I do not own Re:Zero or any of the characters. Currently only seen the anime.
Interfering
Ian stepped out of the alleyway and raised an eyebrow as he spotted a young blonde girl running down the street, screaming for help. He walked over to meet her just as she bumped into a man with red hair in a white jacket and pants with a high collar, white pants, a black shirt under his jacket, and who had a beautiful, gilded sword with an apparently large blade strapped to his side. She pleaded with him to save her friend, saying he was going to be killed by someone, and the man nodded.
"Then I guess I'll just have to help you," the man said.
Ian's left hand closed around the scabbard of his sword. It was a black scabbard, which clashed with the rapier's deep blue grip and bright silver metal. the sword's guard was a small feather-like upward curve of metal on the back, then a feathered wing wrapping down in front of where his fingers would be. The blade itself was thin and about three and a half feet long with the first six inches having a strip of metal coiled around it decoratively, and there was a small, spherical, blue jewel at bottom of the guard, beside the diamond-shaped pommel. The sword's scabbard fit better with his clothes than the sword itself did. He'd most recently taken to wearing a short-sleeved black shirt, a dirty, frayed, dark grey half-cape over his left shoulder that fell to about mid-forearm, and dark grey pants. the only thing truly out of place were the brown leather boots on his feet, relics of a life long lost.
"I'll lend you a hand," Ian said, walking over to them. "Whoever it is, an extra sword couldn't possibly hurt, right?"
"Who are you?" the man asked.
"Ian, you?" Ian asked.
"My name is Reinhard van Astrea," the man said. "That's quite the sword you carry."
"It wasn't easy to get my hands on," Ian said, nodding. "I had to work hard to get it."
"That sounds like you stole it," the man said.
"You have my word that I didn't," Ian said. "If you'd like the specific story, I can tell you after we deal with whoever's got plans to be a murderer."
Reinhard nodded and they turned, running through the street toward the loot house the girl directed them to. As soon as they reached it, Ian pushed the door open, stepping into it and looking around. To his left, there was a girl that Ian instantly recognized as Emilia, who had pointed ears, silver hair, and a white dress, a giant with dark skin, a bald head, and blood coating the back of his head, and to the right was a boy with a white track suit jacket with black sleeves and shoulders, a yellow zipper and yellow inside, and an "N" logo on the chest, black track pants with yellow stripes up the sides, and black and yellow running shoes, and black hair swept backward and messily cut. He was clearly out of place, but he was also being held by the ankle by the woman Ian assumed they were supposed to stop, who had a jagged, curved dagger raised to remove his leg. The loot house was destroyed, and there were bits of ice scattered around, and Emilia was standing with her arms extended toward the woman. The woman had long black hair with a purple flower in it, a black cloak with purple fur around the hood and a gold clasp, a black dress with the front open all the way to her waist, only barely covering her nipples.
"Who are you?" the woman asked, releasing the out-of-place boy, who fled from her instantly.
"I'm...shall we say...an interested party," Ian said, just before Reinhard exploded down through the ceiling. "Really Reinhard? you couldn't use the door like a normal person?"
Reinhard shrugged.
"My, my," the woman smirked. "The Sword Saint, Reinhard van Astrea."
"Reinhard?" the out-of-place boy asked. "But...how?"
"Hello there, Subaru," Reinhard smiled back at him as Ian walked over to stand beside him. "We meet again. Sorry I'm late." He turned back to the woman. "Black hair, black clothes, and a blade unique to the Northern Provinces. There's no mistaking those characteristics. You are the Bowel Hunter."
"Seriously?" Subaru asked. "What kind of evil nickname is that?"
"It was derived from her unique style of killing those who oppose her," Reinhard said. "Her name is known far and wide as a menace to society."
The woman licked her lips. "Ah, Reinhard. Yes. A true knight among knights, born to the master swordsman's line. It's quite remarkable that each of my opponents is so much fun."
"I have many questions for you," Reinhard said. "I suggest you surrender."
"Do you really think a starving predator like me to resist such delectable prey?" she asked.
"Subaru, please move back," Reinhard said. "If you'd stand over beside her, I'd appreciate it."
"You go, too," Ian said. "I'm taking the first crack at her."
Reinhard raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
"What could go wrong?" Ian asked.
Reinhard shrugged, walking over to the elf with Subaru. Ian drew his sword and began to walk forward calmly. The woman grinned and shot forward, slashing. Ian deflected the blade, but before he had even realized she was moving, she had spun in a circle, her blade splitting him nearly in half across the gut. He staggered backward and stared at his wound before sighing.
"Well, that sucks," he sighed.
"You go, too," Ian said. "I'm taking the first crack at her."
Reinhard raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
"What could go wrong?" Ian asked.
Reinhard shrugged, walking over to the elf with Subaru. Ian drew his sword and began to walk forward calmly. The woman grinned and shot forward, slashing. Ian deflected the blade, and the woman spun, slashing at his abdomen, only for the blade to deflect off of his blade, being forced into the air. He twisted his arm, stabbing at her, and she spun around it, her blade flashing through his abdomen.
He twisted his arm, stabbing at her and she spun around it, her blade flashing around and crashing into his. He shoved it away and stepped backward, narrowly avoiding the blade before moving to slash her, only for her to spin in a circle again.
Ian deflected a flurry of slashes before stabbing at her. She stepped aside so he would pass her and he spun, slashing at her only for her leap away from him, his blood splattering across the ground.
The woman ducked under his slash, her blade splitting his abdomen.
Ian kicked the woman's arm at the elbow, stopping her slash, and slashed downward at her, forcing her to leap away. Then, as he charged, she drew a second blade, meeting his charge. He slashed at her and she spun out of the way, her full, voluptuous chest pressing against his back for a moment before he spun, stabbed backward at her, only for her to leap away, grinning as his intestines spilled out.
As he charged, she drew a second blade, meeting his charge. He slashed at her and she spun out of the way, Ian instantly spinning the other way and slashing at her. She deflected it and jumped backward, only for him to step forward, slashing hard enough to snap one of her blades. She smirked, lunging at him as she drew a new blade, both of the ones in her hands now thin and jagged. Ian spun aside from her slash, deflecting her other blade before stepping after her and slashing, missing her but cutting her cape off below her shoulders. She spun slashing at him and he deflected several blows before she stepped backward once. He also stepped back, recognizing her about to strike heavily. Then, she shot forward, slashing overhead hard. He moved to block it with one hand, only for the force of her blow to embed his blade in his own torso all the way into his lung.
"Hm," she smiled wickedly. "Looks like I'm stronger than you."
She shot forward, slashing overhead hard. He moved to block it, both hands gripping the hilt, only for the force of her blow to embed his blade in his own torso all the way into his lung.
"Hm," she smiled wickedly. "Looks like I'm stronger than you."
She shot forward, slashing overhead hard. He moved to block it, one hand gripping the hilt and the other braced against the blunt side of the blade, only for the force of her blow to shatter his bracing arm's wrist before his blade twisted and carved through his own forearm, sheering off the flesh from the underside and embedding its back edge in his own torso.
"Hm," she smiled wickedly. "Looks like I'm stronger than you."
Spun aside from her powerful slash, moving to slash at her, only for her to kick his blade, embedding its back edge in his chest.
"Hm, she smiled wickedly. "Looks like I'm stronger than you."
"You go, too," Ian said. "I'm taking the first crack at her."
Reinhard raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
"What could go wrong?" Ian asked.
Reinhard shrugged, walking over to the elf with Subaru. Ian detached his scabbard from his belt and readied himself. The woman raised an eyebrow before streaking forward, slashing at him. He stepped aside, angling his blade to allow hers to sheer off the side of his scabbard. He spun, slashing at her with the blade, the scabbard slamming into her side. She staggered to the side before slashing at him, and he stepped past her, her blade sheering off the other side of the sheath. She spun instantly, slashing again and sheered off the front edge and the tip, exposing the blade. Ian went on the offensive instantly, his blade clashing against hers over and over in a constant shower of sparks. Finally, she jumped back, then shot forward. As she slashed at him overhead, he blocked it with his right hand on the hilt and his left braced on the back against the scabbard. The impact jarred his bones, but the blade stopped. He shoved her blade aside and slashed at her, only for her to spin aside, slashing at him. He spun, deflecting her blow before jumping back and avoiding a second.
"He's amazing!" Subaru breathed.
"Indeed," Reinhard nodded.
The woman shot forward and Ian moved to meet her charge, both slashing. As they finished their strikes, Ian sighed as blood sprayed from his abdomen, glancing back at her as she held a hand to her own wounded side. He'd been close.
The woman prepared to charge and Ian readied himself, smirking slightly. He could do this. However, when she moved to charge, and he moved to meet her, she suddenly shot sideways. His eyes widened and he began to turn, only for her blades to flash through his abdomen.
Ian deflected her strike, spinning and catching her other forearm with his foot, flipping backward and landing beside Reinhard, breathing hard. He glanced at the elf just as she finished healing the giant of a man who'd been wounded.
"I think that's probably enough stalling," Ian said, kneeling and picking up a sword and passing it to Reinhard. "She's all yours."
"Aw, you're giving up?" she asked.
"I know when I'm beaten," Ian said. "I saw myself die by your hand every strike you through, and never once managed to see myself killing you. So, I'm going to switch out while my intestines are still inside my body."
The woman smirked. "You surprised me by how good you were, and now again with how wise you are. Very well."
She shot toward Reinhard as he walked forward and his borrowed sword's blade glowed blue. Then, he slashed upward, snapping off the blade of her knife. She leapt back, drawing another instantly, and smirked at him. Then, she took off, streaking around the room and slashing at him in a blur again and again, moving even faster and fighting even harder than she had against Ian. Each time, Reinhard deflected the strikes, breaking the daggers every few strikes. However, still she continued.
"Reinhard, stop playing around and finish her," Ian called out.
"Yes, you're right," Reinhard said. "It's best end this now." Instantly, a massive cloud of mana began to rise off of him into the air, catching the light of the moon through the hole he'd put in the ceiling, which he now stood under again.
"What are you going to show me?" the woman asked.
"The swordplay of the Astrea family," Reinhard said, swinging his sword back, then forward, gripping it with two hands as his blade began to glow brighter and brighter until it shone.
The woman grinned, readying herself. "You're facing the Bowel Hunter, Ms. Elsa Granhiert."
"Master Swordsman's line," Reinhard said, twisting to his right, holding the sword across his chest toward her. "I'm Reinhard van Astrea."
Mana began to form in the air around the blade before exploding off of it, the light shining from it rapidly growing to blinding. Then, she moved and he struck. A massive white explosion completely obliterated the loot house, Ian deflecting several pieces of debris that flew toward him and the other three, including Elsa's broken blade.
"No way!" Subaru shouted in a high voice. "Look at his place! You're a freaking monster, ya freak!"
"Even I'm hurt by a cruel comment like that, Subaru," Reinhard smiled. He looked down at the sword as it disintegrated. "I'm sorry I asked too much of you. Rest well now."
Ian walked over to Reinhard, who turned toward him, eyeing his sword. "As promised, I'll tell you how I got the sword. It belonged to a family whom I now live with, and who hired me as protection. I was given the sword after fighting off a very large group of Maw Beasts using a kitchen knife and a rake. When both of those broke, the master of the house gave me the sword to use, and then allowed me to keep it afterward."
"I see," Reinhard nodded. "That does sound like you had to work hard."
"Oh yeah, Reinhard, I haven't properly thanked you yet," Subaru said. "You really saved my ass. Saved it back in the alley too. Guess you just have a way of knowing when I could really use some help."
"If I had the ability to do that, I'd certainly be proud," Reinhard smiled. "This friend of yours." He looked over to the side at the small blonde girl, now peeking round a chunk of destroyed wall. "I found her running around in the streets quite frightened and desperate. And she asked for my help, so I cam here. Ian, here, was present as well, so he volunteered to lend his blade as well."
"It's her," Emilia said.
"Now hold on just a second," Subaru smiled. "If she hadn't brought Reinhard and the other guy here, who knows if we'd even be having this conversation. Just take a look at this face and spare me the ice statue punishment, okay?"
"I wouldn't do anything that violent," Emilia said, turning her head away. "And what does your face have to do with any-"
A piece of wood shifted off to the side and they all spun as it exploded off of Elsa. Blood was running down her face and her cape was gone, her hair a mess, and her dress ripped around the edges. She shot toward Subaru and Emilia instantly, a furious glare on her face.
"Get away!" Subaru shouted, shoving Emilia out of her way and holding a club as big as his body in the path of her blade.
The force of her slash hurled him backward a split second before Ian could block it.
"That boy got in my way again!" Elsa snarled.
Then, she spun to try and avoid Ian's blade, only for it to tear a gash across her back. She shrieked in pain, staggering away and glaring at him.
"You've slowed down a lot," Ian said. "Then maybe I can finish this."
"Before long, I will disembowel every last person in this room," she said. "Until then, take care of yourselves."
Then, she leapt backward, flipping and landing on the end of a broken log, then flipped over a wall beside her and fled.
"Are you alright?" Ian asked Emilia.
"My being alright isn't what's most important right now, Ian," Emilia said, pushing him aside. "But...are you alright? That was far too reckless!"
Subaru groaned as he pushed himself up. "Oh, it was no problem! Now, it sure took a long time to get here, but the good news is I finally made it." He suddenly kicked his hips out to the side, spreading his feet a bit and pointed into the air with his right hand. "My name is Subaru Natsuki, and I just risked it all to save your life from a dangerous and heinous villain!" He shifted his pose to something like flexing his right arm's muscles while turning toward his arm. "Is that okay!?"
"O...kay?" Emilia asked, confused.
"It means are we clear on that," Subaru said, then shifted to leaning his weight on his left leg, his right out to the side and both arms over his head, the left arm straight and the right out to the side slightly. "So, okay!?"
"O-O-Okay," Emilia stammered, still confused and uncomfortable.
"I, your rescuer, am the one who saved your life!" Subaru said. "And you are the heroine I just rescued from the clutches of evil!" he began to thrust his hips slightly as his voice grew something like mocking and child-voiced at the same time. "So, wouldn't that mean you repay me in kind? Wouldn't it? Huh?"
Ian narrowed his eyes, his right hand closing around his sword's hilt tighter.
"Yes, I understand!" Emilia said, holding her arms in front of herself nervously. "But only if whatever you want, reward-wise, is within my powers, of course."
"That sounds fair to me!" Subaru said. "In that case, I have only one request! And, that request is..." Subaru pointed at her then snapped his fingers, his voice gaining a shaky attempt at a suave tone, "I want you to tell me what your name is."
Emilia stared at him for a moment before giggling. "Emilia. My name is Emilia. Only Emilia. Your price was easy to pay." She held her hand out to him. "Thanks for saving me, Subaru."
Subaru sighed, accepting her hand. "Oh, man, talk about unequal compensation."
"Anyway, Subaru, I'm impressed you're still able to stand," Reinhard said.
"I'm lucky this thing was there to grab for protection," Subaru said, gesturing at the club. "Otherwise, I'd be in two pieces right now."
"True," Reinhard said, bending down and lifting the club, except, only half of it rose, the separation perfectly flat. "if not for this...what the?"
"Subaru, lay down, now," Ian said instantly.
Subaru looked down at his abdomen as his jacket fell open across his abdomen. "Uh oh. I should have seen this coming."
His stomach began to bleed in a flat line and Ian shoved him to the ground just before blood sprayed out of him.
"Subaru!" Emilia gasped. "Subaru!"
"Emilia, heal him!" Ian said.
"Right!" Emilia said, beginning to work as Ian cut his own jacket into strips, quickly tying them into bandages.
After nearly fifteen minutes, she'd stabilized him temporarily, and Ian quickly used the makeshift bandages to bind his wound.
"We need to get him to Beatrice," Ian said.
"Right!" Emilia nodded.
"By the way, Miss Emilia," Reinhard said. "What's the nature of your relationship with Subaru?"
"An acquaintance?" Emilia offered. "Honestly, I don't recall ever seeing him before. When we met earlier today, I believe it was the very first time."
"He was looking for you," Reinhard said. "Said he had something to give you. Odd behavior for a stranger."
"Yes, it is rather peculiar," Emilia said, holding a hand to her chin thoughtfully.
"He probably wanted to get your insignia for you and give it to you to try and impress you," Ian said. "He seems a bit simple, so he likely jumped the gun with saying he had something to give you, thinking he could have it by the time you found whoever took it."
"So what do you intend to do with him, then?" Reinhard asked. "I'd be glad to take him to my home to rest, at least while he's healing."
Emilia shook her head. "Ian's right. We should take him to my home, where we have someone who can heal him fully. Besides, that way I can find out what's really going on."
"I might have a theory about him," Ian said. "I'll check once he's recovered."
Emilia nodded. "More importantly, what will happen to the girl and the old man?"
"In an official capacity, I cannot overlook what they've done here," Reinhard said. "However, as luck would have it, I just so happen to be off-duty today."
Emilia giggled. "Well, aren't you a bad knight." She walked over to the little girl, who looked away in fear. "So this old man is part of your family I take it?"
"Yeah, something like that, I guess," the girl said. "Old Man Rom is the only person I have in this world. I suppose he's like my grandpa."
"I see," Emilia smiled. "I only have one family member, too." She pointed to the small green crystal attached to the front of her dress, which was the home of the cat-like spirit she worked with. "He's always asleep at the most important times, though. Of course, I'd never say that out loud while he's awake. I'd never hear the end of it."
"Considering what I did, I figured you'd be a lot harder on me," the girl said. "You saved my life back there, and I can't let a debt go unpaid, so I'll return what I stole from you, okay?" She reached into an inside pocket of the leather vest she was wearing. "If it's important, I suggest you hide it so no one can steal it again, okay?" She held out a small black stone with a gold insignia and a red gemstone in the center of it.
"I appreciate the advice, but it's a little strange hearing it from you," Emilia smiled.
"Hearing advice to avoid being pickpocketed is most helpful when it comes from a thief," Ian said. "They know what they're doing better than anyone."
Suddenly, Reinhard grabbed her wrist, lifting her hand to get a better look at the insignia.
"What are you doing?" Emilia asked.
"Hey!" the girl shouted. "You're hurting me! Let go of my arm!"
"This can't be possible!" Reinhard gasped, looking at the thief. "What's your name?"
"Huh?" the girl asked. "It's Felt! And why do you-"
"Family name!" Reinhard interrupted. "And just how old are you?"
"Look, I don't have anything fancy like a family name!" Felt said. "And I'm about...fifteen if I had to guess! I don't know my birthday! Now just let me go!"
"Sorry, Miss Emilia," Reinhard said. "But I just can't keep my promise to you at this time. I'll be taking this girl with me for further questioning."
"May I ask you why?" Emilia asked. "If it's just for stealing my insignia, then-"
"The act alone is no small crime, certainly," Reinhard said. "But if I overlook what's unfolding before me at this moment, I know it would be the biggest crime of them all." He pulled Felt to her feet. "I'll need you to come along with me. I'm sorry, but I simply cannot allow you to refuse."
"Get over yourself!" Felt snapped. "Just because you saved me doesn't mean you-"
Reinhard held his hand in front of her face and she suddenly fainted.
"That little move didn't seem very knightly either," Emilia said.
"I was careful not to use too much," Reinhard assured her. "Miss Emilia, I will most likely be calling upon you again very soon. I hope you understand." He passed her the insignia. "Please take care of Subaru, he's been through a lot." The moon passed out from behind a cloud and they both looked up at it. "Tonight may be our last chance to gaze calmly at the moon."
"Don't be so dramatic," Ian said. "Also, be sure to be gentle with that little girl. Whatever you suspect is happening, she's not the mastermind. She was likely hired through a middleman, probably Elsa, to steal something she likely doesn't know the significance of."
"I understand," Reinhard said. "I won't torture her, if that's what you're afraid of."
"Physical injuries aren't the only kind of torture," Ian said. "Being denied sleep can be torture, as can be being scared constantly."
Reinhard nodded. "Despite my actions now, I have my honor as a knight. I will not do anything unbecoming of a knight."
Ian nodded before turning and lifting Subaru onto his back. "Come on, Emilia. We should hurry."
Emilia nodded and they left quickly, moving to find a carriage to take them back home.
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