I really need to write something for Hunting Blade. I'm stuck in one scene and I can't come with anything but I'm still trying to come with something meanwhile take this little token. Reinhard meets Subaru's parents let's go. As always there might be some grammar erros and if you feel OOCness from any character feel free to point them out
Chapter 2
Reinhard van Astrea, that has been his name for as long as he has had a conscience. He was born into the famous family of knights descendants of the first Sword Saint, the Astrea house.
Current Sword Saint, a title that has passed from generation to generation only in his family, and holder of the Dragon Sword Reid, a sword that passed from Sword Saint to Sword Saint, Reinhard considered himself kind and respectful with everyone. He treats people the way he would like to be treated.
He tried not to get angry and maintain a calm attitude with everyone because he was not only a knight in the service of the crown, he was also in the service of the people.
So when his lady ran and escaped from the Astrea mansion in the city of Lugunica he had no choice but to sigh and chuckle as he shook his head.
His lady had a habit of fleeing into the slums of the city from time to time. He knew that his mistress was capable of defending herself and that she would return once the day passed and night came, for she simply fled from her study hours.
So as her knight it was his duty to find her and bring her back. From his position he could see her running through the crowd, trying to lose him. She knew he was following her, it wasn't the first time this had happened.
He was walking behind her, following her with his sight. Knowing where she was going he was in no real rush to catch her. So when his lady bumped into a man he had to go over to see if the man was okay.
Reinhard walked closer to the man. A woman, his wife from what he could hear, was helping to lift him.
"Are you two okay?" The man turned to see him. For a moment the man reacted in surprise. He assumed they recognized him, many have told him that he is easily recognizable even though he did not know why. His red hair they say, but his hair wasn't strange... was it?
He also notices the tired look in the man's eyes. Big dark circles in them and his shoulders were slightly drooped. He looked like he hadn't had a good rest for a long time. Maybe they were travellers? If they had an accident in their journey it might explain his poor condition.
The couple wore strange clothes, he did not remember seeing anything like it before. They were not traveller's clothes that he had seen before. The clothes they wore were too weak to withstand a long journey. They looked more like clothing for everyday wear.
The man stepped in front of his partner when she saw his waist, more exactly his sword "Does he think I'm going to attack them?" The idea seemed plausible considering his reaction.
"Yeah, of course, something like this isn't going to knock me down. Thanks for asking" The man smiled, it was forced and he was backing away.
Were they trying to hide something?
"I need them to lower their guard"
"I am sorry for my lady's behaviour, even if she was in a hurry she should have apologized. From time to time she tends to run away from her guards." He bowed to them, this seemed to catch them off-guard. "My deepest apologies"
"Your... Lady?" The man asked doubtfully. The woman behind him tried her best to not be seen. He could feel the gaze of the people on them and it seems that the woman too. She was trying to avoid them completely, hiding behind her partner.
Anyway, he has to continue the conversation. "They don't know about Lady Felt?"
"You... do not know?" Reinhard asked surprised, probably they didn't realize who she was "Maybe she caught you both by surprise and you did not recognize her. She was Lady Felt, one of the fives candidates to the throne of Lugunica" He could feel their stares. They were completely confused as if it was the first time they heard about the royal selection.
"Lugunica? And you mean she is a soon to be queen?"
For the first time, Reinhard heard the voice of the woman. She spoke in a low voice, not wanting to attract attention. Reinhard could see a bit of her face when she stepped out from behind the man. She trembled behind the man for some reason.
There was no chance that they were lying. His divine blessing of Wind Indication wasn't reacting so they really know nothing.
It seemed that the woman made her discomfort even clearer. He noticed how she tensed a bit, they were getting more and more attention. Her partner seemed to notice it too.
They should move this conversation to another place
"Yes... Lugunica, the country where you are in right now, and she is a candidate to be queen although I believe that she will be the queen." The redhead said "Also, forgive my rudeness, my name is Reinhard van Astrea, royal knight and knight in the service of Lady Felt" He smiled after his presentation.
"Well it has been a pleasure Astrea-kun, but right now we have to go" The man forced a smile.
"Please, Reinhard is just fine," The knight said with a small smile.
"Anyway, it has been a pleasure Reinhard-kun but we need to go" The man approached him and patted Reinhard on the shoulder "Thank you for your concern" He couldn't feel any ill intent coming from the man and he welcomed the familiarity. Not many treated him just like Reinhard instead of Reinhard the Sword Saint.
But he couldn't let them go, without confirming his identity. The man's hair, and his over-familiar attitude, reminded him too much of another person to be a mere coincidence. And that person was a friend of his, he would be damned if he didn't help the pair before him and then they turned to be who he thinks they are.
"Wait a minute" He called out to the pair. The man turned a bit to see him "Could you tell me your names? I have the feeling I have seen you two before"
The pair stopped their walk. And the man face him
"Look Reinhard-kun, as you may have realized, not long ago we have arrived in this city and we are somewhat lost" The man tried to make him leave them alone.
"Still I must insist if you can give me their names, I have a small hypothesis that I would like to confirm" If they were really Subaru's parents and he didn't help them he knew his friend would take it on a personal level.
The man had a conversation with his partner using only their gazes. She nodded and he sighed. The man looked into his eyes "Well, you win. My name is Natsuki Kenichi and this is my wife Natsuki Naoko" The woman, Naoko, revealed a bit from behind the man, Kenichi. She bowed to him in acknowledgement.
Her eyes were void. They looked as tired as his husband's. But they didn't have the shine to look towards the future. Why was it?
"That name... that strange clothes besides those eyes and that glare and the resemblance between them, it's more than obvious" Reinhard muttered. His theory turned to be true, this pair before him were Subaru's parents.
His friend would be pleasantly surprised if he escorted his parents to him.
"Well, if we're done, we'll be in our way. See you Reinhard-kun" Kenichi smiled at the knight one last time before starting to leave.
They seemed too focused on continuing their journey. Maybe they already knew where their son was?
"Wait, I have another question" Reinhard called back to the couple. Kenichi turned around with an annoyed face but before he could say anything Reinhard spoke again "Do you have a son named Subaru?"
The couple stayed completely still, they froze in the place they stood. They stopped in their tracks at the mention of that name. The woman, Naoko, turned herself slowly to look at him.
Her eyes were watery. And they have a shine that they didn't have before. A glow that Reinhard recognized. Hope. It was something that many felt when they saw him but he did not understand why now Naoko's eyes had that brightness. It was the thing her eyes didn't have before.
"What... what did you just say?" Naoko's voice came out trembling. It was possible? Was it possible that her son was here too?
Reinhard observed as Kenichi advanced towards him with a very angry face. The older man grabbed him by the collar of his shirt "Repeat what you just said, young man"
They both knew that even if he tried to do something violent Reinhard would be able to counter it with ease but still the man advanced with a goal. Him
"I asked if you have a son named Subaru, Natsuki Subaru" This situation was not going to be beneficial to them unless things calmed down. He had to take them to the mansion. There they could talk things more calmly.
"I swear... for everything you consider sacred, that if you have done something to my son you will not see the light of another day. I don't care who you are or what you do" The father threatened the knight.
Do something to Subaru? Never. He considered the black-haired man as his friend. He would never think of hurting him unless Subaru gave him reasons and until now he had been someone he could trust. With the ups and downs of him, like everyone else, but someone trustworthy.
He laughed at the thought of hurting Subaru. Which caused the concerned father to loosen his grip on him. Reinhard raised his hands in surrender, Kenichi loosened his grip on him but didn't release him completely.
Since the day Subaru was knighted they had partied from time to time. When Reinhard had free time. Sir Subaru, the knight of the silver-haired half-elf and Sir Reinhard, Saint of the Sword. People considered their relationship strange because their personalities were different, but neither of them found it strange.
He took it on a personal level to explain to Reinhard how to have fun, as he considered him too serious.
"I have the pleasure of knowing Sir Natsuki Subaru as well as, I believe, being his friend." Reinhard smiled at them.
"Sub... Subaru is here?" The mother said and crossed the distance to Reinhard in an instant "Is he here ?! Subaru is here? WHERE IS HE? WHERE IS MY SON?!" She yells at him like she's never yelled at anyone.
The square became silent. Nobody murmured like before, just wide-open eyes looked at them in surprise. Only the sound of animals unrelated to this situation could be heard.
Nobody. And nobody means nobody could shout like that to the Sword Saint in public. A figure of respect and admiration for many, someone whose power could not be rivalled.
Still, a simple woman was standing up to said person. Yelling at him. Truly something that could not be seen on any given day.
People began to murmur again, surprised by the fallacy and looking at the couple in a bad way.
"Naoko please calm down" Kenichi, who was pulled away when his wife screamed at Reinhard's face, tried to separate his wife from him. But while Reinhard took a few steps back, Naoko didn't back down, ignoring the situation she had created out of anxiety.
Kenichi knew his wife better than anyone and he knew that right now she was not going to relent in her onslaught towards the knight until she got answers.
"Reinhard-kun, do you think we can continue this conversation elsewhere?" Kenichi asked. He couldn't let his wife go on like this in public and this conversation was one they would have to do in private. Out of the public eye "Honey, please calm down. We can't lose the only clue we found out of anger. I understand how you feel but please getting angry isn't going to get us anywhere."
This somehow managed to calm Naoko. If they lost their only track because of him. Not only would her husband never forgive her, but she also couldn't forgive herself, either.
Reinhard, who didn't seem concerned about the woman's behaviour, understood what the older man meant and nodded "Sure. There are also some questions I'd like to ask as well." Reinhard pointed to the street he had come from. "If you follow me, please. Following this way, we will arrive at my mansion. There we will be able to talk without problems"
Reinhard started walking in the direction he had told them. Kenichi and Naoko followed closely, not wanting to lose him, the only person who could know the location of his son.
They quickly left the square and the murmurs of the people behind, but still, the people who were on the street looked at them intrigued.
Kenichi, who found the situation a bit uncomfortable, remembered that Reinhard was chasing the runaway lady.
"Reinhard-kun, I'm sorry that we bothered you when you were doing your work" The Japanese apologized "If you prefer, you can tell us the address of the mansion, it is possible that the lady may have a problem. We can wait for your return there" His Japanese nature was telling him to apologize to the young man.
Reinhard had a doubtful face for a moment but then he simply smiled at the older man and waved his hand in a sign of calm at the situation "You don't have to worry about it, but still thanks for the concern. There is already someone chasing my lady so she doesn't get in, many, trouble"
"That ... that's good but we're still sorry we bothered you"
"It hasn't been a bother at all, don't worry"
The conversation did not go any further after that. And within a few minutes, they reached their destination. A large Renaissance-style mansion in perfect condition. Surrounded by a wall that separated the garden of the mansion from the streets outside.
The front garden, as far as it could be seen through the door made of steel bars, was perfectly decorated and arranged. Not a single trace of weeds and the grass was in stunning shape.
Kenichi and Naoko, shocked, couldn't say a single word. The view was so breathtaking that they didn't know what to say or do.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Please come in" As the Natsuki couple appreciated the view before them the gate had been opened by the guards who were working. Reinhard called out to the couple from the mansion front garden.
The couple entered the mansion area. First the impressive front garden, up close it was even more impressive than from behind the wall.
Small bushes are cut symmetrically to form paths through the garden. Other larger ones form statues created from leaves.
The simple fact of seeing them conveyed the hours of work and dedication that had been put into them.
You could also see a marble statue that also served as a fountain and garden decoration near a covered outdoor table where you could sit and rest.
"Wow" Naoko was impressed by the place. Not only was it huge but it was also perfectly cared for. This kind of thing could only be seen on television. The garden was completely different from a traditional Japanese garden.
After crossing the long garden they came to the foot of the mansion, which seemed even larger up close. White marble walls that reflected sunlight and a large flag with a symbol on it hung above the front door.
The stairs were made of a type of stone that had been polished until they reflected light, and in the centre of these, following the main path to the mansion, the one they had just walked, was a red carpet that welcomed everyone who wanted to enter it.
At the top of these stairs, in front of the entrance, someone was waiting for them. Dressed in a maid outfit, she was an older-looking woman but still conveyed an air of seriousness and respect. Her whitish blonde hair seemed to have faded with her age but her serious, strong green eyes said otherwise.
"Young Master Reinhard, welcome back"
The old woman greeted them at the entrance of the mansion with a bow.
"Yes, I'm back Carol" The knight replied with a smile.
The woman let them into the mansion, which was just as incredible inside. All kinds of paintings, portraits, landscapes were greeted upon entering. Armours were in the hallways like statues. Maids and butlers came and went through the corridors.
And yet none were held with the same dignity or respect as the older maid who had received them. And that was with them at the reception of the mansion.
"May I ask who are the people who accompany you, Young Master?"
"These are Natsuki Kenichi and Natsuki Naoko the parents of Natsuki Subaru, Miss Emilia's knight"
"Knight? What does he mean by that? What are you doing Subaru?" Both parents thought concerned.
The couple bows their heads slightly, still lost in their thoughts, when they were named. The maid's eyes widened slightly in recognition.
"I see... please come this way" The maid, Carol, led them through the mansion to a fairly large room.
While Naoko and Kenichi were fascinated watching the interior of the mansion Reinhard spoke to the maid
"Carol, could you contact Otto Suwen? I need him to come to the mansion as soon as he can" Reinhard asked "He must be in the merchant guild if I am not mistaken. Tell him it's important"
"Understood" The old maid said nothing else. After a few more meters they finally arrived at their destination.
It was a meeting or visiting room. The room had two sofas and a table in the centre of the room. There was also a desk and many decorations: armour, weapons, paintings and many other things that seemed way too valuable.
The maid excused herself, leaving the trio in the room.
"I won't get tired of saying it, this is a real fantasy world" Kenichi whispered to Naoko who nodded in response.
"Okay, let's sit down then" Reinhard indicated to the couple that they could sit on any of the sofas.
The Natsuki couple accepted the invitation, nervous about what was going to happen.
"Would you like some tea for conversation?" Reinhard points to the hot kettle on the table.
"Yes, please" Naoko accepted the courtesy. Kenichi nodded to the young man. Although her initial rejection had not completely disappeared, the redhead had been kind and courteous to them at all times so Naoko felt more comfortable in front of him, but still, her voice was low and her words short.
Reinhard poured three cups of tea and sat on the other sofa, facing the couple.
After offering the cups of tea, Reinhard drank from his own before smiling calmly at the couple.
"I suppose you want to know everything I know about Subaru right?"
The anxiety the couple felt had skyrocketed even more. Naoko's breathing rate was faster now, Kenichi's forehead was sweaty and it didn't look like it was going to stop anytime soon.
Neither of them had touched it yet.
"What... What do you know about Subaru? Is he okay?" Kenichi asked worriedly. Not knowing if a loved one is alive or not after a disappearance is a great emotional burden for anyone. It only gets worse when it's your son the one affected.
"Yes, I would say Subaru is fine" Reinhard reassured the couple. But before he could continue Naoko cut him off, slapping the table with both hands and staring at him.
"Where is he now? Could you take us to him?" Naoko spoke quickly. It had been six months, six long months without him.
"Naoko, please calm down, let him speak or we won't get anywhere"
Kenichi tried to reassure the woman of him, something that was becoming more and more complicated because not only was she increasingly anxious, he was also increasingly anxious and he could lose his calm at any moment.
Reinhard was more and more certain that this couple were Subaru's real parents. Not only had his divine blessing not reacted so far, but he had already seen the couple's reactions in other people.
People who had lost loved ones and just wanted to know if they were okay or even alive.
This led him to wonder one thing.
Was Subaru abducted from his home and taken to Lugunica? His parents did not know anything about him and when he met Subaru he was very lost, he did not know many things and spoke with many words that he had never heard.
"First of all, can I ask you a question?" The red-haired gentleman proposed, he needed to ask this now. The couple nodded in confirmation "You act like you just haven't seen Subaru in a long time, but you act like he's been missing during that time, am I right?"
"The question was the right one" Reinhard thought examining the reaction of the couple. Their eyes widened in surprise at the words and it seemed that they were trying to ask him how he knew "It was just a guess. You act as current people who are living a disappearance"
Kenichi sighed tiredly at the words of the young redhead "Subaru ..." He didn't even know how to start.
"Subaru disappeared one day six months ago" To Kenichi's surprise, Naoko was the one who spoke. Without a single trace of her initial shyness or rejection but Kenichi could tell that his wife was struggling to remember that day "He left home one day and never came back" Small tears appeared in the woman's tear ducts. It was hard for her.
"Naoko..."
"He disappeared?" Reinhard thought. "I'll have to look into that"
"I see... I met Subaru six months ago in the alleys of this same city, being attacked by thieves" The knight remembered that moment. The strange guy with an aggressive look but with a good heart. The guy he can confidently call a friend.
Both parents held their breath at the news. How bad could your son's luck be?
"Is ... is he okay?" Kenichi asked swallowing his concern.
"Yes, his son made the right decision to ask for help and just then I was passing by" Both parents sighed in relief.
"Thank you very much for helping our son" The Japanese man smiled relieved.
"It wasn't a problem, though ..." Reinhard lost his voice remembering the events following their encounter. He didn't know how Subaru's parents would take it.
"Though ...?"
"Although shortly after Subaru fought a skilled assassin" The couple's eyes widened much wider than before. The horror shone in them "Known as the Bowel Hunter, Elsa Granhiert is a capable fighter but everyone involved in that fight came out alive" Reinhard assured quickly when he saw the tears about to leave the eyes of the couple. "Your parents care a lot about you Subaru"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you very much" Both parents repeated as if it were a mantra "Thank you for keeping him alive"
"As I said before, it's not a problem. It's what anyone would have done" Reinhard said
The couple took a while before calming down. Knowing that her son was close to death right after she disappeared was hard.
"Are you better?" Asked the red-haired gentleman
"Yes. Thanks for telling us this Reinhard-san" Naoko with her eyes still a little red and watery said "But I would like to ask you something"
"Surely, go ahead"
"Thank you" Naoko nodded to the teenager "Before ... Before you said that Subaru ... Did you say that Subaru was a gentleman?"
"Yes" Reinhard stated "Subaru is a knight who was appointed by Lady Emilia, another of the candidates for the throne of Lugunica"
"I must have suffered so many shocks today that I'm starting to feel a little numb already" Kenichi commented "I just heard that my son is a gentleman for a candidate for Queen and I don't even know whether to be happy, frustrated or what to feel"
Naoko said nothing but Reinhard could see that she felt the same way as her husband. They both sat assimilating the situation they were in for about five minutes.
"Don't worry" Reinhard reassured them "It's normal" When a person is exposed to situations they are not used to very often, the body tends to go numb to relax.
"I think ... It would be best to talk it over with Subaru when we see him honey" Naoko commented. She then looked at Reinhard "You said you know where our Subaru is right Reinhard-san?"
"Yes. Currently, Subaru, if I am not mistaken, is in the lands of Miload, in the mansion of Miload" He answered kindly.
"We have to leave soon, Naoko. Subaru is waiting for us!" Kenichi said as he excitedly got up from his seat. Only to find myself sitting on it again "Oh ... Wow, it seems I'm ... more tired than ... I expected" his voice came out between sighs. It seems that sitting for so long caused the adrenaline to come to this new place to leave his body completely.
"Honey, you haven't slept for several hours, you should rest first" Naoko said "We're sorry we bothered you for so long Reinhard-san, but it's about time we found a place to sleep"
Naoko helped a tired Kenichi up from the couch.
Reinhard seeing the couple ready to leave decided to take action on the matter.
"If you like, you can stay at the Astraea mansion for today" Reinhard offered. If for some reason his friend found out that his parents had visited his house, with no place to stay, and did not offer them a place, he was sure that the counter of his friends, already low, would go down. even more.
Besides, he won't forgive himself if that happens.
"We don't want to impose more after everything you've done for us Reinhard-san" Naoko spoke worried that they were taking advantage of the young man.
"It's not a problem, also if Subaru found out he wouldn't forgive me" He commented a bit embarrassed "So please don't worry and stay the night. I'll help you organize a car so you can go to the Miload mansion. "
Naoko thought about it for a moment, but when she noticed that her husband was getting heavier she decided to accept.
"Then... If it's not too much trouble" Naoko bowed gratefully to the young man "Wait for us Subaru, Dad and Mom are going for you"
"Let me accompany you to your room" And so the three left the room looking for a place to sleep and thinking about the soon meeting with their son.
Well chapter 2 done. I feel like this might have 2 more chapters, 3 at most. Anyway I hope you enjoyed it now I have to go back to farm. SINoALICE and FGO take alot of my free time. Duh
See you later
patr/eon/co/m/Ewent