladiators involved in "Gladiator Island" and fight through to this day as a member of the Pleiades group. --I will absolutely never give up.
Even if the obstacles they overcome to do so are symbolic of the fear that chills their hearts.
Yes, Subaru moistens his nearly dry lips with his tongue and acts decisively--,
"W-wait a minute! This is wrong! I'm not trapped, Rem!"
"Miss Katya?"
"This is a misunderstanding...... Yes, a misunderstanding! Todd is not your enemy!"
Katya, shouting aloud and spinning the wheels of her wheelchair, tries to move forward. But Todd held Katya's slender shoulders and prevented her from moving forward.
Katya stared at Todd with tears in her eyes as the momentum carried her forward,
"What are you doing? It's not safe!"
"You're the one that's not safe. Don't step forward on your own."
"W-who do you think I'm telling you to do that for......!"
"Of course, it's for my own good. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let a woman I'm in love with do something dangerous."
"Ugh......"
Katya, red-faced and biting with vigor, is silenced by his words.
This was not because of shame or bat-shame, but because of the way the other person said things that conveyed that they were thinking of him or her.
It was an honest statement with no sense of deception, which was hard for Subaru to believe.
"Miss Katya, perhaps that's......"
With a small gasp and a fearful body, Rem asks Katya. She did not clearly state the question, but the focus of what she wanted to ask was clear.
Perhaps as a sign of her confusion and anxiety, Rem's hand on Louis's shoulder by her side was weak. Katya bit her lip and nodded in response to Rem's question.
"I've told you, like, a million times. ......My, you know, that thing."
"Your fiancée."
"That's it......"
After being given a hesitant assertion, Katya clearly answers Rem's question as such.
Rem's eyes wavered as she was told this, and she was clearly upset. Subaru was just as shocked as Rem, and he was also very upset.
"Your fiancée......"
I don't have too many good memories of Todd from the encounter to the events that followed, but aside from his insanely cautious and unforgiving nature, what struck him was the story of the "Fiancée".
Todd, who had been deployed as an Imperial soldier and was encamped near the forest where the "People of Shudrak" had a settlement, was constantly talking about how he wanted to return to his fiancée.
But after the bloody exchange with Todd, his expectations of his humanity faded, and it became a memory that was only placed in a corner of his mind--.
"Did it exist......?"
As much as he would like to spill the beans on that, it's a word that doesn't go with Todd and his lovely fiancée.
They may not have heard Subaru's monologue, but Rem looks at Todd with suspicion in her stern eyes,
"Are you sure you are Miss Katya's fiancée?"
"Yes, it's true. As I said before, it is a strange coincidence. I never thought that Katya and you would be surrounded by the Prime Minister's residence."
"----"
"Don't look at me like that. I'm not saying we had a good meeting or a good relationship, but here we are. We both have to put our differences behind us, don't we?"
Todd says shamelessly, and shrugs his shoulders at Rem's silent gaze. Then his gaze turned not to Rem but towards Subaru.
Cramming his breath, Subaru meets Todd's gaze. Cold sweat ran down his back.
However--,
"The kid's right, huh?"
"--ah"
Todd's attitude, with one eye closed and a wink, showed no sign of hostility.
As the saying goes, they have let go of their hostility and caution and reached out to each other, as if it were the duty of those so proposing to work together to get out of this situation.
"Mister, ma'am, who is this soldier?"
At the sight of Subaru and Rem, who were pressed into silence, Flop's soft face took on a serious look.
In response to his question, Subaru could not bypass his current appearance. Instead, Rem continued, "With him," he said,
"I've had contact with him several times before. Each time, though, it nearly cost me my life."
"Huh......"
Looking at Katya, Rem tells her the truth, making an effort to choose her words. Upon hearing this, Katya's eyes widened and she looked at Todd, who was right beside her.
Her lips trembling, she asks her fiancée's profile.
"I-is this true? Todd, you're the one who Rem......."
"If the lady's story is true, it's true. I told you, I have a grudge. I'm a soldier. Sometimes you have to turn your weapon on somebody. It's one of those unwanted situations."
"It's selfish of you to say you don't want......"
"If it was in the walled city, it was because I saw your companion as a danger. If it was before that, I was just following orders like any other soldier. I have nothing personal against you."
As he said this, Todd took the axe at his waist. For a moment, Subaru and the others tensed all over, but he tossed it unenthusiastically, keeping one hand outstretched.
The parabolic axe slides across the ground and rolls under the feet of Subaru and the others.
"Auwh"
Louis picks up the axe and looks alternately at Subaru and Rem.
Apparently, it is not an axe-shaped bomb, but pure disarmament.
When Subaru and the others acknowledged this, Todd waved his hands, which he raised in a flutter.
"As you can see, we have no hostile intent. But we don't want to spend too much time staring at each other, do we?"
"......Ma'am, I think we should have a constructive conversation too, but I don't know."
"----"
Squeezing her own arm, Rem glances sideways at Subaru.
Only two people, Subaru and Rem, are able to share their wariness of Todd and the level of threat he poses. As for acquaintance itself, Louis is also in the position of having been attacked by Todd in the castle city from the same timing as Subaru and the others, and Flop is also in the position of having been attacked by Todd in the castle city, but none of the lapses in which this danger was demonstrated are in theirs.
Therefore--,
"Betty is subject to Subaru's decisions, in fact."
Holding hands with Subaru, Beatrice gives them only the courage to choose, not to be concerned about whether to proceed or not.
She is not alone. Both Tanza and Idola have left their futures to Subaru's choices. --Just being in the same place with these two and Todd is enough to make her heart freeze.
If possible, they would like to keep Todd's presence away from themselves as soon as possible, even for one second, but--,
"......I know you're a friend of Rem, Katya. I want as many of us as possible to get out of here unscathed. I don't think we have time to squabble here."
"--. I... understand, sir."
Subaru turns his head and bites his lip, and Rem also stiffens her cheeks in frustration.
But she doesn't know what Todd will do if she rejects him badly. That is a concern that Rem shares. Now that she's there, she can't let him go.
It's the same reason you can't leave a bomb unattended, not knowing when it will detonate.
"D-don't worry! This guy, this guy is very stubborn! I'm sure he'll help me and you all escape."
"Hey, come on, don't use the fiancée metaphor like she's a zodda worm or something."
Katya poorly follows Todd in the face of Subaru's and Rem's uneasiness. He chuckles at Katya's defense, then while he ruffles his own hair with his hand,
"Well, if they've accepted me, I owe them a debt of gratitude. Thanks, I'll have to pay back Katya for treating me so lightly."
Subaru, who was feeling a bit nervous and unable to relax, was soon on his way to join the group.
△▼△▼△▼△
--There are three reasons why Subaru could not refuse Todd Fang's presence in this situation.
The first is the presence of Katya, Todd's fiancée.
She seems to have developed a friendly relationship with Rem during her time in this mansion, and despite her foul mouth, she is a good person and rightly shows Subaru and his friends that she is a good hand with no ill will. From the looks of it, he doesn't think she understands the root of Todd's humanity, but whatever Subaru and his friends accuse her of here, it is a bad bet for a minute as to whether she will believe her fiancé or Subaru and his friends.
Then would he choose to separate himself from Katya because of his dislike of Todd?
The wheelchair that Subaru had made for Rem - a wheelchair that was no less sophisticated than the one that Subaru had made for Rem - was so teasing as he leaned his weight on it that it was impossible to leave him unattended.
As long as Katya and Todd are nicely together, it is reasonable that they cannot refuse Todd.
The second is that Todd's actions are all attempted due to a series of "Return by Deaths".
With his ruthless nature and cool-headed judgment, Todd has cornered Subaru on numerous occasions at different junctures, taking Subaru's life - or sometimes the lives of Subaru's valued friends.
Flop, who now accompanies him, even Tanza and Idola, have been killed by Todd.
Subaru's strong dislike and fear of Todd is probably because he has taken the lives of his friends in front of Subaru's eyes more than any other person Subaru has encountered in this world.
However, as a result of the attempted "Return by Death" of those situations, Todd was able to turn his deadly blade on Subaru and his friends, but did no further harm to them.
Neither the great fire in the Shudrak Forest, nor the relentless raids in the walled city, nor the massacre of the gladiators on the Gladiator Island, have occurred. --Only that it is feasible for him to do so.
And the third and final one--,
"--Aim from the chest up! Under the feet will only buy you time!"
"Shit, Beatrice!"
"I know, in fact! Minya!"
At the instruction of a sharp voice, Subaru and Beatrice simultaneously hold their hands out in front of them.
Aiming his palm, he shot several pale-faced enemies - zombies - who had been knocked down to the ground.
Some of them escaped a few sharp hits, but--,
"Unfortunately, if your torso is in that state, then......"
"Even if its head is intact, it will be crushed."
The zombie that was not immediately incapacitated was hit by the heel of the falling Tanza, its crystallized torso shattered, and its limbs blown off, leaving it helpless.
The head of the zombie rolls away, and it does not begin to regenerate. Eventually, the safe head loses its color like sand, crumbles, and disappears.
She didn't want to feel the heartache at the sight, though.
"I think we've eliminated the obstacles in the back streets now. Your magic is more effective than ever against these people. How much energy do we have left?"
".......I can still do it, in fact. I have about 10,000 or even 100,000, I suppose."
"That's good. But don't be too forward. You guys are the lifeline."
Subaru and Beatrice have mixed feelings when they are praised for their brilliant handiwork in successfully eliminating a group of zombies, an obstacle blocking their way.
Unilaterally defeating the zombies is the right choice, mentally. On the other hand, it is somewhat distressing that the person who has been praising it is Todd.
And, these feelings of Subaru and others were put aside,
"I had many encounters with those pale-faced people before I met up with Katya at the mansion. They didn't seem to be on either side, the regular army or the rebels, and they couldn't talk to each other."
"Is that so? But they seemed to be able to understand me when they were defeated by my masters at the mansion."
"The words you can speak and the words you can talk are not the same thing, are they? They won't listen to you, and they won't die even if you crush their heads or cut off their heads. They are a nuisance you don't want to make enemies with."
"The soldier who wouldn't die...... as Master Schwartz's companion told me."
When told of the zombies' formidable characteristics, Flop and Tanza ponder.
However, it is Todd's opinion that they are considering, and it is a highly accurate analysis that Subaru cannot ignore.
"In short, you can't beat them with honest means. Swords, lances, and other weapons are just a distraction. The real challenge is......"
"The masters."
"Magic."
"I've also burned some of the spirits I had in my care until they turned to charcoal and they never got up. I haven't yet verified whether it is effective with ordinary fire as well as magic."
"----"
"Well, in case you're wondering, it takes longer to revive someone who's been hit from the neck up than someone who's had other parts of their body destroyed. Legs regenerate surprisingly quickly, so don't expect to take away their mobility."
Even Subaru, who knows his true nature, is impressed by Todd's willingness to give such advice.
As soon as the story of the group's acceptance was settled, Todd generously shared information about the zombies, spitting it out as he did so.
Naturally, he, like Subaru and the others, had moved through the Imperial City, where numerous zombies were roaming around, to join up with Katya. Having accomplished that, Todd might have prepared an effective strategy against zombies and knowledge that would help them get out.
This expectation was the third reason Subaru welcomed Todd.
"Though, I didn't expect it to go this far......"
The zombie outbreak occurred shortly after Subaru and his group climbed over the city walls.
For a moment, Subaru was led to believe that they might have triggered the zombie outbreak, but decided to stomp it out and move on, as that was an unanswerable fear to ponder.
Anyway, from the zombie outbreak to the present, the time available for consideration should have been the same for Subaru and his team and Todd, but they are digging too deep to acquire the information necessary for survival.
It is this attitude, not just toward zombies, but toward anything, anyone, anywhere, that drives Todd's ability to make that unusual decision and execute it.
"Miss Katya, are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, except I'm shaking with all these people I don't know what to do with. ......Are you the one who's okay?"
"I'm much more afraid of an opponent like Priscilla or Madelyn who has no chance of winning."
"That's a bad mindset......"
Lagging behind Subaru and his battle group, who are moving a little ahead to make way, Rem and Katya are slowly following behind. Rem is pushing Katya's wheelchair, and Louis is escorting the defenseless girls as they look around restlessly.
Because of the poor footing and the orderly route chosen to bypass the group of zombies, combined with the speed of the false princes led by Idola on his galloping horse, the speed of travel is not fast.
Still, steadily, they are getting closer to the walls of the Imperial City.
"You look unhappy, mister. Are you still worried about the soldier?"
"Mr. Flop......"
Flop, who is still watching his surroundings closely, sees through Subaru's expression, which is complicated by the fact that it comes at the same time, both happy and bitter.
Being the astute man that he is, he's sure Flop can see that Subaru is more wary of Todd than he should be--at least, more than he needs to be with the amount of information he has at the moment.
Of course, they can't do anything like confiding the fact that Flop was killed to the person in question, because it would violate the "Return by Death" rule.
"Mr. Flop, as I said earlier......"
"You know what I'm saying, right? I understand. The reason why Miss Tanza stays with him as much as she can is because she is doing what you asked her to do."
"----"
"You have grown smaller, your face has become younger, but your thinking has become more mature or prudent, mister. You always do your best to worry, which is also a virtue. But I like you too, the one who proposes cross-dressing in order to conquer a castle city."
Subaru snickered and then chuckled at Flop, who smiled softly and calmly.
He doesn't know how it looks like this, but he feels like he's come to realize Flop's brotherly power, even compared to his original body. It seems only natural that Medium would respect Flop so much.
"--, Subaru, watch your feet, I suppose."
"My feet...... wha..."
When the story comes to a close, Subaru is led by Beatrice and sees his feet--water running down the sloping ground and soaking the soles of his shoes.
Beyond the Crystal Palace, the reservoirs that hold large amounts of water have been destroyed, and the volume of water flowing into the city is beginning to rise in earnest. The enemy is not only imperial soldiers and zombies, but water as well.
If they take too long to retreat, they will eventually be swallowed by the waters that are gaining momentum--.
"If we don't get to the exit before that happens, we're all going to end up together."
Todd, who had come this way, clearly verbalized Subaru's sense of crisis.
Subaru stiffens slightly, and whether or not he realizes the alarm, Todd points the tip of the returned axe toward the Crystal Palace,
"General Mogro's odds are not good against the 'Cloud Dragon'. It will only be a matter of time before we lose. If it's one against one, two against one is fatal...... How will the enemy move after the first general falls?"
"How do you know?"
"The 'Cloud Dragon' is not the only one, but the flying dragon riders who are working together are corpses by the looks of it. So far, the corpses have attacked us as soon as they saw us. That is......"
"The Zombies are trying to kill the living."
"It's infuriating, but that's the way it is."
Todd twists his head, and Subaru knows what he means.
The goal of the zombies is to kill every living person they come across. If there is a way to kill a large number of people for that purpose, it is not surprising that they would choose it.
That stone giant that is clashing with the white dragon right in front of the castle, if it loses, the zombies will completely destroy the walls of the reservoir and flood it with water at once.
If this happens, Subaru and the people of the Imperial City, or the regular army and the rebels who are clashing outside, will be swept away by the roots.
"I'm pissed. But I like the way you call them zombies. We need to call them something. I'm going to call them zombies from now on."
"What do you think about those zombies, in fact?"
Suddenly, Beatrice, who had been silent, skipped such a question toward Todd.
Todd, who had mumbled the word "zombie" several times to familiarize himself with the word, looked doubtful at Beatrice's question,
"What do you think?"
"Most of the zombies we've encountered so far are Imperial Guards just like you, I suppose. I can tell by the way they're dressed, in fact. You know, the way you think you're holding your allies in your hands......"
"First of all, we're not allies. We just wear the same clothes, and if we die, we're not soldiers or anything. You don't need any more recognition than that it's a nasty disorder."
"----"
"I don't think it's important for survival right now to talk about who they work for and what they want. That's for the big boys to figure out and answer."
He responds flatly, and Beatrice silently agrees to terminate the conversation.
Todd shrugged his shoulders at this attitude and looked at Subaru again,
"He is a reliable partner, but if you're having a hard time mentally, you should talk to him more often. You might feel better if you just let out what's in your gut."
"......I'll remember."
In response to Subaru's weighty answer, Todd says, "Do that," and moves on.
They will act as scouts for the road ahead, plan how to position and repel the zombies, and then Subaru and his team will review and implement the plan to secure an escape route. It is a strategy that is currently working well.
However--,
"Subaru, if you're having a hard time, would you tell Betty anything, I suppose?"
As Beatrice looks into his face, it is Subaru who is mentally hard.
This is partly because he continues to devote strong caution to Todd, and partly because Beatrice's magic is using his inner mana.
But the greatest psychological burden of all is defeating the zombies.
It is hard to destroy a zombie that speaks and has something close to a living will.
How much better it would be if, like Todd, they could just dismiss it as a scarecrow blocking the way.
"I think that's one of your virtues, though."
"......I don't know about that. I think Rem is going to kick my butt for being maggoty again."
"Your lady wouldn't do that."
"----"
"Or not."
Strangely, Flop's layered words were persuasive.
Flop has survived this cruel empire with neither arms nor magic, but only with words. Is it because of his only and greatest weapon, his humanity, that makes us think so?
"Mr. Flop has cheered me up a bit."
"I'm glad to hear that! I can't find a way to save my husband if he dents me for something I can't help! Oh, but..."
"But?"
"I think it might have offended the dress a little to say that it was thanks to me."
At Flop's point, Subaru turned around and said, "Huh?", and there was Beatrice, holding hands with Subaru and staring at him with her round, cute eyes.
When Subaru's cheeks hardened at her reaction, Beatrice's cheeks turned red,
"You're in a good position to leave your worried Betty alone, in fact. Subaru will be so quick to befriend a man with a nice face and disrespect Betty again, I suppose."
#Wow, rumors! No, I'm not trying to belittle you by any means, okay? To begin with, Mr. Flop and Cessy are the exceptions, while Idola and Weitz are tasteful but not beautiful...... Hiain is charming but not beautiful."
"I don't need excuses, in fact!"
Subaru's face was suddenly turned away from her and he groaned in pain as if his chest had been strongly gouged out.
Beatrice was worried about him as well. Even though Flop was better at words, he sincerely feels sorry for what he did.
At any rate, after escaping from this situation, he has to make a sincere effort to get in a good mood.
"For now, all I can do is pat her and rub her palms......"
"......What are you doing in a situation like this."
"Wha--"
Subaru is surprised to be called out from behind. Rem, who looks quizzically at Subaru, keeps Louis clinging to her waist as she scurries around, wary of her surroundings,
"You may look like that, but you're still you."
"Oh? You mean you know me well enough to know what it's like to be me?"
"I stand corrected. I am less reserved in my smaller form than I was before."
"I hope you'll just laugh it off as the unrestrained nature of a child."
Subaru is glad to hear Rem's harsh opinion, as she has been away from Subaru for a while.
Unknowingly, he must be careful to consciously tighten his facial expressions, which almost make the corners of his eyes droop, so as not to unsettle Rem.
Besides, speaking of someone he doesn't want to make anxious,
"Hey, is Todd's girl bothering you? Is she being helpful?"
"----"
Yes, that's Katya, who asks in a wheelchair that Rem is pushing, frightened.
Compared to the false crown princes who were released from captivity and followed Subaru and his team's retreat on their own, Katya has also experienced a considerable sense of helplessness in not being able to move on her own.
They can see that she has an unfaithful fondness for her fiancée, Todd, and she seems terribly worried about him as well as herself.
At the pure Katya's concern, Subaru turned to the end of the alley where Todd was headed,
"Oh, it's helping me. He has a good nose and a good eye. He's very precise with his instructions, and he's been very helpful."
"I-I see. That's fine then......"
Katya, eyes downcast, patting her chest in relief.
As aggravating as it was, what he just said was not a cue to reassure Katya, but a fair assessment of Todd's work to this point.
In fact, Todd's work as a soldier is impeccable, and in the current situation of having to flee with a large number of slow-movers, his scouting and choice of route has contributed greatly to survival.
He has no effective strike against zombies, but he is exceptionally well prepared to hit Subaru and Beatrice, both of whom have effective means. --Aside from Subaru's needless psychological wear and tear, there was no disadvantage to Todd's presence.
"----"
--No, Rem, whose interactions with Katya are complicated, is just as mentally burdened by Todd's presence as Subaru is.
"Keeping this up......"
Will they really be able to escape out of the Imperial City without incident and with their faces intact?
When Subaru is struggling with the unanswerable question of what he wants it to be--,
"--I told you to stay back, Katya. Don't catch up with us."
Todd, who had been out as a scout, returns and finds Katya with Subaru and his friends, and sends a word of caution to his fiancée.
Katya's expression at Todd's words almost expressed relief that he was safe, quickly turned to a look of repulsion at the words he had just spoken, and then changed again.
Slightly, as if to express concern about Todd's condition.
"Todd, what's up?"
"......Good grief, she's so intuitive only at times like this."
With that, Todd ran his hand up his bandana-less hair and revealed what he had seen as he looked toward Subaru and the others.
It is--,
"--There was a rather formidable-looking zombie sitting just up ahead. That monocular tribe, probably the one that stood out so much in today's siege", said Todd.
