Arc 7, Chapter 32 - 'The Path Onwards”

Arc 7, Chapter 32 - “The Path Onwards”

???: [How much time does it take just to bring one foolish commoner back? Do you think that the value of the time that flows by is the same between you and I?]

???: [No, that’s why I’m apologizing to you...]

Greeted by his master’s frigid gaze, Al bowed his head in a sullen manner.

As soon as he returned to the conference hall with Subaru, the aforementioned reprimand awaited him.

The original purpose of his mission was to bring Subaru back to the meeting hall, so it was not unreasonable for him to be scolded for having an unplanned conversation. Not unreasonable, but――,

Subaru: [Priscilla, please don’t blame Al too much. It’s not Al who’s at fault, it’s me.]

Priscilla: [Hmm. I’m sure you two clowns were consoling each other over some trivial anguish. Your forehead is red, did you bash it against the wall or something?]

Subaru: [Do you have Clairvoyance? You’re so spot on it’s scary.]

Priscilla shot back at Subaru, who had come to Al’s defense, with a comment as if she had seen it before.

The scene was not supposed to be so common as to come to mind easily, but he couldn’t help shudder at Priscilla’s insight.

Anyway――,

Subaru: [It’s like the conversation didn’t continue without us...]

Priscilla: [It is not facile to arrive at a conclusion. After all, are you not Abel’s military strategist?]

Subaru: [Well, um...]

Being pierced by Priscilla’s narrowed gaze, Subaru glanced at Abel. In response to his gaze, Abel, sitting on his seat, arms still crossed, paid no heed to Subaru’s questioning look.

Abel must have been reluctant to treat Subaru as a military strategist, but since he had stated such directly to Priscilla, it could be that he was unable to retract it.

As a result, they could not conclude the meeting without Subaru.

Subaru: [Aren’t you shooting yourself in the foot by acting without thinking?]

Abel: [You are the one who needs to regard the value of your words. Any great strategy can be treated as either wise or foolish, depending on how you choose your words.]

Subaru: [You’re regretting treating me as a military strategist, that’s some nerve...]

Frowning at Abel’s officious answer, Subaru sighed deeply.

He then looked around at the people in the meeting room―― Abel, Priscilla, Zikr, and Taritta, who had taken over as Chieftain, and then closed one eye.

Without Subaru and Al, they didn’t think they could have reached a conclusion.――,

Subaru: [The conclusion you haven’t reached is about cooperating with Priscilla? What was said before, was that Priscilla had a collaborator.]

Abel: [You seem to have the brains to keep up. Of course, I am talking about that. ――The one who gathers the most members of the Nine Divine Generals wins, remember?]

Subaru: [Yeah, we got to the part where the First’s a pain in the ass for being useless.]

If he went unrecruited and became an assassin, there would be nothing they could do. On the other hand, if he were recruited, he would not contribute much to the situation. If this were a simulation game, he would be a troublesome unit.

Someone that lacked charm even if turned an ally, all while becoming deadly poisonous if left to their enemies.

Subaru: [But it’s about the final victory. It’s not about Priscilla and the support of her collaborators. Right?]

Priscilla: [――Hmm.]

Priscilla made a small sound in her throat as Subaru summarized the story deftly.

For an instant, Priscilla’s crimson eyes flashed with a look of curiosity that seemed unusual in Subaru’s own eyes―― a reaction that suggested that she was interested in someone else, and in addition to that, it was Subaru.

I haven’t done anything special, Subaru contemplated.

Subaru: [What?]

Priscilla: [No, I thought you looked deflated in that guise, but you have made your return with a new look on your face and a new light in your eyes. On top of that, your blood circulation is a little better, so your appearance is slightly different.]

Subaru: [...Are you, complimenting me?]

Priscilla: [You may jump in jubilance if such is your wish.]

Subaru: [I won’t go that far.]

The fact that she had not denied it, must be a compliment in Priscilla’s own way.

Replying with a snort, Subaru accepted the praise for his change of heart.

From Rem’s own mouth, the words that had supported Natsuki Subaru had been repudiated.

However, he was encouraged that this was not the time for his knees to buckle because of it.

Subaru: [Well, if that’s the case, then it was worth being late for the meeting.]

Priscilla: [I see, the result of a conversation between clowns is superb. You are being so uncharacteristically friendly, Al.]

Al: [Oi, oi, it’s not unusual for a nice guy like me to be friendly to someone, Princess.]

Priscilla derided him, and Al shrugged his shoulders as he replied.

Subaru could not decide whose words were correct, Priscilla’s or Al’s.

For Subaru, Al was the only person from his homeland, the one who patted him on the back and pushed him out of a dead-end situation. It was true that his image was not without its unsympathetic side, as he had been harsh to him elsewhere, and he treated any situation as someone else’s problem.

Subaru: [I can forgive it if I consider it as an after-effect of spending so much time in a different world.]

Al: [Didn’t you just say something really upsetting? Maybe I’m imagining things.]

Al tilted his head as if he couldn’t make any sense of it, but Subaru let it slide.

Neither the fact that Priscilla had changed her mind about Subaru, nor the fact that Al had contributed to that change of heart, were what was important.

Subaru: [What we need to do is settle the debate... and see how Priscilla’s willing to deal with us in the future. Let’s not go off-topic.]

Abel: [Oh, I am sorry. That someone who gets side-tracked so easily became a military strategist.]

Subaru: [――――]

To Abel, who narrowed his eyes in displeasure and retorted sarcastically, Subaru stuck his tongue out and ignored him. Then, turning to Priscilla once again, he urged her to continue the conversation.

Subaru: [So, what are you going to do? With or without the support of Priscilla and her collaborators, I’m sure Abel’s still going to raise an assault on the Imperial Capital...]

Al: [With or without the Princess’s support, the extent of the assault will be the same.]

Priscilla: [It is that you clowns are so in tune with each other. Anyway, your assessment is correct. Therefore, for us to assist you in the future... I have raised a condition to Abel to serve as proof that he is worthy of the support.]

Subaru: [Condition?]

Priscilla: [It is simple. ――One of the Nine Divine Generals must be on your side.]

To Subaru’s frowning face, Priscilla presented the requirement as a matter-of-fact.

Upon hearing that prerequisite, Subaru muttered “Nine Divine Generals...”.

It was not an absurd condition, definitely.

In the first place, if one wished to mount a challenge in the battle to regain the throne, the acquisition of many Divine Generals was required beforehand. Priscilla was merely looking for that first step.

In fact, it would be a very fortunate condition if they could get Priscilla on their side just by fulfilling the prerequisites for victory, right――

Subaru: [It’s not exactly a condition to be jumping up and down about, is it?]

Abel: [Of course. As long as I remain unknowing of Goz’s safety, there are no Divine Generals among the Nine who would follow me unconditionally. Additionally, there are not many eccentrics with an inclination to trouble themselves to fight a losing battle.]

Subaru: [...If they can’t see even a small chance of winning, no one will come on board.]

As Abel described the tragic situation, Subaru also wrinkled his brow with a difficult expression.

Abel’s sad self-awareness―― if the Emperor’s prestige was not enough for the Nine Divine Generals, he desired to get as much support as possible from Priscilla and her collaborators.

At the very least, the presence of such a collaborator would have been a bargaining chip to persuade the Nine Divine Generals.

At this point, Abel had only a few things to go on: his big claim that he was the true Emperor, the People of Shudraq, and the military strength of the Fortress City of Guaral.

Subaru: [I wonder if they’ll listen to us when we say we’ll fight the Empire with one city and one tribe.]

Abel: [Those working with Priscilla... If they rank as mid-level Counts or higher, their names shall pose as good bargaining chips.]

Priscilla: [I tell you, do not expect mercy from me. I possess a certain amount of generosity, but it is not meant for beggars.]

Priscilla, with her chin resting on her hand, easily trampled their feeble hopes.

As they were already aware, there was no way she was going to change her opinion. Then, all they had to do was to directly challenge the conditions presented to them.

Zikr: [With all due respect, Your Excellency, perhaps we should turn to General First-Class Cecilus for help?]

Subaru: [Zikr-san, what are the odds of success?]

Expectations were placed on Zikr after those words, as heavy silence fell over the room. However, in response to Subaru’s expectant gaze, Zikr shook his head and said, “No”.

Zikr: [As Your Excellency stated earlier, given the current balance in strength, anyone who considers cooperating with us is not thinking straight. Therefore...]

Subaru: [Therefore?]

Zikr: [I am afraid we can only rely on people who don’t think straight, such as General First-Class Cecilus...]

Subaru: [Ah, so Zikr-san thinks that person’s nuts, too.]

Cecilus, who had only a dismal reputation, was hardcore enough that Zikr thought he could be brought to their side due to his craziness.

However, if they really had no other choice, they may have to go for the first troublesome unit they could think of bringing over to their side at some point.

Subaru: [The question is, where is he? Where does that person usually live?]

Abel: [That one usually lives in Arakiya’s house in the Imperial Capital.]

Subaru: [I see, Arakiya’s... wait, why?]

It was said flatly, and Subaru’s understanding of Abel’s words was delayed for a few seconds.

Even Priscilla scowled in displeasure at the outlandishness of the content.

From what he had heard, Cecilus was the First, and Arakiya was the Second.

Subaru: [Does that mean that this Cecilus guy and Arakiya are lovers or something?]

If that were the case, the impression left by Subaru and the others who had repelled Arakiya could not have been worse.

Subaru and his team had successfully made enemies of both the First and Second.

However, Abel shook his head in response to Subaru’s question.

Abel: [No, that is not so. Arakiya is looking for an opportunity to kill Cecilus, but she cannot achieve such a thing if people around him are harmed every time she attempts to murder him. That is why I ordered Cecilus to do it.]

Subaru: [Ordered what?]

Abel: [If it was going to happen anyway, he should stay in places where it’s easy for Arakiya to go after him.]

Subaru: [...I see?]

Even with a concrete explanation, their relationship was difficult for Subaru to understand.

He did not understand the mentality of letting his own Generals kill one another, and he also did not comprehend the idea of living in the house of someone who would try to kill oneself.

In response to her plea, Abel’s dark eyes narrowed.

Abel: [What shall you do? You have inherited the title of Shudraqian Chieftain from your sister. Regardless of your confidence, that will not change.]

Taritta: [I know, I know. I can’t refuse the position that my older sister has given to me. But I’m not strong enough to lead the Shudraq...]

Taritta looked downward, as she bit her lip and stared at her hands.

In her empty hands, what she clutched was probably the same thing that Subaru held in his heart―― that was, the sense of helplessness that tormented her.

Taritta: [Because I need... a chance to carry the position of Chieftain with pride.]

Abel: [――. Is that what you are looking for in travelling to Chaosflame?]

Taritta: [Yes, it is... is it no good?]

Taritta’s voice lost some of its power, as if she had lost confidence in herself after saying that.

However, Subaru could understand the anxiety that Taritta was feeling, and what it really was.

After the sudden change in Chieftains, Taritta had been forced to play a major role, but she was not sure that she held the power befitting said role.

So, what she sought was a successful experience. With her own hands, she would seek results sufficient to convince herself, and a success story that would let her deem herself worthy.

――It was the same thing that Subaru was looking for right now.

Subaru: [Abel, I agree with her. Even if she succeeded Mizelda-san with such a mindset, I think Taritta-san wouldn’t be able to fulfill her potential...]

Abel: [――――]

Subaru: [Besides, we’re going to need an escort or ally along the way anyway, right? We know what Taritta-san’s capable of. We’re friends who rode into... town together in women’s clothing.]

Taritta: [Natsumi...]

He had rephrased it somewhere in the middle of it, but he declared what he wanted to.

Taritta appeared to be very impressed by Subaru’s decision to side with her. He was painfully aware of her hard work. Therefore, he wanted to be on her side.

Abel: [What shall the Shudraq do while you are gone?]

Taritta: [I will let my sister take over for a while. Kuna and Holly will be assisting her a lot. To protect Guaral we can’t move too many people.]

Abel: [So you thought about that much, whilst keeping quiet?]

Having listened to Taritta’s unrestrained answer, Abel assessed her thoughts.

Then Abel tapped his temple lightly with his finger,

Abel: [Only a few are heading for Chaosflame. Of course, as long as I am meeting with Yorna Mishigure, my presence is essential. But we shall not mount an attack.]

Subaru: [At most we can only take one escort...]

Abel: [Then I shall add you, Taritta. The rest――]

???: [――I’ve been listening!]

In the middle of Abel’s sentence, the door was thrown open with great force, and a figure stepped in with vigor.

It was Flop O’Connell, the good merchant who had unabashedly referred to the Emperor as his new friend, and who had no fear of the impertinence of interrupting said Emperor’s words.

Flop snorted, as he held the gaze of everyone in the room to himself.

Flop: [Miss Taritta, I’m very impressed with your spirit in volunteering for such a difficult role! I think it’s great that you’re finding your own way to tackle a big role out of the blue...!]

Taritta: [Ah, thank you, thank you very much, Flop...]

Flop: [I’d like to make a suggestion to keep you and Village Chief-kun safe on the road. ――I think it’d be a good idea to take my sister, Medium, with you!]

Finger held high, Flop asserted forcefully.

Subaru almost unintentionally nodded in agreement because of his vigor, but upon examining what he had stated, it was a rather abrupt suggestion.

Subaru: [So, what’s on your mind?]

Flop: [Yeah, yeah, I guess that’s the question. Now let me give y’all my reasons for recommending Medium! First of all, she’s skilled, and then she’s charming. On top of that, she’s a smooth talker!]

Subaru: [Smooth talker...!]

Flop: [She speaks pleasantly and clearly, so your chats while traveling won’t be lonesome. She’s not shy, so she can get along with anyone. What do you think, isn’t she a gem?]

Flop, white teeth on display, praised his sister, but two-thirds of his confident selling points referred to Medium’s people-pleasing nature, and the only real selling point was that she was “skilled”.

In fact, Subaru had confirmed that this one point was accurate, however――,

Subaru: [But, have you talked to Medium-san about it?]

Flop: [No, I haven’t! But I’m going to tell her now, so it’s okay!]

Subaru: [...Is this okay?]

It was no travel consultation nor a promise of fun.

Although she would be thrown into a role where her life would be on the line, would discussing it with her later work out? If this were to cause a rift in the relationship between the siblings, it would indeed be painful for Subaru.

However, he was afraid that he could picture them laughing and being okay with it.

Subaru: [Assuming that Medium-san’s okay with it, Abel, what about you?]

Abel: [――. I have witnessed that she possesses the right skills. If she performs her role, I have no objection.]

Flop: [Then you can rest assured! My sister’s one who basically gives her all to whatever she’s told to do! But be careful, she doesn’t get too worked up if she’s not told to.]

Putting his hands on his hips, Flop laughed gaily, “Hahahaha!”.

It could be inferred from the way he’d stated that, and from Abel’s attitude. ――This time, Flop would not included in the group that would accompany them to Chaosflame.

Subaru: [But... Medium-san, doesn’t have to go with us, you know.]

Flop: [Don’t be silly, Husband-kun, I have a goal. There’s some revenge that must be done, that must be served.]

Subaru: [...Oh, right.]

Those were the dangerous words that spilled out of Flop’s mouth, but he knew that they were by no means dangerous thoughts, but rather directed towards an outrageous absurdity even the cheerful Flop could not forgive.

Flop’s goodness, which had gone unheard of by Subaru in this world―― that was the reason why Subaru trusted him and had been able to spend time with him until today.

Flop: [It’s the same for my sister. My sister and I have the same goal, and the same path to walk. If I abandon you, Wife-san, and Village Chief-kun here, I wouldn’t be able to hold my head high anymore.]

Subaru: [――. I’m going to cry. I’m going to fall in love with you.]

Flop: [Hahaha, that’s a gut-wrenching thing to hear from you Husband-kun, in that outfit! But you can’t do that, because it’d be bad for Wife-san. But I’ll take your feelings!]

Even the way he dealt with it was cool, and Subaru could only admire it.

Perhaps Medium would be willing to follow Flop’s words. In other words, one of their companions in the trip to Chaosflame would be Medium.

Flop: [Miss Taritta, be good to my sister. Hey, you got along well with me, so I’m sure you’ll get along well with my sister.]

Taritta: [Y-yes... Please take care of yourself too...]

Flop: [Hm? Yes, I’ll do my best with Zikr-san and the rest of the Shudraqians!]

Flop slapped himself on the chest as Taritta fidgeted and looked down.

With a smile on his face, Subaru cleared his throat.

Subaru: [By the way, I’m...]

Abel: [I shall be leaving you behind.]

Subaru: [――Hk.]

Abel: [Did you really believe I would say such a thing?]

When Subaru tried to confirm, Abel threw a feint in bad taste at him.

Even though he was enraged by it, he reacted as if he wanted to be take along, so Subaru did his best to hold back and kept silent by clenching his teeth.

Snickering at Subaru, Abel prefaced his remarks with, “Unfortunately, though,”.

Abel: [You are already a bargaining chip. As long as it is imperative for us to append Yorna Mishigure, no talks can be held without your presence.]

Subaru: [I’ll definitely punch you in the side of the head when all’s done and dusted, but... I’m a bargaining chip?]

Abel: [The fall of Guaral was of your design. Those circumstances shall soon be known. I shall make sure that happens.]

Subaru: [What?]

Not grasping the meaning of Abel’s words, Subaru was bewildered.

There was no doubt that the fall of the Fortress City had been Subaru’s plan, but he did not understand the advantage of going through the trouble of making it known.

Basically, being underestimated was Natsuki Subaru’s starting point.

Priscilla: [―― That there is someone else who can be utilized besides Abel, we must make her think so.]

It was Priscilla who answered Subaru’s question in a straightforward manner.

Hearing her words, comprehension slowly seeped into Subaru’s mind.

Priscilla: [Of course, that encompasses not only this foolish commoner. The People of Shudraq from the Buddheim Jungle, and the defender of the Fortress City of Guaral, General Second-Class Zikr Osman, are likewise material for negotiations. But the best one would be...]

Abel: [The military strategist who assisted in bringing the city down... As I had stated. In the Empire, the strong are respected. It is not merely about brute force, but intelligence as well.]

Subaru: [――――]

That was why Natsuki Subaru had value, Abel and Priscilla assured this.

Honestly, from Subaru’s point of view, it was a very complicated assessment.

On one hand, he was bothered to be so highly praised.

But on the other hand, it also seemed to be an overestimation. In fact, in spite of this high evaluation, Subaru had lost the trust of Rem, and felt the ground under him collapse.

No matter how highly he was regarded in the Empire, it was nothing compared against Rem’s trust.

For this reason, Subaru’s heart was not moved by Abel and Priscilla’s evaluation.

However――,

Subaru: [If I’m useful, that’s fine. Use me well. In return...]

Abel: [In return?]

Subaru: [You’ll definitely get the throne of the Emperor back. And you’ll get us back home safely.]

Subaru firmly stated that this was the only thing he would not compromise on.

Having heard this, Abel’s eyes widened slightly, and then he let out a long breath.

Abel: [Being told that is needless. ――That is what I am supposed to do.]

And so he answered.

Notes:

[1] This isn’t translation flair or anything, Al literally calls Zikr “アフロの将”, Afro General.

[2] “Chaosflame” is composed by two English words, “chaos” (カオス) and “flame” (フレーム) (or possibly frame). That is what Subaru is alluding to here.