R1. Post-War
The inexplicable war had ended just like that. For Subaru, the war ending meant the trouble was over.
For Reinhild, however, it marked the beginning of new troubles.
The southern half of the territory was covered in snow and ice.
Reinhild certainly had the means to deal with the frost—her single sword swing could obliterate the ice and reshape the world.
Just like the battlefield where she fought Puck was now once again a bird-chirping, flower-filled meadow.
However, that world-shaping sword could not, unfortunately, rebuild the destroyed villages.
Things weren't supposed to get this serious.
While Bernie and Eileen were indeed not particularly gifted in mana, even so, Puck and Roswaal should have been able to handle it.
Unfortunately, Puck was severely injured, and Roswaal had been "detained" by the people from the royal capital.
Reinhild had anticipated that Lady Felt would be sidelined, but the opposing side pressuring her as a commoner made Reinhild furious.
To make things worse, they brought Crusch as a witness.
Whether it was out of respect for Felix, who was still treating the injured, or Wilhelm's familial ties, Reinhild found herself unable to act directly.
Looking at the densely packed refugees, Reinhild sighed.
She knew that the ones here were just a small portion—more had been relocated to other parts of her territory.
Even so, the mansion's courtyard was completely full.
"I apologize. I swear on the name of Karsten that we will resolve this issue starting tomorrow."
Perhaps feeling a bit uncomfortable due to Reinhild's attitude, Crusch responded earnestly.
"Thank you very much for your understanding, Lady Crusch."
Having received the acknowledgment she desired, Reinhild bowed in gratitude, then glanced at the "wise men" secretly observing the situation from afar before leaving the lion-flagged tent.
There was the funeral for the fallen warriors, the arrangements for the refugees, and the reallocation of rooms… With Winston's death, the Astrea mansion, already short on managerial roles, had fallen into chaos.
Even with Old Man Rom offering his help, Reinhild was busy all the way until sunset before she barely managed to stabilize the situation.
She knocked on Subaru's door.
"Come in."
Hearing the response, the girl entered and sat down in front of Subaru.
"Reinhild! Uh, is something wrong?"
"I have a request."
Looking at Subaru sitting up straight in surprise, Reinhild hesitated briefly, but her loyalty to her lord quickly overcame her sense of fairness.
"I want you to share the credit for defeating the Archbishop of Lust with Lady Felt."
"Why?"
Seeing Subaru's surprised expression, Reinhild felt even more unsure.
Of course, she understood how enormous this achievement was—especially since Capella was the leader of an assassination organization.
'Such a monumental honor was indeed hard to part with.'
She had a fleeting moment of understanding in her heart, but Reinhild had no intention of giving up easily.
"Subaru, what do you think is required to become king?"
"The approval of the Divine Dragon?"
Reinhild organized her thoughts and continued:
"The most important thing is indeed the Divine Dragon's recognition.
But beyond that, a king needs strength, popularity, and prestige.
Lady Felt currently lacks prestige.
I can be her strength, I can elevate her reputation among the people—but I cannot provide her with the kind of prestige that makes nobles bow down."
"The nobles don't want to acknowledge Lady Felt.
That's why she needs achievements—like commanding her subordinates to defeat a Witch Cult Archbishop who has ravaged the land for 400 years, or eliminating the leader of a mysterious assassination group."
Seeing Subaru's expression turn even more confused and astonished, Reinhild spoke seriously.
"Of course, I'm willing to pay the appropriate price, and in tomorrow's negotiations I'll also fight to secure benefits for you."
"No, wait—why do you need my permission? Honestly, wasn't it Reinhild's credit? I mean, I didn't do anything, really?"
The atmosphere paused in silence for a moment.
Finally, the girl realized from Subaru's expression that he genuinely believed that.
But within her, Reinhild felt only a small pang of sorrow for how little Subaru valued his own contributions.
No, Reinhild did not feel any regret.
To be frank, the moment she chose to negotiate, she made it clear she would not steal Subaru's credit.
Otherwise, with her status, she could have easily silenced Subaru's voice.
"Capella had no warrior's pride. She fled from strong foes.
She had overwhelming power, a cautious personality, and troublesome Authority.
If I hadn't used your information to conceal my presence, she never would've taken the bait.
Without the intel about her shapeshifting, I might have let her escape.
I can say with certainty: without your intel, I probably couldn't have defeated her.
Don't belittle your own contribution, Subaru.
Thanks to your information, even if it weren't me, someone else could've taken her down.
And because of your intel, we suffered far fewer casualties."
"I get it. My method is basically: once I find an opening, I squeeze it dry as much as I can."
"You're not going to ask to be a servant again, are you?"
"Hehehe, not such a simple request this time. I want to become stronger."
A typically simple request, after all.
"You look dissatisfied?"
(w(A)w)
"Reinhild-chan underestimates herself too much.
Even with my intel, how many people in this world could beat a monster like Capella?
And even if they could, how many could actually kill her? But this time, I didn't hold back.
How strong I get is up to me."
"Understood."
Reinhild, suppressing the shock in her heart, responded and gracefully stood up—planning to check with Otto if her emotions had been that obvious.
"What if… I was the cause of this crisis in the first place? Like, what if Roswaal attacked because of me?"
Reinhild stopped at the sound of his voice, fell silent for a moment, then poked her head back into the room and said seriously:
"Subaru, don't overthink it.
And even if it's true, it wouldn't make a difference.
Eliminating the Witch Cult is the duty of House Astrea.
Confronting Lord Roswaal was a matter of time.
Maybe if it had happened later, we'd have been better prepared.
But if the Great Spirit continued to be as stubborn, we probably would've had more casualties.
The Great Spirit may not have even survived.
The casualties among the common folk might have been horrifying.
Subaru, you are the hero who saved everyone."
"…Good night."
Reinhild looked curiously at Subaru as he burrowed under the covers.
But her long-ingrained noble manners still made her respond automatically:
"Good night, Subaru."