Sword Demon Battle Ballad: Act 3

Sword Demon Battle Ballad: Act 3 (剣鬼戦歌――三幕) is a side story featured in Monthly Comic Alive. It is the third of nine total acts in Sword Demon Battle Ballad and a sequel to Re:Zero Ex Light Novel Volume 3.

Summary
After seeing Pivot standing in front of him, Wilhelm was in complete shock, as his former comrade had died back in the Demi-Human War. Wilhelm quickly figured out that this Pivot was an illusion and that Wilhelm's real self was still wandering in the fog, back at Shamrock Valley. He fought the illusion, defeating it so he could leave this area. This illusion of Pivot left him a remark before he left the area, saying that it was Wilhelm's turn next.

Wilhelm returned to the valley, where Roswaal was trying to snap him back to attention. They had arrived at the Witch's Refuge. Wilhelm, Grimm and Roswaal entered the building, trying to find information about Stride. However, though there were recent footsteps left in the dust, all of the equipment left behind by Sphinx had been destroyed. Roswaal speculated that Stride was probably working with Sphinx to some capacity during the Demi-Human War. They eventually found something hidden in the refuge: a magic circle hidden behind part of the wall.

They then returned back to the capital, bringing back this information. Roswaal was given the task of trying to decipher the meaning of the magic circle. Meanwhile, Wilhelm and Grimm are caught up to speed with Carol waking up. However, as Grimm went to hug her a strange red mark appeared on Carol's neck, strangling her so long as Grimm was touching her. Carol had been cursed by Stride. They quickly rushed her back to the castle, to Roswaal's office.

At Roswaal's office, Carol is examined by Roswaal. The findings presented confirm that if Carol is touched by a loved one, she will not be able to breathe due to Stride's curse. Roswaal stated that the only way to lift the curse would be to find Stride himself. Along with that bad news, Roswaal also had some good news. She had examined Theresia as well as she had had been at Carol's bedside whilst cursed; Roswaal announced that Theresia was pregnant with Wilhelm's child.

Grimm and Wilhelm were then sent out of the room by Roswaal as she talked with the girls. Grimm was quite upset with Wilhelm due to what was happening with his sweetheart, Carol, and pinned him against the wall. Wilhelm did not resist this, and eventually Grimm let go of him, looking positively dejected. A voice cut in straight after, chiding him, telling him that he was weak in matters that did not require the sword. That voice belonged to a man leaning against a wall. Once again, it was the illusion of Pivot that had spoken out.

Characters

 * Grimm Fauzen
 * Wilhelm van Astrea
 * Valgren
 * Miklotov McMahon
 * Bordeaux Zellgef
 * Stride Vollachia
 * Kurgan
 * Theresia van Astrea
 * Carol Remendis
 * Conwood Melahau
 * Roswaal J Mathers
 * Clind
 * Orphe
 * Cragrell Dawson
 * Garitch Fabless
 * Veltol Astrea
 * Tishua Astrea
 * Pivot Arnancy
 * Gionis Lugunica
 * Shasuke
 * Raizo
 * Melinda
 * Volcanica
 * Roswaal K Mathers
 * Valga Cromwell
 * Razak Gildark