※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Thinking about it, his meetings with Not-Satella relied on a lot of random coincidence.
He did encounter her the first and third times, but the only connection was that both had occurred around this main street (He heard from the shopkeeper wearing the turban that it was commonly called the trading street).
It would have been great if he was at least obsessed with keeping time, but he hadn't done the stalkerish act of recording exactly when he met her.
In the end, it was quickest to think back to the third time's pattern, but,
"Back then, just how long did I spend sulking by that fruit shop?"
He sunk down to the ground overcome by dizziness and spent an unknown amount of time hugging his knees.
It felt like it was only a few minutes, but it also felt like it could have been an hour. Regardless of what the answer was, all Subaru could say was 'I don't know'.
"Should I just wander around this street looking for her…? And just hope my beauty radar works?"
Or maybe his silver-haired hottie sensor.
This ability was completely useless in his old world, but he'd be able to use it to great effect here.
He placed both hands in front of his face and straightened a finger on each, and went "MyonMyon" as a number of people looked at him strangely. He felt like he could sense something, and decided to follow whatever was beckoning to him for the moment.
His surroundings steadily changed into an atmosphere he was familiar with, filling him with thoughts such as "Woah, looks like my sensor's working fine as ever?!", and then he suddenly realized.
―Without realizing it, he ended up leaving the street and was now entering a narrow alley.
"Isn't this where I first met her…?"
It looked very similar, but he was unsure.
It wasn't that different from the path into the slums in terms of atmosphere, on top of which he had only been to the alley of their meeting in the first world, and had never revisited it since.
The second time was clearly in a different alley, and thinking back to the third time, that was yet another dead end. Even if Felt stealing Satella's insignia was a fixed event, which alley she would run into after the fact seemed to vary depending on the situation.
Perhaps it was the same the first two times, but the third time things seemed to have changed slightly due to Subaru's presence.
Having thought this far, Subaru suddenly realized just how shallow his thought process was.
Maybe he could find Felt or Satella now that he was in a familiar alley.
However, that also meant the possibility of a different reunion. In short,
"I'm so damn tired of seeing you, Ton, Chin, Kan!"
Subaru turned around fed up, and found the usual suspects blocking his path.
There was no difference in appearance, clothing, or countenance. Their goal and equipment were most likely the same as well, no progress whatsoever. It was only natural since he was back in the same spot.
"Even though I'm having such a hard time finding Not-Satella and Felt."
The reason he was unable to find them was probably because their actions depended on many factors independent of him.
By contrast, the reason he kept running into these guys was most likely because they were targeting him from the start.
That's why he kept encountering them despite taking a different path each time.
"Now that I've come up with a conjecture that doesn't make me happy in the slightest, what exactly do you guys want?"
"Just what the hell has this guy been muttering about?"
"He probably doesn't get what's going on here. How about we go ahead and teach him?"
Even this conversation between Ton and Chin followed the template exactly, which caused Subaru's mood to sink further. However, he also felt that he couldn't take them lightly just because he was tired of dealing with them.
The clear conditions for the Tonchinkan encounter weren't that demanding, but it wasn't like he had a 100% chance of breaking through. After all, they were the cause of his third death.
Maybe Not-Satella would save him like the first time, or maybe he could beat them on his own like the second time, but he had no guarantees.
Things went really well the second time, but this time wouldn't necessarily go down the same way. There was also a high chance that there was a big event waiting for him after this, and he didn't want to sustain any injuries.
"On the other hand, I wouldn't want to escape by handing over my stuff either, I could use those to negotiate."
The ideal would be to get out of here without sustaining any losses, like he did the second time.
And if he could avoid wasting time like the first time, that would be best of all.
Subaru crossed his arms and cocked his head, wondering if there was some way he could get away from them.
On the other side, perhaps thinking Subaru's attitude meant he was ignoring them despite their seemingly superior position, Tonchinkan's expressions were dyed in hostility
He at least had to make a decision before they drew their weapons.
As he lamented their lack of patience, Subaru figured he would have to go with a surprise attack after all―Suddenly, he remembered the moment of his third death.
As he lay there on the verge of death, all he could do was hear.
Back then, what was it that they were talking about? His dying brain could not comprehend it back then, but it should be possible now.
―Yeah, that's it.
"Guaaaaaards!!!"
Tonchinkan were caught off guard by his sudden call for help, causing them to jump.
The volume was such that it smashed the silence of the alley, and even tore through the hustle and bustle of the main street.
His absurd sensitivity was well known when he took kendo, and had long since stripped him of any shame when it came to screaming.
Something like screaming for help did not damage his pride even slightly.
"Someone―! I need a man―!!!"
"Bastard… Don't screw around! You're seriously yelling at a time like this?!"
"You're supposed to listen to us if you don't want to get hurt, that's how it's supposed to be! You can't just do this without even listening to our demands!"
"Shut up! Who gives a damn what normally happens?! Offbeat, off path, off course, wrong way, they're all on the right track! As if I wanna deal with you guys! I just wanna have some fun with gold and silver haired beauties!"
As Tonchinkan went into a frenzy and stomped their feet, Subaru angrily yelled at them.
Subaru was putting on a defiant act as he verbally attacked them, but although it wasn't showing, a sense of panic was rapidly building up within him. The plan to seek help was based on his very vague memories of his last moments in the third world.
The moment before his consciousness descended into darkness, someone among them had said something like "Guards" and "Run", his shoddy strategy relied on this tiny hint.
There was also the fact that when he beat these guys on his second time, it seemed the people on the street simply turned a blind eye even though they knew he was getting robbed.
"So it was a mistake after all…"
"Trying to scare us like that… I was just a little nervous."
"Just a little bit!"
"A really tiny bit!"
In unison, they denied how pathetic they were in a very pathetic fashion.
The men took a deep breath to calm down as if to regain control of the situation after Subaru's stunt, and then they each drew their weapons.
A knife, a rusty nata, and,
"Why are you the only one without a weapon? Didn't have the money to buy one?"
"Shut up! I'm stronger without one! Underestimate me and I'll beat you to death, you damned brat!"
"If only I had a recording of the second time, I'd love to show it to you."
As he thought back to his flawless overhead throw, he started to bask in his own admiration. On the other hand, his situation was now so bad his mind continually warned of danger.
They had already drawn their weapons, greatly reducing his chances of success.
Forget escaping without any injuries or losses, he wasn't even sure he could make it out of there in one piece.
"Let me go already… I'd rather avoid the pain."
Having died three times, Subaru now understood that it wasn't something you could get used to no matter how many times it happened.
Furthermore, all his deaths until now were horribly painful ones brought about by blades. That sharp pain was always fresh and electrifying, like his nerves were being scraped.
He'd really rather not go through that again, and most of all―
"I've been able to come back from death until now, but there's no guarantee it'll happen again…"
He couldn't be sure that this ability didn't have a limited number of uses.
There was no number engraved on his body or anything, but it was said that even Buddha would get annoyed if you touched his face three times. Assuming that that was the case here, he had already run out of continues. If he pathetically died a pointless death here, his life in another world would reach the BAD END.
"…. In short, the best thing to do would be to run away, even if I get injured."
The most lethal of them was, naturally, the tried and true knife. That nata was terribly rusty, so it'd probably be no different from a normal hit if he blocked it with his plastic bag. The empty handed thug was no problem.
As he watched Tonchinkan approach, he immediately made up his mind.
Subaru was completely focused on Chin, and started counting down in his head as he looked for an opening.
―Three, two, ah, hold on just one moment, three, two…
"―That's enough."
That voice suddenly and clearly tore through the tension in the alley.
Its dignified tone hadn't the slightest hint of hesitation or mercy. All those who listened to it were struck by its overwhelming presence, and were naturally inclined to obey it.
Subaru raised his head, and Tonchinkan turned around― There was a young man standing there.
What first drew their eyes was his red hair that was like a blazing inferno.
Right below were shining blue eyes that could only be described as daring.
His extraordinary good looks only further amplified his awe-inspiring presence, and a single glance was all it took to tell that he was someone of great importance.
He was tall, slender, and well-proportioned, and he wore well tailored black clothing. At his waist knight's sword that despite its simple appearance, gave off an abnormally intimidating atmosphere.
"Regardless of the circumstances, I will not permit any further violence against him. You've gone far enough."
As he said this, he calmly walked past Tonchinkan and stood between them and Subaru,
Both Subaru and the men were left speechless by this excessively majestic act.
But it seemed they had different reasons for their silence.
Subaru had fallen silent from surprise, and because he was anxiously waiting to see how this never before seen development would progress, but Tonchinkan were different, their faces were going pale.
"N-No way…"
Chin pointed at the man, his lips turning purple as they trembled,
"Blazing red hair and eyes blue as the sky… And that sword's sheath with a dragon's craw engraved in it."
He pointed to each location as if to make sure, and then gulped,
"Reinhard… The Sword Saint Reinhard?!"
"Seems I won't need to introduce myself… That title is a bit much for me, though."
The young man called Reinhard muttered in a self-deprecating manner, but the glint in his eyes did not waver.
With his gaze piercing them, the men stepped back as though they were overwhelmed. They looked at each other as if to decide when to run, but,
"I'll leave it at that if you flee. You'd better head out onto the street. But if you wish to use force, I shall be your opponent."
He placed his hand on the handle of his sword, and jerked his chin toward Subaru who was stood behind him.
"It would be three on two in that case. In terms of numbers, you would have the advantage. I do not know to what extent my meager strength can aid him, but as a knight I shall face you."
"Yo-You're kidding! There's no way!"
Reinhard's declaration caused them to panic, they ran off into the street having forgotten to even conceal their weapons.
They were so panicked they couldn't even make any parting threats like they did the first time. That in itself showed just how extraordinary the man before him was.
"I'm glad we're both safe. Are you unhurt?"
After he watched the men leave, the young man turned around with a smile.
Suddenly, the air of intimidation covering the alley disappeared. Realizing that even that was something the young man had consciously manifested, Subaru couldn't help but fall silent. Most of all.
"To be this cool after doing all that… This is beyond the level of Ikemen."
[T/N: Ikemen basically means attractive guy, but carries certain connotations.]
His face, voice, demeanor and actions, they were all scoring extremely high on the Ikemen index. If he also had a personality and pedigree to match, he had to be doing something evil behind the scenes or the world's balance would be thrown off.
Anyhow, setting aside his heart overflowing with envy, it was a fact that he had been saved. Subaru dropped to his knees and prostrated himself on the spot.
"I am ever so thankful to you for saving my life, please allow me to express my gratitude. I, Natsuki Subaru, admire your gallant spirit…"
"Relax, you don't have to go that far. They felt that they had lost their advantage when it became three on two. It would have been different if I were alone."
"No, judging by how terrified they were, forgot three on one, they'd back down even if it was ten on one… What's with this guy. Is he truly an Ikemen to the core, both body and soul? You're raising my route's flags!"
It'd be a real tearjerker, so a handkerchief would be indispensable.
As he spoke random drivel, Subaru once again took a good look at Reinhard.
The more he looked at him, the more it seemed like his handsome features were sculpted by God himself, but his outfit didn't really give the impression that he was a guard. Beyond the quality of the materials, his clothing didn't seem very different from those of the general public milling about the street.
"Um, Reinhard-san… Can I call you that?"
"You don't need to be so formal, Subaru."
"You sure closed the distance smoothly… Uh, thank you once again, Reinhard. You were the only one who responded to my screams, how terribly lonely."
Considering how many people there were, there was no way he was the only one who heard. Reinhard lowered his eyes slightly as Subaru lamented the lack of human kindness,
"I don't really want to say this, but it can't be helped. For most people, it would be very risky to antagonize such fellows. In that respect, your decision to call for the guards was the correct one."
"From the way you're talking, you're a guard? You don't really look like one."
"I hear that often. Well, today's my day off so I'm not in uniform, that's probably one of the reasons."
As Reinhard spread his arms with a strained smile, Subaru retorted internally.
The main reason he didn't seem like a guard was because he seemed like the furthest thing from the somewhat unrefined image the term suggested To add on…
"I believe they called you something like 'Sword Saint'…"
"My family is somewhat special, you see. Every day feels like the weight of their expectations could crush me."
He shrugged his shoulders in a lighthearted manner, it looked like he had a sense of humor as well.
There was already no doubt whatsoever that he was an Ikemen in both body and soul. Subaru couldn't hide his wonder toward this man whose very existence was Ikemen, but Reinhard stared at him intently,
"You've got unusual hair and clothing, and that goes for your name too… Where are you from? For what purpose have you come to the capital of Lugunica?"
"It's a bit hard to answer that first one. The typical setting of a small country to the east got some backlash so… H-How about further east, then―"
Subaru thought it seemed like a pretty safe answer. But Reinhard's reaction was stronger than expected.
"East of Lugunica… Surely you don't mean beyond the Grand Cascade, some kind of joke perhaps?"
"Grand Cascade?"
Subaru cocked his head at this unfamiliar term.
He figured it was something like a waterfall, but he was completely clueless when it came to the geography around here. To begin with, he didn't even know how large the capital was. As far as Subaru knew, this Lugunica place only consisted of a trading street, some alleys, and the slum.
Essentially the same level as his old world, that only consisted of his home, his room, and the convenience store.
"Thinking of it that way, I'm basically being a shut-in even in another world, this has already become an inherent part of me… I really am something."
"It doesn't seem like you're trying to trick me, so let's leave it at that. Anyway, it does look like you're not from around here. You must have had a reason for coming here, right? Lugunica is currently in a bit of a complex situation. I can aid you if you wish."
"No, no, it's your day off, right? You don't have to throw it away just to help me out, you've already done more than enough… But while we're at it, there is something I'd like to ask you."
He shook his head at Reinhard's proposal, and then raised his finger as if he just remembered something. Reinhard casually nodded, giving him the go ahead.
"I'm not well versed in the happenings of the world so I'm not sure if I'll be able to answer, though."
"Well, what I'm asking about relates to a person I'm searching for, so that's fine. So, have you seen a silver-haired girl in a white robe around here?"
Having surveyed the main street several times, he could tell that Not-Satella's clothes stood out. Her silver hair was rare much like Subaru's black hair, and of course there was her robe with the hawk embroidered on it.
Thinking back, that white robe seemed expensive in its own way. Considering she had an insignia with a jewel embedded in it, he guessed her lineage must have been a prestigious one.
"A white robe and silver hair…"
"In addition, she's super gorgeous. And there's this cat… Well, it's not like she goes around showing it off. That's all I can tell you about her, ring any bells?"
There would be no doubt it was her if the cat spirit was a match as well, but since it was usually hidden in her hair most of the time that was probably too much to ask for.
Mentioning her beauty, he ended up thinking she and Reinhard who was very handsome himself would look perfect standing next to each other. This arbitrary thought caused a strange envy to well up within him.
"… What are you planning to do when you find her?"
"I'm going to find something she lost, or rather, would it be something she's looking for? Anyway, I'll find it and give it to her."
Of course Subaru didn't actually have it on him right now, and it was even possible that it hadn't even been stolen yet.
Reinhard narrowed his eyes at Subaru's response, and contemplated for a moment.
"No, sorry. I don't really know. I could help you with your search if you wish, though."
"I can't impose on you like that. It's alright, I'll find it one way or another."
Subaru raised his hands when Reinhard offered his aid, and then decided that he would wander around the main street for now. If things went well, he might catch sight of her on the street like he did the third time.
If possible, it'd be good to stop Felt on the stop and prevent the theft entirely.
Thinking about what could happen after, he felt that that would be the best way, and became all the more impatient.
"The problem is how to stop her with that agility of hers… Repeated sideways jumps like this to block the road, a zone defense?"
"What unusual movements. For what purpose?"
[T/N: There's some weird sports stuff below here, since I'm not very familiar with sports I have no idea what this is about]
"It's a defensive action to pressure the opponent and snatch away the ball. Despite how it looks, it's a well established defense. Later, you end up participating in a position where you have no effect whatsoever on the ball, it's that kind of ability."
Subaru was someone who, when he participated in dodgeball, would simply stand right by the line in such a way that you didn't know whether he was infield or outfield. It wasn't uncommon for him to go entire games without once touching the ball.
"Anyway, I'd better head to the trading street first."
"Are you leaving?"
"Yeah, I'm going. You really helped me out. I'll definitely repay you someday… Can I meet you at the guard station or something?"
"I believe so, you just have to mention my name. Otherwise, on days off I'm usually wandering about the capital."
"I wouldn't really want to wander around town looking for a man… This isn't an Otome game."
He replied with a joke and suddenly raised his hand, to which Reinhard responded "Be careful", cool to the very end.
As if those words were giving him a push forward, Subaru successfully left the alley having sustained no injuries or losses.
―Never realizing that blue eyes were on him, appraising him.
-x-X-x-
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Having returned to the trading street, Subaru immediately started trying his hardest to locate Not-Satella..
Although, all he could really do was stare into the crowd with eyes as wide as dinner plates. In the third world, he wasn't very far from the fruit shop when he encountered her, so he decided to position himself around there for now. Subaru could see the shopkeeper's face in the corner of his vision and his expression seemed rather stern.
"Our meeting didn't go that well this time… But I know that you're actually a great guy deep down! I know it!"
Subaru directed a smile and a thumbs up at him, and the shopkeeper immediately averted his eyes with an expression that looked like he'd seen something unpleasant.
Subaru felt somewhat lonely as he withdrew his thumb, and once again directed his gaze toward the street.
The street was swarmed with all sorts of people as usual.
Diverse inhabitants of a fantasy world, and among them Subaru saw what one could perhaps call a beastman, a bipedal dog-like being that had incredibly fluffy fur which caused him to freak out. He wanted to feel it, really badly.
"What's with that loveliness… They've already won at birth, just like Reinhard or Not-Satella, it's sinful."
Their gait was tottering due to their short stature, giving them the charm of a small animal.
"Kh… Calm down, my right arm… This isn't the time to feel them up, have you forgotten why we're here?!"
He somehow gained control of his arm that was going to reach for that white fur, and after he regretfully watched them walk away, he returned his gaze to its original position.
However, it had already been almost ten minutes since he started watching the road, and he didn't find anyone that looked like her. Confirming the time on his phone, he found that it had almost been an hour since his reset.
"My sense of time feels off, but going off my memories it'd be weird if the theft hasn't happened by now…"
As he said this, an unpleasant premonition suddenly flashed through his mind.
Once he felt the chill of doubt, there was no escaping it. Subaru scratched his head and let out various 'Aahs' and 'Oohs', and having no other choice, he walked toward the stall before him.
"Hey, old man."
"What, broke kid."
Standing before him was the owner of the fruit shop, clearly annoyed that Subaru dared to show his face again as he responded.
True or not, that was a pretty harsh way of saying it Subaru thought as he forced a smile, and without being discouraged,
"It's true that I'm broke so I won't deny it, but… There's something I wanna ask you, old man. Has there been a pickpocketing incident around here?"
"You've got some nerve asking questions without even buying anything… Also, too bad, but that sort of thing is really nothing unusual."
"Seriously?!"
Subaru couldn't help but raise his voice in surprise at this mean-spirited response. But it wasn't as if he didn't understand. To begin with, the loot house was a place where stolen items from all over the capital were gathered. There was enough theft going on to fill that giant storehouse, which gave an idea as to the level of public order around here.
"Does this mean I'm out of luck…?"
"―But, I do remember the commotion just now since it was unusual. There were two or three blasts of magic, you see. Have a look."
He leaned out of his stall and pointed to the left, at a stall about four spaces away. Subaru's line of sight followed and,
"Woah, incredible."
"Those icicles pierced that wall like arrows and left that damage. They disappeared immediately, though."
Right next to the stall was the entrance to a narrow alley, and one of its walls had holes bored into it.
There were four of them, and each one was around the size of a 500-yen coin. Since they were able to piece a stone wall, the thought of their speed and power at the moment of impact sent a chill down his spine.
"This isn't like those ice rocks she fired before… I wonder if she's angrier this time."
If he approached her carelessly, he might end up getting blasted with them himself. The thought of this caused a cold sweat to form on his forehead.
"But this means I was too late this time too."
Setting aside his frightening imaginations, he wiped the sweat off his forehead as he muttered this.
Not-Satella was most likely the one who left these marks behind. If it was a theft involving her, it was probably alright to assume that Felt had snatched the insignia from her.
That being the case, it meant that he had lost the means to link up with Not-Satella.
At least, there was no surefire way to meet her as far as Subaru knew.
In other words, what he ought to prioritize was,
"Meeting up with Felt who has the insignia, huh. I'd like to get to her before she reaches the loot house, and trade my phone for the insignia on the spot if possible."
He truly did not want to approach the loot house, considering he had been slaughtered there twice.
Strictly speaking, what he actually wanted to avoid was getting involved with Elsa there.
"It'll just be a repeat of the first time if I'm too late. Having said that, reaching Rom first and waiting for Felt would be no different from the second time."
So the crucial point was Felt's location.
At the moment, she was probably desperately running around in order to shake Not-Satella off. Of course it wasn't like she could run forever so he figured it should be possible to catch her somewhere, but such a thing would prove extremely difficult for Subaru who was even less familiar with the capital than the average person.
"Should I rely on Return By Death and just use this attempt for investigation…?"
It certainly seemed like an effective strategy, but Subaru shook his head and rejected it right away.
First, having experienced death three times, he didn't think he could make the decision to throw his life away in order to retry. All three deaths were quite literally so painful he could die. If he could settle things without tasting death, then he'd rather only ever experience it at the very end, on his deathbed.
In addition, he was also concerned about the fact that he didn't know exactly how Return By Death worked. Throwing his life away only to find out he had zero left wouldn't even be funny as a joke.
"In the end, I guess I'll just have to struggle all I can while I've still got life. That much is obvious, though."
He twisted his waist, grinding his joints, and started bending and stretching to warm up.
The shopkeeper seemed annoyed by the fact that he was doing radio calisthenics in front of his stall. Having warmed up, Subaru raised his hand toward him as he jogged away.
"Alright, thanks a lot, old man. I'll be leaving now. I'll definitely buy some appas next time."
"Yeah, you'd be more than welcome as a customer. Work hard, broke kid."
"For sure.― I really am praying I have some money the next time I show up here."
The shopkeeper apathetically saw him off as he broke into a run.
He was headed toward the slums―But not in the direction of the loot house. He had already decided that he'd be raising BAD END flags if he went there. That being the case, it was time to try a new angle of attack.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
"Where Felt lives, huh? Head two streets down that way, it's ahead of there."
"Thanks a lot, you're a lifesaver, brother."
"It's no problem, brother. ―What was it, live strong?"
The middle aged man said with a weak smile as he disappeared into the creaking door.
Thinking back to how the man's strained smile was filled with sympathy from beginning to end, Subaru pumped his fist at his strategy's success.
He was covered in mud and dirt, his appearance was such that even slum dwellers found it pitiful.
"It was a strategy I devised from my experiences in those first two times, but… That sure was effective, huh."
As he said this, Subaru wiped off his sleeves which had become crusty now that the mud on them had dried.
Having arrived here, he devised an ingenious plan to pinpoint Felt's destination, which was to play the part of an extremely downtrodden person.
When he was wandering around the slums with Not-Satella in the first world, he had just recently been beaten into the ground by Tonchinkan, and the inhabitants' reception was correspondingly sympathetic and cooperative.
Completely different from the second time, when their reaction was cold and curt since he had no real damage to speak of. Thinking back to that, he ended up going a little overboard with his appearance this time.
"Well, I did end up stepping in some unknown animal's dung and stuff."
Thank goodness he barely managed to avoid falling in it, he thought as he trembled.
Since it only got on his shoes, his honor was probably still intact.
Unfortunately, even as he thought this there wasn't the slightest hint of honor or anything of the sort left in his filthy appearance.
"I've got four reports right now… Three of them match."
Sympathizing with him, four people gave him information. Right now, three of the comments about Felt's location matched. Unless they were all conspiring to screw him over, it was probably okay to assume the information was accurate.
The one differing report came from an old woman who was hard of hearing, so she definitely wasn't trying to deceive him. Maybe.
"I think I've found out where she sleeps, but… Now the problem becomes whether or not she'll come here."
He did find out where she normally stayed, but since she was currently in the midst of escaping it was fifty-fifty whether or not she would run here. If she was worried her pursuer would destroy her place, perhaps she would think it better to avoid it.―If that happened, he could only say he had no luck.
"It's not like worrying about it will do anything. I'm not going to worry about things I can't answer, alright."
Even when he was at a loss, he wouldn't waste time on things that couldn't be helped. His decisiveness shined here too.
Subaru jogged deeper into the slums as he knocked the hardened dirt off his clothes. When he first came here, he couldn't even do anything besides hide behind Not-Satella let alone independently gather information, he had developed quite a bit. Made him want to reward himself.
"A reward for my hard work… Am I going to open my corn potage again?"
As he fished around in his bag, he approached a road. He then almost collided with someone who suddenly emerged from there.
He moved out of the way in a panic, but his back ended up colliding with that narrow road, knocking the wind out of him. Watching him, the person he was about to walk into spoke in a gentle manner,
"Oh, do excuse me. Are you alright?"
"I'm good, I'm good. Despite how I look I'm actuallyyyy!"
Subaru raised his face to play it off, but was unable to end his sentence when he saw who he was talking to. Hearing his high-pitched voice, the black-haired woman giggled slightly.
"You're a fun kid, aren't you. Are you really alright?"
She brushed up the hair covering her ear. Even this gesture was somehow sexy, and Subaru thought to himself that her each and every action was as erotic as usual.
A sexy beauty who behaved in an erotic manner―Someone he absolutely did not want to meet.
"―You don't have to be so afraid, I'm not going to do anything to you."
"Af-afraid? It's not like I'm afraid of anything? What proof do you have to claim that I'm nervous? I'm seriously freaking out, though―, but you can't talk down to me like that―, I'm really nervous, though―"
"Your scent…"
Ignoring his attempt to act tough, her eyes narrowed into a sweet smile.
Subaru cocked his head at this, and in response she used her well-shaped nose to sniff.
"When someone is afraid, it shows in their scent. Right now, you're scared… And you're angry too. At me."
She seemed to be having a good time exposing his inner feelings as she looked up to him.
Subaru went silent, only responding with a forced smile as he took deep breaths to calm his rapidly beating heart.
Her words were true.
Subaru was afraid of her. The woman before him was the most terrifying person he knew in this world.
She was also the one he hated most in this world.
He truly wanted to beat her down if it was possible for him to do so, and before that he had an unbearable urge to run away immediately.
He had died by her hand twice now. She inspired fear from the bottom of his heart, and who could laugh at him for it?
Elsa narrowed her eyes like a snake in response to his silence. But even as he felt her gaze pinning him down, he would not allow himself to show weakness by averting his eyes.
She licked her lips at his bravado,
"… I am somewhat interested, but it's fine. It wouldn't do to cause a fuss right now."
"T-That's not a very nice thing to say. Act too scary and that beauty will go to waste, you know?"
"Ah, very nice.― Hide your hostility and it'd be even better."
She reached out and lightly tapped his forehead with her finger, and this simple gesture released the tension from his body.
Subaru exhaled, his shoulders heaving, and Elsa placed her finger against her lip,
"Well then, I'll be taking my leave. I get the feeling we'll see each other again."
"If it's a bright place with lots of people around, I'll be able to relax too."
It took everything he had to get those sarcastic words out.
Elsa flipped her cloak with a longing smile as she disappeared into the alley's darkness. After he watched her quite literally disappear, Subaru felt exhaustion rush through him as he leaned against the wall.
"That… That was an unexpected encounter, seriously. To think she was prowling around here before going to the loot house…"
This unexpected encounter almost tore his heart apart.
In terms of mental preparation, this was far more of a shock than Not-Satella. He wanted to pray that this would be his last encounter with her if possible.
"Felt's place should be around here, I believe… But surely it's not possible that Elsa already destroyed it…?"
She was a pervert who drowned in pleasure when she sliced people's bellies open.
It wouldn't be strange if she carved up a few people to kill time before the appointment. Furthermore, now that he was heading deeper into the slums, he couldn't help but imagine all sorts of horrors.
"I-It's okay, probably. There isn't the stench of blood, nor do I see any, maybe."
The garbage and the rotten smell made it impossible to discern the smell of blood, and it was too dark for him to confirm if there were any bloodstains around, but there definitely wasn't any blood. That's what he wanted to think.
He didn't have the courage to run right now, so he slowly continued onward with stealthy steps.
Even the hum of an insect or the sight of a not yet empty bottle of alcohol would cause him to freak out as he searched.
About five minutes after his encounter with Elsa, he finally reached a rundown shack.
"This should be it according to my information… But does a human really live here?"
Subaru tilted his head as he stood in front of a wooden board that seemed to be the door.
The shack before him was around the size of two of those porta potties one would see around construction sites and the like. It felt like someone was actually putting the saying, 'half a tatami mat to stand, one tatami mat to sleep' into practice.
"This is definitely what you call a place to sleep, so I guess that's about right."
Even so, the idea of such a small girl living in a place like this caused him to feel some pity. He felt like he could forgive her, that her ambition and greed couldn't be helped.
"She's curling up her already small body and living in a place like this. Guess it couldn't be helped that her personality would turn out so warped. Aah, it just couldn't be helped, poor thing. Aah, how pitiful."
"You're going way too far, it's disgusting. I can't believe you're looking around someone else's bedroom like that."
As he was entering his sympathetic mode, a voice from behind him caused him to turn around.
Before his eyes was a small blonde girl glaring at him with disgust―Felt.
She didn't look particularly different from their previous meetings. That her slightly dirty clothes were now dirtier than usual was probably a sign that the chase was much more intense this time.
"What's with that increasingly pitying expression? You looking down on me just 'cause I'm a girl and a little bit filthy?"
"It's a different sentiment, but… Most of all, I'm glad we could meet."
She made no attempt to hide her displeasure, and Subaru instinctively dropped his shoulders in relief.
He was truly happy that he was able to find the girl he was looking for. He was worried about what might have happened after his near miss with Elsa, but looked like things were alright after all.
In response to his murmur, she snorted, "What, a customer?"
She stared at him, still cautious,
"Since you came all the way here, I assume you have some business with me? … Judging by your look, you're not from around here."
"Oh. To see that I'm not one of you, you've got good eyes."
"Even the guys around here are a little more careful about their appearance. That level of filth is just unnatural. In truth, you're even dirtier than us right now."
As usual, she always had a comeback―Made him want to retract his earlier sympathy.
Felt ignored his inner feelings even as his veins popped, and stepped back, "Well?"
"What do you want? If you want something stolen, I'll need payment in advance. Depending on the target, I might ask for more after the fact."
"Commissioned thefts… This sure is a greedy business you're running. Are you proud of your sticky fingers?"
"It's how I stay alive. If it weren't for this, I'd have to sell my body. So, what'll it be? Or do you perhaps have some other business? Depending on what it is…"
Felt rapidly moved her fingers to show off her dexterity.
Suddenly, a small knife appeared in her hand as if by magic. Probably a warning that depending on why he was here, she would use it to defend herself.
Speaking practically, if he ended up fighting her now he would have no chance of winning. She would just disappear from his sight with that speed of hers, and before he knew it he would complete the 'Stabbed to death in a back alley: BAD END 2' route.
"What I want is just one thing.― I want to purchase the insignia you stole right here and right now"