Chapter 3
"Hey kid, you want some appas?" the vendor asked.
"Sorry, old man, but I'm totally broke!" Subaru exclaimed, pointing at himself, groceries in hand.
"What-? Then get out of here! I got a business to run!" the green-haired man said, pushing Subaru away.
"Yeah, don't worry! I'll come back when I get a way to support myself, though it wouldn't hurt to be nicer to people, especially foreigners!" Subaru said while waving his hand and running away, feeling just a hint of pride at the fact that the man just yelled at his own judge.
…
Making his way back to the alley that he now called "haven"-depressing, I know-Subaru mentally convined with his new "friends."
Nekron, Entity! Subaru mentally shouts at the... gods?...getting their attention.
What do you want, boy?
Why are you demanding our presence so loudly knowing that we can hear your thoughts?
Oh, right! Subaru realized, feeling a bit guilty for disturbing them. In any case, I've made up my mind to help 'Satella.' To do that, I'll be using your power.
Yes, we know, Nekron said. You are meant to one of help us judge and rule this world.
When you say it like that, it sounds like I'm assisting some serious dictators, but I also realize that the both of you probably have some claim to this world, so a part of me feels honored to help with deciding which deity gets to inhabit here.
"…"
"..."
Suddenly, Subaru heard footsteps and some familiar voices. Setting his groceries down, Subaru turned and saw the three alleyway stooges approaching him, the blue one smiling...disgustingly.
"If ya don't wanna get hurt, cough up everything ya've got!" he demanded.
Ordinarily, Subaru Natsuki might be scared or mad that these guys were stopping him again, but now Subaru was DETERMINED. With a flash, he swiftly placed the lanterns down beside him, so as to avoid damaging them. He also noticed that the three thieves were looking a bit orange.
"Oh-ho-ho, did you guys mess with the wrong dumbass today!" Subaru laughed.
"Eh?" the three said in unison.
"Don't screw with us, we'll-" But before the blue one could finish, he and his gang of thieves noticed an aura shrouding their "victim."
Subaru was prepared to beat these pricks, and he had the means and will to do it. Remembering Old Man Rom's weapon, he put his hands out and created a green club identical to his.
"What the-?!"
Barely finishing his thought, the bean sprout was bat-slapped to the ground. The other two were covered in yellow and too shocked to move, which Subaru took advantage of. Holding the club in an attack position, Subaru spun around and hit the big one.
"OOF!" he cried.
Not missing a beat, Subaru brought the club down on the little guy, purposely grazing the front of his face and smashing the club on the ground.
All three were down, but Subaru saw the big guy getting back up, his color changing from yellow to red. Struggling to his feet, he charged at Subaru, but Subaru quickly threw his club at the guy. It shattered on impact, and the thug crumpled to the floor.
"Heh, guess that's that!" Subaru said, cheerily. Making his way to the entrance, Subaru forgot about the lanterns for a moment, but he was quickly blocked by-
"What's going on here?" a voice laced with authority demanded.
EEK! Subaru mentally screeched. A person with red hair, with an ornately decorated sword at his hip turned toward Subaru, expectantly. This person was practically bleeding green, which didn't help as Subaru wasn't used to intense auras.
"Well?"
"I-I was…" Subaru stammered, Taking a breath, he started again. "I was walking into this alleyway to catch my breath for a moment when these three ambushed me. Not wanting to die, I fought and defeated them, but I purposely held back so as not to kill them!" Subaru explained to the redhead.
"Hm, you do seem genuine...Alright, since this was a case of self-defense, I'll let you go."
"Oh thank you!...By the way, are you a knight or something?" Subaru inquired.
"Hm? Ah, yes. I'm Reinhard van Astrea, of the royal guard." Reinhard answered.
Oh wow, I got a royal guard to trust me! Wait a sec…
"Um, Reinhard-san, if you're not too busy, could you help me with something?"
"Just call me Reinhard, " he said, surrounded by purple and a light accent of blue. "And yes, the kingdom is in a time of peace currently, so I'd be happy to help you."
His" nice guy" index is off the charts! He closed our distance so easily… Subaru thought in awe of this man.
"Actually, can you help me stop…" Subaru trailed off, remembering his role in this world. What right did he have to involve someone else in his own affair?
...
"Hm?"
"A-ah, well...Have you seen an elf girl with white robes and silver hair?" Subaru asked.
"Unfortunately, I haven't," Reinhard answered.
"Ah, that's fine, then. If you do, can you tell her not to come to the loot house?"
"The loot house?" Reinhard questioned.
"Just tell her that, yeah." Subaru said quickly.
"Ah, alright, then," Reinhard responded. "I'll be sure to tell her, Mr…."
"Oh, right. I'm Subaru Natsuki!"
"Very well then, Subaru." With a bow, he left.
Well, that was pretty fun. I beat the thugs and met a nice guy. Anyway, I ought to help Satella and the others before Elsa gets to them. At that, Subaru started walking out of the alleyway again, before realizing-
Oh crap! Turning around, Subaru saw the lanterns that he nearly abandoned.
How sinful of you, to leave the source of your power behind to save someone. What would you have done without us? Nekron mocked him, leaving Subaru in his guilt. However...
There will always be priorities in life. Forgetting for a moment us two entities that you do not understand to rush off and find your love is not the worst thing a human is capable of. the Entity said, relieving Subaru a bit.
"In any case, it's a bit annoying to carry you two and my groceries. Wait a minute!" Subaru realized that he had an easy solution. Walking back to the bag and lanterns, he held out his hand, and…
...Encased his arms in green constructs. Extending them out, Subaru used his new hands to hold the lanterns and picked up his bag with his right one. Chuckling at his cleverness, he flew off to the slums.
…
Quickly descending, he removed his lanterns and made his way to the loot house to wait for Felt. He only had to wait a few minutes before she came.
"Huh? Who are you?"
"A buyer interested in your insignia," Subaru smiled.
…
"So, what've you got to offer?"
"This!" Subaru pulled out his phone. "A metia that can capture a moment in time, forever!"
"Really?" Felt asked, skeptically.
'Flash'
"My old eyes!" Rom yelled.
Subaru turned the phone to a bewildered Felt and showed her the photo with Rom in it. Rom also saw it.
"Amazing. A metia like that is worth some 20 or so holy coins, maybe more."
"See? I bet my sexy little competitor can't beat that!"
"...How'd you know she was hot?" Felt inquired.
"E-eh, I know her from before. She probably wouldn't remember me, though."
"Hmph!"
'Knock, knock'
"Huh? Is that her?" Felt began walking to the door.
"W-wait, before you open it, she may be a bit bloodlusty…" Subaru started, but Felt ignored him and opened the door.
…
"Blood? I wouldn't kill you or anything like that." a silver-haired woman said.
"Ghk…!" Felt froze.
"Just give me back my insignia!" At this, she summoned icicles and pointed them at the trio.
"Did you set me up?!" Felt demanded from Subaru.
Hm, Satella thinks I'm an accomplice of Felt's. It's a bit saddening, but it's not unjustified, and I-Subaru noticed something on her clothes. A flower pin, which he saw her get the first time from helping that apple vendor's daughter. Actually, she had it last time, too. This just reaffirms my earlier impressions-she's a really kind and selfless girl.
"Huh?" Satella questioned. "You aren't in cahoots?"
"Hahaha! Just give it back Felt, you can't run anymore."
"Grr! You…!" Felt went for her knife, before...
"Felt, just give it back."
"Old Man Rom?"
"I'd fight if she was a regular person but...Young lady, you're an elf, ain't cha?"
"Actually, I'm only a half elf," she answered.
"Eh?" Felt exclaimed. "A silver-haired half elf...don't tell me-!"
"N-no, no!" she stammered. "It's an accidental resemblance, really. It's caused me a lot of trouble, too."
Subaru chuckled, happy that he didn't have to fight the kid or his...crush. But, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a raised blade behind the elf.
"PUCK! SHIELD HER!"
'Clank'
A light collided with a floating barrier of ice. Particles appeared, and from them materialized a floating gray cat.
"Hey, nice save. Thanks!" Puck said.
"What the hell's this?" Felt yelled at Elsa.
"My, well it seems as if the original owner is here, so I can't exactly buy it now, can I?" She smiled. "Fortunately, my employer gave me special orders to take it and leave no witnesses."
She swung again, narrowly missing Satella, who began rotating around to block her strikes. Meanwhile, Puck was firing icicles at Elsa.
Rom quickly got his club and ran toward her, shouting, "Get out!" before smashing the club at her, only for her to dodge. But that was all the time needed for Puck to hit her with a giant icicle, throwing her back. Unfortunately, all that happened was her coat dissipated, revealing even more of her figure.
"How'd you survive that?!" Subaru shouted.
"Well, I have high vitality and this cloak is a one-time magic nullifier. Magic is quite annoying for a girl like me."
"In any case, you'd best get ready to fall, human," Puck said before refiring.
Elsa dodged them all quite skillfully before striking at the elf, who was able to block it. Not losing any momentum, Elsa leaped back to Rom, prepared to cut him open…
'Shink'
...Only to be stopped by a green wall that disappeared after she stumbled back.
"I thought the cat said it, but you really ought to stop trying so hard. It only makes you look a lot weaker," Subaru said, a hint of mockery in his voice. For while Elsa was busy rushing Emilia, Subaru summoned the lanterns and placed them on the bar.
"My, my, it seems I've underestimated you. This ought to be fun." Elsa readied her blades and lunged at Subaru, but she was quickly forced to the wall by a green screen pushing against her.
"'Yawn.' Sorry, Lia, seems I've underestimated her. My energy's all spent." Puck said, fading.
"That's all right Puck, I'll handle the rest."
"Hmm…" Puck mumbled before fading and being reabsorbed by the crystal on "Lia's" chest.
"Felt, Puck was probably our heavy hitter. In any case, we've no coordination and it seems like this is a trained assassin. Since you're the youngest, you ought to escape and find help!" Subaru told her.
"What? No! At the very least, I can't leave Rom behind." Felt argued.
"We don't have time for this! You're the fastest, aren't you? Leave and get someone who can save Rom, and preferably us, too!"
"Yeah, kid go. We'll handle her." Rom told her.
"...Fine." With a burst of speed, Felt practically teleported out of the shack and into the streets.
Ah, good, Subaru thought, before noticing a glint out of the corner of his eye. Barely reacting in time, Subaru erected a green dome that shattered upon impact with the knife, causing him to stumble back. Unfortunately, his lack of focus meant that Elsa was now free. She used Subaru's momentary unbalance to fly to Rom. The giant tried to strike her, but she evaded his bruteish movements and cut open his eyes, causing him to fall to the ground. Enraged, Subaru grabbed the club that had had rolled over to him and ran at Elsa.
"Your attacks match those of an amateur." Elsa easily blocked his wing and raised her other blade at him.
Crap! Subaru thought. But before either of them could react…
"...What's going on here?" a voice called out, before the roof shattered and got in between them. Standing there, was the redheaded knight, Reinhard.
"Rein...hard?" Subaru muttered.
"Hello again, Subaru. It seems I've arrived in the nick of time." Reinhard smiled at him, before turning to Elsa.
"Those blades cannot be mistaken, and that hair... You are the bowel hunter, are you not?"
"Bowel hunter? What kind of a name is that?" Subaru asked.
"It is derived from her unique killing style," Reinhard answered.
"Ah, for the Sword Saint to know my name, I'm truly honored." Elsa began gliding around the warehouse, occasionally striking at Reinhard, who used a sword that he picked up.
"Oh? Not going to use the sword on your hip?"
"Unfortunately, it must consider you worthy."
"Ah, a shame."
…
"Hey." Subaru asked the girl, putting the club beside him, "Can you heal Rom?"
"Of course!" She ran over to him and casted healing magic.
"I'll try and wait till you are done to finish, seeing as my ultimate technique requires mana." Reinhard said as he was busy deflecting Elsa.
At that moment, Subaru placed all his faith in Not-Satella and Reinhard to save Rom and defeat Elsa. As he was watching the girl, he was struck with a realization.
"Reinhard, don't worry about the healing magic. Just focus on beating her."
"Eh?" the girl questioned.
"I can heal him," Subaru informed her.
"H-how? Wouldn't you need mana?" she asked.
"No," Subaru said.
"Alright then," Reinhard said, with Elsa landing in front of him. "I'll trust you, Subaru." He turned to Elsa, aiming his sword up.
"Witness the ultimate technique of the Astrea family!" As he said this, blue particles began empowering his sword.
At the same time, Subaru got down and started radiating a different type of blue energy from his palms, which began healing Rom.
"Eh?" the elf-girl shouted in shock, not understanding how Subaru was using magic while Reinhard was collecting mana. However, before she could respond-
'Shaboom'
In a flash, the loot house was covered in white. Slowly opening his eyes, Subaru saw...an open space where walls should be. His lanterns had flown right beside him, so he dematerialized them.
"What the heck was that? You're even worse than her!" Subaru yelled at Reinhard, lightly scared at what he saw. Reinhard just smiled and chuckled softly.
Slowly, "Satella" got on her feet. "Thank you for saving me," she said.
"It's no biggie! I, Subaru Natsuki, have saved your life! As such, don't I deserve a reward?" he said, eagerly pointing to the silver-haired beauty.
"Hm? O-oh, yes...As thanks for saving me, I'll give you anything in my power!" she said, a bit timidly.
"Of course! Then as my reward, I want-!" Subaru started.
She looked at him, a bit worried.
"-To know your name!"
"..."
"..."
Suddenly…
"Gwahhahha!" the girl began laughing. "Gahaha!"
"Tch!" Subaru grew annoyed at this girl's antics, thinking that she might just be a spoiled brat first and foremo-
"It's Emilia, just Emilia," she said with a smile. "Thank you for saving me, Subaru."
The moonlight illuminated her beauty, leaving Subaru stunned. As he was staring at her, awestruck, Rom woke up.
"Oh," he groaned. "What happened?" He turned and saw the destruction, as well as Reinhard, and quickly pieced it together.
"You'd better have gotten that girl!" he snarled. "Or I'm gonna be so mad."
"Fret not, Elsa seems to be defeated and Felt should be returning shortly." Reinhard replied.
"Eh? You know Felt?" Subaru asked.
"Yes, I met her while I was patrolling. She said you bought her time so she could escape and seek help."
Huh, guess my plan worked pretty well, after all, Subaru thought. As he was lost in thought, Felt made her reappearance, bending over to catch her breath.
"Old Man Rom!" she exclaimed.
"I'm fine kid, all healed up?"
"Oh, that's a relief...Wait, healed up? Were you hurt?"
"Nothin to worry about, kid. And don't you have something to give to the girl here?" He gestured to Emilia, who had an annoyed look on her face.
"Oh, yeah. Here, I guess. Sorry for stealing it, especially since" Felt tentatively lifted the insignia up for Emilia, before Reinhard grabbed her hand.
"Wha-? Hey, lemme go!" she screamed.
"This cannot be! What is your name?" Reinhard demanded.
"Eh? I-it's Felt!"
"And your family name? Your age?"
"I've got no family name, and I'm fifteen, I think!"
"Come with me!"
"…"
"May I ask what's wrong? If it's about my insignia…" Emilia trailed off.
"That is a grave crime, but it's nothing in comparison to overlooking this. The destiny of Lugunica is at stake here!" Reinhard told her.
"Hey, I've had enough o this!" Rom got up, but Reinhard simply raised his hand and Rom fell to the ground. He did the same to Felt.
"Are they gonna be okay?" Subaru asked, a bit scared, especially since he couldn't see Reinhard's emotions. He thought of summoning his lanterns, but that would take too long.
"They'll be fine," Reinhard informed him with Felt in his arms. He handed the insignia back to Emilia. "I'll just be taking them back with me."
…
Without warning, a pile of rubble broke apart, and out came Elsa, running straight at Emilia. Reinhard couldn't move with Felt in his arms, and Emilia was too shocked to respond. But Subaru Natsuki did not have their restraints. As the judge of this world, he needed to be swift with his judgments. He quickly grabbed Rom's fallen club and raced in front of Emilia, barely stopping Elsa's attack.
"Tch. Guess I underestimated you all. I'll see you again, soon. Till then, take good care of your bowels." With that, she ran off before anyone could react.
…
"Just let her go," Subaru grunted. "She's no threat now."
"I suppose you're right," Reinhard said, still carrying Felt.
"That's the second time you've saved me, Subaru," Emilia said. "If you've nowhere else to go, please allow me to take you back to my residence as compensation.
"Really? That's perfect!"
"It's good that you reacted in time," Reinhard praised him.
"Yeah, but we would've been screwed if not for this club." Subaru held up Rom's club...which promptly split in half.
"Eh?" was all Subaru could say before his stomach split open, and he collapsed.
"Oh no!" Emilia and Reinhard looked at him worriedly.
Ah, she's super cute when she's worrying. This is totally a...parallel world fantasy. With that, his consciousness faded.
"So he has successfully saved someone, and gained a new purpose.
"Yes, for what good is life without a purpose?"
"But I wonder, will he still embrace life when he realizes whose past he bears?"
And with that, Arc 1 is over. Thank you all for reading, and stay tuned for next time!
P.S. I'm not sure if this is a common complaint or not, but please be patient while expecting the different lantern powers. Subaru started off terrified and angry in this new world, only to gain a new sense of purpose, so his powers aren't really developed yet, nor has he faced anything that needs them (At the moment, his biggest challenge was Elsa, who he thought immediately after gaining his abilities). Ciao!