The Alliance
Dawn spreads its golden veil over the mansion, bathing the foundations of a place about to be transformed. I watch the sunlight filter through the windows, casting long, ethereal shadows down the hallways. Oscar is drafting the blueprints for what will become a school—the beginning of a new era.
Education is the true revolution.
If the world is to change, it must begin with the minds of those who inhabit it.
See beyond.
"Have they arrived?" I ask Emilia, who stands beside me, her presence warm and steady.
She smiles and looks into the metia mirror, where Otto's reflection appears in his home.
"I'll go later," she says calmly. "Rem wants to arrange a few things. I'll be there for the meeting."
In the distance, Rem carries a couch with one hand.
"Otto!" she calls, and with a startled expression, he immediately cuts the transmission.
I watch them with an unfamiliar feeling. Their lives have changed, their paths have taken a different course because of the choices I've made. For the first time in a long while, I feel at peace.
I feel like things will work out.
'Betty, my daughter, can you feel the peace in my heart?'
I hold the pendant between my fingers delicately. Emilia touches it as well, her warmth passing through to me, a silent confirmation that I'm not alone in this.
"Betty must be doing her best."
"I miss her."
Without a word, Emilia wraps her arms around me. I hold her tightly in return, closing my eyes in an attempt to capture this moment, to crystallize it in my memory.
'My heart aches in your absence.'
'My happiness is incomplete.'
"We're going to rescue her," Emilia whispers, curling against my chest. "I promise you."
"Yeah."
We remain in a silence laden with meaning, holding onto each other. Emilia's promise echoes in my mind with the weight of an unshakable truth, and in that instant, my soul finds comfort in the certainty that I am not alone in this fight.
Gently, we part; her fingers graze mine as I bid farewell to that fleeting moment of intimacy, and together, we head to the restaurant.
Seated side by side at a spacious, cozy table, the murmur of the room becomes a backdrop to our concerns. As we wait for the rest of the group, Emilia, ever watchful, breaks the silence.
"Crusch won't be at the meeting?" she asks, her voice carrying both concern and a hint of unease.
I try to mask my nervousness, averting my gaze with a slight shrug.
"I gave her a break. Honestly..." I say, letting my voice waver slightly. "It worries me a little. If she decides to come, I won't stop her, but..."
At that moment, memories surge in mercilessly. The distant echo of gunfire, the bitter sting of betrayal... Each image slides through my mind: Crusch's contorted face, twisted in horror, and those words repeated over and over again:
'Die, monster.'
A shiver runs through me, and I barely manage to whisper, "I..."
Emilia, understanding the gravity of the situation, locks eyes with me, intense and sincere.
"You need to talk to her," she states, her tone firm and urgent, her eyes pleading for understanding. "You're friends. If you don't talk, you'll never fix this. I know what happened was painful—it was for me too—but imagine how she feels. Crusch is loyal, and you can't leave things like this."
Her voice carries both strength and kindness.
Emilia has probably already spoken to Crusch; she likely understands what I, caught between fear and guilt, refuse to accept. I didn't want to involve her in the events of Priestella, fearing I might hurt her—or that she might hurt me.
But leaving things as they are will only deepen the suffering for both of us.
"I will. I promise," I declare, my voice breaking under the weight of my words.
A gentle smile forms on Emilia's lips, and in an almost maternal gesture, she strokes my head.
"That's my Marco."
That simple, warm touch both unsettles and reassures me. I realize, in a quiet whisper within myself, that despite everything, this closeness has its charm.
Just then, a familiar voice rings out from the restaurant entrance.
"Seeing the hero of Lugunica smile just because someone pets his head is quite a sight," Anastasia says with a teasing tone and a spark of irony.
Emilia quickly pulls away, turning toward the group that just arrived. Looking over, I see Felt and Anastasia, who have entered almost simultaneously. The atmosphere fills with a mix of humor and camaraderie.
"Mimi wants food!" she exclaims enthusiastically, her warmth spreading through the room.
Meanwhile, Reinhard and Julius observe us from a respectable distance. Their smiles, though outwardly polite, conceal a hint of smugness that makes me shudder.
I curse my luck silently, sensing from their glances and gestures that they're itching to tease me.
Reinhard scratches his head and, with a light laugh, remarks, "Haha, well, at least it's nice to see how close you two are."
Julius, with his usual lofty tone and a glint of arrogance in his eyes, adds, "A knight should accept his lady's affections with a smile."
With a mix of amusement and mischief, I think to myself, 'I'll tell Anastasia to do the same, snap a picture with a metia, and make it a Priestella landmark for everyone to admire.'
I cut their teasing short by saying, "Alright, alright, it's good to see you both well." As I speak, I place my hands on Reinhard and Julius's shoulders, subtly guiding them as we rearrange the tables to accommodate our new arrivals.
However, peace is short-lived.
Three unexpected faces walk in.
Emilia, ever perceptive, lowers her voice but keeps it firm. "Aren't those the ones who beat you up?"
Tension grips the air. Eyes lock onto the trio, their faces paling as they avert their gazes, as if hoping the ground might swallow them whole.
With a grin that blends humor and vengeance, I say, "Leave them be. I'll get my revenge later."
Immediately, they fall into formation behind Reinhard, moving in near-perfect synchronization. Then, Felt bursts onto the scene with an explosive laugh.
"So, it was true! HAHAHAHA!" Her contagious laughter fills the room, drawing everyone's attention, while those three, as if begging for mercy, bow their heads in repentance.
For a brief moment, satisfaction washes over me, but I remind myself not to be too cruel. The three of them drop to their knees, lowering their heads. I'm sure they know about my achievements.
"We're sorry!" they exclaim in unison, their eyes fixed on the floor.
With a friendly smile, I rest my hand on the scrawniest one's shoulder and say, "Relax. I'm not going to do anything to you. We're friends!"
A hesitant "S-sure… ha-ha," slips out between nervous chuckles, and soon, the atmosphere softens. As the meal continues, laughter and stories flow freely. I'm surprised to learn what Felt has been through in such a brief time.
With a resigned expression, I comment, "You've really been through a lot."
Felt shrugs, her voice carrying a mix of melancholy and mischief.
"But it looks like you guys have had it even worse." She scans each of us as if trying to measure the weight of our shared struggles.
Reinhard exhales, a silent breath of disapproval, while Julius fixes his sharp gaze at me. After a brief pause, he finally speaks.
"As a spirit knight, I can only imagine the burden you carry in your heart."
I offer him a calm smile, appreciating his sincerity.
"It's nothing. Honestly, I'm grateful that you all came." My voice holds a balance between formality and warmth. "We all have our battles, but in the end, after the election, it would be a mistake not to establish relationships—no matter who wins."
Emilia nods enthusiastically, her voice firm with conviction.
"Yes! We can be good friends and still compete against each other."
The atmosphere shifts into one of agreement, the tension easing. Anastasia chimes in, her tone thoughtful.
"Well said. Win or lose, we must make the most of the situation. A merchant never stops working."
Felt, ever the blunt one, snorts.
"Don't ruin it with greed!" She throws a glance at Anastasia, who merely shrugs in mild resignation.
Laughter mixes with serious discussion, and gradually, the energy settles. One thought that lingers in my mind—Crusch should be here. I want them to remember her, to acknowledge her strength, even if she has to step away for her own protection.
After the meal, we head toward the ministry. Suddenly, Mimi gasps in awe.
"WOAHH! It's so pretty!"
Anastasia surveys the surroundings with an approving smile.
"It's an interesting design. The open park for public use is a nice touch."
Felt, ever straightforward, scratches her head as if just thinking about it tires her.
"If I didn't live in that mansion, I'd probably be impressed too. It's ridiculously big. But… something about the design feels different. It's not the usual style."
Inside, the ministry is a whirlwind of activity—the constant clacking of typewriters, posters listing schedules and requests, and never-ending lines of people, from businesspeople to those still marked by the scars of war.
Anastasia, ever curious, asks, "Did you separate the departments based on request types? Wouldn't that make it harder to stay informed?"
I nod slowly, raising my chin in thought. "I need each person to focus on their area and perform at their best. Running a ministry means ensuring everyone understands their duties and rights, just like with the council elders and their people. They will grow here, but their authority must remain stable."
"Doesn't it scare you to divide power like that?" Anastasia's question is valid; corruption exists everywhere.
Corruption is inevitable in my world, and this one isn't quite different. Splitting power too much does create opportunities for corruption, but there are ways to manage that.
"I'm still considering drafting an internal law and alternative methods for selecting ministers." For now, there's no need to mention that I rely on Crusch and soul contracts.
"The goal is to create a system that works even without me, one that consistently produces capable leaders instead of depending on a single person."
Felt, never one to hold back, jumps in immediately.
"If someone's corrupt, just beat the crap out of them! That way, the next guy won't dare try it." She glares at us, as if daring anyone to argue.
Her words, though harsh, have simple and undeniable logic. But the rest of us can only sigh at her approach. As blunt as she is, we all know the solution isn't that simple.
'Honestly, Felt is a diamond in the rough,' I muse, watching her with a mix of admiration and exasperation. From what Reinhard has told me: she has the potential to lead. She's starting to think things through properly, though I'm not sure if she has the skill for administration just yet. But at this rate, she's making solid progress. For her age, that's impressive.
The conference room is heavy with tension, filled with expectations and unspoken worries. The walls, lined with maps and strategic diagrams, bear the weight of the decisions we are about to make.
Everyone present shares a determined look, though in some cases—like Felt's—that determination is laced with rebellion. Others, like Mimi, seem distracted, gazing idly out the window.
We all take our seats, and just then, Otto enters, accompanied by Crusch. She looks exhausted, dark circles under her eyes betraying her sleepless nights and worries. Yet despite her fatigue, she radiates an unshakable sense of calm.
"Excuse us," Otto says as the two of them step forward with the quiet composure of those who have seen too much.
"You're the defender!" Felt exclaims, slapping Crusch on the back so hard the sound echoes through the room. "Nice work! Thanks to you, the beating I took actually paid off."
Felt seems to have moved past that fight. I don't know how much Crusch's presence influenced her, but now, new possibilities are opening up.
A hush falls over the room as I step toward the board. With steady hands, I unroll a map, revealing Priestella.
"First, let me make it clear that I won't explain how I got this information." I begin, marking the water escape routes on the map. "The intel is accurate, but that doesn't mean things will unfold exactly as expected. I've confirmed the cult's movements, but I can't pinpoint the exact date. My best estimate is a little over two weeks from now but considering the current pace of events… that could change."
If Roswaal is with them, then it's highly likely he knows the location of the Metia. More than anything, that's because there's someone who seems to be involved in all this—Aldebaran.
"The attack will coincide with an important event," I continue, running my fingers along the gates that shield the city, protecting it from the water. "The city is a few meters below the waterline, but it's enough to flood everything. This place was built to contain calamities, but now it will be used to destroy it."
Everyone's expressions grow more serious, though Mimi, as always, looks distracted. No one questions why the cult would attack; they all seem to assume they're just deranged lunatics who thrive on chaos.
"They'll use the Metia that controls these gates in the towers, or it might already be compromised," I say, turning to Anastasia. "Have you figured out how to use it?"
"That information... yes, but there's no way to know if it's been tampered with," Anastasia replies, her gaze fixed on the center of the map. "Right now, the Metia is locked down, guarded by dozens of soldiers."
"We just need to put Reinhard there. That way, no one will be able to get through," Felt chimes in with a sigh.
Honestly, it's not a bad idea.
'But there's someone we can't stop without his help.'
"No, that's because of the nature of the archbishop's powers," I explain, beginning to detail each of their unique abilities. "Every Archbishop has a distinct power, and it's crucial that everyone understands how they work to counter them."
Once I finish, my gaze falls on the grim reality we're facing.
"There are also two additional people we need to consider," I say, writing Roswaal's name on the board, followed by another.
Everyone stares at the board, analyzing the information, each seemingly thinking of someone different.
"Subaru Natsuki?" Reinhard asks.
I nod. "The most dangerous person of all. I have no idea what his ability or power is. He's the one who made Roswaal do that."
If Reinhard ever crosses paths with Subaru—if Subaru ever tries to manipulate him—it won't work. Subaru must be known to everyone so that he never has the chance to act from the shadows.
"I'll give you a detailed drawing of him when I can."
Everyone falls into contemplation. This really is a complex situation. Reinhard must, without a doubt, keep the Archbishop of Greed engaged in an indefinite battle. Capella needs to be restrained by someone with regeneration abilities, like Luan and Emilia.
Crusch and I can take on the two Gluttonies alongside Alsten. Julius, Garfield, and the others will manage the undead. They'll have to face Kurgan and Thearesia on their own.
"Who should stay behind to protect the Metia?" I ask, knowing that every person has already been assigned a task. The only option is to find more people, but they need to be exceptionally strong.
"Why not request assistance from Frey Karsten?" Anastasia suggests. It's a valid question, though no one knows the real reasons why I don't want to do that.
Having someone protect the Metia would be ideal, but I don't want to get involved with Frey Karsten—not after what happened, not with the possible connection to miasma monsters.
'I don't want to see something happen that I can't prevent.'
'I don't have that damned Return by Death. Everything has to work on the first try.'
"Using Frey Karsten isn't a bad idea," I admit begrudgingly. "We can ask for his help, but with everything going on in Costuul, I don't know how busy he might be."
'I won't deny it, but I'll give them something so there's a chance they consider it.'
"There are too many factors," Julius says, studying the map. "Everything you've mentioned makes me think they might have an additional plan to destroy the city and get what they want. The archbishops' abilities are more complex than expected, and adding ex-former Marquess Roswaal L. Mathers and this… Natsuki… only makes requesting reinforcements more urgent."
"Yes, having someone like Knight Felix to heal the wounded and support the warriors is an absolute necessity," Reinhard adds.
I nod, closing my eyes for a second.
'If my calculations don't fail, Frey could be acting with the cult for this.' The memory of the pain I saw in his gaze pierces me. 'But maybe not in the way I think.'
'I'll confirm it with this, I'll set him up.'
"Otto, take care of contacting Frey. Tell him what we know the situation and try to get him to use his best warriors," I say, glancing towards Otto with complicity, who nods and leaves the room.
"I tried reaching out to Priscilla, but she doesn't seem interested," Anastasia adds, smiling as she gestures at the board. "If more cult members show up, we need to react accordingly. Let's begin containment strategies. My mercenaries can position themselves to attack the mabeasts, but we'll need to utilize the city's own forces as well."
Elsa and Meili will likely take part in this attack. Using Meili's abilities for targeted assaults is the obvious move, with Elsa acting as her bodyguard.
"There's someone we need to capture, not kill." I describe Meili's appearance in detail, along with her name and personality. "She'll be a valuable asset in the future, so we need to eliminate her protector and bring her to us."
I can't help but think of all the variables, but the main priority is managing the core threats.
"As for Regulus Corneas, there's something we can do."
I explain how his ability affects those he considers his 'wives.' The only way to kill him is to eliminate his wives or freeze his body to stop his heart. Emilia is chosen for this task, as her magic could provide a slim chance for them to be revived later.
"To do that, we need to find out where he's keeping them all."
A surprise attack—but I don't know their exact location, so it'll be difficult.
"With that in mind, we can't let him see Emilia," I say, scanning the room with growing unease. "If he sees her, he'll use his ability to abduct her. I don't know what variables that might introduce. I know he won't harm her, but…"
Emilia lowers her gaze. This isn't about power—it's something unstoppable. I can't let an unknown factor take hold.
Then, Emilia looks forward, her expression resolute.
"It's an opportunity," she says, her determination leaving me speechless.
"Of course…" I mutter, but the words come out more as a sigh than a confirmation. My voice feels distant, as if it doesn't belong to me. 'I can't let this happen. Not to her.'
Anastasia looks at Emilia, her approving smile as calculating as ever—but now, it's working against me.
"Indeed, I'm glad you realized it," she says, her tone as cold as the air around us. Even Felt seems to notice, though her expression is more curiosity than concern.
'Why does everyone seem so willing to sacrifice her? Don't they see what I see?'
I scan the room, but slowly, the world begins to darken. Faces blur, voices fade into distant murmurs. 'I can't let this happen. I can't lose her.'
My thoughts twist and tighten like a knot in my throat. The walls seem to close in, the air thickens, suffocating me. 'Why does everyone seem to approve of this?'
"If he takes me, I can stop him from killing more people," Emilia says, placing a hand over her chest. Her voice is firm, but her expression... I can't quite read it.
'I can't allow that. I won't let her sacrifice herself.'
'This time, I can't control time.'
"That way, he'll go straight to them. All we have to do is find out where and use it against him," Felt and Anastasia say in unison, as if they were reading from a script. Their words echo in my head, but I can't fully process them.
'Don't they understand? Don't they see how dangerous this is?'
"A lot of people will be saved," Emilia concludes, and her words cut into me like a blade.
'What if they hurt her? What if they break her? What if I lose her?'
My breathing grows heavy, as if the air has thickened, refusing to fill my lungs. Despite the freezing air, sweat pours from my hands.
'I shouldn't have told her. I should've hidden it. I should've kept her from finding out. I knew this would happen. I knew she'd try to sacrifice herself. Why didn't I stop her sooner?'
"I..." I murmur, but the words die in my throat. I clench my teeth so hard my jaw trembles.
'I can't let this happen. Not after everything we've done to get here.'
"Once you use that magic, they'll be frozen. We don't even know if they can be saved," Anastasia says, looking at Emilia with that characteristic coldness of hers. "But it's still better than letting more people die in their name."
"It breaks my heart to hurt innocent people," Emilia responds, lowering her gaze. Her voice is soft yet filled with determination. "But once I understand enough, I'll truly be able to save them."
Then, she slams her hand on the table and rises to her feet with an energy that takes my breath away.
"We have to save as many people as we can!" she declares, and her words ring through the room like an unshakable truth.
'I should be proud to see her so resolute,' I think, but no pride comes. Instead, there's only a hollow feeling in my chest, as if something inside me has shattered. My heart pounds, but it's not from admiration—it's from fear.
'When has anything ever gone right for me since I came into this world? When have I not lost someone?'
"Marco?" Emilia's voice pulls me from my thoughts, but only just. Her hands touch my shoulders, and I feel the sweat trickling down my forehead. My hands are damp, my chest soaked, and my vision remains blurred.
'I can't lose her.'
"I don't want you to put yourself in danger," I say, looking her straight in the eyes. I try to keep my voice steady, but it trembles. "I won't accept it."
Silence falls over the room, and for a moment, the only sound is my ragged breathing. Crusch, who had remained quiet until now, studies me with that piercing gaze that always makes me feel exposed.
"Marco is right," she says, stepping to my side. "In a situation like this, we have no way of predicting what might happen. Risking your life is not something you should do as a candidate for the throne."
Emilia looks at both of us, and in her eyes, I see that determination I admire and fear in equal measure.
"My life is worth the same as any citizen's," she states, placing a hand over her heart. "If my life can save even one, then so be it."
"It's still your life," I counter, holding her gaze.
'Why won't you understand?'
"If I may say something," Julius interjects, bowing formally. "Marco's concerns are the same as anyone close to you. Risking your life is noble, but his feelings are valid. It is something that must be considered."
I let out a small, shaky smile. I don't even know if it's relief or despair.
'I never expected Julius of all people to back me up.'
"Yes, I'm sure we can find a way," I say, turning to Emilia. "I'll find a way! Even if it's risky for the citizens, we can—"
"MARCO LUZ!"
Emilia's shout crashes into me, and for a moment, the world stops. Her hands tighten into fists, her head bows as if she's fighting something inside herself.
"I don't ever want to hear you say that again!"
Everyone watches her, stunned by the fire in her eyes.
"I understand what you're saying, but I won't let you speak such selfish words again," she says, looking at me with sadness. "I know my life is precious."
She points toward the window overlooking the town.
"Everyone in Irlam prays for us to protect them, just like in Priestella. They can't do anything else because they're fulfilling their duty as citizens of this kingdom."
She places her hands over her heart, her gaze unwavering.
"If I, someone with the power to protect them, don't, then who will?" Her voice fills the room. "Just like you want me to come back safely, thousands in Priestella are waiting for their loved ones to return too."
She takes my hands, but my worry remains. My heart still pounds, ready to burst from my chest.
"Just as everyone will risk their lives, just as everyone will fight to save one more person," she continues, squeezing my hands tightly. "So will I, even if it's just to save one."
I grit my teeth, holding back the storm of emotions inside me.
"If I can't make it in time—" I start, but she interrupts me.
"You will. And besides, I won't be alone," she says, her voice so firm it nearly convinces me.
Reinhard kneels before Emilia.
"I will protect her with my life. Those are my orders from Lady Felt," he declares, and for a fleeting moment, I feel relief.
'If Reinhard is with her, maybe... maybe I can be at peace. But even so...'
"Fine. We'll do as you say," Crusch says, smiling as she places her hand over ours. "It's your wish, and as your allies, we will respect it."
I open my eyes, searching for clarity amidst the chaos.
"I still don't agree," I say, knowing I can't stop her. "But I'll follow you wherever you go."
She meets my gaze and smiles.
"Thank you."
And for just a moment, that single word eases the weight in my chest.
"Since it's decided, let's move on to the next point."
Anastasia cuts the moment short, prompting us to continue.
"The next step is to neutralize Capella."
The atmosphere in the conference room grows even heavier when I mention Capella. Her name alone echoes like a warning, a reminder that no matter how much we prepare, there will always be an element of uncertainty. Capella isn't just a threat—she's a walking disaster; a force of destruction that could shatter everything we've built.
My hands, still trembling from the previous discussion, grip the edge of the table as I speak.
I scan the faces around me, my words carrying weight I can't hide.
"She'll wreak even more havoc than we can imagine. If Felix, Luan, and Frey go up against her, they should be able to force her to retreat. But the key is to make sure she can't do anything. Nothing at all. So, we need more people ready to fight in case she gets away."
'Capella is an enigma. A threat we can't afford to underestimate. If she gets the chance to act, everything will be lost.'
"She is, I believe, immortal," I continue, staring ahead as if I could see her lurking in the shadows. "I don't see a way to kill her, but maybe there's a chance to neutralize her."
Luan's power has a strong effect on the miasma. She can't completely neutralize Authorities, but she can definitely cause severe damage.
'Luan is our best bet. Her ability to manipulate the miasma might be the key, but... will it be enough?'
"We have to take this step by step," I say, trying to keep my voice steady, though I can feel the anxiety bleeding through. "Each individual's destructive potential could wipe out the entire city. We can't afford to make mistakes."
If Frey joins us, the plan will be complete. But even with him, there are variables we can't control. Subaru, with his ability to see the future, is an unknown factor that could change everything.
'How do we counter something we don't even fully understand?'
"This is something only Emilia can do," I say, pointing at the water channels leading to the city gates on the map. "Her control over water is unique. If we can properly channel her power, we might be able to contain the mabeasts—at least temporarily."
Emilia is our last line of defense. But I can't shake the feeling that I'm putting her in danger yet again.
'How far am I willing to go, to sacrifice her for the sake of everyone else?'
Every plan is carefully crafted, every point discussed in detail to prevent things from going wrong. But even with all the preparation, I know something unexpected will happen.
It always does.
'We can't predict everything, but we can be ready to react. That's all we have left.'
"If something unforeseen happens—and I fully expect it will—we'll have to use every resource at our disposal in real time," I say, meeting the eyes of everyone present.
Each of them will shine in their own way, pushing their abilities to the limit. We can't afford to fail.
Everyone has a role to play. Felix, with his healing. Luan, with her control over the miasma. Frey, with his sheer brute strength. And Emilia... Emilia, with her one-of-a-kind power.
'But even with all that... will it be enough?'
The room falls into a heavy silence, as if everyone is processing the magnitude of what we're about to face. My hands, still damp with sweat, grip the table tightly, as if I could draw some stability from it.
"We can't underestimate Capella," I finally say, breaking the silence. "She's more dangerous than any of us can imagine. But if we work together—if we stay united—we can neutralize her. We can protect this city and everyone who depends on us."
'I hope I'm right. Because if I'm not, the price will be too high.'