The next morning, sunlight streamed in from the eastern horizon, bathing the streets of the Royal Capital in gold.
Higashino Makoto leaned against the carriage, his golden eyes gazing at the sunlit sky in the distance.
Reisen stood beside him, while Elsa Granhiert sat on the roof of the carriage.
Subaru Natsuki sat in the carriage, leaning against the soft chair, with his eyes closed.
He didn't sleep well last night, afraid that when he woke up, everything would be back to square one.
"Pleiades."
Emilia's voice came from outside the car.
"It's time to go."
Subaru Natsuki opened his eyes and looked at her through the gap in the curtains.
Her long, silvery-white hair shimmered with a golden light in the sunlight, her purple eyes were clear and bright, and a faint smile played on her lips.
"They've arrived."
Subaru Natsuki jumped off the carriage and walked up to her.
Emilia.
"Um?"
"Thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?"
Thank you for taking me there.
Emilia looked at him for two seconds.
"I'm not taking you there."
She shook her head.
"It's an invitation."
What's the difference?
The difference is that taking you there is like giving charity, while inviting you is like being a friend.
Subaru Natsuki was stunned.
"Friend..."
Yes, friend.
Emilia turned around and walked towards the carriage.
"Let's go, it's a long way, we need to get there before dark."
Subaru Natsuki watched her retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Friend..."
He repeated it in a low voice.
"Very nice."
The carriage traveled along the official road leading from the Royal Capital to the Roswaal Mansion.
Subaru Natsuki sat next to Higashino Makoto, his back ramrod straight, his hands resting on his knees.
"Mr. Higashino."
"Um."
Why are you helping me? Is it really just because we're the same kind of people?
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and looked at him.
"Actually, I didn't help you; I just happened to be going that way."
"On the way?"
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
The person I'm looking for and the person you're looking for are the same person.
Subaru Natsuki paused for a moment.
"Who?"
"The Sin Archbishops, the Witch Cult, the Witch of Envy."
Subaru Natsuki's pupils contracted slightly; he had heard many rumors about the Witch Cult during this time.
A group of lawless, world-destroying lunatics.
Are you looking for them?
"Right."
"Why?"
"Because of the Witch Factor within them."
Higashino Makoto held up one finger.
"Witch Factor, that's something extremely precious in this world. It can grant certain Authority —a power that transcends magic and twists the rules of existence."
He paused.
I need it.
Subaru Natsuki looked at him, a complex light flickering in his dark eyes.
"You're already this strong, do you still need that kind of thing?"
No one ever thinks they have too much power.
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"And gaining the approval of the Witch Factor would be ideal, but that's not my main goal. I'm more interested in knowing exactly how the Witch Factor helps witches distort the rules of the world."
"Distorting the rules of the world—isn't that the authority of gods?"
Subaru Natsuki frowned.
Does God exist in this world?
"Probably."
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes gazing at the roof of the car.
"But it should be more like a computer that simply follows rules."
Subaru Natsuki fell silent.
He couldn't understand.
But he knew this man was doing something very important.
"Sorry, I really can't understand these words."
"Um."
Is there anything I can do to help you?
Higashino Makoto looked at him for two seconds.
"Alive."
Subaru Natsuki was stunned.
"What?"
"Alive."
Higashino Makoto repeated it.
"Try not to die. I don't want to go back in time and do things all over again."
Subaru Natsuki's fingers tightened slightly.
You know?
"Know."
Higashino Makoto's voice was calm.
Subaru Natsuki's lips trembled.
Don't you find it strange?
"Not surprising."
"Why?"
"This world is full of all sorts of strange abilities; yours is just a little bit special. Oh, and remember not to tell anyone, or you'll die."
"The person who gave you this ability is a yandere who doesn't want anyone to know. I used a special ability to temporarily block her senses, otherwise your heart would probably be crushed."
Higashino Makoto yawned and stretched.
"This is something only you, Reisen, and I should know. Don't even think about telling anyone else."
Subaru Natsuki's tears welled up.
He didn't wipe them away; he just sat there, letting the tears slide down his cheeks and drip onto his black tracksuit.
"Thank you... thank you."
His voice was hoarse.
Higashino Makoto didn't answer. He simply closed his eyes and continued to lean back in his armchair.
Reisen looked at Subaru Natsuki, a soft light flashing in her crimson eyes.
She took a handkerchief from her bosom and handed it over.
"Mr. Subaru Natsuki, wipe it."
Subaru Natsuki took the handkerchief and wiped away his tears.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Reisen withdrew her gaze and continued looking out the window.
The carriage continued on its way.
On the distant horizon, the outline of the Roswaal Mansion was faintly visible in the sunlight.
It was an ancient, luxurious, and enormous mansion.
"Arrive."
Emilia's voice came from outside the car.
Subaru Natsuki pushed open the carriage door, jumped off, and looked up at the mansion.
"This is Roswaal Mansion?"
"Right."
Emilia walked up to him.
"Roswaal is my collaborator and the owner of this mansion."
What kind of person is he?
Emilia.
"That's a bit strange."
"Strangeness?"
"Yes, strange. But not a bad person."
Subaru Natsuki nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
Higashino Makoto jumped off the carriage, his golden eyes sweeping over the mansion.
Reisen followed behind him, her long, pale purple hair gleaming softly in the sunlight, her rabbit ears standing straight up on her head.
Elsa Granhiert jumped down from the carriage roof, her long black dress billowing in the wind, her dark red eyes half-closed.
Let's go.
Higashino Makoto strode forward.