The group was stunned.
They instantly recognized the streets of the capital. From the buildings to the carriages to the demi humans littering the streets, it was iconic. It was nothing like the cold New York City they were in a minute ago.
It only just now sunk in that they truly were in the world of Re:Zero. This world, this story is the reason all of them were together now. Memories of Chapter 1 flooded back to them as they all stood where Subaru once had, staring in absolute awe at the intricate stonework of the buildings lining the street.
'Shit, Subaru' muttered King.
'We don't even know if this is the same time as he was isekaid, he could be in the fucking Sanctuary right now and we wouldn't know' Argo shouted, clearly frustrated about the situation. He was nervous, they all were, and they had to find out if they were in the original timeline or not.
'Best case scenario is that we're here a few hours before Subaru arrives' Ben stated, hope adorning his tone.
"Forget fucking Subaru!" shouted Sage. "We're in fucking Lugnica, how wild is this!?"
"Let's keep our eyes out for Subaru, Felt or Emilia. If we truly are in Arc one, we should see them here and the Insignia incident..." Ben stated calmly.
"How the fuck are you calm Ben were in another world and you're calm," said Sage. "We have no idea if we have anything like RBD and your calm?''
"Hot half-elf waifu potential, is why,'' he retorted smoothly, pure joy plastered onto his face.
"Christ I'm going to have to take care of y'all aren't I?" King muttered. "In any case, let's look around and see which part of the timeline we're in. Maybe keep our eyes on the rooftops for Felt or something."
''STOP THIEF!'' a bell-like voice rang out, panic running throughout her voice.
''That answers a whole lot of questions, huh,'' flubaru said.
The group was in awe at the voice, the voice they'd never imagined they'd hear in person in a million years. They had experienced its charm first-hand and it was riveting; Ben was especially giddy at the revelation that they were in time
Din, on the other hand, was consumed with thoughts of Hector and Roswall, fantasizing how meeting them would truly be a blessing for him.
As the group was caught in their stupor, it was Wannabe that made the surprising first move:
"Wouldnt it be fuckin sensible to go find her, lmao," he quipped. Ben nodded furiously in agreement.
''That settles it!" Ben declared. ''Were finding my fuckin waifu!"
"Do what you want Ben, just make sure your hormones don't fuck us over ayt?" King replied. "Hold on where the fuck are Rin and Legs?"
"Dude, don't worry, I'm totally in control here," Ben retorted, before realising what King had added.
"Where the fuck are they, what the hell," he muttered.
"Satella," the group collectively realized. It was obvious, and there wasn't much they could do to stop them.
"Forget them," Ben shouted. ''I have a fucking waifu to catch and im getting kinda bored of standing around''
Ben turned to where he thought the sound came from, only to be fucking plowed over by a short, blonde thief-girl, Felt. As the group watched Felt brutally destroy their friend, they realised she had the silver-haired beauty in tow.
"Oh my goodness, is he okay?'' Emilia questioned, her amethyst eyes widening in worry.
She knew the girl had her insignia, but she wouldn't let someone lie in the street, obviously in pain.
She knelt down besides Ben, who had literally smashed his head into the cobblestone road. Immediately firing up her healing magic, she focused on the task at hand, all the while ignoring the gawking looks from the rest of the group.
''Holy shit, his dream is coming true huh'' wantless gasped.
"Lucky bastard," muttered Sage, his face twisting into a sneer of envy at the tall boy who was being tended to by the half-elf.
"Did Ben, who is six and a half feet tall, really get plowed over by a short-ass loli girl?"
"God we're fucked here, aren't we?"
"Absolutely boned,"
Despite their worries, Emilia finished up her work and was now helping Ben to his feet.
''My name is Lia Nats… I mean Ben, nice to finally meet you, Lia'' the tall boy stuttered out
''Aww he's red as a tomato'' sage teased, trying to hold his laughter back at how flustered Ben was. King chuckled, if he was going to die a horrible death- he was going to die laughing.
Emilla looked confused. "How did you know my name was lia?'' which made everyone's blood run cold.
''Uhh, well, you're….you know, um...kinda well goodness…'' Ben tumbled out, unable to form anything resembling a proper sentence.
"We know you're a royal candidate...y-yeah that's why," King managed to stutter out in a less than convincing tone.
Emilia looked genuinely confused at the seven of the eight boys who were trying their best not to erupt into pure laughter.
"Emilia….'' Ben continued. "We want to help you, well I do at least. We know where the girl is going, and I kinda owe you one now, so let us help you."
''Huh'' the girl spoke, genuinely startled. ''How do you know….wha...why do you know this''
At this point puck had enough, and came out, shocking the boys as they knew the fluffy cat was a menace.
They all tried to bite their tongues and keep their vulgar comments and curses to themselves.
"We'll have time to kill that rat bastard another time" King whispered.
Argo nodded, stating bluntly ''Ben has a sixth sense for these things, I'd trust he knows exactly where your insignia will end up''.
''So Lia….Let us help you...Please'' Ben begged, staring into her amethyst eyes with utter adoration.
''He hasn't a hint of malice or ill-intent within his soul, not towards you anyway, Lia'' the dirty grey cat muttered. ''If he does know where your insignia is, that would be a true lifesaver, and he does owe you for the healing magic earlier, as he said''
Ben's eyes lit up, but he was filled with rage when Wannabe chirped up:
''God, this is so cringe man''
"Well I know what we're doing when we meet Elsa" Ben said glaring at Wannabe.
'Honestly guys, just stop arguing'' King instructed, obviously irritated by the constant back and forth between the group. "I have a plan for Elsa actually," he stated. "Heard a solid plan from an old friend" he thought, thinking of his Russian comrade. "Y'all need to cooperate with me though ok?"
''Can we help you or not, Emilia'' Flubaru stated, glancing at the stupid cat on her head
''Elsa, who is that, I wonder?'' Emilia muttered, catching the attention of the group once eagain.
''She's a psychopathic murderer who 100% wants your insignia.'' Argo stated bluntly.
''Lia, they're not lying. I think we should take their word for this, follow them wherever they lead.'' puck whispered. With a newfound confidence, Emilia declared boldly:
''Since you owe me, Ben, I shall let you assist me with my very troubling issue. Lead the way, boys!''
'Well that didn't go so bad' Sage thought in his head, what a fucking shit show mates.
And with that, they set off for the notorious loot house in the Lugnica Slums.
Fin.