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 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.