A threat from Acqua against Kamijo leads Itsuwa to come to Academy City as his live-in bodyguard. Index, Kamijo and Itsuwa visit a spa in the third level of the complex beneath the 22nd School District. Mikoto frets over Kamijo's amnesia.

Subaru and Julius face off against Betelgeuse's Unseen Hand. However, as one Unseen Hand after another is launched their way, the two heroes find themselves completely on the defensive.

Emilia tried to warn the villagers of Arlam that danger was coming and they should evacuate, but was not well-received. As she's pondering what more she can do, Wilhelm arrives at the mansion with a message...

Subaru and his companions head toward Roswaal's mansion to evacuate Emilia and all the others there, stopping at the nearby village on the way and beginning to evacuate its residents as well. However, the situation takes a turn that nobody expected...

The half of the mercenary army that had been blocking the road during the White Whale subjugation returns to join the main force. Subaru then leads the way into the forest of the Mathers domain, hoping to find and destroy the Witch's Cult before they can learn of the subjugating army's movements.

Subaru and Rem lose all words at the sight unfolding above them. Just when it seemed they would soon have the White Whale cornered, despite the sacrifices it took to reach that point, the battle takes a turn that no one expected.

Subaru has devoted everything he had, and done all he could do. His passion has captured Crusch's heart, as well as Anastasia's cooperation, and they all enter into the battle against the White Whale together.

To save Emilia, Subaru approaches Crusch to negotiate the formation of an alliance. His terms are a bit difficult for Crusch to believe, but she can see that Subaru isn't lying.

Subaru laments that he could not do anything or save anyone, and has no options left. Exhausted, he suddenly takes off running at full speed as if he's made a decision...

A mysterious figure appears before Subaru and his traveling companions. As the looming beast attacks with a deafening bellow amidst the darkness and fog, Rem determines that it will be too difficult to escape...

Subaru awakens in front of the fruit stand in Lugunica's capital yet again. Realizing that he's in a hopeless situation, he desperately seeks help from Crusch, Priscilla, and Anastasia, but his limited time continues to tick away...

Upon returning to Roswaal's mansion, Subaru is greeted by an unbelievable sight and wails that this was not what he wanted to happen. Stricken with despair, everything before Subaru starts to go white as, finally, he hears a voice: "You were too late."

"I just wanted to protect her. That feeling wasn't a lie. Where did I go wrong?" Rejected by the one who meant more to him than anything, Subaru is still unable to recognize that he may have done something irreversible. He then finds out that some disturbing movement has been detected within Roswaal's domain, where Emilia and the others are. He's certain that he can save them somehow, so in spite of Rem and Crusch's opposition, Subaru makes his way back to Emilia...

As Emilia joins Priscilla, Crusch, and Anastasia in a meeting of the royal selection participants, Reinhard enters the hall with Felt. According to a new prophecy seen on the Dragon Stone, there are five priestesses with the potential to be the kingdom's next ruler. Reinhard announces that Felt is the fifth priestess, meaning it's time to formally begin the royal selection, but Felt refuses to have any part in it.

Subaru and Julius face off against Betelgeuse's Unseen Hand. However, as one Unseen Hand after another is launched their way, the two heroes find themselves completely on the defensive.