Negotiation
Upon entering the tent, Subaru instinctively began to observe his surroundings. It was immediately clear that the people in the tent were divided into five factions:
In the judge's position sat three elderly men dressed in white robes. In the plaintiff's position were Felt, Reinhild, and Otto. In the defendant's seat were Roswaal and the Ram and Rem sisters. Still seated in the jury were Wilhelm and a green-haired woman in a military uniform. Maintaining court order were the Royal Guard knights.
"Yeah, this is probably how it's supposed to look," Subaru nodded confidently to himself, comparing the setup to the courtroom scenes from dramas in his previous life.
"You've arrived, Ferris?"
Subaru's unusual behavior seemed to have confused the others, and after a few seconds, the beautiful green-haired woman in military attire standing in a corner finally spoke.
"Lady Crusch, Ferris didn't mean to be late. Got held up treating the wounded. So sorry, meow," Ferris replied.
Subaru studied Crusch.
In his mind, he understood the reason Felt's side, despite holding a moral high ground and overwhelming power, couldn't prosecute Roswaal — it was primarily due to the woman standing before him.
With her identity, familial bonds, and debts of gratitude, Crusch had turned this trial into a negotiation.
Still, having gone through a lot, Subaru kept his anger and frustration in check.
"No problem. How are the wounded doing?"
'She didn't even scold Ferris for such a clear verbal apology, and she genuinely cared about the wounded!'
Subaru was a little surprised by Crusch's attitude, at least because it didn't quite align with the Crusch he had come to know in previous loops.
"If Ferris is handling it, then there's no need to worry!"
Ferris replied confidently — and no one objected.
If it weren't for Ferris's borderline broken ability to reattach severed limbs, there'd be many more disabled people in this territory.
Clearly, Crusch also understood Ferris's strength; she nodded and turned her gaze to Subaru, who had followed Ferris into the tent.
"This is Subaru-kun, meow." "Indeed, this is Lord Natsuki Subaru. I am Crusch. Pleased to meet you."
Subaru couldn't sense the usual arrogance that nobles typically radiated from her. "I'm Natsuki Subaru."
'Honestly, if not for this situation, he would probably have had a much higher opinion of her.'
While responding, Subaru was about to continue probing when—
"Ahem, Lady Crusch, may we begin now?"
Interrupting the exchange were the three elderly men standing at the center.
Ferris shrugged and stepped behind Crusch.
Subaru glanced at Reinhild, and seeing her nod, gave a small apologetic smile and stood beside her.
Subaru could only describe the negotiation as chaotic and boring.
Yes — truly chaotic.
Everyone's goals weren't all that complicated.
At least after experiencing six loops of Roswaal's guidance and the conversation with Reinhild last night, Subaru easily understood the current situation.
The royal capital's representatives clearly didn't want Felt to gain the great honor of having led the charge to defeat a Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult.
Yet, at the same time, they also didn't want to sentence Roswaal, who had already declared hostility toward Felt's faction.
After all, Emilia had the lowest chances of becoming queen.
To them, someone like Roswaal — who posed little threat but could help check Felt's faction — was a useful tool they didn't want to discard.
Otto's stance was simple: he was willing to drop pursuit of Roswaal's actions, but only if Felt was recognized for her leadership role in the battle and the problems caused by the war were addressed.
And that was it.
Yes — even though there were five factions, Subaru realized after listening for a while that there were only two actual voices in the room.
That, ironically, was the reason for all the chaos.
Too many double agents.
First was Roswaal, whom the royal capital wanted to protect.
Subaru didn't know how Ram had managed it or what kind of blow Roswaal had taken, but it was clear he was mentally out of it.
Subaru could tell his current state was quite similar to his own during his lowest moments — severely disoriented and in no mood to participate in negotiations.
Under normal circumstances, that should have meant Felt's side could easily take everything they wanted.
Unfortunately, they had a traitor of their own — and it was none other than their leader, Felt!
That's right.
Felt's self-reliant personality made her extremely averse to having accolades dropped on her from the sky.
To be frank, she never even wanted to be king.
For someone who yearned for a peaceful life, the fame from defeating a Sin Archbishop was likely a burden.
And what about Crusch, the one brought in by the Sage as reinforcements?
Subaru now understood that the rumors about Crusch weren't without basis.
At least here, the only one with the final say, she hadn't fully sided with the Sages.
Subaru even felt like she leaned more toward Reinhild's position.
So the situation ended up as follows:
Otto claimed that Roswaal had accepted his conditions.
The capital's representatives insisted that Felt admitted she hadn't led the Sword Saint.
This weird back-and-forth had been going on for nearly an hour.
"Lord Subaru, your opinion?"
Still in a daze, Subaru looked confusedly at Crusch, then noticed everyone was now looking at him.
Like a student daydreaming in class and suddenly called on by the teacher, he instantly realized something important had progressed while he zoned out.
'Thanks to the intel provided by Subaru and Lady Felt, the Sword Saint was able to defeat the Sin Archbishop.
Subaru may now use this merit to join the Knights and become a Royal Guard.
If any of the three current candidates present become ruler, he will be granted a noble title.
Now, we're asking for your view — you may decide for yourself.'
Subaru looked in surprise at Reinhild. 'This is telepathic communication. We can talk to some extent this way.'
Perhaps already used to the girl's omnipotence, Subaru quickly focused on the conditions she had laid out. 'Maybe...' Subaru glanced at Wilhelm, and for a moment, fantasies flashed through his mind.
But then, remembering the strength Reinhild had demonstrated time and again, those thoughts quickly vanished.
Still, doing nothing during the Astrea siege had awakened a certain thirst for strength in Subaru.
He didn't want to keep bothering Reinhild to train him.
Joining the Knights wasn't a bad choice — and he also wanted to get a little closer to her world.
As Subaru nodded, a document filled with treaty clauses was placed on the table. Subaru looked over it.
[...Reinhild must do everything possible to restore order in the Astrea territory. Roswaal is to "remain" at the Mathers' estate in the royal capital to await a second hearing. ...To the public, it shall be stated that the Sword Saint defeated the Sin Archbishop of Lust with the help of Knight Subaru and the newly recognized royal candidate, Lady Felt...]
As everyone signed their names — the war was, at last, truly over.