Chapter 2: A monster? No! An angel!

(Subaru – 19 years old)

In the alleyway

What is your name?

His name? Maybe she just didn't hear him the first time, she appeared distracted for a second there. It almost seemed like she was scared for some reason but looking at her heroic stance, the young man far from home was sure that he was just imagining things. After all, according to his great and varied knowledge of modern-day anime culture, someone called the Sword Saint should have a pretty high power-level in this kind of isekai world!

Quickly regaining his wits he faced the dazzling carmine haired knight radiating a sense of power alongside her calming gaze that seemed to be as cool as the ice that her eyes must have stolen their shine and color from.

[Subaru: Sorry for blabbering so much my fair maiden, I must have distracted you with my chatter. I am called Natsuki Subaru, but now that I think of it, I would probably be called "Subaru Natsuki" here instead.]

Seemingly intrigued by the fact that he felt the need to switch around the order of his own name, and the fact that he had unintentionally confirmed that he was indeed a foreigner both to the city and apparently to Lugnican customs in general, the Sword Saint Reina quickly admonished herself for her misstep in being distracted because she was called a lady and not paying attention when he introduced himself.

Considering the fact that the young man and now less likely noble is dressed in what her Divine Protection of the Tailor informs her is impossibly foreign and unreproducible garb, she concludes that he quite simply does not realize what he is saying when he calls her "dear lady" or "fair maiden".

While she strangely feels some small stinging sensation in her heart at the realization that his compliments were as empty as everyone else's, Reina quickly soothes herself with the knowledge that even if his words are unintentionally insincere, he does not mean any harm as he is still unused to Lugnican titles and customs.

Granting the now slightly confused enigma a warm smile so as to not startle him once he places his attention back on her, she begins to inform him of her name after she educates him as to why he should be more careful with throwing around honeyed words like a courtier. After all, what if next time he butters up a monster who isn't as bound to her duty as she is, one who would truly take advantage of what appears to be an innocent if otherwise troubled young traveler with such warm eyes?

[Reina: Please do not feel the need to use stiff formality or sweet flattery when speaking with me. While I am a knight of the kingdom, I am also a protector of the people, so it makes me a little uncomfortable to be addressed as if I was the King.]

The young traveler from a distant world lightly nods his head, as if impossibly understanding why she would want to finally have someone speak to her as an equal, because it was their choice and not due to some courtly duty or royal gravitas.

While she does not dare to even think of using her Divine Protection of Soul-Viewing, especially in her new enigma's presence, she still would swear that she almost finds some measure of joy within the eyes of the one she now knows as Natsuki Subaru at being able to speak casually to a monster like her. Perhaps he is the type to be deceived by even an assassin's pretty face, or could it be that he is like her, searching desperately for someone to understand and reach out to him as a person?

[Reina: Furthermore, while I would certainly be happy if you considered me as a lady or a maiden before a knight, I believe that the word you meant to use was "Dame" which is an older Lugnican title used to describe female knights when the distinction must be made between them and their brothers in arms.]

With a small blush now appearing on his face due to the slight faux paus he had made, the boy with the strange bag full of now alien foodstuff almost began half-heartedly running his mouth out of embarrassment as he always had before he quit going to school after failing to fit in, however after reflecting on what he has already experienced both in his old world and this new one he decided to earnestly listen instead of interrupting his new savior's introduction.

[Reina: That being said it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Natsuki Subaru, and I hope you will forgive me for my previous inattentiveness. My official title is a mouthful even for those of Lugnican birth, so it would make me happy if you would simply call me Reina, Subaru.]

Ending her short introduction with a bashful smile and small embarrassed blush fit to melt the heart of anyone who witnesses it, Subaru found himself for the second time in this world having his heart skip a beat. While he is aware that as a shut in, he is a bit weaker to women than he otherwise would be, he is sure that no matter who it was they would be spellbound by such a sight. Like the dawn's rising sun cresting over a sea of white clouds, the slight redness coloring her alabaster cheeks in concert with her shy smile made seemingly just for him caused Subaru to drop his vigilant guard for the first time since he had tasted his last death.

Quickly snapping out of his temporary stupor after remembering that she was waiting for him to reply to her, the now truly red-faced young man bravely stammers out a reply past the sound of his own quickened heartbeats. All of them caused by such a beautiful young woman piercing his defenses and casually closing the metaphorical distance between them as if it were never there in the first place.

[Subaru: It's no problem at all! Honestly, I feel more indebted to you than the other way around. It's pretty lonely that no one else showed up when I called for help, so thanks again for the save, Reina!]

Though she had heard those words spoken to her hundreds of thousands of times in just as many varieties whilst acting as the Sword Saint, for the first time in her life it was not the great blade of Lugnica that was being thanked, but rather this heartfelt gratitude was aimed solely at the girl named Reina. Deep within her wounded heart, unbeknownst to even her, this simple gratitude no larger nor brighter than a candle's flame would become the first stirring of the grand blaze that would go on to light up the path to her passion and salvation.

Far too soon for the young swordswoman in the middle of processing the unexpected joy that his simple thanks had brought her, the boy with the deep eyes warm like smoldering charcoal and hair black as the boundless night sky suddenly acted as if he was struck and looked just like he was going to turn away after offering some sort of promise, presumably to pay her back for her timely appearance.

Though she realized that it was rude to simply bar his way when he seemed to have remembered some important errand he had to complete, the feeling of needing to understand him grew more and more within her until finally she swiftly interjected with an offer that the people of this world would describe as once in a lifetime.

[Reina: Pardon me Subaru, but you seem to be troubled by something. While I realize it may not be my place to interject, I would be glad to offer you aid in whatever capacity you require, whether it is my sword you need or even simply a friend to listen to you. In fact, a delightful diner with a scenic view of the Capital just opened up this morning not even two minutes away, shall we order a light meal and discuss whatever is bothering you?]

Despite her upbeat and friendly tone, as well as what her newly acquired Divine Protection of Companionship assured her was a flawless invitation for someone feeling distressed by their responsibilities or problems, the young man still awkwardly grinned at her and replied as if afraid of involving her in whatever mess he was stuck in.

While internally giddy at the genuine care and concern he was showing for her wellbeing, due to the fact that she had reason to believe he may be in danger because of his newly recalled errand, she was wishing at this moment that he could be somewhat more like the Sage Council and display their lack of tact in employing her considerable martial ability.

[Subaru: Ah… Hey Reina I'm really sorry, but I'm on a tight schedule and I don't have the time to sit around drinking tea and chatting. Once I'm done delivering that insignia or whatever back to that gorgeous silver haired girl in the white cloak, I'll definitely come back and treat you somewhere nice. If it's not too much trouble though, could I ask you to deliver a message to her if you see her? I just need you to let her know to stay away from the loot house, and that I'll definitely bring back what was stolen from her.]

An overwhelming feeling of surprise passes through her as she realizes that her offer of aid has been rejected by the aspiring hero turning his back to her and running toward the entrance of the slum district, however the fact that Subaru described a silver haired girl in a white cloak as having lost an insignia of great importance fills her with both equal measures of shock and curiosity.

As a knight of the Kingdom of Lugnica as well as the Sword Saint it is her duty to defend the candidates against any threats to their life, and so though it pains her to sneak about like a thief trailing her new closest friend, on account of the fact that there may potentially be a candidate in danger she must continue to observe her duty and follow him while hiding her presence. Indeed, her only reason for doing this is her ironclad loyalty to the Dragon's kingdom, after all to act for any other reason would be unthinkable for the Capital's monstrous Sword Saint.

Turning around and heading out of the alleyway after failing to get a response out of the seemingly stunned young lady before him, he quickly continues dashing towards a destination he should have already reached well before now. Though he knows that it is was wrong of him to waste time chatting so much with Reina when lives are at stake, for some reason, he found that he felt a strange sense of kinship with the heroic girl.

Despite clearly living in two totally different circumstances he couldn't help but notice that there was a hint of isolation in her eyes similar to his own, however he quickly brushed that thought off, after all how could such an important and charismatic person ever be without the love of friends or family?

Breaching the entrance of the slums and looking at the now slightly dusky sky, Subaru quickly begins making his way over to the loot house directly. While it'd be nice to meet up directly with Felt and have her hand over the insignia, he knows that the small girl should have already arrived at the loot house by this time, and even if he did catch her before she got there, he may not have been able to have even bartered with her without the wizened giant overseeing the trade.

Looking back on the girl's speed he concludes that it is even possible she could have stolen the cellphone had he have approached her carelessly. Passing over the small river by crossing the scenic bridge that the mysterious half elf girl once used to commune with the local spirits, he notices the loot house in the distance with what appears to be still lit windows.

While this is no guarantee of the survival of the occupants inside it still fills him with hope that he may still be able to arrive before the Bowel Hunter Elsa arrives and ties up all of her loose ends in the most brutal fashion befitting her sadistic title.

Arriving at the loot house at last, he is glad to see the door seemingly still having gone unpunished by any killers or monsters trying to gain entrance to the affable if irritating souls held within the loot houses cramped and warmly lit walls.

Sounding off a quick and sharp knock like those dour soldiers he had seen represented in so many great military and action anime productions, he steps back and waits to be either greeted by the deceptively threatening face of the giant owner of the loot house named Rom, or to be called out to with a challenge phrase that he unfortunately doesn't know how to correctly respond to; seeing as he still hasn't had a chance to memorize the secretive call and response.

In less than ten seconds he can clearly hear the heavy wooden club being lifted off of the ground within the loot house due to the floorboards groaning in relief now that its considerable weight was temporarily removed from them. The giant man who would come to appraise his item and offer him his chance to win the loop then called out asking about what should be given to rats.

Assuming that he may end up dead if he answers randomly with something like "anything but a cookie", he decides to play it safe and come out entirely honest with no pretenses, especially seeing as how the two experienced criminals within would most likely be able to detect any falsehoods in his story or posturing.

[Subaru: Old man Rom! I'm here to negotiate for that thing that Felt picked up today! I have something you'll love, but it's too dangerous to discuss this in the open. I'm alone out here, so please allow me inside so I can show you what I have to exchange.]

After an almost meandering exchange of voices muffled by the still-closed door ring out, Subaru begins to see what appears to him like the light of heaven bursting forth from the opening of the pearly gates. The slight amount of space left by the owner of the loot house cracking the door open allows Subaru to not only see the barest hint of the warm glow of the interior, but also observe a shock of the giant proprietor's aged white hair alongside a single one of his now slightly menacing eyes.

Smiling in what he hopes is a disarming manner, he moves to present himself fully within the giant's vision to prove that he is unarmed, or at least that he is not bearing any weapons at the moment.

[Subaru: As you can see, it's just me. I have come into possession of a Metia of great value and would like the opportunity to both have you appraise it and to then use it to immediately purchase what Felt has "picked up" from a certain girl today in the streets.]

The giant seems to consider him for a sparse few seconds before coming to the, admittedly embarrassing if not correct conclusion, that he is both a weakling unused to fighting and that he is not displaying any of the subtle tells of one who is plotting a robbery. Now opening the door fully and allowing Subaru to see Felt lounging on the bar stool drinking what he assumes must be milk or water, the giant grants him a still slightly guarded smile and invites him to come inside and have his Metia appraised, however upon closer inspection Subaru worriedly takes note of the fact that he still hasn't set down the rugged club thicker than his torso that he seems to be wielding like a stick.

[Rom: Alright boy, you don't seem to be lying to me so I'll give ya a chance, but try anything funny and I'll use that mop on top of your head to clean up the blood. Keep your hands where I can see them and well away from my merchandise. There's another customer looking to purchase the item, so you'll need ta be bidding against her with that Metia of yours. I'll appraise it up front, so go ahead and take a seat at the bar while you wait.]

Gingerly inching past the giant who left only enough room in the doorway for him to barely squeeze through, he is forced to recognize that beneath his leathery tanned skin is an absurd amount of corded muscle the likes of which he had only seen displayed on the front of bodybuilding magazines. Desperately ignoring the tingling feeling on his back of being watched by the giant wielding what is essentially a telephone pole, he slowly and purposefully takes a seat at the bar so as to not disturb either of the armed people within.

After sitting down he hears the door close once more as the giant walks around the counter and holds his hand out expectantly, clearly waiting for him to prove his words as true and hand over his Metia for inspection. Offering a now more confident grin bordering on smugness, he presents his ancient cell phone for examination and begins to go over its good qualities like a snake oil salesman, being careful all the while to word its functions in terms that would be appropriate for a fantasy world such as this.

[Subaru: Now my friends, I present to you this Metia of great power that is sure to garner the attention of all in the land. This precious and one of a kind Metia is called a "cell phone" and it has a number of amazing functions all compactly placed within its easily portable frame. While I could spend all evening speaking about its fantastic applications, I believe it would be best to demonstrate its awesome abilities. With your permission I shall display but one of its many distinguished powers, the ability to capture a moment in time and preserve it instantly, like the world's greatest and fastest painter being at your beck and call at all times.]

Seemingly interested by his grand claims, Rom raises his hand as a sign of his permission to take a photo. Turning around to the still silent Felt who has been intently watching him since he came in, he offers her a smile that wouldn't lose to any conman back on Earth as he aims the cell phone at her. In an instant the phone flashes as he captures her slightly surprised face in the middle of a blink, before he feels his wrist get arrested by a much larger hand as the giant impatiently demands to know what he had done.

[Rom: What in the Dragon's name was that light boy? Are you trying to get yourself killed?]

Hurriedly calling out a quick reply in response to the giant's threatening tone, Subaru gently takes the phone in his other hand in order to show the master of the loot house the work of his "Metia".

[Subaru: Of course not! Look here, the cell phone uses that small flash of light in order to paint the portrait. You can tell here that it is a perfect picture of the moment I activated my Metia.]

The adorable picture of Felt's face scrunched up in surprise due to the flash of the cell phone, along with what Subaru would only privately admit was a cutely wrinkled nose, seemed to soothe the giant as his death grip on his wrist was removed without any apparent broken bones to show for it.

Now contented that the boy truly meant no harm and posed no threat due to his inability to prevent his wrist from being grabbed, the giant sat back and let out a genuine laugh at the somewhat ridiculous face his blonde charge had made.

Hearing a huff beside him before receiving a quick and painless punch to his side, he looks over to see an embarrassed Felt now slightly glaring at him for catching her off guard.

[Felt: That's supposed to be me? Your Metia must be broken then, because I'm at least twice as cute as that, and besides who the hell told you that you could aim it at me you bastard! I'll kick you if you try anything funny like that again!]

Smiling warmly at the little blonde baring her small fangs towards him, he turns back to the now honestly smiling giant and hands the cell phone over to him so that he may make a closer inspection.

[Subaru: Now please be gentle with it, I wasn't lying when I said it's one of a kind. If you break it, I'm seriously going to have to die over here.]

Giving off a low laugh at what he assumes to be an exaggeration of the boy's ultimate fate, Rom calmly begins examining the cell phone the same way an artist might examine a canvas before committing paint to it.

With a gentleness one would never expect from someone seemingly capable of tossing a car, he gently opens and closes the flipping mechanism of the cell phone and carefully depresses the buttons held on the keypad as if to test whether or not they were malleable to the touch. Apparently satisfied by what he had seen, he gives off a childish grin belying his true age as he shoots a quick glance at Subaru before looking over at Felt.

[Rom: I'd not take any less than say fifteen, no, twenty holy gold coins for such a Metia. If what you say about it having other equally amazing abilities is true, then the nobles who collect such things may even be tempted to shell out a bit more.]

Obviously liking what the old man had said about the value of the item he was bargaining with; the girl gave Subaru what he could only describe as an equally if not more cunning smile than what he had presented when showing off his Metia. Wondering whether or not she may have been a perfume saleswoman in her past life, Subaru's attention is grabbed by the dull tap of a three-quarters filled mug of watered-down ale landing in front of him, courtesy of the giant now giving him a welcoming smile.

[Rom: First one is free for paying customers, but if you want any more than this it'll cost ya. To be honest you seem pretty broke besides the Metia, so I'll give you a good rate. We'll be here for a little while yet before your competitor shows up, so just go ahead and get comfortable.]

While slightly distracted before, the giant's words served as an ice bucket for Subaru as he sobered up and cautiously replied with both unease and a slight hint of fear beginning to appear on his face. Knowing what he does, if they allow the assassin to enter, they will all be killed in a terrible fashion. Seeing as how he is greatly interested in keeping his insides on the inside, he quickly suggests finishing the deal immediately.

[Subaru: Now now, let's not waste our precious youth with something like that. A friend of mine told me about a great diner, why don't we take all this money and go get the good stuff instead of waiting around here forever? Come on, let's go right now, how about it?]

Seemingly sensing his discomfort, the young thief slightly scowls at his clear display of nervousness and informs him of her policy, which to Subaru may as well have been the sound of his guillotine being sharpened.

[Felt: No can do, my original client hasn't arrived yet, and besides she might have brought even more than you did. This might look like any old gemstone, but it's actually a really valuable item you know. You might have even underbid.]

Bearing the same kind of face a prisoner on death row might as he was told that the electric chair was brought back just for him, the young man quickly begins wracking his mind looking for some reason for the petite thief to not allow the dangerous assassin to bid against himself.

Coming up empty on all fronts and just as he was about to start begging, he hears a knock on the door outside. With dawning horror he turns around in a cold sweat to see the door separating him from death being slowly opened by the young girl whose movements he had missed in his panicked distraction, and like a lamb to the slaughter she had opened the door to her own demise.

[Subaru: Everybody look out! She's gonna kill us all!]

After screaming such a thing and rushing to get out of range of any blades that may be brought to bear against him, the boy turns around in shock as he hears a voice he didn't expect to encounter until he had finished his mission in securing the insignia.

[Satella?: Kill you? I would never do something so terrible. I simply wish for you to return what you have stolen, and so long as you do so I will have no cause to use force. You may keep everything else, however the insignia must leave here with me and that is final.]

Now fully aware of the frowning half elven girl standing before them baring a menagerie of frighteningly sharp icicles born of her spirit's power, the young man does something no one expected him to, and lets out an almost relived laugh that could also be mistaken as a sigh. Somewhat surprised, but not willing to drop her guard in front of the magician aiming pointy ice at her, the blonde girl shoots a glance at her giant ally as if asking what their chances are.

[Rom: Well Felt, if it were just an ordinary magic user I'd not back down, but this little lass here oughta be a spirits art user. Tell me girl, are ya an elf?]

Seemingly surprised and somewhat reluctant to answer the giant's query about her parentage, the half-elf gives off a soft sigh that is barely heard even within the silenced room as she announces herself fully.

[Satella?: No, I am not fully elven, but rather I am a half elf.]

Taking a moment to think, it is not even a few seconds later that the short thief lets out an exaggerated reaction, as if the witch herself had decided to come and gobble her up as she had so often been warned of by her old man Rom.

[Felt: A half-elf with silver hair?! It can't be, are you-]

[Satella?: No! Any resemblance is entirely coincidental, and honestly it is actually quite troubling for me as well. I honestly mean you no harm so long as you quietly hand over my insignia like a good girl should.]

Seemingly wanting to take this moment to steer the conversation towards his desired outcome, the wannabe hero quickly lets out a depressed sigh that is as exaggerated as it is fake.

[Subaru: Well Felt, I guess we better give it up. We obviously can't beat a spirit arts user after all, and besides this might actually be a lucky break in disguise.]

Turning his attention fully to the warm-hearted half-elf girl who was unknowingly in possession of his dying promise, he tries to give a dashing smile, but unfortunately only managed to appear as a slightly less bloodthirsty thug to the silver haired candidate due to her assumption of his guilt.

[Subaru: As for you dear miss half-elf, I must ask you to take better care of your belongings in the future. Please refrain from allowing anymore thieves to pick your pocket, especially when you are carrying such precious cargo.]

Appearing entirely distrustful of Subaru, she was about to begin questioning him when out of the corner of his eye he saw a blade begin approaching the girl he only knew as Satella. In a rush to protect her, he quickly calls out to the only one capable of shielding her against the killing blow.

[Subaru: Puck! Shield her, quickly!]

In almost the same instant as the blade would have lopped off the beautiful amethyst eyed girl's head, a screen of ice appeared followed by a small cat that would surely not be out of place if it were lined up against the mascots of the young man's home world. Giving off a grateful smile followed by a quick word of thanks, the cat begins to prepare to engage the assassin by charging up for an extra special attack.

Deciding to give his feline friend a hand, Subaru quickly steps forward to give out a monologue fit to make even the most pretentious of sophists nauseous with his self-righteous double speak, the kind that would normally be reserved for moments when a C-list villain suddenly felt the need to offer some half-hearted explanation for his wicked deeds.

However, in what nobody but the gods above could know, fate had subtly shifted in such a way that would change the stories of all the individuals present. In this case the change came from three extra brain cells surviving Elsa's assassin training, three brain cells that when put to use, quickly gave Elsa the idea that perhaps she should not sit still and allow her clearly powerful arcane opponent time to prepare when she has a critical weakness to magic; especially when her only insurance is a one-use cloak.

Giving off a sadistic smile that could only be called the face of death, she waits until the boy enters into the most effective range of her throwing darts until in less than the time it takes to blink, she had suddenly lashed out and sent a weighted dart directly at the unprepared boy.

In a state of shock, as if he expected his opponent to obediently wait to get slaughtered, Subaru looks down at his chest. What was once a rather sad looking tracksuit is now also serving as the only thing keeping him from looking upon the newly formed wound on his chest, one that much to his horror he begins to feel start sucking as if desperate to take the barbed dart all the way in.

Collapsing backwards and stumbling over to lean against the counter once more, a stilled quietness settles over the place as the madwoman lets out an almost motherly coo as she begins preparations to evade the spirit arts user's attack.

[Elsa: Oh dearie me, does it hurt? If you were not prepared to dodge something of that level, then I can only call you a fool-]

Before she can finish mocking him or even take a step, a sound as if all of the world's wrath had descended on the building roared out in infinite fury and shattered the windows along with the roof of the loot house.

More fearsome than a volcano calling out its roaring death knell accompanied by molten rock and flaming ashes to consign all within a hundred miles to a slow agonizing end. More terrifying than watching the ocean pull back far away into the horizon before it comes rushing back all at once in a deafening cascade of dirges for the death of all hope and humanity in its path. The only three words that could possibly describe the sight of that light seemingly conjured from nowhere would be "Dragon's Divine Punishment".

With the dimming light of the sun reflecting off of her hair showing an illusion of an ember simmering with hidden heat, the girl who bears the titles of: "Monster", "Murderer", "Sword Saint", and "Royal Knight" adds a new title to her repertoire, that title being "Anxious Friend".

The girl with the eyes both bluer and deeper than the ocean reflects on her previous resolve, and upon taking the time to think carefully about her feelings, decides that perhaps after all of her loyal service to the kingdom as its killer she could be allowed to not only have a friend; but to also worry about him enough to play secret bodyguard for a day.

After all, was this not her "rest day"? Even if she still feels some lingering guilt at ending her patrol early, that small mote of emotion is quickly crushed by the overwhelming sense of crisis she is feeling from her Divine Protection of the Sentinel, which is a single-target divine protection that causes great anxiety in the wielder should the one they mark as under their direct protection be in imminent danger.

Stealthily landing on a building close enough to her new dearest friend's apparent destination, she quickly reaffirms her previous conviction. Obviously, the pure and gentle soul who could not even protect himself against a measly three petty thugs would never come to such a criminal place willingly. Looking back on his apparent desperation to recover what she suspects is the insignia of Candidate Emilia, doubts begin to form in her mind as to why he would go so far for her when he is not even in her camp, and this in turn leads her to a dangerous conclusion.

Blackmail. After being forced to witness his soul, Reina van Astrea can say with absolute surety that the innocent young man named Natsuki Subaru is not the kind of sycophant who would offer up his own head if he thought it would earn him the favor of a powerful person, after all he was clearly in a position to acquire her as his champion for whatever task he was completing and yet he turned her down out of concern for her as if she was a simple maiden deserving of his consideration. Ignoring the slight thrill such a conclusion causes her, she quickly moves on and refocuses on her musings.

Remembering the desperation he felt to protect someone, potentially some strange girl she did not have any knowledge of, she began to think that she must have been mistaken about what little she was able to glean due to how shaken she was about her unwilling violation of his privacy and most intimate feelings.

Instead of protecting some girl who his soul could not even provide any concrete information about beyond some slight impressions of silver hair, it was far more likely that there was a girl who was causing him such pain and fear as to feel like he had to protect himself.

It was after reaching these first few conclusions that she had reached a most dangerous one. Looking at the facts presented to her, through her entirely objective perspective, she had concluded that not only had "candidate" Emilia lost her insignia; but that after shaming herself so she even went so far as to take advantage of the kind heart and innocent naivete of Natsuki Subaru.

While she recognizes the infinitely slim possibility that he could be acting by his own volition, she simply can't understand why he would have even the determination to face death in order to achieve his objective of acquiring her insignia for her, which leads her back to the only sensible conclusion that somehow the half-elf has threatened him with a fate worse than death should he fail to bring her back the item she so carelessly lost in the first place.

Momentarily breaking herself from her pondering, she decides that it is not right to think so poorly of a Candidate for the throne of the Kingdom of Lugnica, and so she decides to continue watching to see if her hypothesis is solid.

Should Candidate Emilia appear as if looking to reclaim something that she had stolen from her, then Reina will know that it was she who forced her precious friend to risk both life and limb to reclaim the stolen good. Of course she is already quite certain of her theory, what with his description of a "gorgeous" silver haired girl losing a precious item called an insignia, alongside the fact that there should be no other item with that name worth killing and dying for.

It was not long before her grim thoughts were proven right as the Witch look-alike carelessly strode up to the building and knocked as if she were a welcome guest. However it was not merely her opinion of the now unworthy candidate plummeting, but also her stomach in response to a powerful ping from her Divine Protection of the Sentinel.

Looking back at when she had marked him after he had turned his back to her, she was at first understandably beset by feelings of guilt for essentially stalking her newest and only friend, but after considering the fact that she had already inadvertently and penultimately invaded his privacy; she considered this as simply a step in her plan to make up for her blessing's indiscretion.

After all, after having viewed another human's soul, can there ever even be such a thing as privacy between them? Of course she also made sure to prepare herself to honestly answer any questions he had about her as well, after all reciprocation is important and it is the least she can do for what has already been done to him with neither his knowledge nor consent.

Perhaps she could also offer him some pointers about self-defense as interest for not telling him sooner, maybe even give him some one-on-one lessons should he request them?

Silently jumping off of the rooftop she slips off into a searching pattern around the general vicinity of the loot house to search for the threat to Subaru and intercept them before they are capable of harming him.

While she realizes that the half-elf could be a potential threat, she doubts that it would strike so quickly during its plans, as to do so would risk the very candidacy that it had blackmailed her poor friend into protecting in the first place.

Little did our determined Sword Saint know however, that in her haste to locate the threat and handle it far away from her self-appointed ward, she had overlooked a viper slinking into the loot house.

After having completed her first ring around the area both without being detected as well as without detecting the ever increasingly dire threat towards Subaru she was feeling due to her blessing, she decided that while it might make things a little awkward between them if she suddenly barges into the place he was coerced into entering , that she could probably smooth it over with the aid of a couple of her social blessings alongside a cover story about how she "sensed a noble Candidate was in danger".

Unfortunately, all of her plots to not come off as some sort of dangerous woman were immediately forgotten as she felt a sharp, piercing pain in her chest just a few scant centimeters from her heart. This was the secondary and arguably most critical ability of her Divine Protection of the Sentinel, that is to say that the first time the target of the blessing is injured, the wielder of the blessing feels the same pain as the target in exactly the same place.

All of that did not matter to Reina at that exact moment however, as for the second time in her life on the very same day as the first she felt the true terror of death once again, but this time it was not for her own life but that of the person she had decided to protect.

Tragically for the one who had hurt her dearest friend, however, was that she had likewise experienced another new emotion for the first time in her life today; and that emotion was called bloodlust. Never in her entire career had she ever willingly killed another soul, it was always only after they refused to follow her lawful commands on Lugnican soil that she was forced to take action to protect the Dragon Kingdom.

However she now finally understood why some soldiers would smile after skirmishing with their enemies in Vollachia, the feeling of knowing her hated enemy still drew breath filled her with remorse, and she was almost sure that after totally obliterating every atom of the unforgivable thing's body she would be able to show Subaru her smiling face once again.

Just as she was preparing to jump up and grab a tree branch to use as a pseudo-sword on the way to burst through the roof into the loot house, she suddenly heard a very distinct clicking sound at her waist, one that she had not expected to hear until she challenged the next Sin Archbishop that reared their ugly head.

The Dragon Sword Reid had seemingly responded to her ardent desire to kill the sinner, in fact it almost seemed to be trembling in excitement as if celebrating her birthday and knighting all at once. Not one to look a gift dragon in the maw, Reina quickly dashes at her fastest speed to the loot house before carefully aiming her light swing of the Dragon Sword away from Subaru in such a way that neither the gentle slash nor any of the debris resulting from it would harm him.

Of course, what is gentle and light to the Sword Saint who had learned hate would almost definitely not register as particularly merciful to any of the assaulted parties, not as if that news would particularly upset her at the moment of course.

While it was occasionally seen in some of his favorite older anime productions, that the hero would lift the sword and cut nine mountains in half or that the monster would breathe a bit and kill all of the cannon fodder, never did the young man named Natsuki Subaru ever expect to see such a thing occurring in real life.

Almost as if the sun itself had decided that this building and everything behind it had to be unmade, a great burst of light and roaring wind had suddenly manifested almost immediately after he had been wounded and blinded him to its effects while also strangely sheltering him from its obviously world-shaking power.

Wondering if he had somehow gained some sort of consolation ability for having to use Return by Death so much, he began to dream of figuring out how to use this new power on command after waking up at the start of this accursed loop again.

It was only after he saw the Sword Saint Reina descending from the now thoroughly shattered roof, with the moonlight reflected in her hair acting as her radiant crimson halo and the scattered dust appearing more like the wings of an avenging angel when next to her and her seemingly divine blade, that he finally realized that it was not him but his newest friend that had come to the rescue.

Finally feeling the effects of the shock and blood loss, he begins to slowly lose consciousness as he sees Reina approaching him with concern clear on her unsullied face. In a vain effort to assuage her concerns, he tries to give a comforting smile that ends up more like a dying soldier's bloodied grimace.

[Reina: Oh Subaru, please forgive me for being late! I am sorry to show you something so violent as the swordplay of my family, but I must secure this place before I can bring you in for treatment.]

Seemingly remembering how the Swordplay of the Astrea family would appear to other swordsmen and especially an untrained civilian, Reina tried to quickly apologize and soothe her friend so that he could recognize that he was now safe from any further attacks from the assailant. However before falling into unconsciousness, Subaru manages to exclaim one line that would come to seal his fate forever more.

[Subaru: Reina… You… You're-]

Hearing him trying desperately to speak even in his condition, especially after he had witnessed the strength she had kept hidden from him, she had already understood that what had once happened with her father was once more occurring here with her first and last friend. Feeling a wave of dread and bitter heartbreak that she could not rationally explain, she tearfully smiled as if her world was now truly collapsing, and in fact it might be. For the girl who had at last opened her heart up to another person, who wished more than anything to finally be cherished as Reina and not a sword, she finally uttered the one-word elegy of her dying heart.

[Reina: A monster. I know that you are scared of me Subaru, but please let me help you-]

Acting as if he were shot by a crossbow bolt, the one she had once happily called friend inside of her head seemingly used up the last of his energy to retort against her self-effacement. With bloodshot eyes and a low groan, the very opposite of a prince charming in every way but the one that mattered, he called out that very line that would come to steal her heart and love forever.

[Subaru: A monster? No! An angel!]

Canon Omake: Being Emilia is Suffering

It was only for a brief moment, but the thug who had been attempting to buy time for her spirit to act against the assassin had failed at holding her attention and had been impaled instead. Wondering how she was going to fight this trained killer while holding back enough mana to save his life after the fight, she listened quietly to the assassin gloat while guarding against Puck and herself.

Perhaps it was the distraction offered by the assassin, or perhaps it was merely her being deep in thought about the upcoming battle and how to rescue her newest piece of black-haired baggage, but either way neither she, nor the assassin, nor the two criminals noticed the woman scorned outside swinging around a God Sword quenched in the blood of thousands of Dragons' hearts after having been forged in the fires of the Great Divine Dragon overseen by both the Wise Sage and the Sword God himself.

Immediately afterword a great flash and explosion of force occurred, and while Puck valiantly fought against its might with his full power, the furious blow of the blood lusted Sword Saint was not to spare any within the loot house.

Of course before being violently blown out of the loot house along with whatever slag remained of the originally stolen merchandise, she could not help but notice a slight air pocket where the oaf had fallen over half dead.

Did he have some actual skills to back up his previous attitude, or even more unthinkable, could it be that the Sword Saint only took care to make sure that he alone was unharmed while presumably knowing that she was in there? Brushing off such an impossible thought, she braces her battered arms and legs for what will surely be a rough landing even for her enhanced half-elven strength.

AN:

So everyone, I think you may have noticed a slight change with this chapter compared to the others. For one it updated quicker than once every 30 days, unthinkable I know, but it is also now sporting a much larger word count to the point that I would dare say it might even be longer than the warning labels on those pill commercials. Furthermore I have been told of the existence of a Re:Zero fanfic discord, but no one has linked it yet, possibly due to FFnet regulations. If there is anyone reading this who has access, please either leave the method to access it in the reviews or invite me directly using my username ApprenticeCarsmith#5490.

I would also like to thank everyone who has followed, favorited, and reviewed my story. It makes my day to hear my phone ding and see that a new friend has joined the Cult of Reina, or that someone is offering me encouragement in the reviews. Seriously, even just saying "good job" or "give me more" means the world to me and I hope you know how much I appreciate everyone who takes the time to send me their opinions and love in the reviews.

As always thanks so much for reading and I hope that you will consider joining our cult and seeing where I captain this ship and the two wonderful characters who make it up. Also, as an incentive for those who have read/skipped this far, for everybody that actually adds "Reina did nothing wrong" in their reviews I will write and release the next chapter exponentially earlier, possibly even as fast as this one got out.