SPOILER ALERT. DO NOT CONTINUE READING IF YOU HAVEN'T READ UNTIL THE END OF ARC 6 AND SLOTH IF YET. ENJOY!
9 years ago Subaru had gave up on saving Emilia and ran away with Rem. With his inaction, Subaru also caused the collapse of Lugunica.
Now he has to face his past and find a way to deal with his two old acquaintances.
His life hanging from a thread, can Subaru find a way out ?
Author Note: I plan to make this story around 7-9 chapters long with longer chapters than the first one. I hope you enjoy this experimental scenerio I will be conveying. And I'll also publish this story on r/Re_Zero subreddit with my account u/Natsuki_Sufferu. If you have ideas, opinions, suggestions, grammatical corrections you want to share, please do as I'll appreciate all of them.
Reinhard and Julius were walking to the meeting room inside the royal castle. Reinhard was visibly nervous while Julius was looking down with his blank eyes. They had been urgently summoned here with no explanation as to why.
From what little they had been told, this was about a matter concerning the 'future' and 'prosperity' of Lugunica. Which by now, was an utter joke in the eyes of many.
Controlled by a group of old, uncapable man, Lugunica had already lost it's former glory. After the death of the royal family, 5 candidates to the throne had showed up with claims legitimized by their insignias.
But their claims were short-lived since they all died even before the 4-year election period had ended.
This has left Lugunica with no legitimate heir to throne and various noble families tried to instate a king from their own family trees. Of course none of them managed to sit on the throne for long as they were immediately outcasted by the Sword Saint and the Council of Wise Man.
Conspiracies were constantly looming around and the situation was getting more and more dire.
Sword Saint Reinhard van Astrea had been tasked to nullify those pretenders by intimidation or brute force. After years of struggle, most of the pretenders had been eradicated and nobles became aware of the fact that there was no way to control the throne without a legitimate claim.
Although he preferred not to, Reinhard also had to resort to using his immense powers from time to time. His presence was enough to deter most enemies although not all.
"But some just wouldn't run away." He thought to himself while remembering the times he had to fight against other human and humanoids.
"Well, I am a monster after all. I can't even stop myself from hurting all those people." he murmured.
Reinhard never felt comfortable about using his powers against the citizens he swore to protect in the past few years. And more he did it, more he hated himself.
As for Julius, he wasn't paying much attention to Reinhard or his surroundings. He just wanted to be done with whatever this meeting is all about and leave.
"I don't really care much about what they have to say." he said. He was lacking his elegant mannerisms he used to have.
Reinhard gave a small nod and said "I think this is about the skirmishes happening along the border with Vollachian Kingdom.".
"If that's the case, then I will accept any punishment I am seen fit of." he continued.
Julius immediately understood what he meant and tried to reassure him.
"That wasn't your fault at all. It was their fault for sending you there to ease to tension instead of sending officers or diplomats to handle such a delicate situation." Julius said.
He was trying to make Reinhard feel less guilty but those words actually made Reinhard feel even worse about himself.
In the sourthern border with Vollachia, there had been a few accidents. A few armed Lugunican troops had incidentally entered Vollachian territory and soon a fight broke out. This was considered and act of aggression by the Vollachian officials and more troops were send to the border to face any incoming attacks.
Although, it was clear that Lugunica was in no position to start a war, Vollachians didn't take such an aggression lightly. After the reports of more soldiers flocking to the border on the south, Council had decided to send Sword Saint as a peace-keeper.
When he arrived at the scene though, it didn't go as the Council had imagined.
Lugunican officers tried to keep him away from the situation knowing that his presence would make things even worse. But Reinhard with a sense of responsibilty, decided that he will be arranging a meeting between two sides.
Though that idea was immediately scrapped when the Vollachian officers learnt about his presence.
His very presence was more like a warlord rather than a peace-keeper. And he was given an ultimatum to return back if he didn't want to start a full-on war.
Sword Saint was forbidden from ever leaving Lugunica and engaging in wars. Also he had been actively supressing rebellions inside Lugunica so it was clear that he would cause trouble.
Vollachian officer didn't take his presence lightly and he was forced out of the scene.
He later learnt that skirmishes had gone a far worse way and a local lord had to make compensations in order to lower the casualties.
In the end, Reinhard failed and had to return back to the capital.
"When I had to act humane and bring peace, I instead made everything worse and came back empty-handed." he said.
"Again, it wasn't your fault. You should stop blaming yourself for that." Julius replied.
While this conversation was going they've finally arrived at the enterance of the meeting room.
Marcos was waiting for them outside the door and told them to enter the room in haste.
They complied and entered the room. Members of the council were in a heated argument and most of them didn't realize the two knights presence.
The two knights gave their formal greetings to the Council and waited for them to end their argument.
After a few more seconds an old man told them to stand at ease.
"Julius Juukulius and Sword Saint, you have been summoned here on a topic concerning the future and the prosperity of Kingdom of Lugunica." said the Old man.
They were already told that but honestly these were fancy words that were hiding the harsh reality.
"As you already know, Lugunican throne has been empty for more than 9 years and the consequences were dire for our beloved kingdom." told a middle-aged man
"But five days ago, a new prophecy had appeared and now, we seem to have a way out." another continued.
Reinhard was waiting for a punishment and Julius wasn't enthusiastic about this meeting but now their attention was focused on what the council had to say.
"Honestly, nothing could make this situation even more dire." Julius thought.
"The terrorist group named Witch Cult had been causing many unspeakable atrocities throughout our beloved kingdom and sadly they also claimed the lives of candidates that were chosen 9 years ago." the same man continued.
"Ah, this again? We've gone through enough formal apologies and still they bring that up." Julius thoguht with a frown on his face.
"But there is a new hope for our nation. A new prophecy have appeared 5 days ago." a fat man said.
"The prophecy has conveyed that, if a certain cultist leader is to be slayed, all the candidates could be... brought back to life." he continued.
Reinhard and Julius totally froze.
Reviving a single dead person should've been impossible let alone five of them.
And they were talking about long-lost women who went missing or dead years ago.
"How ?"
"What does this mean?"
This also mean all the candidates had been long dead. Those whom had their bodies found even had funerals conducted for their name.
That makes 3 funerals, as for the other 2, they went missing and they were never found so their funerals didn't occur with the hope of one of them reappearing and claiming the throne one day.
But right now it was certain all of them were long dead.
"Felt-sama... I hoped you were alive somewhere..." thought Reinhard.
His lady had went missing at the battle of Priestella and was never found again.
After he failed his lady like that, Reinhard knew he was utterly unworthy. Even if Felt-sama were to be found, he wouldn't be able to look her in the eye nor stay by her side ever again.
But he still hoped she would show up once again. Which never happened.
And now, he was told that she is already dead.
'How long has she been dead ?' 'I let her in the hands of a criminal and hoped that she would be safe.' 'I am an idiot for even hoping such a thing.'
But he didn't even get a chance to fall deeper into his self-loathing because he was told a way out right after the bad news.
"I am only good at being a monster. But if that'll help to get Felt-sama back, I'll gladly do as I'm told." he gave a sad but determined nod.
Past few years had been harsh on him. He spent way too much time supressing rebellions and fighting. It was easier for him to just obey the orders.
If there was a tiny possibility of getting her back, Reinhard wouldn't question any further.
Also, this was Divine Dragon's prophecy they were talking about, it definitely had credibility.
As for Julius, he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"Anastasia-sama... can be brought back ?" asked Julius.
"That was the message conveyed on the prophecy stone. And the council has concluded to go along with this prophecy."
"But. But if all the candidates have already died, what kind of power can heal or even revive them ?" Julius asked with a bewildered tone.
"That doesn't concern us one bit. We are running a façade instead of a kingdom here. If we can bring back a strong leader, Lugunica will surely be saved from this hellish situation." one spoke.
"I am disappointed by that point of view but that's right. We surely are going through unprecedented times. But the holy dragon is once again helping Lugunican nation in a harsh situation. We shall accept his help and comply." old man said.
Julius still had his concerns but there also was another problem.
"How am I supposed stand by Anastasia-sama's side even if she comes back after all those years?" he asked himself.
"I am unworthy of her... If she even comes back I can't stand by her side after I let her down." thought Julius.
He lifted his head and looked at the council.
"But even so... If there is a way for me to get her back, I shall risk my life in order to do so."
He was filled with determination. After all these years, even if he wasn't going to stand by her side, he was still her *unworthy* knight. He shall go through hell to fulfill his duty as a knight.
"Please tell us what should we do to get them back."
"We will do as we're told. Please provide us with further instructions."
Both were visibly determined to save what has been lost. And will go to any lengths necessary to do that.
Even if it came with the cost of killing an old friend and hurting his family.