Subaru realizes the strength of his ultra-bad luck as he drops onto the ground.
Not getting discovered would be the best that could happen, but getting discovered by an acquaintance is a godsend. Better yet, he met the two who found him just yesterday. Claiming that their chance encounter happened solely for Subaru to survive infiltrating the castle is no exaggeration.
"Then, out of consideration to the wheel of destiny, I come in peace—" Already kneeling, he takes the opportunity to bend down and make "八" on the ground with both of his hands while slamming his forehead against the floor. He performs the triple, time-honored, combo passed down from Imperial Japan that advocates defenselessness, awkwardness, and incompetence in order to evoke unconditional pity from any opponent, the DOGEZA!
The response Subaru chose in response to the developing situation once his brain caught up to everything happening is his easiest to understand and most earnest apology he can muster. His other options for breaking through his predicament were either shake his body and dance like a madman or serve murky green tea. He immediately rejected both of them upon having a vision of how they'd develop. His current selection that depends on the kindness of his opponent's heart has the highest survival rate.
"— — —"
The silence Subaru's dogeza receives fills him with a sense of oppression. Unable to withstand the pressure any longer, he looks up. The sole of a small shoe blankets his vision—
"How dull."
"Kafugaa!"1
Subaru's face gets kicked in. He doesn't have any time to think as his head gets sent flying back against the closet door. Then, before the pain fades or the tears blurring his vision clears, he's trampled by the same foot.
The young lady who owns the shoe begins to kick Subaru who's rendered immobile by shock. "Sneaking in to the royal castle with that level of resolution… How foolish. I won't stand listening to such an apology! If you're going to apologize, then don't do it!" She ridicules him with scorn and distain while drilling her heel into his cheek.
Subaru groans from the sharp pain. The moment he tries to brush away her foot, a large sword is silently drawn and pointed against his throat. "Don't move, you idiot. Hime-san is granting you the favor punishing you herself. Or would you prefer me, instead? My hands are clumsy, so it might hurt."
Subaru gulps at the one-armed man's mumbled warning. According to his knowledge, that thick sword which is as wide as his body is called the [Blue Dragon Sword]. It's a heavy weapon, and the man wields it without any effort. An amateur like him wouldn't stand a chance in crossing blades with such an expert.
With Subaru's voice caught in his throat as he's restrained by unperceivable skill, the young lady looks towards her attendant while keeping her foot planted against Subaru's face. "Hey, Al, don't place such a dangerous thing next to your mistress's foot. The world would suffer a devastating loss if my flawless skin were to be scratched."
"Don't worry, Hime-san. It's my dogma not to do that which I shouldn't. After all, Hime-san is my benefactor. Feel free to ride your reinforced mud boat as much as you want."
Subaru judges that his best course of action during this tight roped, master-servant, exchange unfolding before his eyes is to remain still. Truthfully, watching how the exchange unfolds wouldn't be bad, but he won't miss his chance when it shows— "A mud ship sounds like it would sink… Get something bigger…." Subaru feels that he's risking his life by squeezing out those words.
The orange haired, young lady turns her head towards Subaru. Instead of punishing his interruption with a kick, she closes an eye. "Talking to me without my permission takes a lot of nerve. Wait until I give you my attention. Well, if you don't value your life—"
"Wait, time out, Hime-san! This guy's just a brat!" Al stops his master from announcing her cruel decree while leaning towards Subaru to ask him a question. Despite his disrespectful interrupting of the young lady's temper, he looks at Subaru. His jet black helmet hides his eyes, making this impossible for Subaru to discover.
Al says, "Yesterday, there was something I noticed… Hey, brat."
Subaru, still having his face stepped on by the young lady, looks up at Al with half closed eyes. Judging from Al's attitude, he decides that his plan didn't fail. While his and Al's eyes are locked with each other's, he takes a breath and waits.
Al says, "When the wind blows—"
"…? Ba- barrel makers get rich?"
"If you talk about next year,"
"Demons will laugh…!"
"Fortune comes in,"
"—through a merry gate!" Subaru looks up at Al's face as he finishes the sentence. The jet black helmet makes reading his expression impossible, but the way he tilts his head and shrugs his shoulder says enough.
Al says, "Yep, just like I though. He's got me!"
"Hold it, you bastard! Don't go getting convinced all on your own! Explain this to me. What's the significance of that exchange just now?" Unable to stand Al's attitude, the young lady looks down at Subaru.
Al says, "My mistress isn't generous enough to allow others to ridicule her after they've piled disrespect on top of disrespect against her. So, be careful with how you respond. What does our interaction mean?"
Subaru responds in a low tone similar to Al's. "—If I'm being forced to talk, then it's something like mutually confirming our native country."
The young lady's eyebrows knit towards each other as she grasps the meaning within Subaru's words. "Saying something like that…" She narrows her eyes and says, "The same country, Al?"
Al once more shrugs his shoulders as he confirms his master's inquiry. "Probably." He then sheathes his Blue Dragon Sword and once more looks over Subaru. "The things I want to ask you keep growing higher and higher. How did you get here?"
Subaru says, "….If this is a cross examination, then I'd love to have some katsudon."
A sound that Subaru judges to be laughter escapes Al as he says, "I'd prefer an unadon, but I haven't been able to fine either of those here." He then holds out an open hand which Subaru accepts.
Subaru's mental state at receiving that surprising revelation after having just escaped death leads him to say, "I really just can't figure life out."
–Gasp, this place doesn't have a Cute Star–
"Amnesia?" Subaru, having earned the right to continue living, mutters in a shocked tone as he gets up from the changing room floor.
Al scratches the exposed nape between his jet-black helmet and light clothing as he nods. "It's the so called missing memory episode. Things like common knowledge and the names of this and that are missing, but only when they're related to me. Clichéd, right?"
Subaru makes a bitter smile as he says, "You mean like that strange feeling that comes from continuously using katakana when referring to another person…. Looks like I've also been dyed by this fantasy world." Saying that out loud once again lets him confirm his feelings— "There's no doubt you've been summoned to another world, just like me."
"Yep, that also matches with my general knowledge."
Subaru guesses that Al's laughing from the way his shoulders tremble. His attitude has softened a great deal compared to earlier. It's back to like when they met yesterday. No, he's even friendlier now.
A good reason exists for the shift in attitude.Subaru isn't a stranger anymore. He's someone who can emphasize with him.
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Subaru says, "I never really thought about it, but if I'm here, then there shouldn't be anything strange about there being other summoned humans here. Al-san, do you know any others?"
"Don't add something as annoying as "san" to my name, brother. Just call me, Al. We're from the same country, after all." Al's voice comes out muffled so he lowers his head to adjust his helmet. He adds, "Sorry, but I haven't met any others. You're my first fellow countryman I've met. Honestly, I was afraid I had gone insane."
Subaru's eyes pop open from surprise as he says, "Seriously?"
"I have memory of another world, but no memory of myself in that world. I couldn't help but wonder if it was a delusion created by my own ego. I thought for sure that I had lost it due to extreme isolation. But now—" Al's melancholic tone dissipates as he reaches the second half of what he has to say. He clasps Subaru's shoulder and adds, "I've found a brother! You saved me. My memories are the real thing. I'm not insane. You've saved me— That's right! From all of that!"
Subaru understands the relief mixing into Al's voice once he thinks about the weight of loneliness the man must have suffered day in and day out.
Memories can't be share with others. Even though they're in the same circumstances, Subaru's memories allowed him to keep a sense of self. That allows the ego known as Natsuki Subaru to exist in two worlds. Al, however, lacks the foundation needed to establish a sense of self. He's in an unknown world with memories of a world he isn't even sure exists. He's been drowning in an ocean of memories no one can understand.
The weight of Subaru's thoughts make him tremble as he asks a question. It's something he hasn't thought much of, but now that he is, he can't not voice it. "How long have you been in this world?"
Subaru himself has only spent 20 days of real time in this world. He's still an amateur when it comes to being in another world. With the memories of his world clear in his mind, everything he experiences in this current world is fresh to him.
Al maintains a brief period of silence at the question. "I'm not too sure how long I've been in this world, but I'm pretty sure it's been at least 18 years."
Subaru's words get caught in his throat at the unexpected number. "Eight….!?"
Al nods at Subaru's surprise. "I don't really know how old I was when I was summoned… but I'm pretty sure I'll be 40 soon. Was it the same for you?"
Subaru covers his mouth as he stares at Al. Once more feeling the weight of his own words, he becomes grateful for the carefree life he was given. There's still various things he'd like to ask, but fears that doing so might dig up painful memories for Al.
A third voice interrupts Subaru's sentiments. "Well?" He turns his head towards the young lady. With her back to the changing room wall, she crosses her arms. The fingers within her arms twitch from irritation as she says, "If Al's going so far as to interrupt his mistress, then his decision better yield some fruit."
"There isn't anything else I really want, Hime-san. There's still a lot I don't know, but…. At least now I know that my delusion wasn't a delusion."
"You bastard, hearing you say that with such a refreshed tone makes it hard to argue back. –More than that, isn't this your problem?" The young lady pushes Al aside with her hand to stand in front of Subaru.
Subaru is overwhelmed by a level of intimidation not proportional to the young lady's small size. It's the same sense of oppression he felt when they met the other day. It makes him aware of how deep the gap between them runs.
She says, "You're the same type of bastard as Al, claiming to have crossed the Great Cascade in the north."
"The Great Cascade?"
"The end of the end of the world. The abominable demise. The torrent that washes everything from this world away— the Great Cascade. It's said that nothing exists beyond it." She raises Subaru's head by placing a finger underneath his chin and says, "Every once in a while, people claiming to have crossed the Great Cascade will appear, but almost all of them are nothing more than despicable braggarts…. Al's one of the few exceptions."
"I'm curious about the grounds of that judgment…"
"Intuition." Subaru's weak counterattack is cut down with a word. With Subaru falling quiet, the young lady turns back to Al. "Your mistress only needs one fool to do away with her boredom. That is my decision. Any objections?"
"Yeah, that's great, Hime-san. Besides, in all honesty, there is no doubt that my future is with you. That's why, if you show me some kindness, I'll be overcome by happiness and embarrassment."
"Do you mean to command your mistress?"
"Not a chance, I'm begging for compassion from my super beautiful, super successful, super clever, super fantastic, super graceful hime-sama for I shall never do anything to displease you."
The young lady accepts Al's mirthful praise in silence and without expression. She looks back at Subaru with the same cool stare to find him waiting with a bored expression. She continues holding his chin with her finger and prepares to say something terrible.
Even though Al made Subaru into an ally on an emotional level, Subaru is already familiar with the young lady's true essence thanks to their short exchange the other day. He doesn't know if he can hurt her, but he can at the very least defend himself with a sword and magic. –I should at least be able to get one good punch in by starting with [Shamak].
While Subaru entertains such a malicious thought, she says, "Well, that's fine." The phrase, coming from the young lady who was bored not too long ago, evokes needless anxiety.
The young lady retracts her finger from Subaru's chin and pulls a folding fan out of her bosom. Then, while fanning herself, she walks across the room as she says, "I've never really been interested in plotting my next move, and risking my neck to acquire a useless servant is just as ridiculous. That's all just wasted time and effort."
Subaru says, "In other words… you haven't done anything wrong?"
Al speaks with a bitter tone. "No matter how extreme the circumstance, they are always convenient for her, brother." The words crush Subaru like a steel stake being stabbing into his weak point. Al then calls out to his master who's leaving the room. "He~y, Hime-san, I'll gladly fulfil your request, but are you really sure about this? This situation really isn't something we can just ignore."
Although Subaru literally just escaped death, his actions have crossed a line that cannot be overlooked. Al doesn't appear to have any intention of just letting it slide.
"In that case—" The young lady stops walking and looks back by turning her head. "That dullard can serve me. –I'll be taking you with me. If you try to escape, then don't be surprised to lose your head."
"Great… Wait, is that alright, Hime-san? We have to get going after this…"
"Shut up! Al, you should know by now that doubting my decisions is ridiculous. Everything that happens in this world is to my convenience. Therefore, I never err. Since taking that buffoon with us is what the world wants, it is to my benefit."
"Hearing your self-confirmation is all I needed. I'm convinced." Al turns to Subaru and gives his shoulder a light push. "You're our prisoner from here on, brother. Don't try to run away. I don't want to do so, but I'll cut off your head if I have to."
"What happened to being from the same country?"
"If I'm to weigh my duty against my sense of humanity, my duty is what fills my stomach and keeps me alive."
Al's words allow Subaru to experience the fleeting illusion of hope as he's forced along by being probed in the back. Trapped between Al and the young lady, he has no choice but to go along with the situation he's being swept into. "Hold on, I realize I'm the one in the wrong, but…. Is my situation getting better or worse?"
Al says, "If you find yourself without the mistress, your head will be flying off your neck. This isn't really something I'd call an improvement, but make sure to give my master your gratitude."
"I was spared, even though you guys spared me… this is still weird. Aren't you going to ask why I'm here? Even if I say so myself, I'm super suspicious scum!"
Even though Subaru wants to explain his reason for being there, broaching the subject himself is embarrassing. But until he gets it off his chest, he's going be crushed by the vague anxiety of not being asked. It's a weakness of being thin skinned.
The young lady snorts upon reading through Subaru's superficial thoughts. She says, "That's a rough guess of why you want to confess, which is why I don't need to hear it. This in itself gives me joy… Oh, and that!"
The young lady stops and turns around. Subaru makes a sudden brake as her orange hair cross before his face. While wearing an enchanting smile, she thrusts a finger at Subaru's face. "Ringa."
"Huh?"
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"The ringa from yesterday weren't bad. Feel free to think that that is why a bastard like you didn't instantly lose his head." Spouting that reason on the spot, the young lady turns around and continues walking ahead without looking back.
Subaru mulls over her words upon seeing her back. Then, while muttering to himself, he begins to walk forward. "In other words, my life was saved by the uncle at the fruit stand…."
Even sneaking into the castle was thanks to Kadomon. His participation rate for kingdom events has an abnormally high value. With those boring thoughts, Subaru once more realizes that his life was spared.
–★ Cute ★ Star ★ Invasion ★–
Subaru looks around while saying, "Hey, are you sure? Is this alright? Aren't I really out of place here?"
The three of them form a line with Al in front of Subaru. Al looks back over his shoulder to say, "Whether you stick out or not, you're the one who trespassed to get here in the first place. Regardless, Hime-san has given her consent and I don't mind either… Look, just relax. Right now, you're under her protection."
Subaru corrects his posture by mimicking Al. He then stares at their line's head.
The young lady leads them to the upper floor of the royal castle. She walks through the passage to the central tower with everyone watching her. Her haughty attitude, however, is counteracted by her luxurious dress and refined beauty.
Subaru's gaze is drawn to the armed guards lining the passage. Seeing their swords makes his heart race as he walks forward. His original intention was to sneak into the castle, so why is he walking before such a crowd of onlookers? Worse, Al can send his head flying with a casual swing of his arm at any given notice. Should he really be in such a situation?
He wishes the passage would hurry up and end. Feeling a whirlpool of pressure coming from the silent stares of the soldiers, he quickens his pace to catch up to the young lady's back. No, he reaches an area where people are interacting with one another. It's the end of the passage.
Subaru says, "Past all the guards is a huge door…" The double sided door is so large, he's force to look up to see all of it. The door's nature allows him to imagine the magnificence of the chamber inside.
He's on an upper floor of the central tower within the royal castle of the royal capital and is surrounded by guards lining the passageway— For some time now, a bad premonition has been clutching Subaru's heart and refusing to let go.
In front of the glum Subaru, the young lady speaks to a giant.
The armed giant removes his helmet and gives the young lady what appears to be an inquiring gaze. He appears to be 30 years old. If Subaru had to judge, then the giant's face, which looks like it's been chiseled out of a rock, is more of the tough and rugged type than the grim or stern. Wrapped around him like an aura is the years of experiences he's accumulated through his long service.
The giant bows his head and despite his grim expression, speaks in a respectful tone, "I've been expecting you, Priscilla-sama."
The young lady disregards proper etiquette and nods. She then gestures to the two behind her and says, "They're with me. One of them is my knight, the other… is a ringa clerk."
"Hol…" Subaru shuts his mouth. Even though he wants to object for a better title, his situation doesn't allow him.
The knight's expression remains as unchanging as stone despite the hundreds of expressions flashing across Subaru's face. Not once do his eyes shift away from the young lady. "—A ringa clerk?"
"Correct, he's my ringa clerk. This pitiful jester is tasked with bringing me red, bittersweet ringas. Don't pay him any mind. He's completely harmless."
"I must first inquire with Mycroft-sama. Other than that, the floor…"
"Anything I do, no matter the place, the world always decides in my favor. This is inexcusable. We're going, Marcos!"
The young lady's arrogant complaint appears to be a common occurrence as the knight doesn't raise any objections. He evaluates Subaru with his blue eyes when— The eyes turn clear and glitter as they begin to spin.
Subaru isn't making a metaphor for himself. That's the reality unfolding before him.
The knight taps his eyes and says, "I didn't detect any dangerous magic or hidden weapons. Knight-dono, will you be bringing your great sword?"
"…..Oh, you mean me? That's right, that's right, yes, yes! If this black haired guy does anything suspicious, I'll cut him in two with my own hand."
"If such a situation were to occur, please assist us in protecting lord Priscilla-sama. Otherwise, leave such a judgement to us, the royal guards."
Al replies with an exaggerated, but vague, "Sure, sure."
From there, Marcos orders for the large doors to be opened. "Please hurry, everyone else is already waiting."
The young lady steps inside while saying, "The commoners await my magnificence. The reverse would absolutely be unforgiveable." Al follows behind her without putting up any pretense.
Subaru enters while thinking about the events that just transpired.
—A majestic red carpet covers a vast room.
Luxurious daylight shines through the ceiling and onto the dazzling ornaments placed along the walls. Even though the room is as big as a gymnasium, very little is placed inside. Although, such is justified once the purpose of the room is taken into account.
The center of the room is different. The floor there is elevated by the height of a few steps. In the center of it rests a chair. A dragon is carved into the wall behind it. Anyone who sits on that chair will appear to have the dragon's protection.
There is no mistaking that this is the royal castle throne room. That makes that chair the throne of Lugnica. Subaru, his eyes drawn to the throne, is overcome with fear upon understanding its significance.
Unlike the passage leading up to here, there are no sword wielding guards. There are a few shadowy figures in the room, but they're so few, they can be counted on the digits of a single hand.
While Subaru is having those thoughts—,
"—Subaru?" A silver haired girl is surprised to see Subaru walk through the door and enter the throne room. Her bluish-purple eyes tremble as she's overcome by a torrent of confusion and bewilderment. In an attempt to deny Subaru's sudden appearance, she shuts her eyes and opens them.
Her shock makes Subaru's heart aches so much it makes a loud roar. He's been overcome by a strange, pressuring, sense of oppression ever since he snuck into the royal castle. He's managed to force it down one way or another up till now, but seeing her awakens it back into action.
Subaru shuts his eyes while hitting himself on the head. Then, as he sticks out his tongue, says, "My bad, but I'm here."
A heavy pressure fills the throne room as silence befalls everyone.
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