DISCLAIMER

The following is a fan-based

FICTION

Re:Zero and other products related to the this series are all owned by Tappei Nagatsuki.

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Chapter 6: Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

Subaru Natsuki was no genius, but he was far from a complete dolt.

Things were going well, he reasoned, as the small additions he proposed were actually going to help the village he was meant to assist to a degree. He was not the one in charge of either the Irlam Village or of the land surrounding it, the mayor and Roswaal being the respective rulers of these two situations.

Yet, it would be a lie to say that his role was one of mere formality and limitations. With his advice being taken under consideration through heavy scrutiny but nonetheless accepted by Roswaal, he was soon seen as someone that was trying to do things right. And that quickly bestowed him with support from the villagers. It felt nice. Really so.

It gave him the feeling of homeliness and stability which he found lacking within the manor, and the exchanges with the peculiar guardian of the library further expanded his knowledge of Lugnica. The 'Dragon Kingdom' had been around for centuries, with the nation being born shortly after the sealing of the Witch of Envy as Volcanica, the Mighty Dragon, accepted the contract offered by Farsale Lugnica, the first 'Lion King' of the country.

History then turned a bit odd to follow due to how different it felt compared from the one back home. Numerous crises within the country, the witch cult (and the possibility these may be behind some of the events that weakened the nation), and the fact the Royal Family had been entirely wiped out in recent years by an unknown illness.

Hence why the Royal Election was indicted, with the main purpose being the elevation of the 'Dragon Priestess' which would work both the role of representative of the nation to Volcanica (which had gone missing for years now but made a resurface against a Black Dragon quite 'recently') and the role of king, the one and true monarch in charge of the country.

It sounded simple, but it would be a lie to say that it truly was. Subaru was no political expert in this regard, and yet even he could see with his abysmal knowledge of politicking that nobles were going to make it a tougher circumstance to solve. Everyone was, after all, trying to get a bigger slice of the cake now that the opportunity to score favors with each of the candidates was up in the air.

And where 'Barusu', an 'affectionate' nickname provided by Ram, was struggling to fully wrap his mind around this much knowledge, poor 'Beako', a rejected nickname for the twin-drilled blonde from the library by Subaru himself, had to face the issue of handling Japanese history. Or the general bits of it. Even at that point there was just so much to say and so much for Beako to be totally engrossed and keen to develop headaches about. Where Lugnica's history could all be found within three thick books, Beatrice admitted that Subaru's country held enough history to go for at least twice that number. The various periods, from the creation of the Imperial dynasty up to the Meiji Restoration and beyond.

At first the little blonde refused to believe him. After all, there was no way in her mind that a country could have this much culture and history to it, and yet the details offered by Subaru went beyond what Beako could classify as untrue. The sheer amount of 'primary details' just shattered her disbelief, leaving only a thirst to add more to her mind and knowledge. So the two kept on exchanging knowledge, and Subaru couldn't help but feel like he was making progress in properly befriending Beako.

When he asked Puck about the reasons why the blonde preferred to be alone in her library, the familiar was tight-lipped on the overall explanation, but confirmed that it was something tied to 'waiting for someone'. That meant a lot despite how short of an answer it was, and Subaru just couldn't know for sure the full implication of that sentence. But rather than let the matter drop, he just tried to go through the easiest and safest routes first. Such as befriending the cute girl and trying to see if she was willing to tell him herself rather than having Subaru force an answer through some risky conversations. And with his studies proceeding smoothly, there was also a matter tied to-

"Why are you staring at me with those malicious eyes, Barusu?"

Ram.

The maid was excellent in being prim and proper, but seemed to lack the class and the modesty one would expect someone with that kind of job. Obviously that was tied to the fact that Subaru was someone either equal to her in this standing or even inferior considering how little time had passed since he came to the manor. And with that in mind, the maid just found it simple to just mock him when possible. It didn't go too far, but it was tedious to handle at times.

For the time being, the young man had just sat down on the bed by his room to take a break from work, his 'guard' making her presence known by merely standing near the door, gaze aimed dully at the young man.

Of course I have to stare, it's not like I can ignore your terrifying gaze!

Subaru sighed. "It's not my fault I was born with these eyes, pinky."

Her lips twitched, a brief scowl forming before her stoic face returned back to normal.

"Alas, that doesn't give you a reason to ogle at my frame."

A snort left his lips. "Just because you're cute that doesn't mean I have a reason to ogle you."

The backhanded insult acted also as an implicit compliment. One Ram didn't ignore the sneer that ensued.

"Sexual harassment too? I suppose you have no shame, Barusu."

"Now you're just pulling at me, Ram," He remarked dryly. "There is absolutely no reason for you to be so condescending even when I'm trying to be peaceful. In fact, I would dare to say that you just don't like it when someone compliments you truthfully..."

The maid huffed. "That's the truth so-"

"Because you are self-conscious of your own beauty."

The comment was meant to provoke a greater reaction out of Ram, a predictable rage which would give Subaru a good enough reason to bicker. The two have been at it for a long time now, and he felt he had gained enough insight on the pinkette's devious mind to plan cunning things to irk her. But what he got back was surprisingly odd.

"I'm not."

Ram's voice quivered, just briefly. It was as if she had been slapped, and she was recoiling for some reason. Subaru was completely sure it wasn't anything in his tone and gaze, but his own words which had drawn such a shaky response. It didn't help when the maid, giving him no chance to further expand on it, decided to take a break. Before she left, the young man spotted an odd blush on her face. A bit unusual, but perhaps she was embarrassed by the comment. After all, many women (and a fair majority of people in general) weren't keen to listen to that kind of criticism out of the blue.

Subaru could only bow his head awkwardly at that circumstance, but he was glad to see that Ram didn't seem to have taken it too badly as she was back around lunchtime, showing no issues whatsoever and resuming being the provider of snide remarks which had their bickering starting from. The same couldn't be said about the younger twin. Rem just seemed to have a bone to pick with him, and this recent event just did little to assuage that kind of worry. Quite the contrary from the murderous glare she threw at him a while ago. Very scary.

Still, things just weren't getting any easy for Subaru, especially when new troubles came up during these strange weeks of his new life. Specifically one that was currently giggling with fellow children and playing with quite the angry puppy.

The girl in question had suave yellow-green eyes that gave off an air of ease. Her long dark-blue hair was kept out of her face and tied into a triple-braid that flowed down to her hips. The young girl wore a short blue dress with a flap collar similar to a sailor's and brown edges. She also wore a pair of brown sandals that really gave off the air of her being a villager… but also not. There was just something off about this individual, especially when adults didn't know how she came by and where she was living. That much should have been reason for concern, but no one had genuinely reached out to get this story straightened out. Her name was Meili, and she was a mystery Subaru felt a bit uneasy around for some odd reason.

This looked like a very suspicious thing considering she admitted to be orphaned and without a proper way to be this 'clean'. Her clothes bore no signs of weariness despite the fact the girl has been wandering around for a long time now. With that suspicion leaving him worried, Subaru decided that the best way to solve this would be to rely on one of the children themselves. And among those that were quite close to him, only one stood out as the most trustworthy in that regard.

"Subaru-nii! How are you? How is Lady Emilia? Can I get a headpat? Nice day, right? Headpat when?"

Petra Leyte was an A-Grade cute kid that had instantly stuck to him when he introduced himself. The girl had medium length orange hair that reached down to her shoulders along, with cyan eyes that exuded liveliness and delight. She wore an outfit that consisted of a pair of brown shoes, green leggings with horizontal stripes that were shorn just above the ankles, a white long-sleeved shirt, an open short-sleeved cream-colored cardigan with red outlining, and a red ribbon fastened to her collar.

She was really sold to headpats if someone hasn't noticed yet. It doesn't help that her parents were fond of him and keen to send their daughter to be around him way too much while he was dealing with business. In a curious twist of things, Emilia seemed to be more at ease at having Petra hog attention from him rather than Ram being around and jab at him with ridiculous insults. At first he thought it was about Ram being an annoyance, but then it became clear it was about the lap-pillow thing. Or not.

Subaru was no expert on women's minds, and he could definitely tell that trying to understand Emilia was as fun as complicated at times. It didn't help that Puck found the entire matter 'hilarious' and that he would have 'laughed with him when the truth came out'. Truth, what truth? And why did Emilia slammed her hand on the cat's mouth before he could say more, blushing and all of that. Was there an embarrassing secret she had to tell him? Something that was cute and yet awkward?

That just made Barusu even more curious, and so he planned to solve this eventually. But for now, there was this issue to solve.

"Now, now, Petra-chan. There's no need to be this pushy on poor me."

"But I'm not!" The orangette huffed, her pretty red ribbon atop her head twitching almost mimicking her annoyance. "I just like being around Subaru-nii since he is cool."

Barusu cracked a smile, and he went for something the child had expected at that compliment. A head pat. The girl was receptive, and so were the other children. His presence here in the village was a hint of benevolence from the true boss, but they were also exceeding that by being genuinely polite and homely around their newest 'friend'. For the kids, it was just a chance to have someone that was slightly older than them, but also not one of those 'pesky adults' as they called their parents and others older than twenty.

"Do you know why I asked to talk with you in private?"

"Headpats?" The girl guessed and Subaru sighed.

"Yes, but not the main concern actually."

Blue eyes glimmered with curiosity. "Oh? Then what is it, Subaru-nii?"

"I know this might sound a bit strange but… have you seen anything odd about the new arrival, Meili?"

"Strange? How so?" Petra pressed on, feeling like there was something interesting on the focus. "Did she do anything bad?"

"I don't know yet, but I am looking into it since I've found some details that are a bit concerning."

The orangette paused, eyes closed to think about it and then seemed to remember something important.

"Oh! She has been asking us to check the forest beyond the bridge. The one that Granny Irlam said was spooky and no one was supposed to go."

The Wolgarm Forest, the specific area beyond the village which was known to have numerous Mabeasts that were kept at bay due to the seals left near the bridge connecting the village to that side of the forest. The fact that this was a thing meant it was really bad.

"And no one has followed through, right?"

Petra frowned. "Well no, Granny Irlam was quite serious about it. And while we're all curious to see what's in there, we think it's bad. So we always tell her that we just want to play in the village."

"I see and… can you do me a favor and never bring this discussion to Meili?"

"Of course, Subaru-nii. By the way-"

Petra went quiet as her head was patted again. At this point, he could tell that this girl may or may not have gotten a bit addicted to this interaction. Way more than one would expect.

Still, the ball was in his court now and he had to play quickly before something bad happened as he could tell that something was indeed off with this kid. It didn't take long for him to be back at the manor, with Roswaal allowing the young man to speak in private with him. Once behind closed doors, Subaru spilled the beans and explained his suspicions to the nobleman, knowing that it was just right to bring the man up to this kind of issue to his attention.

"Are you suuuure about it, Subaru-kun?"

The formality sure dropped in the span of two weeks, didn't it?

"I am, Lord Roswaal," Subaru confirmed politely. At times he would be informal himself, but he felt the need to be 'formal when the situation was serious'. "Not only is this child in good condition despite having no home, no resources to set up a camp in the forest nearby and no parents to do that, but… well, she has been trying to get the children to check the forest where Wolgarms are known to live in large numbers."

"Oh?" The Margrave hummed, his eyes widening a fraction at that explanation. "That's indeed concerning. And I suppose you have some plans to solve this problem as cautiously as possible?"

"Technically yes. I mean, at this point she hasn't shown anything that should be worrying but… she can't be using magic to any degree right?"

"But magic is something that can be used by people of all ages, except one has to have knowledge of it," Roswaal answered readily, fingers tapping by his desk. "At the same time, this girl wouldn't just waste time luring the children to willingly go into that side of the forest if she could use some powerful magic to force them herself. No, I think that she isn't as dangerous as she appears to be when away from… these monsters."

Subaru's eyes widened. "You think she controls them?"

"Maybe~." The magician commented lightly. "I don't have the means to determine her current abilities, but that sounds like the most feasible possibility as it would explain her seemingly suicidal plan to lead children in a forest with carnivorous beasts. They would normally kill everything, but in the world we live in no one should be surprised if some magic-users can actually control these monsters."

Subaru could only nod.

"Also, a fair warning. These critters are known to curse people with bites, Subaru-kun. Don't let your life be wasted so suddenly."

Quite the ominous warning, but Subaru decided to take it as one to keep wary off for the time being. A day passed and eventually he set up a proper plan to capture Meili. It was actually simpler than it sounded as he just had to ask to speak with her in private about her puppy. She was instantly happy to talk with him within that condition and… that puppy was scared.

Ram just glanced at him with an 'Are you really frightened by that puppy?' questioning look and he felt extremely awkward about it. Nonetheless, the situation was quite supposedly smooth. She would have to answer a few questions and peacefully be brought to Roswaal for further interrogation. Sounds simple and safe. Except instead of a conversation, he saw the puppy just launch himself at him. It was a frightening view, but all in all the puppy looked fairly innocuous and he was almost tempted to ignore the dog since it didn't look too dangerous.

And yet, I can't help but-

Be careful.

Soft, weak and yet hopeful and filled with worry. Why does it sound like Emilia's voice?

Subaru still snapped into action, a bit stronger than planned as his left hand now cocked into a fist before slamming on the side of the puppy, and sending the pouncing critter onto the nearby tree. A sickening crunch ensued as soon as its body impacted on the wood, the little dog failing to move after landing on the ground. It was dead. And Subaru felt horrible because he had just killed a puppy.

"Good job, Barusu," The pinkette now behind him lamented. "You killed a little pet and-"

Ram's voice ceased momentarily and Subaru knew what caused her silence as he could see the source by himself. The puppy had slowly morphed into a large creature, one that he had learned about through some books in Beako's library. It was a Wolgarm. Meili turned around and started running. Panic on her face as she knew she had been discovered. Sadly for her, Subaru was slightly faster than her and he managed to catch up with her in a short amount of time. Soon a struggle ensued. Meili tried to fight Subaru off, but she lacked the physical strength to not be overwhelmed by the young man. Ram had decided to bring some rope for the occasion, which made Subaru feel like an idiot as he disagreed with the maid on needing something 'that extreme' despite the fact now it was necessary.

Meili was captured and this plot was foiled for the time being. What was left to do was give Roswaal the chance to further investigate on what got Meili to act like this, and if she had some associate that could have been helping her do this. Many questions came from this shocking development, but there was one that went beyond this situation. They were soon to receive visitors. Familiar people to Subaru and Emilia at that.

Hmm? Felt was... visiting? And why is Roswaal giving me a strange look now? Is that amusement or… something else?

That just didn't bode well at all.

AN

Quick reminder that just because I'm 'preventing' deaths (when it's more like Barusu is just putting his head through and being paranoid after Death n1), there are a few that no matter the intent can't be dodged. And some are also customized ones due to the things that are changing now.

Petra is a bit of a headpat-lover, and may become something troublesome in the future for poor Barusu and Ram has indeed some troubles that Barusu is unconsciously sniping at.

REVIEW Q&A!

Guest 1 (Chapter 5): Headpat stronk!

Guest 2 (Chapter 5): Sometimes failure is even better than success.