Subaru Natsuki, who returned from the new Three Kingdoms

Crusch met his gaze, her right hand slowly pressing against her full breasts.

"I should apologize to you for what happened before."

“I did not personally order your killing, nor did I ever truly decide to treat you as an enemy. But when I heard Russell’s suspicions about you, I did not immediately stop him, nor did I try to let you know my stance.”

Her fingertips slowly tightened on the armor.

"It was this silence that made you feel threatened, which is why you've been driven to this point."

Crusch's apology was sincere.

From her perspective, it must have been Russell's statement about wanting to kill Subaru that angered Subaru, forcing him to lead his Aiko organization, which he had subdued, in rebellion.

But her sincere apology didn't sit well with Subaru Natsuki.

What a treacherous man who appears loyal, a hypocrite who appears genuine!

After his attempt to become emperor failed, was his first reaction to apologize?

With such a mindset, you are ten times more heroic than Dong Zhuo!

Heroes cherish heroes—Natsuki Subaru looked at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Small things."

"We're both working for the betterment of the kingdom."

"Everyone here is a loyal subject; there are no treacherous subjects."

A wisp of wind swirled past Kurshu's side, gently ruffling her long green hair by her ear.

There were no lies in the wind, but there was a hint of undisguised mockery hidden within.

Crusch's relaxed expression tightened again.

Natsuki Subaru said it was a small matter, but he clearly hadn't forgiven her yet.

The fact that the other party was willing to say that in public was already a gesture of respect for her.

Crusch did not expose this 'good intention'.

She led the knights into the palace, and then blocked the streets and arrested officials.

Regardless of the initial purpose, to those unaware of the details, these actions were not much different from seizing power and plotting a rebellion.

Now, any attempt to defend myself with a few words would only appear more feeble.

Crusch remained silent for a moment before meeting Subaru Natsuki's gaze again.

"I see."

"Verbal explanations can't undo anything."

"From now on, I will prove my stance with my actions and try to make it up to you."

Felix, who was following behind her, suddenly pressed his cat ears back flat, and his long tail behind him burst open, lashing his calves in frustration.

He snorted loudly, hugged his arms tightly, turned his face to the side, and glared fiercely at Subaru Natsuki with the corner of his eye.

He didn't understand or care to understand anything about loyal ministers or treacherous ministers, or about serving the kingdom.

All he knew was that Subaru Natsuki had led an attack on Lady Crusch and forced her into prison.

This one incident alone is enough for Felix to hold a grudge against him for the rest of his life!

As a retainer, Wilhelm also stood behind Crusch.

He also remained silent.

His aged but clear gaze fell on Natsuki Subaru's healed shoulder, then dimmed and slowly returned to the sword in his hand.

During the exchange just now, the sword cut through Subaru's clothes and also pierced the young man's body.

If it weren't for Capela's intervention, he might have even severed Subaru Natsuki's arm...

The competition had gone far beyond what could be considered mere sparring, and a deep sense of guilt lingered in Wilhelm's heart, causing him great distress.

He didn't know how to bring up the topic to mend his relationship with Subaru Natsuki.

With his head down, he didn't notice that Natsuki Subaru had already walked up to him with a smile and tapped the old sword demon on the shoulder.

"Old hero."

Wilhelm looked up and met Natsuki Subaru's calm and open smile.

"Judging from our sparring just now, your swordsmanship is truly getting better every day, and better every year."

"Next time we have the chance, we'll ask you for advice again."

Wilhelm's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

He was prepared for the relationship to break down.

Not only did Kou not mention his injuries, but he also praised his swordsmanship without reservation, just like after their first encounter.

Subaru, you're such an incredible person...

Wilhelm's tense lips finally relaxed, and a very restrained smile appeared on his aged face.

"it is good."

"This old man awaits your challenge, Subaru."

Natsuki Subaru nodded in satisfaction, but before turning around, he suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right."

"Our family hasn't forgotten."

He glanced down at Capela's waist, casually patted his cloak, which annoyed Capela!

Don't touch it!

"Don't be too anxious. We'll find our mount and ask about the white whale later. We'll definitely give you a satisfactory answer, old hero."

Wilhelm's eyes suddenly trembled.

"Pleiades......"

He had been chasing beluga whales for decades, and that hatred had seeped into his very bones.

Subaru Natsuki is arguably his only hope of finding the White Whale.

But Natsuki Subaru had just fought a life-or-death battle with him and was now out of danger. Even if he deliberately didn't mention it or didn't want to do it, he had nothing to say.

But who would have thought that Subaru's first words after greeting him would be to comfort him and tell him not to worry...

Wilhelm never imagined that at his age, he would feel a tightness in his throat because of a young boy's kindness.

The young man before him was so magnanimous that he was momentarily at a loss for words.

The old swordsman could only suppress the emotion in his eyes.

In contrast, that kid who spouted nonsense at his grandmother's funeral, shouting "The Sword Saint didn't lose!"...

Wilhelm clenched his fists instinctively and glanced sideways at Reinhard standing beside him.

The red-haired swordsman maintained his polite smile, but the curve of his lips was so stiff it seemed etched onto his face.

Those pale blue eyes kept shifting between Subaru Natsuki and the Capella belt around his waist, filled with incomprehensible questions.

'What's going on now? Has Subaru controlled Capela, or has Capela brainwashed Subaru again...?'

Reinhard desperately drew upon his extraordinary wisdom in an attempt to reach a conclusion.

Wilhelm sighed silently.

They are all young people of the same generation.

Why did my grandson grow up to look like this?

Do not!

Rather, I'd like to ask why this person is my grandson.

Not Subaru!

Reinhard was completely oblivious to his grandfather's disdain.

He is still striving to draw upon his extraordinary wisdom...

Natsuki Subaru had been too close to Capella earlier, and the members around him who were clearly members of the Witch Cult were calling him "Dad" repeatedly.

From any perspective, these signs indicate that Subaru is still trapped in an extremely dangerous form of mental control.

The struggle with Subaru's headache, the clarity he regained after drinking the alcohol, and the familiar tone of voice he had just spoken to him made it impossible for Reinhard to accept this conclusion.

He's already missed one opportunity.

It was precisely because he trusted his own judgment too much that he personally sent Subaru Natsuki to prison, allowing his friend to be taken away by the enemy just one step away from freedom.

Subaru has now been officially recognized as a hero by the kingdom.

As a swordsman, Reinhard must respect this achievement and has no right to speculate or forcibly pry into the secrets of a kingdom's hero.

As a friend, he couldn't leave Subaru alone with the dangerous witch cultists.

Neither thought could prevail over the other, so Reinhard could only stand there, his smile gradually hardening with the silence.

He didn't voice this inner conflict.

The others in the hall did not possess Reinhard's 'astounding wisdom'.

Naturally, no one else could have the same doubts.

In their eyes, the whole matter already has a more direct answer.

During the days that Natsuki Subaru was missing, he personally captured the Bishop of Lust and turned that fearsome Bishop of Lust into a mount hanging on his waist;

He also won over the organization left behind by Capela's beloved son, making these people willingly surround him and call him "Dad."

Capella's decades-long operation of intelligence, undercover agents, and underground networks within the kingdom is now all in Natsuki Subaru's hands.

With the addition of the hero status recently bestowed upon him by McCrotoff, Subaru Natsuki has become an undeniable variable in the selection process!

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that whoever gets Natsuki Subaru will win the world!

Therefore, all eyes fell on Subaru Natsuki.

Crusch just apologized.

She was still feeling guilty, so she naturally couldn't bring herself to immediately ask for their services.

Anastasia stared at the face of the dark-haired boy, her fingers unconsciously gripping her sleeve.

Is Subaru Natsuki actually Flügel?

She had so many questions to ask.

But after Natsuki Subaru came out of the side hall, he never looked in her direction even once.

The feeling of potentially having a complete separation weighed on Anna's chest, preventing her from taking the first step.

Emilia also stood beside the throne, quietly watching Subaru Natsuki.

When she saw that Subaru was covered in injuries, she was so focused on making sure he was safe that she completely ignored everyone around her.

The crisis is now temporarily over.

As the words "Hero of the Kingdom" fell from McClotov's lips again, the unease that had been suppressed by panic resurfaced.

If Subaru were still that white-haired accountant, she might still have walked straight over to him, grabbed his hand, and forcibly dragged him into the alley, just like before...

But now Subaru has become a hero watched by everyone.

She remained the candidate who was talked about by the residents of the capital, called a half-elf to their faces, and was considered an ominous sign.

Emilia worried that if she approached Subaru in public, Subaru's name would also be tainted by those unpleasant rumors.

She was even more afraid that Subaru would get annoyed by this and feel that her closeness would only bring trouble.

Emilia became increasingly insecure...

The silver-haired girl's raised toes stopped in place, her fingers tightening their grip on the hem of her skirt, but she ultimately did not take that step.

At that moment, McCrotov suddenly pressed his forehead.

His once clear gaze lost focus in an instant, and when the old man raised his head again, his eyes were filled with confusion.