※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
"Hah?"
The atmosphere before him seemed to be warping, and he got the feeling that the room was somehow getting darker.
Furthermore, the temperature that was already low from all that ice magic had now dropped even further, causing Subaru to clutch his shoulders as he shivered.
And then,
"Eh, huh, hey."
"Excuse me… Lend me your shoulder for a bit."
Subaru was in a panic as he supported the silver-haired girl who was now leaning on him.
Her delicate body felt terribly hot, and Subaru felt his heart race for a different reason than it had been until now. But those feelings vanished in an instant when he saw her expression.
Her breathing was rapid and shallow and she seemed to be suffering, as though she had a high fever.
"What's wrong, did you suddenly feel unwell…"
"That's not it. My mana… You understand, right?"
―I don't understand at all.
He wanted to cross his arms and announce this, but this wasn't the time.
The main factor sealing his lips was not the weight on his shoulder, but the change in the room's atmosphere―And who stood at the source of it.
In the center of the room, Reinhard held the two handed sword in a low stance.
No, he had been holding it since the battle started. But even so, Subaru felt that it was appropriate to say that he was now holding it for the first time.
―Right, the 'Sword Saint' Reinhard had just now readied his sword.
"The bowel hunter, Elsa Granhiert."
"―From the line of sword saints, Reinhard Van Astrea."
His sword's overwhelming aura enveloped the room, and their fighting spirit made the atmosphere tremble.
Elsa introduced herself with a lick of her lips, and Reinhard responded with a dignified nod.
In this place that had almost been turned into a ruin, the assassin dressed in black and the lightly dressed hero faced each other, the metal that would clash was on one side a knife drenched in blood, and on the other a rusty old two handed sword ― Even so, Subaru gulped.
Having introduced themselves to one another, the two would now face each other one on one.
The brilliance of this scene was such that it truly appeared like a verse straight out of some epic.
"―!"
There was a breathless scream, was it Elsa, Reinhard, or Subaru himself as one would expect? It was unclear.
But the result was clear to all three of them.
A brilliant light tore through the loot house that had lost its roof, and split space itself in two.
It looked as if the world itself was misaligned, that extreme light dyed the room white in an instant, but the world suddenly changed when the light faded.
The misaligned space started to return to normal, and the aftershock of this power so great it even warped the atmosphere was now rampaging through the room as wind.
The surging wind enveloped the loot, the furniture, and the scrap wood and violently tossed them about, and Subaru desperately held on to Not-Satella and Rom to protect them from this disastrous collateral damage.
"Nuwaaah!! What the heeeelll?!"
He didn't understand the blast wave, but he did know what caused it.
With all his might, he had swung his sword but a single time―That was all, and it led to this.
Raising his voice, he endured the wind and the pain. Finally, the storm faded, and the sounds of the loot and wood that were being flung about falling to the ground in addition to the dull sound of the building creaking announced that it was over.
Tossing aside a hanging scroll-like bit of wreckage that had fallen on his head, Subaru confirmed the safety of the two he had given his all to protect. It seemed Subaru's cover wasn't quite enough, it looked like Rom had some milk or something splashed on him, but he'd cut himself some slack for that much.
"What do you mean hunting monsters is your specialty, you're quite the monster yourself!"
"Even I get hurt by words like those, Subaru."
The source of this destruction, Reinhard, turned around and said this with a faint smile.
His seemingly blazing red hair had been ruffled by the storm, and even his nonchalant face had some sweat on it. As for the two handed sword he was holding―
"I pushed you too far. Rest easy."
It crumbled in his hand, its poor craftsmanship could not withstand Reinhard's attack.
An attack so powerful as to destroy a steel blade, and Elsa who took it head on,
"There isn't even a piece of meat left… Maybe it's actually a good thing that she completely disappeared like that."
In the aftermath of the slash that seemed to split the world itself, there truly was nothing left.
The destruction had blown away the counter near the entrance along with the seats, and the shockwave even reached the clearing in front of the building. The violent winds caused much of the building to crumble, and even now it looked like the whole thing could collapse.
Naturally, the spot where Elsa had been standing was also within range of his slash. Her tall figure dressed in black was nowhere to be seen, and he couldn't even begin to comment on Reinhard's overwhelming power.
"But with this…"
Stretching his body that was stiff with tension, Subaru heaved a big sigh.
And as if to confirm the reality that he just couldn't accept, he thought of the person next to him.
The silver-haired girl leaning on his shoulder―Though her breaths were still shallow, her amethyst eyes met Subaru's gaze when she noticed he was looking at her.
"Is it over?"
"Yeah, just barely, in the true sense of the term."
Answering the question she weakly asked, Subaru supported her as she stood up. In doing so, Rom's head that was in her lap ended up falling to the ground, but that didn't really matter.
Having stood up, she fixed her hair and separated from Subaru, though her legs didn't seem very steady just yet.
Now that Not-Satella had left his side, Subaru stared closely at her.
"Why are you staring at me like that? I think that's reeeally rude."
"You've still got your head, and of course your limbs too."
"… Isn't that obvious? Could you not say such scary things?"
She probably didn't understand what he was feeling.
As she glowered at him with reproachful eyes, he raised his thumb and flashed his teeth,
"That's true isn't it, it's obvious. I've got my limbs too of course, and there's no knife sticking out of my back nor is there a massive hole in my stomach!"
"You speak as though you've actually experienced such things."
He did. Those were some seriously troublesome times.
Because of his uselessness, Not-Satella had lost her life, Rom had lost both his arm and his neck, and Felt had been sliced open, it was truly cruel.
"Speaking of which, Reinhard. I haven't thanked you yet. You seriously saved me. There was that time in the alley too, you must have heard my heart cry out, friend."
"I would be rather proud if I could do that, friend."
Reinhard shrugged his shoulders with a somewhat pained expression, and indicated a certain direction with his jaw.
Following his gesture, Subaru looked in that direction,
"Oh"
The sight of the person standing there caused Subaru to feel his mouth unexpectedly change into a smile.
At the now destroyed entrance to the loot house, in the shadow of a barely standing pillar, was a girl with a snaggletooth and striking blonde hair looking their way timidly.
"She was running around the alleys desperately. She then asked for my help. It was thanks to her that I was able to come here. After that, I just did my duty as a knight."
"A knight's duty, huh. Does that include leveling old buildings?"
"Do you not think you're being rather harsh, Subaru?"
Reinhard touched his chest as if that struck a nerve.
Now that he'd created such a disastrous scene, his unchanging friendliness seemed a little frightening. In other words, Ikemen Maji Ikemen.
"That girl is…"
Not-Satella, with her unsteady footing, also noticed Felt's presence.
Subaru stepped between them as if to keep Felt out of her sight,
"Time out, time out. We'd most likely be dead if she hadn't called Reinhard, you know? So out of consideration for my face, please spare her the ice sculpture punishment."
"I wouldn't be that violent. Also, out of consideration for your face…?"
Not-Satella rubbed her brow in exasperation.
Even that gesture of hers somehow brought Subaru joy.
They were both alive and on somewhat good terms, because of which they could mess around like this. It felt pretty misleading, but this was basically the development Subaru was hoping for.
"The rest depends on my negotiation, huh… That's completely unreliable!"
"What's the matter with you all of a sudden? You're all flustered and it's reeeeally disgraceful."
Her words cut deep, Subaru placed his against his chest just like Reinhard had. But he only ended up looking funny and didn't have the slightest bit of Reinhard's coolness.
Watching their exchange, Reinhard smiled without a hint of malice. He then raised a hand toward Felt who was watching them silently, and started walking over to her.
Watching his gallant figure from behind didn't even inspire envy, Subaru simply dropped his shoulders. So this was the difference between those who had it all and those who had nothing.
Though cautious, Felt seemed to be grateful for his help, she did not try to run away when Reinhard approached her.
Subaru found the sight somewhat charming as he watched them,
"―Subaru!"
When Reinhard suddenly turned to him and shouted, causing him to realize they weren't out of the woods just yet.
"―!!"
Some wooden wreckage burst open and a black shadow emerged from underneath.
The shadow's black hair danced behind it as it firmly pushed against the ground to accelerate, dripping blood all the while.
Tightly grasping a crushed kukri knife, Elsa wordlessly dashed toward them covered in blood.
"You―!"
The murderer had kept her life by somehow evading that incredible slash, and her eyes were now filled with absolute darkness.
The killing intent she was now releasing was the greatest thus far, and it was like ice down Subaru's back.
She would reach them in mere seconds, in that time Subaru's thoughts raced rapidly.
A crushed knife. An instantaneous exchange. She's probably betting it all on one shot. Reinhard won't make it in time. If I somehow survive just one attack, Reinhard can take it from there. Not-Satella doesn't even have time to turn around. Who's the target? This third time, I'll protect her.
Protectprotectprotectprotectprotectprotectprotectprotectprotectprotectprotectprotectproteeeect!!
"She's aiming for the gut she's aiming for the gut she's aiming for the guuuuuut!!"
He pushed Not-Satella out of the way and immediately raised the club he was still holding to guard his abdomen―Impact.
The force behind the horizontal slash was such that it felt more like a heavy blunt force attack than cutting one.
The impact to his gut swept him off his feet and he felt the world turn upside down as he coughed up blood.
His field of view kept spinning. In truth it was his body that was spinning, having been blown away.
He had no clue how far he had been sent flying and ended up crashing into the wall completely defenseless.
"This kid again―"
Elsa clicked her tongue in frustration as she looked at Subaru whom she had sent flying.
She then turned to Not-Satella who was standing stock still, but,
"That's enough, Elsa!"
Reinhard had returned, and she realized it would be meaningless to continue fighting.
She threw the kukri knife in her hand at Reinhard, though it was completely bent from her final attack against Subaru. It failed to reach him due to his divine protection of arrow avoidance, but,
"Someday, I shall slice open the bellies of everyone in this room. So until then, do take good care of your bowels."
It bought Elsa enough time to leap away atop the wreckage.
It would take too much effort to pursue her now that she was nimbly leaping from rooftop to rooftop. Not wanting to fight anymore, Reinhard intentionally stayed behind, choosing not to chase after her.
After he saw her fade into the distance, he ran over to the silver-haired girl.
"Are you unhurt―"
"That doesn't really matter, does it?! More importantly―"
Worry flashed across Reinhard's handsome face, but she brushed him off and forced her unsteady legs to move toward the wall― Toward Subaru, who had collapsed upside down.
"Hey, are you alright?! That was far too reckless."
"Y-Yeeeah… T-That was nothing. That was exactly the time to act reckless, ya know? I was the only one who could move, and I knew right away where she would strike."
Subaru raised his hand as Satella's worried face drew closer, and then gently rubbed his abdomen where he had been hit. He was terribly bruised, when he rolled his jersey up he saw that everything underneath had turned purple.
'Uegh', he stuck his tongue out at this disgusting sight, he then rolled over and used the momentum to stand up.
"She's really gone this time, right?"
"My apologies, Subaru. This happened because of my negligence. If you weren't there, the outcome would have been much worse. If anything were to happen to her, I…"
"Stop stop stop stop! Don't say another word! I've been acting pretty pompous thus far, if I leave even that part to someone else I won't be rewarded."
Subaru stopped Reinhard's apology, and smiled at him when he fell silent. He then slowly turned to the silver-haired girl looking up at him, and met her gaze.
She stirred slightly, and then stood up. They were about two steps apart, he could touch her if he reached out. It was a long, hard road to get here, thinking back on it caused powerful emotions to well up within him.
When Subaru suddenly closed his eyes and fell silent, she looked like she wanted to say something.
But before she could open her mouth, Subaru thrust his finger into the sky.
With his left hand on his hip and his right hand reaching into the sky, he completely ignored the surprised gazes of those around him and loudly raised his voice.
"My name is Natsuki Subaru! I know there's tons of things you want to say and tons of things you want to ask, but set that aside for now and hear me out!"
"W-What…?"
"Just now, I saved your life by protecting you from that evil blade! Are we okay on that?!"
"O―Kei?"
"Meaning is that clear. So, are we okay on that?!"
Subaru twisted his body into the shapes of O and K, and in response the silver-haired girl responded 'O-Okay' as she twitched.
Subaru nodded enthusiastically, and continued as if pressing her for an answer.
"The one who rescued you, the savior of your life, was me. And the heroine whom I saved was you. So naturally I ought to receive a fitting reward, right? Right?!"
"… I get it. Only if it's something I can do, though."
"Alright then, I have but one wish, just a single one."
Subaru raised a single finger and thrust it before her, emphasizing his words further. He then wriggled his fingers which made her somewhat anxious, after which he cleared his throat and shot her a lecherous smile as she nodded with a grim expression.
"Right, my request―"
"Yeah."
Flashing his teeth and snapping his fingers, he raised his thumb and donned a posed look,
"I want you to tell me your name."
Her eyes widened, her expression was one of astonishment.
The room fell silent for a while, and Subaru started to tremble slightly as he maintained his posed look.
The feeling he'd disregarded earlier came back in the form of extreme embarrassment, but he couldn't lose his nerve before even seeing their reactions, that was the worst cliche in this sort of situation.
So he remained silent, and waited for the girl's response.
He was ready for anything, be it lumps of ice, icicles or even a freezing beam. Ah, he'd rather not deal with the freezing beam.
"Fufu"
As Subaru's thoughts rapidly turned to extreme situations, they were drowned out by the faint sound of someone giggling.
With her hand against her lips and her white cheeks flushed, the girl smiled as her silver hair swayed behind her.
It was not a smile of resignation nor was it a faint fleeting smile, and it certainly wasn't a grim smile prepared for the worst. She simply smiled because she was happy, that was all it was.
"―Emilia."
"Eh…"
In response to the word she said following her laugh, Subaru could only let out a small gasp.
Seeing this reaction, she straightened her posture and smiled impishly with a finger to her lip.
"My name is Emilia. Just Emilia. Thank you, Subaru."
"For saving me.", She said as she offered her hand.
Subaru looked down at her fair hand and timidly touched it. Her fingers were slender, her palm was small, her hand was delicate and terribly warm, a woman's hand with blood flowing through it.
―Thank you for saving me.
She wasn't the only one who wanted to say these words, that went for Subaru as well. She was the one who had saved him first. All this meant was that he was finally able to repay her.
He had been slaughtered thrice before he finally reached this point.
After all that pain, all that sorrow, all those horrible memories, after he fought to the bitter end with his life on the line, his reward was her name and a smile.
Aah, seriously―
"Man, that's not nearly enough."
Saying this, Subaru smiled as well as he firmly returned the girl―Emilia's grip.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
―That would have been a good spot to end things, but,
"At any rate, I'm glad you're alright, Subaru."
He was probably waiting for Subaru to finish his conversation with Emilia.
Having been forcibly silenced, Reinhard now spoke a few words of surprise at Subaru's safety.
Perhaps that meant that even to someone like him, Elsa's final attack must have looked devastating.
Subaru lightly pressed his sore abdomen and then pointed to the club on the floor.
The spiked club served as an excellent shield, just as its thick and study appearance suggested.
That may not have been what it was intended for, but even so.
"It's because I was able to use that to block right away. If it weren't for that, my torso would be split in two right now."
"Right, if it weren't for this―"
He wouldn't have been able to avoid BAD END 4, Subaru smiled casually and Reinhard smiled along with him as he innocently picked the club up,
"Huh?"
In his hand, part of the club slid off due to the smooth cut going through it, producing a dull sound as it hit the ground.
Now that it was split in two, its days of service were over.
Reinhard slowly looked in Subaru's direction with pained eyes.
Following his gaze, Subaru felt an unpleasant premonition as he rolled his jersey up. His torso was completely purple from the bruising just like before, but there was a difference.
―There was a red line going across it.
"Ah, this is bad. Even I can tell what happens next."
The sharp pain arrived first.
The next instant― Subaru's abdomen split along the middle, causing copious amounts of blood to gush out.
"―Hey, Subaru?!"
Subaru could hear Emilia's panicked voice from right beside him.
Aah, I finally heard her real name and now it looks like this could be the end.
―But even so, I'll probably come back here again.
His field of view tilted. Perhaps his body had collapsed.
Reinhard looked panicked as well, and Emilia's well-featured face drew closer as she looked at him with an expression of sorrow.
―Aah, so cute even when she's panicking, a true parallel world fantasy.
With that final impression, similar to a certain other time, the sharp pain and shock swept his consciousness away like surging waves.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
A faint blue light―As he watched the water-like waves administer healing from a distance, Reinhard heaved a sigh so faint no one noticed it.
His handsome profile was rather despondent and his clothing was slightly battle-worn. His figure standing before the wreckage was such that an image of it would be a masterpiece in itself.
However, despite his objective brilliance, from his subjective viewpoint, his inadequacy brought him such chagrin that no amount of words could describe it.
Even now, Emilia was putting her all into healing Subaru. The wound he had received was due to the opening created by Reinhard's conceit.
He had let Subaru sustain an injury that shouldn't have reached him, and placed an unnecessary burden on Emilia.
Furthermore, due to his innate characteristics he would only hinder Emilia if he was by her side.
Watching from afar like this was the best he could do, realizing that some part of him was calmly acting on this judgement increased his guilt even further.
"―Alright, that should be enough."
As Reinhard condemned himself with his eyes closed, a voice like a silver bell reached his ears.
Emilia lightly brushed away his bangs as if wiping his forehead, and confirmed that his face was tinged red. She then stood up with a nod and turned around.
"I've finished his treatment.― Looks like we're past the worst of it."
"That's splendid news. Now, Emilia-sama…"
Reinhard briskly walked over to Emilia who seemed satisfied, and dropped to his knee and lowered his head. Not a single one of his movements were lacking, his etiquette was flawless.
"Due to my inadequacy, I have caused you a great deal of anxiety. I shall accept any punishment for this failure."
He placed his sword before his knee as he apologized for his failings.
To a knight, this was the highest form of apology. Reinhard was prepared to accept any order or punishment she may give him.
However, in response to his apology, Emilia,
"You know, I don't really understand why you people are like that."
"Huh?"
"You came to save us from danger, and somehow settled things without anyone dying. Despite this, you're now trying to take responsibility for all the pain and suffering that occurred in the process."
Waved her finger and pouted, a little displeased.
She then suddenly turned her finger toward Subaru who was sound asleep,
"That kid's a lot more straightforward. He saved my life, and thus demanded a reward. Although he really didn't ask for very much."
Reinhard too had seen Subaru try to act cool as he asked for her name. As Emilia smiled thinking back on it, Reinhard's lips ended up forming a smile as well.
'So,', Emilia suddenly narrowed her amethyst eyes at Reinhard,
"Thank you for helping us. ―That's all I have to say to you. As far as I'm concerned you haven't done anything wrong, so there shall be no punishment. If you can't accept that, then do your best from next time onward."
"―Understood. I am thankful for your kind words."
After lowering his head even further to show his respect, Reinhard stood up.
Now that the two were facing each other, Reinhard ended up looking down at her since he was much taller. Even so, what was that majesty he had just felt from her?
It was probably the difference in their caliber, Reinhard guessed, aware of his narrow-mindedness.
On the other hand, this only reaffirmed the fact that Emilia too was one of the 'Chosen'.
"By the way, you're dressed rather lightly today…"
Emilia murmured as if she just realized this as she watched his silent form.
Her eyes were on his clothes―Since he was off-duty today, he wore dark clothes suited to a stroll around the capital. He understood that the fact that he didn't look very much like a knight must have been strange to her.
"Today is one of my rare days off, so I wasn't wearing my imperial uniform. My armor is presently in the castle, so for today my sword is the only knightly object I have on me."
He placed his sword back at his hip, its conspicuous claw marks catching Emilia's eye.
She then blinked, seeming somewhat surprised,
"How come you got wrapped up in this on your day off?"
"That's a little complicated, but… It was thanks to Subaru over there."
It was his encounter with the boy who was presently unconscious that led him here.
If he were to explain things in order, he would have to start with the alley where he first met Subaru and spoke with him.
Back then, Subaru had revealed to Reinhard that he was looking for a silver-haired girl in a white robe. Reinhard knew of only one person who fit that description.
Subaru wished to meet her. While in the process of investigating him, Reinhard ended up coming to the slums,
"I met her along the way, and then arrived here."
"Right, that girl."
Now that she had been brought up, Emilia's eyes turned to a corner of the clearing―To the girl who was tending to the still unconscious old man.
Feeling her gaze, the blonde girl turned around and then lowered her eyes awkwardly.
"Emilia-sama, she…"
"Reinhard. You've been a great help. I'm grateful that you saved us. But I have one more request, don't interfere any further."
In response to her firm words, Reinhard gave up on saying anything further.
Taking his silence as a yes, Emilia walked toward the blonde girl. The girl also turned to face her, as if prepared for the worst.
"Is that old man your family?"
Emilia leaned over to meet the crouching girl's gaze as she asked this.
The girl was dumbfounded by this question. That was probably because this was entirely different from the sort of words she was expecting to hear.
Even Reinhard who did not know their circumstances could tell that their relationship was not a friendly one.
The girl who seemed to have the wind taken out of her sails scratched her cheek as she tried to compose herself, and repeatedly tapped the unconscious old man's head as if to hide her embarrassment.
"S-Something like that. To me, old man Rom is my only… Yeah, something like a grandpa I guess."
"I see. I've only got one family member too. He's always asleep when it matters, I could never say that sort of thing while he's awake, though."
"Yeah, I couldn't say this sort of thing if Rom was awake either."
It seemed like her blows to Rom's head were becoming more than just taps. This was probably unintentional. Her pace increased as well, and his round white head started turning red.
She then looked up at Emilia with a frail light in her red eyes,
"I thought you'd be way harsher."
"I suppose you would. Perhaps I would have if things were the way they were before, but it seems I don't feel like it now. So I'll let it go out of consideration for that kid's face, just a little, though."
Emilia shrugged her shoulders with a wry smile like it just couldn't be helped.
When she did this and pointed Subaru out, the blonde girl lowered her face for a bit, and then quietly mouthed an apology, "I'm sorry",
"You saved my life. I can't act ungrateful. I'll return what I stole."
Saying this, she stood up and directed her gaze toward the alley.
She then addressed Emilia, "Listen,"
"When I came back, I wasn't sure you guys were even alive… So I hid it elsewhere, is it fine if I go to retrieve it?"
"I see you're rather cautious… I don't dislike it, though. I'll wait here."
"… Are you sure? I might be making stuff up to run away, you know?"
"Running is fine, but you'll have that coming after you, you know?"
Reinhard, or 'that', as Emilia referred to him, straightened his posture.
It was a mystery what the blonde girl felt when she saw him do this, 'Uee', she let out a sound showing deep displeasure and then dashed into the alley saying she'd be right back.
"Once she comes back and returns everything… We'll finally be able to go back, huh."
"I won't ask for details, but do be careful. ― I shall have a squad join you, please allow them to accompany you on your way home."
"Going that far is… Even if I say that, I suppose it hardly makes a difference considering how much trouble I've already put you through. Very well."
Having received her consent, Reinhard responded, "Understood." He then followed her gaze to Subaru who was sleeping peacefully. "Well then,"
"What is your relationship with him―with Subaru?"
"Passing acquaintances."
Reinhard was taken aback by her immediate answer.
Perhaps finding his reaction amusing, Emilia's lips broadened into a smile,
"That's all I can tell you, we really are just passing acquaintances. I don't remember ever meeting him prior. I believe just now should have been our first meeting…"
"However, he was looking for you. He said he wanted to give you something. He was here during all of this, and also…"
'He put his life on the line to protect you', Reinhard hesitated to speak this next part out loud.
It felt like doing so would somehow sully the nobility of his actions. He surely did not do it to receive praise.
Furthermore, Emilia probably understood without having to be told.
She continued from the part Reinhard did not speak out loud,
"That's what's strange about it… Although I do suspect that that pervert might have something to do with this."
"Please refrain from speaking poorly of Lord Roswaal. He is a magnificent person. It is true that he is somewhat eccentric, but…"
"You knew who I was talking about, so it's rather obvious what you think of him."
"… My apologies. Please keep this secret from Lord Roswaal."
Reinhard winked as he apologized, and Emilia ambiguously replied, "Right, right."
After this, Reinhard once again raised the topic of Subaru.
"What shall we do with him? If you wish to leave him to me, my family can take him in as a guest."
"… No, I'll take him with me. I'll be able to find out exactly who he is, and even supposing he isn't connected to that pervert, the fact remains that he saved me."
"Thank you for your concern." She finished, and Reinhard responded with a nod.
With that, their discussion had concluded for the most part. What was left was to assign some subordinates to Emilia and escort her home safely. In the meantime, Reinhard would also have to deal with the aftermath.
Taking a look at the collapsing building, Reinhard closed his eyes at the scale of the damage.
As usual, he cursed his lack of self-control. He had failed to restrain just a bit of his power and this was the result. His power would wipe away the entire region if used carelessly, he had to be cautious.
"What's going to become of this place?"
"We'll forbid entry into the area for a while, and put up some wanted posters for the bowel hunter. Although there's always plenty of shady rumors surrounding her, so there's a good chance it would only be a waste of time."
"And that girl and the old man?"
"… I'm unsure of the circumstances, but considering my duty as a knight I do not believe I can overlook their actions. However,"
He paused and took a breath, and then shrugged slightly.
"It's my day off, and furthermore, if the victim does not file a complaint, it would be difficult to pursue the matter due to a lack of evidence. Haha. Seriously, I don't know the situation, so."
"Fufu, you're a bad knight."
"Sadly, this is the true nature of the man known by such titles as the knight among knights."
As they spoke, Reinhard sensed someone approaching them from the alley. From her gait and breathing, he knew it was that girl without even needing to look.
The snaggletoothed girl showed herself, and looked at them with an embarrassed expression,
"I brought it back like I said I would."
"Great, I'm glad you came back. I'd feel reeeally guilty if I had to set this guy on you."
"The knight among knights, it'd be insane to try to outrun someone like that. This is my first time seeing someone faster than me, that shocked me quite a bit."
Responding to her gaze with a smile, Reinhard took a step back and watched the two.
The girl approached Emilia while fishing around her chest.
"Alright, I'm returning this. ― If it's important to you, conceal it so it doesn't get stolen next time."
"I find it a bit strange to receive that warning from you of all people… If possible, I'd prefer you stopped doing this sort of thing entirely."
"That's impossible. Let me tell you, I only wanted to return this to you because you saved my life. I don't think I've done anything wrong, and I have no intention of stopping."
She bluntly refused Emilia's request and donned a stubborn smile.
Her profile felt rather tragic when one considered her age. Even as he heard her position on the matter, Reinhard silently accepted it.
He knew that this definitely wasn't something he should overlook considering his responsibilities. But how else could they survive? It wouldn't be right to simply speak of justice without even offering an alternative.
Reinhard's thoughts were the result of all he had seen in the capital.
Emilia seemed to feel it as well. She lowered her eyes for one fleeting moment, and then extended her hand without pressing the matter any further,
"I see… You're pretty stubborn, huh."
"I might stop if food just appeared before me without me having to do anything, though. Anyway, here you go."
The object she took out was in the palm of her hand, she was returning what appeared to be the stolen item to Emilia.
For an instant, a red shine flashed by his eyes. That dazzling light felt familiar, and in an instant Reinhard narrowed his eyes and searched his ocean of memories.
He then found a memory that matched,
"―Eh"
"Reinhard…?"
He grabbed her hand which was holding the insignia from the side.
Surprise filled both the girls' eyes. The two of them looked up at Reinhard, and hesitated to say anything further when they saw his serious expression and gaze.
"T-That hurts… Let go…"
Felt weakly shook her head as she resisted.
However, Reinhard's grip on her hand showed no signs of loosening. Reinhard's strength was such that he could even crush steel if he wished. Although he was holding back, it definitely wasn't the sort of grip a dainty girl could shake off.
"What is this…"
A quavering murmur. It had come from Reinhard's mouth.
It was Emilia who responded to his words. Her amethyst eyes seemed shaken,
"Reinhard, wait. I do understand that it won't be easy to let her off just like that. But she didn't know the insignia's true value. And I, the person she stole it from, don't intend to make an issue of it either. ― I was also at fault for letting it get stolen, so. So."
"That's not it, Emilia-sama. That's not what I'm worried about."
The firm tone of his response caused Emilia to fall silent with a perplexed expression.
Even disregarding his rudeness toward her, Reinhard looked at the girl whose arm he was holding. Looking up at the young man whose hair was the same color as her crimson eyes, her eyes wavered with unease.
"… What is your name?"
"Fe-Felt…"
"Your surname? How old are you?"
"I-I'm an orphan, you know? I don't have anything fancy like a surname. My age is… Probably around fifteen, or so I'm told. I don't know my birthday. Hey, let me go!"
The girl returned to her usual self as they spoke, and struggled as she yelled in a coarse tone. However, Reinhard kept her in check with his dexterous control over his strength as he fixed his eyes on Emilia.
"Emilia-sama, I can no longer uphold our agreement. ― I shall take charge of her."
"… May I ask about the reason? If it's about punishment for stealing my insignia…"
"That is certainly no small sin… But compared to the sin of overlooking what's happening in front of me, it is but a trifling matter."
Emilia raised her eyebrow in confusion and incomprehension.
Reinhard deemed her confusion something that couldn't be helped and simply accepted it. After all, this was a sight she was used to. It would probably be cruel to tell her to notice it.
"I would like to take you with me. My apologies, but you do not have the right to refuse."
"Don't screw… Don't get carried away just because you saved…?"
Her foul-mouthed response to his words was interrupted when her body went limp.
Her shoulders mysteriously lost their strength before she could finish, and she resentfully glared at Reinhard to the very end,
"Go to hell… Damn it."
After she hurled this final abuse, her head slumped.
Supporting her unconscious body, Reinhard smoothly carried her under his arm. In response to his practiced movements, Emilia,
"That's not very knightly of you either… If you're too harsh, there will be lasting effects on her gate."
"Fortunately, I've had to deal with this from birth so I understand how to control it. ―Emilia-sama, it seems you may soon receive a summons. Please understand."
He gently took the insignia from the unconscious girl's hand and presented it to Emilia.
The draconic insignia truly appeared to symbolize 'The Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica' itself. The red jewel emitted a faint glow in Reinhard's hand― When it was passed to Emilia, it shone brilliantly as if overjoyed to be reunited with its owner.
"I shall leave Subaru in your hands."
Reinhard bowed to Emilia who wordlessly gazed at him once she accepted the insignia.
As he felt the weight of the light girl in his arms, he suddenly brushed the bangs covering her forehead aside. Her cherubic white features possessed a charm befitting her age now that she was unconscious and thus had no need to brace herself.
If he gave her a change of clothes and got the alleys' grime off her, she would surely shine brightly.
A strong wind blew, causing Reinhard's red bangs to dance.
He looked up at the sky through that gap, it was already dusk and the moon floated in the capital's sky.
The full moon shone a faint bluish white, its beauty was filled with a certain bewitching charm.
"Today might be my final opportunity to calmly gaze upon the moon―"
Reinhard's whisper did not reach anyone but the moon looking down at him.