When Emilia blocked the center of the battlefield, a flash of surprise crossed the eyes of the red-haired man known as Reinhard, and he immediately bowed respectfully.
"Lady Emilia. Though I do not know why you are in this place, I am deeply sorry for involving you in this battle, but please step back for a moment."
At this moment, because the time limit was approaching and Subaru was fiercely contesting for control of the body, Tsukasa's chest heaved violently, and he muttered to himself with lingering battle intent, "I haven't had my fill yet."
"Tsukasa! Enough! Wake up!"
A thunderous scolding echoed in his mind once more, causing Tsukasa, who had been consumed by the desire for battle, to suddenly snap back to his senses.
Meanwhile, following Emilia's explanation, Reinhard had already dropped his combat stance and bowed solemnly to Tsukasa in apology.
"My deepest apologies, Your Excellency. It was my mistake to strike rashly without first clarifying the situation."
Tsukasa's heart was in turmoil. He didn't understand why the moment he saw the other party, the craving known as 'battle' spread like a wildfire, so intense that he could not hold it back.
Tsukasa spoke, "You are called Reinhard, right? This battle... I enjoyed it very much."
Finally receiving a response, Reinhard was startled for a moment before revealing a sincere smile. "Your Excellency... you are strong."
"What kind of 'strong recognizes strong' drama is this?" Emilia grumbled inwardly, yet she quickly walked to Tsukasa's side.
By now, Tsukasa had relinquished control of the body and returned to the Consciousness Space.
He had expected to face Subaru's anger and questioning, but instead, he only saw the young girl standing there helplessly.
Subaru said softly, "Tsukasa, next time, please confirm if the other party is a friend or foe first. I understand your desire to fight strong opponents, so... promise me, okay?"
Hearing this, Tsukasa manifested a bed within the Consciousness Space, then lay down lazily, adjusting his black eyepatch as he replied, "Understood."
Subaru was about to smile when his next words made her jump.
"There are thirty seconds left. Once the time is up, you will collapse from the severity of your injuries."
At this moment, the physical body outside still maintained the state of 'Tsukasa', but after Subaru returned, she could only inherit the physical attributes and could not use the Cursed Techniques and combat skills deeply rooted in Tsukasa's mind.
"Tsukasa! Why didn't you say something so important sooner?!"
Without daring to delay any longer, Subaru immediately rushed out of the Consciousness Space.
At the moment control of the body was handed back, Reinhard keenly sensed something amiss—the oppressive pressure of that heart-palpitating, terrifying aura suddenly vanished, replaced by a peaceful presence no different from an ordinary person's.
This abrupt change caused him to frown involuntarily.
"Cough, cough..."
At the same time, the moment Subaru returned to her body, she began to gasp violently, the intense pain radiating from all over her body making her almost unable to stand.
'So... has Tsukasa been fighting with this kind of pain all along?'
She endured the pain and forced a smile for the worried Emilia. "Sorry, Lia. I made you worry. I'll explain everything properly once this is over."
Hearing that Subaru was back, Emilia hurriedly supported her to sit down and spoke with some urgency, "Don't talk yet, I'll heal you right away."
Just then, Felt walked over, supporting the unconscious Rom. After settling Rom to the side, she walked toward Emilia, averting her gaze.
"Here... your insignia. Sorry. Not only did I steal it, but I also got you guys caught up in this."
Subaru and Emilia shared a look and replied in unison with soft smiles. "We're the ones who should apologize. Those people were likely coming for us, we're the ones who dragged you into this. By the way, how is Rom?"
"He just fainted." Hearing their gentle voices, Felt's voice grew even quieter.
To the side, Reinhard watched this scene, his mind filled with clouds of doubt. He had confirmed that the pressure the black-haired girl had exuded earlier—not just of power, but a kind of majesty originating from the very level of her existence—had vanished.
The repulsion generated when the two met was as irreconcilable as identical magnetic poles.
Yet now, Subaru seemed like a different person, her temperament gentle and steadfast, without a trace of her previous self.
While he was lost in thought, Felt and Emilia suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "The insignia is glowing?!"
The insignia in Felt's hand was emitting a soft light.
Seeing this, Reinhard cast aside all the questions in his mind and instantly appeared by her side, his voice trembling. "This... this is impossible..."
Seeing Reinhard's urgency, Subaru asked weakly, "Is there some special meaning to this?"
Emilia took a deep breath and, in place of the incredulous Reinhard, explained, "It is because the Kingdom's fifth... the fifth Dragon Priestess has appeared."
"Dragon Priestess?"
Subaru was about to ask more when she suddenly felt her heart pounding wildly, and her vision was rapidly swallowed by darkness.
'Oh no... time's up...'
She could now only faintly hear Emilia's anxious cry.
"Subaru! Hold on..."
Though countless questions swirled in her mind, her consciousness had already sunk uncontrollably into the abyss.
Seeing this, Reinhard quickly calmed down.
After checking Subaru's condition, he reassured everyone, "She has only fainted."
Then he turned to the bewildered Felt and explained solemnly, "When the insignia lights up for you, it means you have become the Kingdom's fifth Dragon Priestess."
Hearing Reinhard's explanation, Emilia breathed a sigh of relief, though her hands continued to use healing magic without pause.
"What is all this! What exactly is a Dragon Priestess..."
Felt's protest was interrupted by Reinhard.
He urgently asked Emilia, "Lady Emilia, is Subaru a companion traveling with you?"
Emilia nodded. "Yes, why?"
"Then I'll leave her in your care."
Before his voice had even faded, Reinhard had already scooped up the struggling Felt, picked up the unconscious Rom with his other hand, and disappeared into the night.
"Eh?"
In the massive crater, only the bewildered Emilia and Subaru lying quietly in her arms remained.