A few minutes later—
The Shogun, having changed back into her clothes, sat on the edge of the bed beside the silver-haired girl. For a moment, neither of them spoke first, yet they were thinking about the same thing—the matter of "Return by Death."
Although Emilia believed the Shogun's words, actually experiencing it herself still left her somewhat dazed. The person beside her had suddenly told her, "It has reset," yet she herself had felt nothing at all.
"So? What happened in the future?"
With that thought in mind, she tilted her head slightly and asked softly.
"..."
The Shogun looked at her silently, as if trying to read something from her face.
"I believe you. I'm not lying. Don't look at me like that, Shogun~"
Sensing what she was thinking, Emilia sighed helplessly and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze to show her sincerity.
"Haa..."
At that, the Shogun turned her head away slightly and let out a soft breath.
"Um... I... I'm fine, right? Or did I... die—"
"You're fine. Don't let your imagination run wild."
She cut off Emilia's reckless guess, a faint trace of reproach appearing in her eyes.
"Sorry... it was just instinct..."
Emilia lowered her gaze and gave a weak smile.
"I returned from several days in the future. By then, we had already left this mansion and were about to take a dragon carriage toward the Mathers border."
She softly recounted what she remembered.
"Mm..."
Emilia listened patiently without interrupting, nodding from time to time, her eyes filled with contemplation.
As the Shogun spoke, she suddenly recalled what Emilia had said earlier while touching her face. A trace of shyness stirred in her heart again, but she quickly suppressed it and continued.
"After that... I came back. When the reset happened... it was just at dusk."
"I see... Eh? But wait... didn't you say before that the reset is connected to... Subaru?"
Emilia thought for a moment before asking in confusion.
"That is correct..."
She nodded.
"But... at that time, Subaru should have been at the Mathers mansion, right? Then why—ah!"
Halfway through her sentence, Emilia seemed to realize something. She froze, covering her mouth in shock.
"It seems you've realized it as well. I said before... the reset is only triggered when he dies. In other words—"
The Shogun's eyes turned slightly colder.
"Subaru... was killed by someone at that time? At the mansion?"
Emilia finished the thought in a daze.
"Not exactly. During the reset, I saw fragmented images. He was imprisoned somewhere that looked like a cave and killed by someone who appeared mentally unstable."
She stood and walked a few steps toward the window, her tone serious.
"Mentally unstable... someone?"
Emilia thought for a while but couldn't identify who it might be. Truth be told, neither of them truly knew Natsuki Subaru's background or who he might have been entangled with. She rose from the bed and followed behind the Shogun, looking out into the dark night.
"I don't know either. That man was strange, saying all sorts of incomprehensible things. And... what I saw were only fragments. Even their order may have been jumbled."
She pressed a hand to her forehead, lifting her eyes to frown at the reflection of herself and the girl beside her in the window.
"...Are you alright, Shogun?"
Emilia asked worriedly.
"I am fine... I need to sort through the sequence. Give me a moment."
"Mm... it's alright. There's no rush."
If it was something that happened several days later, then it wasn't immediately urgent. Rushing wouldn't solve anything, Emilia thought.
"One of the fragments showed numerous cloaked and masked figures attacking the village, slaughtering all the villagers."
She lifted her eyes and looked at Emilia.
"Masked figures? Could it be... the Witch Cult?!"
Emilia's face turned pale instantly.
No, no—the most important thing was that they attacked the village. Which meant...
"No one was left at the mansion..."
The Shogun continued recalling.
"The mansion was... attacked!"
Emilia's trembling voice reached that conclusion.
"That is likely all of it."
The Shogun let out a breath.
"This is bad... That means the Witch Cult will attack the mansion and the village in a few days. Then, for some reason... they will take Natsuki Subaru somewhere and kill him, which triggers the reset and causes you—who are connected to him—to return as well."
Emilia lowered her gaze and carefully pieced everything together, deducing the entire sequence.
"Indeed. That is very likely."
She nodded.
"..."
Hearing this, Emilia unconsciously tightened her grip on the hem of her skirt, gently biting her lower lip in distress. She paced a few steps across the room without realizing it.
"We should return to the mansion as soon as possible."
She proposed to the girl.
They couldn't delay any longer. Although Natsuki Subaru was killed several days later, no one could guarantee when the others were killed. Perhaps something had already happened before that. Perhaps Subaru had been the last to die. In other words, the Witch Cult could arrive at any time in the coming days.
"There is no other choice..."
Emilia nodded.
The two left the room and headed to Crusch's office. Naturally, Felix was present as well. Emilia proposed the sudden decision to depart that very night.
When the two heard Emilia suddenly suggest leaving, they were both surprised. However, seeing the paleness of her face, they immediately understood that something must have happened and asked about it.
"May I ask what has happened, Lady Emilia?"
Crusch, seated on the sofa, looked at Emilia's pale face and asked.
"Well..."
For a moment, Emilia didn't know how to explain. After all, something like "reset" sounded far too fantastical. What if they didn't believe her? How was she supposed to put it?
"The Mathers mansion may be invaded by external enemies in the coming days. It is necessary for us to hurry back and provide assistance."
However, the Shogun stepped forward, coming to Emilia's side, and explained calmly to Crusch.
"...?"
Emilia glanced at her instinctively.
"External enemies... invading?"
Felix froze.
"Yes. The people at the mansion have occasionally seen figures from the Witch Cult lingering around the forest in recent days. There is also a village near the mansion, so I am worried something may happen."
Emilia smoothly picked up the explanation.
"Haa... I understand. However, you likely won't be able to return tonight."
Crusch shook her head regretfully.
"Eh? Why?"
Emilia asked in confusion.
"Outside... the fog has already risen."
Crusch stood and walked to the window, drawing back the curtain so the two could see the street outside, now shrouded in haze. Apart from the nearby buildings, the distance was completely obscured. The thick fog was already close to swallowing the moonlight. Not a single person lingered in the streets. At a time like this, no one dared to go out, as if stepping outside would mean being devoured by the mist.
"Ah..."
Seeing this, Emilia hesitated slightly. She lowered her gaze, her expression filled with conflict. After thinking for a moment, she still spoke.
"I see... then we'll have to depart early tomorrow morning."
She knew what this fog represented.
"Then it is settled. Tomorrow at dawn, I will have a dragon carriage prepared for the two of you and have Wilhelm escort you out."
Crusch glanced at the time and turned to them.
"Alright. Thank you for the trouble, Lady Crusch."
Emilia bowed and reached to pull the Shogun back toward their room. However—
She didn't manage to move her at all. To be precise... the purple-haired woman beside her hadn't budged.
"...? Shogun?"
She looked over in confusion and found the other staring at her with puzzled eyes.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
Emilia asked, baffled.
"...Emilia."
"Mm?"
Hearing her name called, she responded again, patiently waiting for the next words. Crusch and Felix beside them also looked at the two in confusion.
"Why wait until tomorrow?"
"...Because the fog has already risen outside."
Emilia froze for a moment upon hearing the question, then answered as if it were obvious.
"The fog has risen... so what?"
"..." ×3
Her voice paused slightly as she looked toward Crusch and Felix. Her breathtakingly beautiful face carried an innocent naturalness and genuine confusion, leaving the others momentarily stunned.
"Um... Lady Raiden, have you perhaps never heard of it?"
Felix asked awkwardly.
"Haa... what a foolish question. You have never told me about it. How would I know? Do not demand the impossible."
She sighed, folding her arms with mild exasperation, narrowing her eyes as she glanced at the three of them, who now looked somewhat embarrassed.
"...?" ×2
The two in front of her exchanged a tacit glance before simultaneously turning to look at Emilia.
You never told her something this basic?—their eyes seemed to ask.
"Uh... right... Shogun, I never told you about it."
Emilia scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"About what?"
She turned to Emilia.
"About the White Whale."
Emilia replied in a low voice.
"White... whale? A whale?"
For a moment, she looked bewildered.
"Yes. More precisely... a magical beast resembling a whale."
"One of the dangerous species created over four hundred years ago by the Witch of Gluttony."
Crusch continued.
"It dwells within thick fog year-round. Its movements are strange, its strength overwhelming. Very few have ever seen its true form. It is an extremely dangerous magical beast."
"The fog tonight is highly unusual. I suspect the White Whale is behind it. It should be roaming somewhere around the kingdom at this very moment, waiting for prey to fall into its trap."
Crusch added.
"That is precisely why we advised you to wait until tomorrow morning and depart only after the fog has dispersed. Otherwise, it would be far too dangerous—especially at night."
Felix supplemented quickly, worried that if something happened to them, his side would bear responsibility.
"The White Whale does not attack people inside buildings. As long as one is not within the fog, it rarely initiates an assault. Staying here is the safest option."
Crusch lifted the curtain again and looked outside. Visibility had shrunk to barely five meters. The once broad royal capital was now completely engulfed in mist. Even the moon had vanished, leaving only faint warm glows from household lamps. Yet despite that, not a single living creature could be seen in the streets. It was utterly silent.
Inside their room, a warm chandelier glowed softly, bringing a sense of comfort amid the desolate fog, as if they were isolated from the world.
"...Have you ever fought it?"
She asked thoughtfully.
"We have. The reward for subjugating the White Whale is extremely generous. Not only that, one would earn great merit in the Kingdom of Lugunica. Many have been tempted by that reward and attempted it—but none have succeeded. Most never even returned. They simply vanished from this world."
Crusch shook her head regretfully. There was not the slightest exaggeration in her words. Several among her own subordinates were prime examples—they had disappeared without a trace.
It wasn't only her faction. Others had attempted the same. The outcome had always been identical—no success, no return.
"...Shogun, let's go back to our room. We'll leave tomorrow morning."
Emilia gently took her hand and whispered her suggestion.
"..."
The Shogun looked at the silver-haired girl beside her with complicated eyes. In those violet eyes—so similar to her own—was nothing but concern, as though she feared the Shogun might do something reckless.
"Emilia..."
She started to speak.
"..."
Emilia's eyes trembled faintly.
"Otherwise, you can stay here alone while I—"
"Shogun."
Emilia cut her off firmly.
"..."
She fell silent.
"Let's... go back to our room. Alright?"
("Please.")
As if pleading, Emilia gently cupped her face and leaned close to her ear, softly begging her not to go alone. The girl met her gaze at close range, biting her lip anxiously as she waited for an answer.
Tap.
A hand caught Emilia's wrist and gestured toward the hallway outside.
"..."
Understanding her intention, Emilia nodded lightly and allowed herself to be led out. The corridor was dimmer than the room, lit only by sparse lamps, but neither of them minded.
"What is it, Shogun?"
Emilia glanced back at the room before meeting her eyes and asking softly.
"Haa... we should leave tonight after all."
She looked out at the city drowned in mist and steeled her resolve.
"..."
Emilia lowered her gaze slightly, though her hand never released the Shogun's.
"I know what you're worried about. But do you remember the fragments I saw? Although Subaru was killed several days later, that doesn't mean the others were as well. What if Subaru was the last one to die?"
"!"
Only then did Emilia realize the blind spot in her thinking. Yes—that possibility hadn't occurred to her just now. It was entirely possible that they had kept Natsuki Subaru alive until the end, torturing him before killing him. In that case, the others might have already—
"The ones we must protect are not only Natsuki Subaru, but also the villagers and everyone at the mansion. We don't know the exact timing of their attack. The sooner we return, the better."
It could even be tonight... she worried inwardly.
"...I understand, Shogun."
Emilia straightened, meeting her gaze with renewed determination.
"If you're worried about the White Whale, I can protect you along the way. Otherwise, you can stay here and wait for me—"
"No. I'm going with you."
Emilia answered decisively before she could finish.
"And if you go alone, I'll only worry more. Besides, having someone with you won't make the journey lonely... right?"
She smiled reassuringly.
"I understand... then we'll go together."
Looking at her angelic smile, the Shogun's lips curved faintly upward.
"Mm. Wait a moment. I'll inform them."
With that, Emilia returned to the room and explained the situation to the two.
This time, they did not attempt to stop her again. Since it was Emilia's own decision, further obstruction would be meaningless. However, given the White Whale's extreme danger and their alliance, Crusch still assigned numerous soldiers to accompany them—ostensibly for protection, though even such preparation could cost lives.
"Thank you very much, Lady Crusch."
Standing beside the dragon carriage outside the main gate, Emilia expressed her gratitude sincerely.
"There is no need for thanks. We are allies now. It is only proper."
Crusch waved her hand.
"Understood."
Emilia nodded.
Meanwhile, the Shogun stepped a few paces away and looked up at the mist above. The density had thinned slightly compared to before, and the outlines of nearby buildings were faintly visible. That meant the White Whale's trajectory had shifted—the fog itself was moving.
Warm streetlamps glowed weakly through the mist like distant beacons.
The accompanying soldiers mounted their own dragon carriages. The carriage carrying the Shogun and Emilia would also be driven by one of Crusch's soldiers.
Emilia stepped into the carriage first, then turned and extended her hand to the purple-haired woman still on the ground in a gentlemanly gesture.
"...Thank you."
The Shogun blinked in surprise before helplessly placing her hand in Emilia's palm, allowing herself to be pulled into the carriage like an invited lady. The two sat side by side once more.
"Travel carefully. If it proves too difficult, you may return the way you came."
Crusch, accompanied by Felix, stepped to the window and offered her final advice.
"We will. Please take care as well."
Emilia nodded.
"Very well. Then depart!"
Crusch signaled the soldiers.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The captain at the reins nodded and snapped them forward, setting the carriage in motion. The others followed behind.
And so, they drove into the strange and oppressive sea of fog.