Just now joining us, Julius?
Thanks for gracing us with your presence.
Please, you're going to ruin my reputation.
But I am not the man called "Julius."
Let's see...
Perhaps I'll go by "Juli."
Even if it is temporary,
a man with the status of a knight must never lower himself
to the rank of mercenary.
The man you see here is not Julius Euclius, the knight,
but a simple wanderer called Juli.
A proper household's code of chivalry is a real pain, huh?
Bull.
It seems you're doing better than I expected.
How are you feeling?
Well, it was just some scratches!
A little spit fixed them right up, pretty much!
What about you?
Been busy writing letters of apology
for fighting so seriously with an amateur?
I didn't mean that.
I was talking about the damage to your honor by the mabeast subjugation.
But I'm glad your wounds from before seem to have healed.
We succeeded in taking out the White Whale thanks to all of you.
But it's not over yet.
I have to settle a score with the Witch's Cult guys who picked a fight with me.
Once that's done,
the White Whale subjugation will be complete.
The Witch's Cult is next?
Can we trust the allegations that the White Whale and the Witch's Cult are connected?
We only came as reinforcements for the White Whale's subjugation—
What was that for?
If you can't believe him,
then you just need to believe me!
I'd prefer it if you believed me, though.
I don't like to recall it,
but I've run up against the Witch's Cult before.
I found out then.
Didn't you look into that, Old Man Wil?
I wouldn't call it definitive evidence,
but the distributions of Whale appearances and Cult activities
coincided in several respects.
That makes it doubly credible!
On that note,
we're going to head for the Mathers domain.
The Witch's Cult is hiding in the forest there.
The way to defeat them is as simple as it gets.
Raid them before they can read our movements,
and crush them!
Is there a way to keep the villagers safe?
I asked Anastasia-san and Russell-san
to talk to the merchants along the highway.
Under the condition that Margrave Mathers buys their cargo at the asking price,
they'll ask the merchants to evacuate the villagers
of Arlam and the residents of Roswaal's mansion.
And a messenger from Crusch-san's household
is headed to the mansion with a handwritten letter.
There will be chaos if we don't
notify Emilia and the others about the alliance and all that.
Sounds like we're all ready.
Yeah!
We have never enjoyed such an advantage in a battle with the Witch's Cult.
Yeah.
With Julius and his crew joining us, we don't have to worry about being outnumbered.
I'd like to offer one correction.
My name is Juli.
Please take care to use it.
That's just gonna be a hassle in informal settings!
The battle with the White Whale was so tough, I thought I'd die.
Some of us did die.
Some others vanished, never to return.
Let's win the war without losing anyone here.
Let's all go back home alive!
You really managed to win?
Huh?
The subjugation of the White Whale
was a long-standing wish that the Imperial Knights were to fulfill.
It seems I owe you my thanks.
You don't have to force it.
For putting an end to a calamity that all nations ignored for far too long,
I thank you.
I'm...
grateful to you, too.
For coming to back us up.
Even after what happened.
About that... I was...
Oh, damn it! Crap!
I know, okay?! I know it now!
It was my fault.
Sorry. I... I apologize.
I apologize, as well.
I can't take back my words and actions,
but I apologize from the bottom of my heart for belittling you.
I'm sorry, but...
I hate your guts.
I feel bad for what happened, and I'm grateful you're here.
But I hate your guts.
I seriously hate you from the bottom of my heart!
That's as it should be.
I'm quite certain I could never befriend you, either.
All right, as I say every time, let's get this fight started.
Bring it on, Fate.
You must be exhausted, Lia.
You should rest a bit.
No.
I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep.
What about you? Aren't you tired?
I'm fine.
The forest barrier is all fixed up, too.
You don't have to worry about anything.
Yeah.
But...
This feels like the time
I found a cockroach in the corner of a quiet room.
You were drawn to the smell, huh?
Perfect cockroach bait.
Do I really smell that bad?
Thanks for coming to meet me.
Sorry to say it when you just got here,
but I'd rather discuss the details with your boss.
So don't get in my way.
If they'd stuck around long enough for me to order them
to gather their stuff and go home, this would've been easier...
I've been waiting for you, believer in love.
I am a Sin Archbishop of the Witch's Cult, representing sloth,
Betelgeuse Romanée-Conti!
I welcome you, beloved child blessed with love!
Wonderful!
Hey.
I really appreciate the unexpected welcome.
But I'm not sure I really feel this "love" you keep bringing up.
It always begins suddenly.
Everyone, on a certain day,
realizes that they are loved.
They feel the love!
The love! The love! The love! The love! The love! The love! The love!
Um... And what am I supposed to do now?
Ah, the generous love of the witch...
You wouldn't happen to be Pride, would you?
Of the six Sin Archbishops,
only Pride's seat remains vacant.
You have
received the Gospel, haven't you?
The Gospel?
My brain
trembles!
Presentation of the Gospel!
Proof of love!
Proof! Proof! Proof! Proof!
Huh?
There is no account of you in my Gospel.
That book is the Gospel?
Then why did you appear here?
Why visit here?
What fortune are you here to bring me?!
Oh! So that's the Gospel!
I see, I see!
I understand, I understand.
You should have just said so.
Aw, darn it! I'm sorry!
What?
My Gospel is, well, you know...
I used it as a coaster, and it got messy,
so I threw it out.
Proof of love!
Authority of Sloth!
Unseen Hand!
What?!
It's an "unseen hand," right?
So if I can see it, I can evade it!
You can see my Unseen Hand?!
Okay, I'm just about done buying time!
Prepare to be buried alive!
Suffer as you regret all the things you've done!
How... How could this be?
My fingers, so cruelly, so mercilessly,
so chaotically, so arbitrarily, so artlessly, so meaninglessly...
My brain... My brain trembles!
Yikes, that guy's kinda scary!
I think all the Witch's Cultists are like that.
Yes, of course...
Fine. Fine!
I understand. Let's do this! I'm ready to do this!
The time has come to learn which of us is worthy of her love!
Her love! Yes, her love!
Sorry to interrupt your fun, but...
—ove?!
I've got someone else lined up to take you on!
I-It's over... right?
He's very much dead.
The most powerful healer in the capital guarantees it.
I see...
Wilhelm-san, I'm sorry to ask such an unreasonable favor.
Was it unreasonable?
Isn't cutting someone down from behind without warning
the worst thing a knight can do?
Chivalry is long dead.
You need not concern yourself with that.
Hmm... Doesn't look like he's carrying anything useful.
You mini guys are ransacking his corpse like it's the obvious thing to do...
I'm not mini. I'm Tivey.
I think it's our right to search out the spoils of battle.
What is this?
I think that's the book Betelgeuse called the "Gospel."
Eep! This is the Gospel?!
Oh, no! I touched it!
I can't read it...
Felis, can you read this?
Whoa, nyo way! Don't point that thing at me!
And don't do something as stupid as trying to read the Gospel!
Is it that dangerous?
The Gospel is the proof that one belongs to the Witch's Cult.
It's basically their sacred text.
Sacred text?
The rumors say that one is delivered to anyone with the potential to join the cult.
And once a person gets it... Imagine that!
They're nyow a devout member of the Witch's Cult.
How shady can you get?
Well, I guess I'll take this with me.
If I can decipher it,
maybe I can figure out what the Witch's Cult really is.
Hey, hey, we've killed the enemy here,
so shouldn't we go make sure the other enemies are dead, too?
You know, as adorable as you look,
you say some pretty disturbing things.
Aw, I'm adorable? You're makin' me blush!
So the subordinates that Betelgeuse called "fingers" number ten in total?
I think one of them is pinned under there.
Ten minus one is nine!
So nine are left!
Then, shall we go?
But they really are dead, right?
They're not gonna come back the second we look away, right?
Oh. fine. If you're that worried, we'll make sure.
We crushed two fingers here.
A few of the cultists were skilled, but they posed no threat.
We made no errors in driving them off.
I'm glad it went well for you guys, too.
Given your demeanor,
it seems I can assume your news is good, as well?
Yep! We took out Betelgeuse!
And since this guy is such a worrywart,
we blasted him to bits with one more "kaboom" after we killed him!
All to bits!
So that just leaves the simple task of mopping up the remnants, huh?
We'd better hurry up
and take care of 'em before my lady turns into an old granny.
Oh, that was my best joke, y'know!
We rendezvous soon with the dragon-drawn carriages you arranged.
Let's eliminate the remaining fingers and greet our victory together.
Okay, Subaru-kyun, time for the bait.
Put out that smell!
Breathe in...
And out...
And out... And out... And out...
Hey, hang on! Don't be crazy!
So I guess...
Once this is all done,
we'll all go back to being friend and foe.
How confident of you to worry about what's yet to come.
Hey, sue me.
It's going almost too well, so maybe I let my guard down.
Get down!
What is this?
What's goin' on?!
The Unseen Hand!
Betelgeuse should be dead!
So who's...
Subaru-dono!
Damn it!
Ah!
My brain... trembles...
Who are you?
Wh-Who the hell are you?
Are you Betelgeuse's...
Finger, yes!
Let me go...
I am a finger,
one who reciprocates love.
A faithful, diligent disciple who will carry out
the Ordeal, following love's guidance!
A copy?
A replica of... the original Betelgeuse?
If so, this couldn't possibly get any worse!
Sniff, sniff.
The love that cloaks you does not compare to that of a mere follower.
It is equal to that of a Sin Archbishop!
It is exceedingly
displeasing, dissatisfying, disagreeable, discomforting, disproportionate, discordant!
But that is the proof that you are Pride!
Don't make me keep saying it!
I'm not even close to Pride!
I've never even gotten a free book as a membership perk!
My! Are you being stubborn?
Still, soon enough, you will quite readily...
The Gospel...
My love's guidance!
The Gospel that allows me, though inexperienced, to reciprocate love!
It is not with me now!
Was it you?
You? You? You? You? You? You? You? You?!
Did you steal it?!
Wha...
A spirit?
A spirit!
Spirit! Spirit! Spirit!
Damn it.
Is that all you can do?
If so...
Be dismayed! Disappointed! Dejected!
Are you two slothful?!
My life is spilling out...
My blood is running dry.
My diligent pulse, my life's support,
is stopping... disappearing...
Ah, my brain... trembl—
So the first Sloth we defeated was a double,
and this was the real one?
No,
this may not even be a matter of which is the real one.
You mean that there may be more than one Sin Archbishop of Sloth?
Either that,
or all hundred followers, including the fingers,
are the Sin Archbishop of Sloth.
I dragged you all into this.
If I'd realized it sooner, I could have avoided this.
I knew what kind of power it was, so I...
Subaru-dono.
I'm sure many thoughts are going through your mind right now.
And I'm certain none of them are superficial.
But while it may be inelegant of me, I must say this.
Fight!
Even if you have regrets,
even if you are remorseful, you must fight.
If you have made the decision for yourself to fight, to struggle,
then fight with all you have.
Don't give up for one second, one moment, or one instant.
Cling greedily to the victory you have within your sight.
If you can still stand, if your fingers still move,
if all your teeth haven't broken...
Stand and fight.
You must fight.
You're telling me to get stronger?
No.
I'm telling you to be strong.
Ready to go?
Yeah. Let's go.
Lend me your wisdom and strength!
We're gonna start evacuating the mansion and village!
Don't waste a single second!
Right now,
the Witch's Cult hasn't noticed yet that the plain is wide open.
We can get Emilia and the others in carriages,
and get them to safety in plain sight.
With Emilia-sama and the others safe, we won't have to worry about them,
so we can focus on subjugating the Witch's Cult.
It's not easy to fight when you know you have a weak point.
You're making my ears hurt...
But that's exactly right.
While I'm at it, let me say one more thing.
Subaru-kyun, you should really make up with Julius soon.
Soon? We already reconciled after our fight.
Didn't you see?
That was just for starters, wasn't it?
You're still subconsciously harboring some resentment.
You can rely on Julius.
Though I admit he's a bit unapproachable and incomprehensible.
Go on, hurry up.
Okay, fine!
Uh...
So, hey, there's something I wanted to say to you...
A Flash of Sloth
What the hell's going on?
Is this the Witch Cult's doing?
Hey! Anyone?
Is anyone there?
Answer me!
Wh-What is that intense smell?
P-Patrasche!
No...
A flower like this couldn't actually exist.
And Patrasche wouldn't just let me die...
Which means... this is an illusion.
It's all make-believe!
A lesser spirit? Did you come to help me?
Subaru!
It was you?
That spiteful tone means it's definitely you.
I can't imagine my subconscious
creating such a realistic imitation of you.
It's a bewitching spell.
You and I are the only ones who have returned to normal.
How did you make it back?
I burned a flower in my illusion.
I see...
Someone put a suggestion spell on the flower's scent.
Hey, is that...
It's the glow of my little buds.
I will now teach everyone how to break out of the bewitching spell.
In! Nes!
Hi-ho! Hi-ho! There's nobody here! Where am I?!
I've strayed away... No, we've been pulled apart!
Is his affinity too great?
This is bad! If I don't do something...
I'm sorry. Take a deep breath and endure it.
No! This is awful! No matter how much forest I destroy, nothin' changes!
I can't spare the energy to fine-tune it just for you.
For this to happen at a time like this... Crusch-sama!
Bringing them all back is our priority.
That will be quite enough.
Kill me.
I won't accept this disgrace.
And? What is the meaning of all this?
You will explain it to me, right, Barusu?
That's what I'd like to ask you.
You're the one who attacked us first.
What were you thinking?
You shouldn't have to ask what I was thinking.
That's rich, coming from an ingrate like you.
Ingrate?
You are, aren't you?
After everything Roswaal-sama did for you...
Once you're done with him, you rush to wag your tail for another master.
Hang on! I think you've got your stories mixed up!
So this is what it means to bite the hand that feeds you.
Listen to me! The handwritten letter!
I wrote you a letter about this!
Wasn't it delivered to the mansion?
Yes, I did get a letter from the capital.
But...
That was quite an amusing scheme, sending me a blank letter.
A blank letter?
To send a blank letter
is a metaphor meaning you have
no intention of speaking to the recipient.
It could easily be interpreted as a declaration of war.
This is a huge misunderstanding!
Do I even look that clever to you?
So this is what it means to bite the hand that feeds you.
You're still saying that?!
I can't say it enough.
But I get the gist now.
The blank letter was some kind of mistake,
and you are still Emilia-sama's dog.
Correct?
Not really, but...
Okay, sure. Dogs are like family, anyway.
I'm fine with being a dog if I'm Emilia's.
Wouldn't you say that standard is a bit low?
In any case, these guys are reinforcements.
They're friends.
We pulled them together to wipe out the Witch's Cult.
There's no time.
We need to start by evacuating the villagers.
Subaru, they seem rather uneasy.
Remember to be considerate.
Okay, attention!
I haven't seen you guys in a while.
How have you been?
Look, I know this is sudden,
but I need to ask you all a favor!
It seems mabeasts are up to no good in the forest near here again.
So I've brought some specialists to exterminate them,
but while they're working,
I'd like you all to leave the village.
Don't try to fool us!
You're trying to sound cheerful about this, but the villagers are frightened!
We've feared all along that the Witch's Cult would try something!
The Witch's Cult? No one told me about that.
Hey, wait...
Seriously?
Why lie about that?
Maybe he's trying to hide something.
You don't deny it, then?
So it was true!
Why would they bother a remote village like this?
Why else? Because of that half-elf!
Because the lord of the domain endorses a half-elf for our ruler!
Why do you have to make it about that?
The half-elf thing...
Emilia has nothing to do with it!
She has everything to do with it!
If you mess with a half-elf, the Witch's Cult shows up.
Even the children of this village know that!
You guys seriously believe that?
That it's all the fault of the half-elf in the mansion?!
The village, huh?
But it might cause trouble for you.
Does that mean I'm just being selfish again?
"Lift your head. Don't look down."
That's what Crusch-sama would say.
You...
Did you think what you were doing was wrong?
If not, there's no reason to look down.
Or is it harder to lift your head here
than to throw a tantrum in the castle?
Now, listen...
You're right.
Compared to that, this is nothing!
I understand your feelings and concerns very well!
I won't tell you to try to change them now.
Obviously, you'll have your own opinions.
It hurts, but I understand.
But for now, please accept my request.
Please do as I say!
It's dangerous to stay in the village!
That's the truth!
The words of my household's employee
are those of our master, Roswaal-sama, himself.
Ram...
Follow his instructions immediately.
You saved me back there. Thanks.
But...
What?
Having you take my side so easily is kind of a new feeling.
Does that mean you've acknowledged me?
Subaru!
Hey, Petra. What's up?
U-Um, will the lady from the mansion run away with us?
Huh?
She came to the village yesterday.
She told us
we should take refuge in the mansion because
it's dangerous here, just like you said.
But no one in the village would listen to her...
It's okay.
She wouldn't get mad or anything.
Anyway, you should hurry and run.
Okay!
What happened to Emilia after that?
You should know that she's not so perceptive as to back down
the moment someone denies her.
But I also know she's not the kind of girl who wouldn't be hurt by mean words.
She tried to convince the villagers to leave, but they refused.
But she couldn't just do nothing,
so she repaired the forest barrier.
She feared there might be a mabeast attack.
That's not a bad decision in and of itself, but still...
Julius.
Come with me.
I'm going to explain things to Emilia and the loli in the mansion.
It'll be more convincing with you there than without.
Just take it as a sign of my repentance for going nuts in the castle.
I see. Understood.
If that will help the discussion to go more smoothly,
don't hesitate to use me.
Also...
You were the one who put a spirit on me, weren't you?
Explain that.
I get that you're a spirit arts user.
More precisely, I prefer to be called a "spirit knight."
I do use the spirit arts, of course,
but that hasn't prevented me from training with the sword.
And you were the one who set the little red one on me?
"Set it on you" is a harsh way to put it.
I was only having her, Ia, secretly keep you safe.
By the way, what was that thing you did when you broke the illusion?
A high class of magic known as "Nect."
It connects the gates of all who are in range
so they can communicate with each other.
It appeared to work a bit too well on you, though.
I thought I was about to lose myself.
It's unusual for the spirits to mistake the tuning.
It may be that you have a strong affinity toward spirits.
Sadly, the only spirit I ever made friends with was a gray cat.
Well? Did you patch things up with Julius?
Did it work out?
I'm gonna take that matter back with me
and mull it over carefully before making an optimistic decision.
Come to the mansion with me.
I'll need at least one person from the Crusch camp with me,
to smooth over the misunderstanding with the letter.
I'll do that after I finish my work here.
Come help us too, Subaru-kyun.
It's dangerous work involving the Witch's Cult.
The contract said he'd buy their cargo at the asking price,
so we need to inspect the goods thoroughly.
Huh? But that shouldn't be our job.
Isn't this more importa—
Oh, come on!
Hey, hey! No lovers' quarrels in my carriage!
Hee hee! You got in trouble, Subaru-kyun!
Really, what a troublemaker!
There. He let his guard down.
This guy is one of the Witch's Cult.
I touched him earlier to confirm it.
There's some weird spell implanted in him,
just like the "fingers" of the Sin Archbishops.
There was one among the merchants?
That's why I stole into his carriage to get under his guard.
Now, tell us all the details of what you're plotting.
My hands are the gentlest in the world,
but they can do some nasty things, too.
What?
...right.
Ia!
And now, it's the beginning
Protect him!
of the end!
Thank goodness! You're awake!
Why are... you dressed like that?
I had no choice.
I can't reproduce clothes with healing magic.
Regardless, given the situation,
I'm glad you and Felis are all right.
Run 'em off! Don't back down!
How did they get into the village?
They stowed away in the carriages.
There was a finger among the merchants,
and we didn't take care of him.
I failed.
This is not the time for regrets.
We had Tivey and Madame Ram evacuate to the mansion with the injured.
Felis, join them and heal who you can.
Got it.
Okay, let's crush all the fingers that are left!
To think, to think, to think, to think!
That you would resist us this much!
Such tenacity, clinging so to this ever-increasing love!
As a diligent disciple, I cannot begin to express my respect.
Ah! My brain trembles!
You're mine.
If one focuses on what the unseen arm does in battle,
one will fail to see what is visible.
That is sloth, yes?
Yes.
He self-destructed...
Wilhelm-san!
We can't leave you like this.
We've gotta get you to Felis!
Why?
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?!
Why are you still alive?
After the attack you just endured... Why?!
Why do you not bend to my diligence?!
A time like this, and still they just keep coming!
Hey, look here!
This is what you're looking for, right?
It's a gift from your precious witch!
You thief!
So you really did have it!
Quit shouting.
If you keep yelling at me like that,
it'll make my brain tremble.
You must
die!
Julius, we'll handle things here.
You take care of your end!
And take care of Wilhelm-san!
That is quite a vague order,
but very well.
Julius...
Actually, it can wait!
Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait!
Wait right there!
You cowardly, foolish, insolent little man!
No matter where you try to run, it is futile.
What do you expect to find wherever you run to?
At long last, it would seem the end has come!
Do you
know what this is?
It's a magic stone for creating barriers.
They were stashed in trees throughout the forest.
You didn't notice?
What are you talking about?
This area is a mabeast breeding ground,
and we're a prime feast for them...
if you don't have one of Emilia's barrier stones!
Only one finger left now.
Once we get rid of that one...
Damn... We have to hurry...
Ah!
Ah! My brain trembles!
Sloth!
That's enough, villain.
Emilia...
Stand down, villain.
I won't allow you to do such wicked things!
A-Ah... Ah! How grand!
What a grand day! What a lucky day!
What a grand destiny!
Emilia!
Wait!
I... I can't wait around right now!
Do you want to make Emilia fight him?!
Calm down.
Have a little faith in her.
The people you want to protect
are not just those behind you.
Oh, my witch!
My witch! My love's guide!
I don't blame you for being charmed by my beloved daughter,
but I won't allow any unwanted pests around her!
Naïve!
Naïve! Naïve! Naïve! Naïve! Naïve, naïve, naïve, naïve, naïve, naïve!
This is love's true ending...
The fruit of my love!
Proof that the witch has returned my love!
That proof doesn't exist.
Your crush is purely one-sided!
Yes!
Ah, this is true... true diligence.
Thank you for being defeated.
See? Didn't I tell you?
We've now eliminated all the fingers.
Victory is ours.
It's finally over...
Go see her.
R-Right...
Subaru-kyun?
I have to get away...
From Emilia... From everyone...
Subaru-kyun, where are you going?
Stay away!
I'm...
Subaru...
Julius, stay away from—
You're too late.
The moment Ia was flung from his body, I had a bad feeling...
What do you mean?
That...
isn't Subaru.
That's right.
I am a Sin Archbishop of the Witch's Cult, representing Sloth...
Betelgeuse Romanée-Conti!
Fantastic!
What a fantastic body this is!
It's been decades since I had a body that fit me so well!
You madman!
Get out of that body right now!
Madman?
That's right. I am driven mad with love!
Generous love, respectful love, pure love,
tender love, familial love, erotic love, friendly love!
Love, love, love! Love! Love! Love! Love!
Love!
Subaru! Wake up!
It's no use.
This body is already under my subconscious control.
Realize what you're about to do, Subaru!
Remember what you came back here to do!
What?
Don't "what" me, you moron!
I am Betelgeuse Romanée-Conti!
This body has already become my finger!
Shut up! I'm Natsuki Subaru!
Kill me, Julius.
Use your sword...
What are you saying, Subaru?!
If you don't stop me now, we can't win.
Before that happens...
No, Subaru! I can't do that!
You told me, "It can wait."
Wasn't there something you meant to say to me?!
Sorry... It looks like I won't get the chance.
Felis!
Please.
You can resent me for this, Subaru-kun.
I will, too.
Felis!
No one else can do it, can they?
This is what Subaru-kyun wants!
But still...
Do you think I did that because I wanted to?
To use the power meant for Crusch-sama,
the power I swore to our leader, for this?!
Ah, it can't be, it can't be...
Just when I'd found such a perfect vessel...
It was my lack of virtue that forced this undesirable decision on you and Felis.
Just when the completion of the Ordeal was at hand...
I'm sure I'll be punished for it one day.
I will never die...
Nefarious Sloth