Re:Circuit (Redux)
Chapter 11: A demon Blade and a Faker of Blades
It has been a week and a half, and to be honest while I was able to walk around, any strenuous activity was beyond me for the time being, so I was given kitchen duty which the voice took over for me while I did shadow training. When the duties were done I was allowed time to rest and practiced magecraft, mostly reinforcement as well as now the ability that I managed to unlock.
Tracing.
It is by far the most deadly one I have seen to use structural analysis to see the history of the blade, emphasize with its construction and read the history of it, elements that helped in the forging of a blade and the skills of the users it had, in other words I could, technically fight like my opponent and even be able to know any habits they had.
It also copied any ability the blade had, basically a walking armory.
THAT IS OP AS HELL! HELLA BROKEN MAN!
That is what I would love to say, but due to my deficient circuits I would not be doing any ROFLMAO CURB STOMP launching of a myriad of magic weapons… at least not yet anyways.
I sighed forlornly.
A man could still dream, no?
Well it made sense, I just started my training and though I had cheat notes in the form of the voice, I still needed to learn how to do it, get into the right mindset and be able to concentrate even during combat, so the projection would not come shoddy.
Also, I was certainly annoyed with the spells that Roswaal had put on me, apparently he had an inkling that I used some sort of unknown magic, but thankfully all my training so far was mental and a bit of physical exercises so my muscles didn't atrophy, Rem and Emilia-tan were a bit worried but I assured them that it was just light exercises and that it was needed so my recovery would be faster, both Roswaal and Ram vouched for that so they left me be, under a compromise, either one of the would keep tabs on me whenever they could, however Puck volunteer to cover for Emilia-tan as for her not to break her oaths.
My exercises were simple, first a few push ups, the curl ups and then practicing with a traced broken that was slightly heavier, I practiced some forms as if I was using Kanshou and Bakuya. Of course my moves were slow, as to familiarize myself with it when I am able to use said ability on my own, or get swords with a size and weight similar to them.
It was one week later when we had a rather unusual guest.
I felt a certain scent in the air, it was like Rem's magical signature scent but much more… refined.
When the carriage stopped a person stopped and someone left, I was unable to see the person well, but that was not the important part.
It was the one acting as the coachman.
And I MEANT acting, when I saw his sword I saw its history… and got a very strong headache for the trouble.
The sword devil, grandfather of the sword saint Reinhard, Wilhelm van Astrea.
Why was someone so high profile here?
Not only that but he recognized Emili-tan even when wearing that anti-recognition mystic code from Roswaal.
I was worried for the ones inside but with what I managed to gleam on the history of his sword he was a man of honor and would not attack innocent people.
I walked with a bit of a limp as I got closer to him.
"Isn't it boring waiting out in front all this time? Maybe take a breather?"
The old man on the box seat widened his eyes in surprise as Subaru came with some tea. The dragon carriage was still parked by the front gate of the mansion.
"Forgive my rudeness. This is somewhat unexpected, and so, please watch out below again." With that, the aged gentleman leaped down from the box seat. Just as before, his landing was nearly silent. He continued, "I shall do as you suggest. Certainly, my throat has become slightly parched."
"Well, then, here you go. I didn't know what you liked, so I just brought the most expensive tea I could find." and it was true, I even made it perfectly with the instructions from the voice so it was as good as it would get.
The aged gentleman had a mild smile on his face as he accepted the tray. The expression deepened the age-appropriate wrinkles around his mouth, I noticed, studying me intently now that I was close, when…
"Whoa, what the…?"
Suddenly, a light impact from the side took me by surprise. I quickly found the culprit—the land dragon was poking its snout into my shoulder. The jet-black creature regarded me with sharp, reptilian eyes.
Its gaze felt strange, but not uncomfortable. I simply didn't feel any hostility in those gentle eyes.
The gentleman quickly addressed me. "M-my apologies. This land dragon is the finest one in our house, but…"
"Ah, no, don't worry about it. Actually I feel lucky to get so up close and personal." I said as I smiled at the beautiful reptilian.
"I am relieved to hear that. I must say, it is rare for it to react in this manner." After apologizing for the animal's discourtesy, the aged gentleman turned his blue eyes on me as well.
My body tensed, as if I were suddenly at knifepoint. I could feel he was analyzing me.
The gentleman continued. "—If I may ask, are those battle scars?"
"These? Well, a bunch of things happened, but I wouldn't go as far as calling them battle scars…"
"They are from the claws and fangs of beasts. That is why you are favoring your left side, yes?"
"…"
I was surprised the old man could tell exactly what had left the white traces exposed by the rolled-up sleeves of my track jacket. It was true that I had been favoring my left side ever since I had been injured, but it was also due to the overuse of my circuits that messed up my nerves a bit.
"—I am deeply sorry for my repeated offenses. It may not be a question you wish to answer." Apologizing in response to my silence, the aged gentleman took a cup of black tea and brought it to his lips. He commented, "A fine taste. It has a considerable kick to it, I think."
"…Well, I didn't exaggerate. It seriously is the most expensive tea in the mansion. I'll have a pink-haired demon of a maid on my case if I get caught for this…" That was no hyperbole, either. Ram would have quite the lecture waiting for me if she found out I had used the "Do Not Touch" top-class tea without permission.
The aged gentleman kept one eye closed as he appraised me with the other.
"Now then, what do you want from this old fossil after buttering me up with such wonderful tea?"
Faced with the man's calm demeanor and shrewd discernment of his ulterior motive, I could only smile. Thankfully, the voice was there to advise me and said to be upfront with this man, as he was rather old and wise and would discover any ulterior motives.
"Ya got me. My name is Subaru Natsuki. At the moment, I'm an apprentice servant here at Roswaal Manor. I'd at least like to ask what your name is."
I already knew it, but it would be best to start like this.
Acknowledging my status as a novice, I was hoping to get my senior to offer a shred of mercy.
Seeing me meekly bow my head, the aged gentleman relaxed his expression.
"My, that is polite of you. I am called Wilhelm. I currently serve the House of Karsten, and that work has brought me to this place."
"Wilhelm, is it? Thank you very much… I'd be really grateful if you could at least tell me what brings you here… Ah, er, would you like to come inside?"
"I believe that the envoy is speaking about the matter?"
"Well, yeah, but they won't let me in on that. It's no fun to be left out of an event and not advance the story, so I figured I'd approach it my way."
I knew this was not a man to spill secrets about important matters. But gradually growing on people was my specialty… like fungus according to Ram. I wasn't just a delinquent without any talent for reading the mood.
For a brief moment, Wilhelm was at a loss for words at my ambitious behavior.
"You remain level headed at unforeseen developments, and when your motives are exposed, you do not cower but only grow more defiant—Such a personality will assuredly incur displeasure."
"…So you're saying I can't even take a hint? Yeah, I been told that… A LOT" I said with awkward smile
"As I do not know your position within this manor, I cannot carelessly run my mouth. I hope you understand."
Wilhelm's expression sharpened for a brief moment, then softened as he politely brushed off the impudent request. If things continued this way, I would just wind up making Ram angry, but due to my saving her sister she began to be a tiny teeny bit nicer to me.
"I will say, you do seem very close to Lady Emilia. It does not look like you are a mere servant."
"R-r-really? Emilia-tan and I don't look like an odd pair to you?"
"'Tan…'?"
Wilhelm raised an eyebrow at the odd manner of address. Then, he smiled thinly as he realized the nature of my feelings.
"You walk a treacherous path indeed. She may become the next queen of Lugunica one day."
"Right now, we're just a super-cute girl and a dull servant boy. With the infinite future ahead, you never know what'll happen. When you asked your wife to marry you, Wilhelm, did you think she was the loveliest woman in the whole world?"
"My wife—"
My radical assertion made Wilhelm slip for a brief moment. He immediately nodded.
"I see. Certainly, it is just as you say. I think of my wife as the most beautiful in the world. I felt like everyone was staring at her, and I needed to woo her while I could. Pathetic, yes?"
"Not at all, what man doesn't want their beloved to see them at their best? You see? I'm like, if she has to end up with someone, might as well be me, even if I'm 'unworthy.' It might take a lot of persistence, but that's my win-win ideal."
"You certainly act according to some very amusing logic. Fascinating, really. However, in the end I am a mere driver. I do not think I shall be of much service."
"Now THAT is a bold faced lie, you could tell it was Emilia-tan under her hood, I don't think the 'I'm just a driver' excuse works very well here now, does it?." I said with a smirk.
""
My flippant statement wiped the expression from Wilhelm's face and silenced him. "The robe Emilia-tan wears is supposed to stop people from figuring out who she is, an anti-recognition magic was woven into it afterall by Roswaal, who is the court mage. Plus, because of some stuff recently, a hooded mantle was added that makes it even stronger… People can't see who she is unless she wants them to, that or they can break through the magic."
The robe, put together with Roswaal's magic, was an effort to nip trouble in the bud before Emilia's half-elf background could cause it. It was to protect her from the unfair handicap she had to bear, being born in her world.
"—And you realized all that from the beginning. Very cunning."
"I started to learn a little, as one should always be vigilant at even small things, never know when something might be odd and dangerous...'"
The color of Wilhelm's gaze changed as he watched me smile very casually. At the very least, he probably figured I wasn't just a tea fetcher.
"I suppose I cannot call myself a mere driver, then… As you surmised, I am indeed related to the royal selection—or related to someone related, I should say."
"Related to someone related… That's pretty much the position I'm in here."
"You and I are different, I believe, because my reason for involvement is not so romantic."
"Well, of course not, when you're married to the most beautiful woman in the world. I think Emilia-tan would beat her out for cuteness, though."
"No, even in loveliness, my wife has no match."
I had meant to make light of things, but the firm reply left him without a comeback. Wilhelm's cheeks seemed to slacken again as he successfully drove the riposte home.
"However—it would seem we are out of time."
"Ah?" I blurted like a dimwit as Wilhelm silently motioned to the mansion. "That's Rem coming out with… Who is that?"
The familiar blue-haired maid was leaving the mansion with someone unfamiliar. Based on Wilhelm's behavior and their previous conversation, I reasoned this must have been the all-important envoy in question.
"I guess, objectively, this fantasy stuff is extraordinary…"
Perhaps I said that without thinking because the object of his attention didn't look like an "envoy" at all. The visitor noticed my gaze and responded with a teasing smile.
"Hey, it's normal to fall in love with a beautiful person at first sight, but don't you know it's rude to stare?" The speaker was a girl with a lovely face, her flaxen hair cut semi-long. She was tall for a girl, almost the same height as me.
However, her figure was terribly delicate, and her every action terribly feminine—everything just screamed girl at you.
A white ribbon adorned her hair, and the sparkle in her wide eyes gave her the impression of an adorable cat. Indeed, atop her head were…
"Seeing them in person, I have to admit, cat ears do have a certain magic to them."
"Meow, meow?"
As if responding to my murmur, the animal ears, the same color as her hair, quivered. I hadn't had any chances to get up close and personal with a demi-human before. The genuine article was really a sight.—I had never felt such anguish before at keeping my inner fur connoisseur in check.
As I drifted off into the clouds, the girl turned to Wilhelm as he greeted her.
"Hey, Grandpa Wil. Sorry to make you wait outside like that. It was boring, meow?"
"Not at all. This kind individual deigned to engage these old bones in conversation, helping me pass the time pass quite enjoyably."
"Fumyu?"
At the old man's reply, the girl put a finger to her cheek and tilted her head. Her catlike pupils narrowed as she observed me. After a supercilious inspection, she clapped her hands together and announced, "Oh-ho. You're the boy Lady Emilia meowntioned."
It was what she did next that caught me completely off guard.
"Uh, eh, ehh?!"
"Don't move. It's time for a little inspection."
I was dumbstruck as the girl wrapped one arm around my neck, embracing me with her slender body. Since their heights were similar, her face pressed up to the side of mine. The whisper of her voice in my ear made my body tingle all over, and blushed in acute embarrassment. The soft sensation was accompanied by a curiously nice scent. The sudden turn of events froze me solid as I devoted every ounce of willpower to keeping my cool.
"Nom!"
"Hyaa!"
All my efforts crumbled when I felt a single nibble on my ear.
Laughing at my adorable yelp, the girl released him from her embrace with satisfaction. I hastily backed up, tumbling down onto my bottom.
"Tee-hee, what a cute reaction. Anyway… The flow of water mana inside your body really is wild. If only there was time to do something about that, meow."
"Wh-wh-what were you doing?!"
"Checking your body out a little. The bite was complimeowntary."
Her glossy eyes locked on me as she provocatively bit her own pinkie finger. Even knowing that she was teasing me, I was still agitated and couldn't dismiss it as mere humor.
"Oh, don't blush so much. Anymeow, I guess nobody's told you anything, have they?"
"What do you mean? About what?"
"About your body, and the deal, and things like that."
I looked at Rem and then back at them.
"I see, could it be that Emilia-tan and/or Roswaal called for a favor, in order to get someone to heal my wounds faster?" I asked.
"Nyah! Check the brains on this one, got it in one! Oh, what to do? This is an important job, too… Tee-hee."
"Let us leave it at that, Ferris." Wilhelm scolded the girl for her excessive teasing.
She pouted in response. "Thhbt. You're too serious, Grandpa Wil. It's no fun."
"I am grateful to Sir Subaru for the tea, and besides, it is time to be on our way."
Wilhelm bowed as he exchanged what somehow seemed like lighthearted banter with the girl. The girl still had a sour look about her, but she seemed to recover her humor as she winked in my direction.
"Sowwy. You look like you could use some more teasing, but we're meowt of time for today. If we don't get home soon, dear Lady Crusch will be so worried she won't sleep a wink tonight."
"I don't want to ignore that first part, but who's Lady Crusch?" I asked.
"A name you'd better remember—she's the lady who'll rule this country someday."
At the last sentence, her carefree demeanor vanished, replaced by total seriousness. Then she gave him the dumbstruck me a little wave. Wilhelm set his empty teacup back on the tray.
"It was a fine drink. Well then, Sir Subaru, may you be in good health."
Wilhelm agilely leaped back up to the box seat and took hold of the land dragon's reins.
"Well, sorry for no introductions but Ferri's real busy. Later!"
"Hey, wait! There's a mountain of things I still want to ask—"
"You should take all that up with Lady Emilia. If fate permits, we'll meet again at the royal capital. Bye meow!"The girl left me nothing, her smile being the last thing he saw as she entered the dragon carriage. Realizing that my opponent had completely thrown me off balance, I instinctively realized she was a mortal enemy.
As I held back his frustrations, Wilhelm cracked the reins with a brief "Farewell."
The land dragon brayed while the wheels of the heavy carriage creaked into motion. It stomped the ground several times before taking a powerful step, accelerating rapidly the next moment.
Before my eyes, the land dragon burst into a high-speed sprint down the road, kicking up a large cloud of dust as it sped off into the distance.
I was left in abject defeat, had only the scent of the high-priced tea, largely left untouched, to console me. I drank it cause it was good read and brewed by a master! My master, the voice!
Elsewere
"—And did you fulfill your duties as envoy?"
"Well, of course. I would never fail to do anything my Lady Crusch requests of me. Oh, Grandpa Wil, you're such a worrywart!"
Servant and envoy conversed as the land dragon left Roswaal Manor far behind.
Wilhelm sat on the box seat, guiding the land dragon effortlessly. Behind him, the pale-haired girl poked her head out the window of the dragon-drawn carriage.
In one sense, there were few places more suited to a private conversation.
"But I have to say, Grandpa Wil, I didn't expect you to speak to that boy while you waited. You don't like talking to people, do you?"
"That is a most grave misunderstanding."
"Oh, is it now? Sowwy.—It's just that you like slicing people more than talking to them, right?"
"…That is an even worse misunderstanding."
She had only been teasing, but Wilhelm offered no elaboration. The girl pressed her lips together in a pout, displeased with the stony reaction to her provocations.
"You're no fun. What, it was more fun listening to that boy than your dear Ferris? He didn't seem that special, but you like him that much, meow? You think he's actually so strong he's hiding his abilities?"
"He confuses me, he has the look and gait of a swordsman of great ability, yet his eyes switch from a regular man to… something else"
"nyah? What do you mean?"
"It's his eyes."
"—Eyes?"
The girl lowered her head as she inquired. Wilhelm simply raised his gaze, thinking back.
"The lad's eyes interested me ever so. They said he has crossed the boundary of death. Many come close to the line, stop, and draw back, but…" Wilhelm lowered his lids in thought as his words trailed off. "Those are the eyes of one who has crossed once, no…several times, and returned. I know of no such being… not only that but I saw something else"
But the girl blithely dismissed Wilhelm's expression of wonder. "nyah what else did you see?"
This time, Wilhelm answered with a strained smile "I saw the look of a man betrayed by his own ideals… yet continues forward regardless of the pain it brings, someone like that must have a strong will and by so, would be as strong to continue even with the pain, yet this boy… has no sign of combat training yet he was able to sus things as his senses had been sharpened for combat, yet his hands show no calluses that a swordsman would have from training, he has the possibility to become a great knight, so he interests me"
The girl continued, adding, "But if that's true, Grandpa Wil, that boy's won't find an easy path to follow."
The girl narrowed her eyes as she tossed her glossy gaze toward the broad back sitting against the box seat.
"Having the Sword Devil, Wilhelm van Astrea, interested in you is just as unfortunate as the Witch having a thing for you."
Roswaal's Mansion
I walked into the foyer to see Emilia-tan and Roswaal discussing about some stuff, only catching some snippets of it, such as a conference, healing and meetings.
So, from what I managed to get I pieced the information, apparently there was something going on, probably the royal selection I heard about, it will happen in the main city (my original spawn point, so to speak) and thus she was to head there, by logic my healing will also be done there, and the meeting would be in the castle, if I was right.
Roswaal said that we would be going with a week in advance, as he wanted me to at least be able to move normally, his honor as a Magrave did not allow him to let his state's benefactor stay injured like so, as such he would do all in his power to get me back to tip top shape. While gracious to him I could not help but doubt about his intentions being altogether altruistic or just to repay my helping him out.
"He is very goal oriented, dont allow his looks deceive you, nothing good will come following that clown's scripts" the voice said."that being said, be sure to exploit to the maximum his help whenever you can, just remember he will want something later down the road"
I nodded, as I understood what he meant 'I scratch your back you scratch mine' mentality.
Anyways, we went to the capital a whole week earlier than expected, it seems that he managed to get the best healer to treat me.
"It would be nice to see how they use water mana as healing, the type of healing I am used to was actualization of miracles or the enforcing of rejuvenation of cells" the voice said.
In the coach was Emilia-tan, myself and Rem as the driver. I was sitting near the window looking at the beautiful scenery.
I was not aware of what would unfold a week and a half later.
But that is not here or there.
One of my main goals was my healing/therapy, the other goal was to find Felt and or Rom and visit them.
Healing came first as Felt was a bit of a spitfire loli, without a fully healed body I worried that I may die.
I felt the voice nod sageciously, as if he had dealt with mischievous lolis before.
Elsewhere, a blond red eyed spitfire loli sneezed violently.
We arrived at the capital, Rem was quite the coach(wo)man, deftly taking control of the earth dragon and driving it, we arrived at one of Roswaal's residences in the capital.
We, that is Rem and myself were to go to visit this healer at once, and thus I was guided by an overeager Ram, who for some reason looked as if she had a pair of dog ears and a tail that was wagging violently left and right, I rubbed my eyes and said appendages disappeared… was I hallucinating? Still she looked rather cute.
We arrived at a rather large mansion and a familiar scent returned.
"Rem-chan, the healer we are going to see… it wouldn't happen to be…" I said with some dread in my voice.
"Yes, it would be Ferris-san" she said with a chipper smile.
I hung my head in defeat. Well nothing to it.
They were escorted inside. He was glad he saw a familiar face.
Wilhelm-jisan was here and he gladly escorted us
We meet up with Ferris who looked delighted to see me back, I groaned, even the voice did so, as the girl reminded him of… "that is not a girl"
"Yeah I know, that is not how a girl show be"
"No, you do NOT understand, that is NOT a girl, Ferris is in fact a boy… damn girly as hell… reminded me of Astolfo… damn crazy bastard, good guy… but too crazy and hyper, this Ferris reminds me of him"
My mind literally shut down.
has stopped working.
Rebooting…
Once I was back I found myself on a bed… with him doing… I don't know what.
"He has been using water mana to regenerate your gate...but he stopped and was analyzing something… probably your circuits "
Ferris narrowed his eyes and began to mutter something, I felt his prana flowing into me, it began to feel…
"Flush it out now"
Using my od, I flushed his water mana and jumped back with a bit of fright.
"You… what did you just try to pull?" I said as I glared at him
He blinked and tsked "it was just a joke" he said.
"Trying to brainwash me is NOT an idea of a joke, maybe I should tell your master at your behaviour you just have shown, how will your master's image be reflected with your so called joke?" I said with a glare.
He took a step back, "Y-you wouldn't"
I kept staring at him with a deadpan stare.
"Would you?" He asked… as he gave a half step back.
I gave him an evil smile.
40 minutes later
After negotiating for my silence, I had added for him to help me widen my circuits (that I told were grooves for od) it was a most painful procedure as he used his water mana to forcibly expand them as he gave me a piece of old leather to bite down.
It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced, spiritual pain is unlike body pain, even if done carefully you are trying to change something that shouldn't change.
It was an idea I developed during my talks with the voice about the circuits. Also, part of the idea is the gracing of the water mana and use it to reinforce and enhance the circuits output and processing of mana for mysteries, if my circuits could process 10 units each, now I could process 30, of course I could not do it all at once due to them being freshly widened, I would have to slowly build up the pressure and get them used to said output, this also meant that the heating of my circuits would be lessened as it has more space.
Ferris was NOT happy at being blackmailed like that, he cried as he made his displeasure known as he pounded on my chest as he cried like maiden.
"Let's not call it blackmail, it has such negative connotations, let's call it extortion, the EX makes it sound cooler" I said with an evil grin.
The voice just shrugged, the catboy asked for this to happen.
"You are not cute at all" he said with a pout.
The treatment was complete, according to him I SHOULD have taken 4 sessions, but apparently my body healed freakishly fast, as if something was enhancing the healing effects of his magic.
I shrugged as I had no clue on what could be happening, even the voice was as clueless as me.
It seemed like the master of the Mansion was not available as she had other business to attend to, and so me and Rem were escorted back outside by Wilhelm-jisan.
"I do hope that Ferris has not been much trouble to you?" He asked.
"I managed to cut that bud on the nip, much to his disappointment" I said with an awkward chuckle.
"Anyway I wish you safe return to your state, be careful and if it's permitted let us meet someday" he said as he bid us farewell.
I closed and opened my hands and rotated my arms, following by cracking my neck.
I was back in shape, all that pain seemed like a distant memory now, due to having a few days off I would take the time to practice combat maneuvers that I couldn't before.
But that was for tomorrow, today he would be learning to cook a new dish from the voice.
Switching control the voice and Rem went to the market to buy produce and meat to make dinner, I (meaning the voice) went to buy the meat, deciding to make a fish dish, bought the freshest fish we could find, apparently it was salmon.
The voice was going to make a butter pan seared salmon with lime juice and a healthy salad.
As a japanese man, I was looking for this!
Thankfully, while unknown in this world, the voice managed to make butter by using milk and salt, and thus expanded the repertoire of recepies. This was, however, the first time he would be using butter as he kept it a secret.
Once we arrived and Emilia-tan smiled as we arrived and was delighted to see me all better, the voice smiled at her and asked her to wait in the dining room as we would have dinner served shortly, Rem was in charge of cutting vegetables while the voice was doing the prep work, adding salt, pepper and butter to the salmon and the pan.
He turned on the heat and waited for the butter to melt, then he added the salmon, following the making of the dressing for the salad. Rem was looking at me (the voice) with awe as I (he) was moving gracefully in the kitchen.
Elsewhere Emilia was smelling the scents of our cooking and found herself salivating.
A few minutes later we came out with dishes for us all. We sat down and the scent of the food wafted around. I must say, between Rem and the voices, I would have to begrudgingly concede victory to the voice.
The damn salmon was delicious! The tears I had were of joy! The buttery taste mixed with the sour lemon taste! Good lord! It was amazing! An explosion of flavor! Even Rem and Emilia-tan were shocked and began eating faster, the taste of butter was a novel thing as such thing was rather addictive.
Even Puck was quite taken by this, as he was acting as if he was overdosed with catnip.
After dinner was over and me and Rem washed the dishes I went to train in the many swords and weapons I could trace, obviously I would only trace mundane weapons that were stored in my mind, apparently I memorised many weapons I saw from the memories and dreams I was shown.
I changed weapons and forms so I could learn how to use them on the fly and get used to them.
My moves were getting sharper, Rem sat down as she saw how my arms moved with the weapons I had in hand, thankfully she came when I finished tracing the weapons I was using. Also, apparently this magecraft did not trigger Rozchi's little surprise on me since it did not operate like the magic they were used to.
During the 3 days I trained non stop while also tending to housework along with Rem.
We received an invitation to go to the castle, it seems they day had come rather fast.
To start me and Emilia-tan would need to go the garrison to get checked out before going to the Noble's district, basically it was like a customs checkpoint.
We headed there, it was not far away and thus we took a small walk there.
She held my hand as we walked the way there.
Mindful of the time and place, she finally let go of my hand. I mourned the loss of her palm.
And just as Emilia was about to knock on the garrison's door, it opened toward the outside as a young man poked his face out.
"—My, it is not often I meet an acquaintance in a place like this. It has been some time, Lady Emilia. You have not changed at all since then."
The young man bowed formally to Emilia—whom he had recognized even though she was wearing the hood. That alone put me on guard and ready to trace a dagger or a small bladed weapon to quickly attack and retreat with Emilia-tan, but her expression was serene as she nodded toward the youth.
"…Yes, thank you. No changes in particular, no. I see you are also in good health, Julius."
"I am honored that you remember me. Your beauty has only increased, Lady Emilia."
The young man named Julius praised Emilia's good looks in a very polished manner. He had violet hair and an equal mix of snobbery and politeness. He was about half a foot taller than me, putting him at around five foot nine, give or take. His body was slender, but he did not seem frail; rather, he had a handsome, supple frame. His amber eyes, no doubt bewitching to the opposite sex, suited him to a detestably fine degree.
"Is it not a rarer sight for you, a royal guardsman, to be here at the garrison?"
The man wore an extravagant uniform with a dragon emblem. A slender sword like a rapier hung from his hip. Julius's appearance and manner of speech suited such a title.
"I've come to express appreciation to the soldiers for their services and take the opportunity to observe the city…or something like that. A friend asked me to pay a visit, and I suppose it is good to put friends first once in a while. After all, I was able to lay my eyes upon a beautiful flower along my path through these streets."
With well-practiced motion, Julius intimately grasped Emilia's hand as he spoke, bending down on one knee. Without a single pause for breath, he brought his lips to the back of her pale hand.
The voice in my head muttered something about self-absorbed fops and reminded him of a better version of an old friend of his, at least this guy actually worked for what he had, however my emotions came to a boil as this man's conceited behavior rubbed me in every wrong way imaginable. My breath was ragged, I was about to rush over and give Julius a piece of my mind when Emilia held me in check with her other hand.
I gritted my teeth, but then took a deep breath to calm down.
"Thank you, Julius. I regret that this is very sudden, but…I would like to get in touch with the castle about a certain matter."
As Julius listened to Emilia's request, his voice lowered as he looked at me.
"Ah, so that is why you came to the garrison… This matter, does it concern him over there?"
Not enjoying Julius's condescending gaze, I locked eyes with him and glared back.
"—His character and demeanor form a poor match for those clothes. Such an appearance does not make a good first impression."
"Repeat what I an going to say…" the voice said with a rather scary grin.
Even I was feeling the dread… that kind of smile that looked kind, but actually promised a lot of pain and humiliation.
"Thank you for the kind advice. I have some for you, too, as a knight and as a member of the Royal Guard, you should have far more diplomacy and tact, how you treated me makes for a poor showing of someone in such a vaunted position, if I say so myself." I said as I closed one eye and had my finger in my chin. "I wonder what others would say if such a person said such rude things to a person minding his own business for no other reason than that person being there, should we find out, oh right of the Royal Guard?" I asked with a sickenly sweet voice.
He blinked his eyes, noticing that I was right and grunted as an arrow hit him metaphorically into him. That was indeed a poor showing of someone of his status and position. He gritted his teeth and curled his hand as he was shamed thoroughly.
I smiled at him sarcastically, something Emilia-tan could not tell as she was too naive.
The smiles they exchanged were most certainly not friendly. I did not like him. Julius no doubt thought the same. In that spirit, he promptly ignored me as to soothe his own ego and turned his attention back to Emilia.
"I shall guide you to the magic mirror, then, though it pains my heart to bring you into a humble place such as this, Lady Emilia."
"You needn't be concerned. I'm quite all right, so please."
"Very well. Come in."
With that, Julius went back inside first. I snorted a bit and stepped forward. But Emilia turned to me in front of the doorway, obstructing my path.
"Subaru, you wait here."
"…Huh?"
I was taken aback. Emilia's long eyelashes trembled a bit as she lowered her eyes.
"I'd like to have you come, but I don't think Julius will take it well, so wait here."
"Did I do something to upset you? Or did I do something wrong?"
"It's not that. It's not about upsetting him, it's that I don't want to put you through something you'll probably hate, so please, Subaru, wait here."
"I am hating this right now, however, if you say so, I will oblige, I will be outside exploring a bit" Whike I had not desire to let Emilia to have any contact with that man. My instincts wanted desperately to warn her to watch out for Julius.
"This won't take long, so please, be good and wait."
Her words were very gentle, yet heavily tinged with rejection. Emilia was fundamentally distancing me from her own affairs once more like my first run. But afraid of incurring her displeasure for intruding, I was unable to speak a word in protest.
She vanished behind the door as it closed, separating them physically and metaphorically with a dull thud.
I murmured, "…I'm super-uncool."
Kicking around a rock some distance from the entrance as he waited for Emilia, I distracted himself from his seething self-loathing as I recalled the annoying man.
"So he is a royal guard, right?"
If what the voice said was correct, which always is, that meant he was a Knight of the Royal Guard. If knightly orders existed in this world, surely Knights of the Royal Guard served the royal family directly. But where did they stand in a country with no sitting monarch?
"The whole royal family died from plague, huh. They might make the elites in the Knights of the Royal Guard take responsibility for not seeing that coming and disband them, tossing them and their families out onto the street… Well, that sucks for the rest of 'em, but I wouldn't mind that annoying bastard going through a little hell…"
The somber thought gave me some small measure of satisfaction. I wondered who I have picked up that pettiness from.
In the past, I would have never directed my ire about the inconveniences that befell me toward another person. I wouldn't have given a single thought to speaking ill of heaven or venting my frustrations.
In a good sense, I was now concerned with appearances in a way I had not before arriving here. I wanted to live a life that I could show the honest and forthright girl close to him without shame.
It was a vague thought… But I wondered if I had really changed a little? I couldn't tell.
"—Mm?"
As I ruminated, I felt a disturbance and frowned at a glimpse of something at the edge of my vision. For a brief moment, my gaze had wandered toward the city for no particular reason and caught sight of a colorful dress disappearing into a back alley. The color was such a vivid red that it seemed to sear itself into my eyes, even with only a glance. And had the dress been merely traveling down the street, no doubt it would not have registered in my mind whatsoever.
Even entering a back alley, the garment would not have caught my attention, save for the fact that the girl wearing it was being led there by seedy-looking men.
"Just now… There's no way it could be that, right…?"
A major crime in broad daylight in front of the guards' garrison—or so I thought, but perhaps this was a case of hiding in plain sight. Upon closer inspection, the location was in the garrison's blind spot. I had seen them by dumb luck the instant I'd entered an alleyway while moping.
"Setting aside that I just feel calmer in narrow spaces, I'd better go get the gua—"
I hesitated. I hadn't witnessed an actual crime taking place. It was very possible I could have misinterpreted what I'd seen.
At any rate, I bore a powerful, arbitrary grudge against the garrison at that moment.
"Plus, if I'm wrong, it might make trouble for Emilia… It won't be too late to call for help after I confirm things first."
Voicing this excuse to myself, I shot a glance at the garrison as I ran toward the alley. I felt guilty about going back on his promise to wait patiently for Emilia, but a higher duty called. Plus, my resentment toward Julius.
And hearing an angry shout the instant I entered the alley, I was firmly convinced I'd made the right decision and picked up my pace.
"—Why, you little bitch! I'm not messin' around here!"
In the alley, on the blindspot of the garrison was the trio of idiots I meet the first run in this world. And being harrassed by then was a girl with light orange hair and deep crimson eyes.
"Good lord, her demeanor, her sneer, she could actually pass for that bastard's illegitimate child" the voice said as I could feel he just head slapped.
I was taken back when suddenly "look, all I am saying is that girl has the disposition of an arrogant monarch, multiplied by 50 times at least, I should know cause I meet the original arrogant monarch, trust me any help you give will not be thanked for and ignored, you will also be insulted, in other words, these kind of persons are ones with lots of luck, but little common sense, and mostly that luck is stolen from others"
"you seem kinda… annoyed?"
"You could say that, that girl reminds me of an old foe"
"Do not get ahead of yourself, peasant. Those of low character enjoy appropriately lowly fates."
Several voices argued, and three men surrounded a lone woman in the narrow alley, cutting off her avenues of escape.
This was a stereotypical street punk encounter, but what left a burning impression on me was the striking appearance of the girl who repulsed the atmosphere hanging over the cramped alley.
Her hair was a radiant orange like the sun itself, flowing through a single barrette before spilling down her back. Her dress was blood crimson, and above all, the overwhelming beauty of the girl herself shone in her sordid surroundings. Even untrained eyes could tell at a glance that the jewelry on her neck, ears, and fingers were of the highest quality. Her full outfit, coordinated from top to bottom, had to be worth at least a hundred times the money I had on me. And yet, all that extravagant jewelry was incomparable to her face.
She had red, defiant eyes. Her faintly pink lips emphasized the hue of her skin, white as the purest snow. One might spend an entire lifetime and fortune in search of such beauty and never find it. I realized all over again how often this world defied my idea of common sense.
The girl crossed her arms in a calm posture that only accentuated her bountiful breasts. I couldn't just stand back and watch while her attitude raised the men's hackles ever higher.
"—H-heya! Sorry to keep you waiting, honey!"
I immediately raised a hand and wedged himself into the middle of the action. Laughing by myself as I interrupted the surprised trio, I put my hands together in supplication. "It seems that she's caused you a little trouble, but could you do me favor and let it slide? I'm sure you can tell just by looking at her, but the girl is a little…y'know…in the head. You get me?"
Her celebrity-like style practically screamed "Rob me, please!" and she was hanging around the alleyways in a city with questionable levels of law enforcement. What sane person would be so reckless?
I asserted to the stunned men, "So that's how it is!" and grasped the girl's hand.
"Mm…!"
"Hey, let's move on before you cause the good boys here any more trouble. Let's do like we promised today and feed each other sweets, just the two of…"
I quickly laid things out, casting her in the role I'd assigned Emilia in my fantasies, aiming to get her out of there as fast as possible. However…
"Uhh?"
"Do not…touch me so freely!"
She put her other hand on top of mine, twisting her body to yank the boy forward. A moment later I jumped up and twisted myself to flow with her rotation and landed on my feet.
"What the hell?!"
"Goodness, I take a step outside and this happens? Commoners drooling all over me…"
I glowered at her, as if finding her words beyond comprehension.
"Play along, damn it! That's the time-honored method of saving a girl from street punks! You're supposed to catch on to these things!"
"I do not know what you mean. I simply do as I please." she said haughtily.
"A woman who tries to slams your face into the wall is the worst kind of first meeting, you know?!" I said with an annoyed glare at her. I could feel a vein pulsating in my temple.
Seems the voice was right as usual, this woman… is trouble.
"Is like a combination of the Luvia and Gil… may the Lord have mercy in this world" the voice bemoaned this encounter. Hopefully Subaru would not attract her attention in that way… right?
Right?!
While on the side, the thriving trio were left speechless and dumbfounded at what was going on, with nothing to do but whatch this trainwreck.
"Eh… should we… uh… do something? I am kinda feeling sorry for the guy there"
Even the one of the 3 stooges were feeling pitty.
Chapter end.