N/A: Hi, I followed the hints you gave in the last chapter, so I hope it's a better read. Any mistakes in translation let me know (last time he translated witch as bitch. Even I don't know how). That's all. Now, good reading!
] - Chapter 001 - You've Always Been Amazing! - [
The weather was clear, with just the sun in the vast blue expanse of the cloudless sky. The wind was pleasant. It was a calm day for the [Kingdom of Lugnica].
People on the streets of the capital were happy, that much was obvious.
It had everything to be a perfect afternoon... but, unfortunately, that peace could not be enjoyed by all.
Amidst the streets of the Lugnica Kingdom's capital city, one could see someone desperately running without a destination. He was just running without stopping.
No one could help but stare at him. It's not every day that you can see a boy dressed in strange clothes running through the streets of the capital.
The boy in question didn't mind the stares. His mind seemed to be in a total mess.
The only thing he could hear was her irregular breathing.
"Hah! Hah! Hah!"
By extinct, the boy turned into a driveway into an alley.
"Heh...?" That's what the boy uttered before his field of vision was redirected to the ground. "Shi-"
Whether for good or bad, the boy ended up twisting his foot trying to make the turn. The result was only one: a fall!
As if it wasn't enough to fall on the dirty alley floor, the boy ended up rolling around in it a bit. It was only a few seconds before he was flat on his back and chest up, but it was enough to get his clothes dirty.
Still panting, the boy stared up at the sky. Still panting, sweaty and dirty, the boy was breathing heavily.
That boy is Subaru Natsuki.
Oh, crap.
The boy thought.
He could feel a little wind enter the alley, soon making his black hair sway.
NONE?! None of the five applicants?! Why?! Why don't they want help?!
As such thoughts raced through his mind, the boy's teeth gritted. Thus, giving way to the next thoughts that came into his head.
Is it Emilia-tam's fault? Don't fuck with me! This is no longer about a stupid candidacy for the throne of the Kingdom of Lugnica! Innocent people are about to die and none of them are willing to do anything?! How do they plan to become the leader of an entire kingdom if they can't even save a village?!
Without even realizing it, the boy started scratching his own head. It started out as a weak itch, but gradually it started to get violent.
"SHIT!"
All at once, he punched the ground with his right fist. Pain coursed through his body, but he didn't care.
Before he had a chance to think of any other complaint, something came into his mind. To be more exact, someone came into his mind.
A woman dressed in maid's clothes and blue hair. He could remember her worried face when he saw her running for no reason.
A feeling of shame and anguish spread through his body.
"How immature..." A sigh came out of his mouth. "I really did look like a child."
"A child Rem doesn't care to care for!" Pronounced a female voice beside him. "Subaru-kun can be a child around Rem! Rem takes care of Subaru!"
Subaru looked away in doubt.
"Eh...?"
Next to him was a beautiful woman dressed in maid's clothes. Her hair was light blue and short, with a fringe covering one of her two blue eyes.
His name is Rem.
They stared at each other for a few seconds.
"EHHH?!"
Subaru jumped to the side after finally processing what was happening.
"C-How?! Hadn't you fallen behind?"
With an obvious expression of doubt, he stared at her for an answer.
I'm sure I left her behind!
That's what he thought.
With a gentle and affectionate smile she replied...
"You're slow!"
"H-Heh...?"
A short and blunt, but true answer. She is much faster than he is.
Rem is not human. Her true nature is that of an oni.
"What happened?" The girl asked, with clear concern. "Why did you run like that? I know the candidates didn't agree to help you, but you don't have to be like this Subaru-kun, you can handle it! "
She was trying to cheer him up.
Rem... even though I am useless, you still stand by my side. Why is that?
An agonizing expression formed on his face.
"Subaru-kun...?"
Hatred, anger, pity, and disappointment. These were the emotions expressed on his face, but they were not directed at Rem, but at himself.
Subaru hated himself.
Subaru felt anger at him and his weakness.
Subaru felt sorry for himself for not being able to do anything.
Subaru, most of all, felt disappointed knowing there was nothing he could do.
The memories of what happened in the past (their deaths) came into his mind.
Rem... forgive me
His expression was the worst possible.
"Subaru-kun..."
Before Rem could say anything, Subaru stood up and started walking to where he was staying. Not knowing what to do, the girl stood up and walked next to him.
The two were heading to the mansion of the [House Karsten], one of the most powerful families in the kingdom. Above all, it is also the place where Crusch Karsten, one of the five candidates for the throne of Lugnica, lives.
It's really ridiculous and pathetic...he was walking back to the home of the woman he yelled at and offended.
At that moment, Subaru could only feel hatred and contempt for himself.
It was already night...
In a dark and luxurious room, Subaru could be seen sitting on a double bed. The only source of light was the glow of the light coming into the room from the balcony.
"What should I do...? I don't know what to do..."
The same man put his right hand to his face.
] Knock knock! [
Looking at the bedroom door he answered:
"You can come in."
In response to what he said, the bedroom door opened revealing Rem in a long, green dress. It was strange for Subaru to see Rem in pajamas, but he wouldn't dare complain (he liked seeing that side of her).
"Subaru-kun... are you better?"
"A little..."
He lied. He doesn't want to worry her.
In response, Rem approached Subaru getting close to his bed.
"Subaru-kun... why did you ask the applicants for help?" Rem asked, with a doubtful expression.
"Huh...? Why?"
To Subaru, that question was stupid.
"Because it's the only way to fix things." He looked away from Rem. "I'm not able to help others... I'm weak... I'm not strong like Reinhard, I'm not skilled like Julius, I'm not reliable like Felix and I can't even fight a normal person..."
The place was silent for a few seconds.
That's the truth! I couldn't save anyone! Even trying so hard, I couldn't!
Subaru thought.
"I see..."
So you're finally gonna let me too-
"Subaru-kun can't see what Rem sees..."
Subaru looked into Rem's eyes.
"What do you mean...?"
"Have you really never stopped to think about your qualities?"
"I have no qualities Rem..."
"You just don't see them!"
The place was silent again. A strange atmosphere hung over the place.
"Subaru-kun..."
Rem sat down in front of Subaru.
"You trust Rem?"
What the...? Why did she ask that out of the blue?
"Yes."
A warm smile formed on his face.
"Then do as Rem tells you, all right?"
He merely agreed with his head.
"Close your eyes..."
Responding to her command, the boy closed both of his eyes.
"Now try to remember everything you've done..."
All I did...? But I didn't do anything...
"What would have happened if you had never gone to save Miss Emilia?"
What would have happened? Reinhard would show up and save her...
That's what he thought at first, but slowly that thought changed. It took a few seconds, but Subaru finally understood something he had never noticed before...
... No... Reinhard wouldn't have saved her ... she would have been killed by Elsa! If I had never met Reinhard in the alley and then asked Felt to run, Reinhard would never have saved us!
His heart seemed to race faster at the thought. This was strange to him. At no time had he ever stopped to think about it.
For Subaru Natsuki, he never saved anyone. Subaru had understood that Reinhard had saved Emilia and nothing else. At no point had he stopped to think about it more deeply.
"What would have happened if you had never fought the [Mabeasts] in the forest?"
What would have happened?
Subaru stood reasoning for a few seconds, until he came to a result he never imagined he would get to...
The children and Rem would have died... I saved them.
"Do you understand what I mean? This is the Subaru that Rem sees!"
Rem smiled as he saw Subaru open his eyes with a startled expression.
I-I saved them?
Slowly, Rem placed his hands on Subaru's cheeks.
"You are someone incredible! You don't need to be the same as the other knights! Subaru just needs to be Subaru!" Declared Rem, with a gentle and warm smile. "Subaru doesn't need to be a God or Sage, he just needs to be himself!"
Subaru couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had NEVER heard anyone say such words.
"Rem knows exactly what Subaru-kun's faults are, but she doesn't care about them! Because Rem also knows that Subaru-kun always wants to be better than he is now! Subaru is always willing to help others, regardless of their gender, background, background or anything else! "
Tears dripped down Subaru's eyes. Those are exactly the words he needed to hear.
"Be myself? N-is it okay for me to do that?"
"No."
"But what if I'm not enough?"
"It doesn't have to be. Rem will help Subaru-kun with whatever he needs!" Answered the girl. "Just like Subaru-kun made Rem see his potential, Rem will make Subaru-kun see how amazing he can be!"
All Subaru could do was stay silent as he cried.
"Rem... " It wrapped its arms around the boy and pulled him into a hug. "... will always be by Subaru-kun's side!"
With those last words, Subaru surrendered himself into Rem's arms.
...
...
...
Slowly Subaru Natsuki opened his eyes. He tried to look to the sides, noticing that the only source of light was still the moonlight.
Did I sleep? For how long?
Memories of past events invaded Subaru's mind.
Slowly, the boy's face turned a little red with embarrassment. Was it serious that he had slept in a girl's arms while crying? Did he really cry in Rem's lap?!
I DID IT AGAIN?!
It was his internal scream.
He had done that with Emilia before, but now he did the same with Rem. It was too shameful!
I better apologize!
He tried to move, but soon noticed that his body was weighted down.
"What...?"
His eyes widened at what he saw.
"E-Eh...?"
Rem was lying on top of him.
Subaru could feel her breasts pressing against him and her thighs were touching him. The fabric of the pajamas favored what was happening, it was almost as if she was without clothes.
His face turned completely red.
Calm down! Calm down! It doesn't let the blood flow! It doesn't get excited! Calm down!
He took a deep breath, trying to avoid any "accidents". He could not go through this embarrassment!
After a few minutes, Subaru managed (with great difficulty), to calm down and look up at the ceiling of the room.
He was thinking about everything that happened.
So ... was it thanks to me? If I had never done anything, would they all be dead now? I never stopped to think about it...
At that moment, Subaru felt a huge weight leave his body. For the first time in a long time, he felt proud of himself. He understood something at that moment: It felt good to do good!
Am I as incredible as I look?
He raised his right hand toward the ceiling.
Can I be myself? Can I be happy with myself? I... don't need to suffer?
After a few minutes of thinking, he remembered something.
Who knew [Return By Death] would help me save people... wait a minute!
Only one question came into his mind:
Why did the [Witch of Envy] give me this power? Is this some kind of punishment...? No. It wouldn't make sense to be a punishment. Why would she let me save people?
Five minutes later, Subaru came to a conclusion that made him widen his eyes...
Is... is that a gift? She gave me this power as a gift? Why would she?
A sigh came out of Subaru's mouth. He took on a serious look.
On this night, Subaru Natsuki decided to think about things he had never thought about before. He finally decided to face himself.
That, no doubt, would be a long night!
The sun was coming up...
Rem began to open his eyes slowly, noticing the rays of sunlight entering the room through the balcony that was open. The curtains in the room, which covered more than half of the entrance to the balcony, prevented the sun from getting in.
"Huh...?" She found it odd that her bed was bigger than normal. "It looks like the bed from..."
Her eyes widened in surprise as she remembered the events of last night. She stood up immediately.
Her face was completely red. The shame they were feeling was enormous.
"S-Subaru-kun..." She noticed that he was no longer lying on the bed. "Huh?"
Looking around the room, Rem realized that Subaru was standing in the middle of the room and with his back to her.
There was something strange. Something was different. Something had changed in him.
"Subaru-kun...?"
She was afraid that something bad had happened, however, she was surprised. When Subaru turned to look at her, the girl noticed two things.
The first was the marks under her eyes (dark circles under her eyes caused by lack of sleep). The second was what caught his attention the most... Subaru was light.
She couldn't understand what was going on, but it was clear that he had lost the weight on his conscience. He exuded a feeling completely contrary to the one he had last night.
"Good morning, Rem!" Subaru said, with a warm smile. "Did you sleep well?"
The girl couldn't help but turn red at the smile she had seen.
She agreed with her head and stood up.
"I know this is too fast, but... I've made up my mind!"
She looked at him curiously.
"Decided?"
Subaru took on a serious look that Rem never imagined seeing. It was as if she stood before a great authority.
"Anastasia Hoshin is too greedy and doesn't seem willing to risk what she has for the people of Lugnica. It is important for a king to be greedy, but not at her level. "
Rem wondered why he was saying that.
"Priscilla Barielle is too arrogant and overconfident in her abilities! Just like greed, too much pride and arrogance will only bring trouble!"
Rem agreed with that part. Too much pride and arrogance will only bring trouble. Nothing in absurd quantities is good.
Why was he saying that? She didn't understand.
"Crusch Karsten seems to bear a grudge against the dragon. She literally threatened to end the thing that brings peace to this kingdom. She is brave and that is incredible, but she will only harm Lugnica if she enters the kingdom like that."
He put his hand on his chin.
"Felt and Emilia are clearly not fit to reign!"
He let out a sigh.
"I may be being silly, since I don't know them in their entirety. I only know these parts... but... still... "
Subaru started walking forward, where the balcony of the room was.
"I know it's hypocritical of me to say this, but I can't let them have the throne. At no time have I seen them treat the people as a priority..."
Subaru turned to Rem at the same time.
] FSHH! [
As if it was fate itself agreeing with the boy, the wind from outside blew past the balcony and came at high speed towards Subaru.
All at once, he made the curtains of the room open. The room, which had previously been dimly lit by sunlight, was covered by the brightness.
Rem's eyes widened in wonder, respect, and surprise.
It was as if the sun had risen just to be able to witness that moment.
As much as the bright sunlight illuminated the room, Subaru stood in front of her. The boy kept the sun from hurting the oni girl's eyes.
Everything at that moment seemed to agree with the boy.
Besides, Rem could feel something different. The air around the boy was strange. Rem felt... she felt she needed to bend down.
It was as if she were standing in front of a sovereign.
"I will become the king of Lugnica!"
Rem was paralyzed by what she heard.
"Rem, I know this is a selfish request, but..." The boy held out his right hand to her. "... I want you to be by my side this gush!"
To say she was surprised was an understatement. She didn't even know what to do exactly.
The only thing that caught his attention were his eyes. Those eyes were determined to move forward, but it still felt like something was holding him back.
I did have something.
Subaru is not stupid. He knows he will die countless times if he follows this path, so he needs someone. He needs someone to help him move forward.
She didn't know that, but she could understand the message hidden in that simple action of his.
What he really wanted to say was: I trust you! I am willing to give you everything! So please stay by my side forever!
Subaru Natsuki would never really say that, but that was really his intention.
With her best smile, Rem took the boy's hand.
"Rem accepts! Rem promises to always stand by Subaru-kun!"
This moment was recorded at the destination.
That was the day a legend was born. It was the day the "Black Dragon Emperor" was born!
[Continued in Chapter 002]
N/A: Questions that will probably be asked...
1- Will the Subaru be op?
A: Not at first. Initially, he will rely on his creativity. Subaru will be a mix between Joseph Joestar and Jotaro Joestar.
2- Will you change the authorities?
A: Yes, I will. That includes greed, which will have a new ability, but will still need brides to develop.
3- Will you follow the story of Re:Zero chronologically?
A: Only until the end of Sanctuary. After that, it will be a new storyline.
4- How will it develop?
A: The characters and the romance will be developed little by little.
5- Will it be centered only on Subaru?
A: No. There will be secondary couples and other characters with new development.