Alright everyone you're in luck you get an extra-long chapter. I'm not going to keep you all here too long, but one thing before you start: I'd like to thank all of you for the support on the story so far. Now that that's done enjoy the chapter. P.S. grammar probably still isn't great.
The wind seemed to stop. All three people in the alleyway were silent. The girl who named herself Satella was awaiting a reaction. Puck was shocked unable to form words. What the hell is Lia thinking? Wait. He thought before activating his empathic abilities. Oh. If she really wants him to leave she could have just asked politely. Going to have to talk to her about that one.
Outside Puck's mind, Subaru was just standing there. Nothing about his demeanor had changed. His lips stayed in that twisted smile. His eyes staring forward. His body neutral. Why? Why did she use that name? Wait? She's trying to get rid of me. "Are you so polite that it loops around to using that name?" He asked. I'm not leaving you Emilia-tan. You have so much suffering that I must take on.
"What do you mean? That's the name my parents gave me." The girl responded.
"He is right Lia. If you're going to give someone a fake name that's the last one to use. You really have terrible taste." Puck admonished.
"Alright, I guess you're right Puck." The girl said. "My name, my name is Emilia."
"Alright. Emilia it is." The Subaru said."Now, Emilia, I need you to give me about 5 minutes to think about something." He sat down on the stone floor of the alleyway.
"Ok," Emilia said. What is going on? I said my name was Satella and he didn't even flinch. I don't understand. I don't know why he insists on helping me? He really does not need to help. If he helps me anymore then I'll be in his debt. Maybe this will work. "Hey, Subaru was it?" She started.
"Yeah, that's my name," Subaru responded. He opened his eyes pupils focused on her. His expression didn't change but Puck could figure out that he was now very slightly annoyed.
"You should know before we continue to work together that. Uh…" She said looking down hesitating. "I'm a half-elf." She clasped her hands together. Subaru was quiet for a second and Emilia began to squeeze her hands, he waited a little longer. She squeezed her hands together even further. If it was someone else's hand it would've broken by now.
"Ok. Now can you let me think for a second?" Subaru asked. Alright now, maybe I can think. Outside of his head, Subaru hadn't noticed, but Emilia was frozen. Alright so how do I solve this loop? First set a set out a list of Locks. Subaru thought falling into the thought process he'd developed with Echidna. Emilia was too stunned to interrupt. Puck was watching the boy trying to get a read on his emotions.
Back in Subaru's mind, he was establishing a plan. Alright, number one determine Locks. Lock one protect Emilia-tan, Felt, and Rom. Lock two: Stop Elsa. Lock three: Retrieve Emilia-tan's insignia. Number two which Locks must be unlocked for the loop to be successful. All three Locks must be unlocked. Step three: Which keys are necessary. Lock one and Lock three are solved by unlocking Lock two. Lock two key: Reinhardt van Astrea. Step four: Assess the difficulty of attaining keys. Key two difficulty fairly easy. Step five: Estimate the possible amount of deaths. Estimate: One-Three current loop included.
"Alright, I'm done thinking." He looked up at Emilia she still looked speechless. "What is it?"
"Subaru?" She questioned. She was frozen her body stiff. Ok, what's this about? Is she suffering?
"Huh?" That was all Subaru gave in response. Oh, half-elf thing. She'd probably get more embarrassed if I mention it. She is already close to suffering. "Anyway," Subaru said brushing past it, "I have a plan to get back your insignia." At the word insignia, Emilia's eyes widened her body grew a different kind of rigid.
What? What did I say? "I never told you my insignia was the thing stolen from me." She said. Oh, that's right. "Are you working with that girl?"
Dammit, Subaru. How to fix this? "No, it's just that I saw it in the girl's hand when she ran by." Emilia looked at Puck.
"He isn't lying." Puck responded confidently. But Puck's mind was anything but confident. What is with this Subaru kid? He isn't lying about working with the thieves. Of that I'm certain. But he was definitely lying about how he knows about the insignia. Should I dispose of him? But there is no malicious intent. He doesn't want to hurt Lia. I think he wants to help. That's definitely his intention. But what emotion is motivating it? Pucks mind raced trying to figure out the situation.
"Alright. Puck says you aren't lying so I'll trust him. But how am I supposed to know if your plan is trustworthy?" She posited.
"Well, for that. Why don't we just have Puck see if I'm lying about the plan?" He responded. Dammit, Subaru. She doesn't trust me. Hmm. Well, when I take on her suffering she'll trust me. Plus it would be beneficial to keep this loop going to gain information. Right? Or is the loop already lost. The image of the salesman's daughter flashed in his mind. What the hell is that about? If I have to I'll reset the loop. But I don't think I'm at that point. Again he couldn't truly come to a decision.
Emilia and Puck were looking at him as if expecting something. Emilia looked curious. In her mind, she thought: What is going on. Why does he want to help me so much? He doesn't need to help me. Outside Emilia's mind, Puck was still looking at Subaru. Puck's look was cold as if covering up his true emotions. Right the plan. Subaru remembered. "Ok, first I need you two to go to the slums. Then, you'll wait for me there. And once I get there we get Emilia's insignia back." Subaru explained.
"Why do you need us to wait there?" Emilia asked. Puck nodded agreeing with her question.
"Because there is something I need to find to be able to get your insignia. Call it a bargaining chip." Subaru explained. He had just raised even more questions in their minds. "You are going to have to trust me on this." Subaru declared. Have to calm them down. Ease their worries. Their suffering. An even larger smile fought its way onto Subaru's face. From the outside, it looked even stranger now. His cheeks twitched, and the smile wavered at the corners. C'mon if you don't trust me you will suffer. And only I need to do that. Nobody needs to suffer but me.
Emilia looked to Puck once more. The spirit was thinking over the plan. Huh. No malicious intent. He isn't lying about anything. And he seems like he wants us to accept. Is that desperation. But why is he so confident. The desperation and confidence. It's like he thinks he knows exactly how to get the insignia back, and he desperately wants, no needs us to accept.
"Alright, we accept but if you don't get there by 4:45 then we are going to get the insignia ourselves. How does that sound Natsuki Subaru?" The spirit accepted.
"That sounds good. So it's a promise then?" Subaru asked. You lectured me once on the importance of promises to a spirit arts user. An image of Puck in his beast of the end form. Yellow eyes staring down upon Subaru. Passing their judgment.
"Yes. It's a promise." Puck responded. "Now, c'mon Lia we have a promise to keep." He floated off practically dragging the girl behind him. She waved to Subaru.
"See you soon Subaru." She called politely. Following her father figure.
"Bye Emilia," Subaru called back waving. Subaru stood in the alley waiting for Emilia and Puck to get out of earshot. He watched them both turn the corner. As soon as he couldn't see them his smile faltered, waned, and finally disappeared.
"Puck why did you accept his offer. I mean I get he can help find my insignia, but, do we really need him to help us find it." Emilia asked the spirit. He doesn't need to repay me that much. He is already even with me. There isn't a need for him to help a half-elf like me anymore. Why?
"It was his emotions when he was asking. It felt like if we didn't take his offer he thought something might happen to us." Puck explained.
"Wait what would happen to us?" Emilia asked confused and a little worried.
"I don't know. I can't read minds y'know. But my guess is that he knows something about this situation that we don't. He seemed confident that we would need his help." Puck explained further. "Oh, and the most important thing. I never got an ounce of malicious intent towards you in the whole conversation." Puck added. Of course, that isn't including what happened when he saw me. And the thing that happened after he introduced himself.
Memories flashed in Puck's mind. He was watching through the crystal on Emilia's neck. She stood in front of three men and a boy. In the minds of the men, he felt malicious intent towards her and the boy. That was standard Puck had expected it. But the boy's mind was a different story. When the boy looked at Emilia the first thing he looked at was the crystal containing Puck. When his eyes landed on the crystal an intense flare of hostility directed at Puck emerged. But maybe it wasn't at me. Maybe it was at the crystal. How could he have known about me? I've never seen him before. But he looked at Lia and the hostility softened. And did it shift to guilt? The more he thought about the boy the less he understood.
The other memory flashing through Puck's mind was that time in the alley. They were doing introductions. And the boy had just done his introduction. After that, the boy thought about something for a few moments, and then there was another large amount of malicious intent. But it was directed at himself. Why? What caused it? I've only ever felt that set of emotions when somebody is determined to kill themselves. How did his introduction cause it? And those smiles. They were all fake, weren't they? Puck led Emilia to the slums. As the two walked Puck's mind continued to race. Thinking about the boy only brought more questions to Puck's mind.
As the two continued towards the slums Puck glanced at the emotions of his daughter, to distract himself from Subaru. She was confused, just as confused as Puck, maybe even more confused. Why is she so confused? Is it because he is still helping? Lia generally has a tough time with people wanting to help her. Is it her fake name? Re-thinking that it is exceptionally odd.
Puck remembered when Emilia called herself Satella. He also vaguely remembered the look on the boy's face. His face stayed the same. Most people would've run away from a silver-haired girl calling herself Satella. Most knights would've at least recoiled in shock or fear. But that boy. His face didn't change. And it isn't like he is exceptional at suppressing his expressions. Its just that his emotional state didn't change, at all. What is with this boy? Is he emotionally stunted somehow? But to that degree. Either he wasn't born with normal emotions or… What has he been through?
Back in the alleyway, Subaru stopped waiting. Now back in control of his body, he took stock of his surroundings. He was still in the alleyway. He guessed about 10 minutes had passed. He looked up at the sky. It was probably around 1:30, so plenty of time left to find Reinhardt.
"Reinhardt, Reinhardt. Please I need help." Subaru screamed. Trying to project his voice as far as it could go. C'mon, c'mon. He probably has a divine protection to let him hear anyone on the capital. But Reinhardt hadn't come yet. Subaru waited 5 seconds. 10 seconds. 20, 30, 60. Two minutes passed with no sign of the Sword Saint.
Dammit. I need to try a new location. He picked a direction and ran for thirty seconds. When he got there Subaru screamed for Reinhardt once more. Then he waited for one minute. Now Subaru had the process down, and he continued to repeat it. Repeat. No Reinhardt. Repeat. No Reinhardt. Repeat
Subaru stopped screaming and looked up at the sky. Dammit. It was about 3:45 Subaru had one hour remaining. This isn't working. THINK. THINK. Think, think, think, think, think. Subaru's mind stumbled upon a foggy memory. It was Subaru and Reinhardt. They sat on cushions on the floor. Subaru was comfortable, and Reinhardt, well Reinhardt was not what you could call comfortable. It was an inn styled after Kararagi designs. Outside was a city built upon a lake. A city named Priestella.
The two men were making a plan using Subaru's knowledge of the incoming invasion by the witch's cult. "Alright, that's the plan for Greed. Once the battle is over and Regulus is dead then you need to assist any battle that needs help. Does that sound good Reinhardt?" Subaru explained.
"Yes, that sounds like an excellent plan Subaru. However," The Sword Saint raised an objection. "I am a little worried about how I will know which battle to join." Subaru's expression didn't change. He wasn't surprised when he heard Reinhardt's question, after all, he had heard it thousands of times.
"Before the invasion begins we will get together with the other combatants. There we will assign each group a unique minor spell to cast into the air. If they do that then you go to that battle." Subaru responded. The explanation sounded practiced.
"Hmm. Ok, that will work. In fact, even if they don't cast the spell into the air I will still know. I have a divine protection that allows me to detect spell casting, and if I know the user I can identify who cast the spell." Reinhardt explained. "Actually I should be able to do this quite effectively, after all, back when I was a knight patrolling the capital one of my duties was to investigate any foreign spell usage inside the city." Subaru just looked at the Sword Saint waiting for him to finish.
"Good. Now that we have that worked out we can go organize who is fighting who." Subaru responded. The two men stood up and walked off.
Now in the current day, Subaru thought about how he could make use of this. Hmm. If I remember right he investigated every source of foreign mana. But he is off-duty. Wait never mind that doesn't matter the guy is a workaholic who still works on his days off. Guess it's a good thing I got Roswal to teach me some magic after the sanctuary.
Subaru shifted his focus to a different part of his mind. Now he was focused on his gate. Subaru pictured the flow of mana. Loose, and flowing, yet controlled. Subaru had spent thousands of loops practicing mana control. A good Shamac had helped him in countless situations. And back before he'd returned to zero Subaru could've managed a Minya. Now with a practiced thought process, Subaru manipulated some of the mana in his body. He visualized what he wanted to do. He breathed in.
"Shamac!" He yelled forming the mana into a black cloud of smoke that surrounded him. The cloud hung in the air for thirty seconds. When the mana dissipated Subaru turned around. And right there standing behind him as a young man. His hair was a burning red. His eyes a piercing blue. On his face he wore a reassuring smile. He was the knight Implacable, a hero, and the Sword Saint. He was Reinhardt van Astrea
Images flashed in Subaru's mind. Reinhardt kneeling down. His knees had given out when he heard the news. He couldn't understand why Felt had left so abruptly. A film of tears covered his eyes. Another image. Reinhardt standing alone after Garfiel had challenged him yet another time. Reinhardt's reassuring smile was gone. The last time he smiled was when he was protecting the inhabitants of Priestella.
He was standing on top of a cliff. It was just a short walk from the mansion. Reinhardt stood there his eyes empty. Yet determined. Reinhardt had gone to that cliff for a reason. He unhooked the Dragon Sword Reid from his belt. He raised his head. Readied his arm and tossed the sword off the cliff. Moments later that loop ended. It had taken Natsuki Subaru one hundred thousand loops to stop Reinhardt from giving up the Dragon Sword.
It was necessary. With him in Felt's camp he would never have come to Priestella. The inhabitants would have died. If Felt was still in the royal selection the witch cult would've won. There was no other way. There was no other way. There was no other way. No other way. Please. Please. There was no other way. Right? Echidna. Please, Echidna. Echidna, why?
"Reinhardt?" Subaru asked. Trying to gauge the man's emotions. He'll probably ask me some questions about what I was doing. Then once I answer those I can get him on my side. He has the divine protection of wind reading, so he'll know I'm not lying. Hmm, how to broach this? It was necessary.
"Yes, Reinhardt is my name. I see you've heard of me." Reinhardt confirmed. "Now I just need to ask what you were doing with that magic." The man said oozing an air of politeness.
"Oh, the magic. Hmm." Subaru began to answer. Hmm. He'll spot a lie immediately. So I should tell the truth. "I needed to get your attention. There is something I need you to help me with." Subaru finished answering. It was necessary. Right?
"Oh, alright. As you can see I'm off duty," Reinhardt said gesturing to his clothes, "But I'd be happy to lend what little skill I have." It was necessary.
Again he'll spot any lies. Honesty really is the best policy here. And Elsa is no problem for Reinhardt. He won't suffer dealing with her. Right? He won't suffer. He won't. If he doesn't come there is no way I stop Elsa. He won't suffer. He won't.
"Are you ok?" Reinhardt asked his face filled with concern.
When Subaru heard this he snapped back to reality, and his mouth began contorting into a smile. "Yes, I Natsuki Subaru, am fine." Good that introduction was better than the last one. If I can get these right people won't suffer. Only I will. It was necessary.
"Alright Subaru, what was it that you needed my help with?" The Sword Saint asked trying to get the conversation back on track.
Honesty is the best policy here we go, "I know where Elsa the bowel hunter will next appear. I can lead you to her." Subaru claimed. It was necessary. Please. It was necessary. Echidna?
"Hmm. You seem to be telling the truth. Ok then, I will help you with this. Though, I still am not sure my meager skills will be of much use." Reinhardt responded trusting Subaru.
Huh, that was easy. "Ok, c'mon she's this way," Subaru said gesturing for Reinhardt to follow him. Strangely Reinhardt smiled a little wider upon being treated like this. And he smiled a little wider remembering the first words he said to him. Inside Reinhardt's head, he thought: He just called me Reinhardt. Not the Sword Saint. Just Reinhardt.
By the time Subaru and Reinhardt arrived at the slums, it was around 4:40. They stopped in front of a bored Puck and a curious Emilia. Subaru was panting out of breath. Reinhardt on the other hand was fine. He still wore his smile.
"You have great resolve Subaru to run that far without stopping, even with your stamina." Reinhardt praised. Subaru just looked at him.
"You guys made it, finally." Puck commented looking bored. So your bargaining chip is the Sword Saint. What are we walking into?
"The Sword Saint? Subaru what kind of trouble did you get yourself in?" Emilia asked in a joking tone.
"It's nothing to worry about Emilia," Subaru responded his tone cold. "Now let's get going." Subaru gestured for everyone to follow him. I do not like where this is going. Puck thought. Could he be leading us into a trap? He has no malicious intent. Does he think he is leading us to somewhere nice but it's actually our deaths? Wait, Reinhardt. Ok never mind I think we're good, with Reinhardt here it would be nearly impossible for him to lead us to our deaths. Why does he think we need Reinhardt? What are we walking into? Maybe his emotions will tell me something. Puck began to read the boy's emotions. Hmm. No fear. Is that confidence. Where is the confidence directed? Reinhardt probably. Is that guilt or regret? Whatever it is it's also directed at Reinhardt. What happened to this boy?
Alright, we're here. Puck thought. He looked at the building examining it. It was the largest building in the slums. Shaded, by the buildings of the capital, in the evening light. Subaru had explained on the way that it was called the loot house. It was where most illegally obtained goods were sold. The center of the black market in the slums. Subaru had also explained that inside would be an old man, the girl who stole the insignia, and the buyer. "A very dangerous woman." was the only description Subaru gave.
Emilia was too confused to say much. Puck didn't blame her he hardly knew how to react to all this. Except for one question that kept coming up in his mind: How? How did Natsuki Subaru obtain this information? If Reinhardt was on duty Subaru would probably be under questioning by now. Do I trust the boy? But there is no malicious intent. I need to remember that.
Subaru reached for the door. Then, he stopped, as if remembering something. "Reinhardt." It was Subaru, "Before we go in I need to ask you something."
"Anything you need, ask away," Reinhardt responded with a curious look in his eyes.
"Do you have a divine protection that would allow you to communicate with someone through their mind?" Subaru asked his question. Reinhardt looked up eyes widening. He wasn't expecting that question. Puck thought reading Reinhardt's emotions.
"I wish I could say I did but, unfortunately, no," Reinhardt answered.
Subaru looked down for a second. What is the boy thinking about now? Puck thought. Subaru's head raised again looking Reinhardt in the eye. What will you do know Natsuki Subaru?
"Can you get one?" Subaru asked.
"One second," Reinhardt responded immediately closing his eyes. He lowered his head. "Alright, I have it."
Subaru looked up at him, and his eyes seemed to pierce through into Reinhardt. What is that look? Reinhardt returned the look eyes piercing into Subaru. Are they conversing? After a few moments, both men blinked. Their eyes lost that piercing look. Both men nodded to each other. What happened in that conversation? No malicious intent. Though, Reinhardt is a little more on edge than before.
"Ok time to go in. Emilia, you ready to get your insignia back?" Subaru asked.
"Yes." She nodded. "But, I don't know how I will repay you for helping me this much," Emilia responded. Her eyes narrowed, determined.
"Let's work that out after you get the insignia back. Ok?" Subaru said. A smile broke across his face. The smile never reached his cold eyes. Why does he fake his smiles? Puck wondered still confused. Lia nodded lips turned into a determined smile. Unlike Subaru, her smile reached her eyes.
Subaru nodded in response to Emilia's smile. He reached for the door. His hand grasped the doorknob he turned it, and Subaru pushed the door open. And there inside the loot house were 3 people. Just like Subaru had said an old man, a young girl, and a woman. The woman stood before the other two, in her hand she held a kukri blade. Across the room from her stood an old man, more a giant than a man, holding a massive club, then there was the girl she stood next to the old man, and in her hand was a short sword.
We've come in the middle of a standoff. It looks like relations have broken down. Mmm. Dammit. My time limit is here. "Lia," Puck spoke to Emilia through their contract. "My time is up for today. I'm sorry I can't watch over you. If it gets down to it use your od to summon me."
"It's fine Puck. Just rest for now. With Reinhardt here, I think I'll be safe." Emilia reassured Puck through their mental link. Tapping the crystal she wore. And with that Puck was out of the battle before it had even started.
Alright, here we go I have the necessary keys gathered time to unlock this loop. Subaru mused to himself. "Ah. Black Clothes and a blade unique to Gusteko." Reinhardt observed. "You truly are the Bowel Hunter. I guess I was right to trust you eh, Subaru."
"The Bowel Hunter." It was old man, Rom. His eyes widened in recognition. He grabbed Felt pulling her into the side of the room. He's probably heard of her before. And of course, he has heard of Reinhardt. A memory. Reinhardt close to tears after hearing that Felt had left him. It was necessary. Right?
"Hey old man what are you doing. Are you giving up without a fight?" Felt asked.
The old man looked at her saying, "Felt that's the bowel hunter. If it was someone else we would fight but, we will die if we fight her." Felt looked back meeting his gaze. When she saw that frantic look in Rom's eye she stopped resisting. Rom silently carried her into the back of the Loot House.
Elsa just watched this smiling. Her lips opened a little, and she let out a light moan. She was ready for this fight. She could barely resist the desire to charge at Reinhardt. If not for the small rational part of her mind that told her she would die if she went on the offensive.
"Emilia and Subaru you should join those two," Reinhardt advised pointing towards Felt and Rom.
Both silently walked over to the side of the room to join Felt and Rom. They knew what Reinhardt could do when he fought. Both knew that now was a time where the most useful thing they could do was get out of the way.
"And Subaru, can you toss me a sword from over there," Reinhardt asked his cheeks a little red. Subaru merely nodded. This is not an unexpected development. The sword didn't even judge Regulus worthy. And it didn't judge Elsa worthy last time. An image. It was Reinhardt fighting Regulus. A fake smile was plastered on Reinhardt's face. It was necessary. Can't think about that. Reinhardt needs a sword right now. Subaru tried to grab a sword off the wall. But Rom had blocked his way. Subaru knew it was out of instinct because when Rom noticed what he was doing he got out of the way. He is sensible at least. Subaru gripped the sword's handle. He pulled it down.
"Oh, what's this not going to use the sword at your hip?" Elsa asked breathily. "I would love to be pierced by the Dragon Sword." She sighed. It was a sigh of disappointment at not facing Reid and anticipation at facing Reinhardt in general.
"No, I guess the sword has decided it is not needed for this battle. I admit I don't like the sword's judgment. It will be tough to win without it." Reinhardt gave a shrug that seemed to say what can you do. Subaru readied his right arm. And he threw. The sword flew through the air not towards Elsa but towards Reinhardt.
Reinhardt's arm snapped towards the weapon. Elsa dashed forward trying to intercept the sword. She was a millisecond away, and Reinhardt was still standing in the same position; however, right before she could grab the weapon Reinhardt was already there. He had moved too fast for Elsa to register. It appeared as if he had teleported. The air slammed into her pushing her back. And a massive boom could be heard resounding in the loot house the entire foundation shook. Motes of dust were flung into the air.
Elsa couldn't move. It was as if time was frozen around her. Her ears rang from the immense sound. She looked at Reinhardt. He was standing there his foot had punched through the wooden flooring where he had stopped. His grip closed around the sword's handle. Elsa tried to dodge, but to her dismay, her brain was moving too fast for her body to react. As if her mind was fully experiencing things millisecond by millisecond, but her body was still moving at normal speeds.
She saw in great detail as mana began to coalesce around the sword's blade. Forming into lights around it then melding into it. She heard the sounds of a whale's song in her ringing ears. She saw the way the sword began to radiate light. From dark blue to blue to light blue to sky blue, and finally to a pure white. Then through the radiance of the sword's light, she was able to see Reinhardt plant his feet. Ready his arm. Twist his body. He built up the power for his swing. And when the power was ready she realized what Reinhardt looked like. He looked like a phoenix bright, burning, and brilliant.
The phoenix struck. His body began to twist the opposite way. His feet pushing through the floor. His arm began to swing towards Elsa. The power of the Sword Saint, the Knight Implacable, Reinhardt van Astrea was unleashed upon Elsa. Elsa saw the massive wave of power coming towards her. She tried to smile but her body reacted too slowly. In her mind she thought:
Ah. Is this what it feels like to truly believe you will die? This feeling is, orgasmic.
The Loot House exploded. In the direction of Reinhardt's attack, the entire side had disintegrated. Parts of the roof began to collapse to the ground. Reinhardt held the sword in his hands. His eyes filled with a pang of slight guilt. "I'm sorry I demanded too much of you. Rest well." Reinhardt mourned as the sword slipped like sand through his fingers.
All the people watching wore different expressions. Rom looked impressed but not surprised. He'd seen what Theresia could do. This tops the last Sword Saint. He thought. Felt was stunned. She'd heard of Reinhardt but had never expected it to be this extreme. He blew up half the loot house. Felt thought. Emilia was similar to Rom impressed but she'd seen grand fights before. An image flashed through her mind. It was Roswal and Puck battling in the Elior Forest. And lastly Subaru. His eyes hadn't changed. He wasn't surprised, and he wasn't impressed, after all, he'd seen Reinhardt fight hundreds of thousands of times.
Subaru stood walking over to Reinhardt. He stared into his eyes and gave the signal they'd agreed upon. Reinhardt initiated his blessing. Their eyes seemed to pierce into one another their minds connecting. "Alright, Subaru thank you for giving me the opportunity to rid the world of this monster." He thought to Subaru using his newly acquired divine protection.
"She is still alive Reinhardt." Subaru admonished through their mental link. Outside their minds, Reinhardt's eyes had widened.
"Subaru I admit my skill is meager and I believe her to be a worthy opponent, but I do not think she is alive," Reinhardt responded.
"Just keep your guard up. I have another lock to pick." Subaru responded. Reinhardt broke the link. He was still a little skeptical, but Subaru had known about Elsa. There was no reason to be skeptical now. He assumed a stance that made others think he was relaxed when in reality, he was alert.
Subaru walked back towards where the others were waiting. "Are you guys alright?"
"Yeah," Emilia said. "I'm alright thanks to you Subaru. I guess I owe you." She said.
"Well-" Subaru began but he was cut off by an explosion of debris.
Bursting from a pile was Elsa alive and covered in blood. She began to run towards the four people gathered together. But before she could reach them Reinhardt was there. He blocked her path denying her. She stopped her mind and body appeared to fight against each other. After a moment she made her decision backing away.
"All of you better take care of yourselves. I will disembowel everyone in this room." She eyed Reinhardt in particular. Before she leapt onto the roof and scurried away.
"I guess you were right again Subaru." Reinhardt commended. He looked down his eyes gave a look off a look of dejection. He thinks he failed. He's suffering. He's suffering. He's suffering. He's suffering. Only I need to suffer. Subaru relaxed his jaw and pushed his tongue through his teeth.
"So how can I repay our debt Subaru? I will do anything as long as it's in my power." Emilia asked. She looked embarrassed. She thought that the boy might ask for something scandalous in return.
Emilia-tan? Never mind don't worry about it. Need to stop Reinhardt from suffering. Need to stop his suffering. Only me. Only I need to suffer. Subaru began to bite into his tongue. Images flashed through his mind. The appa salesman and his daughter. She was crying. The salesman was trying to stop himself from throwing up. He bit further into his tongue. "Behold the unthinkable present." His own voice rang out in his mind. Those weren't real Echidna told me that they were nothing. Just a slim possibility. Subaru's jaw unclenched he stopped biting into his tongue. Dammit.
"Subaru?" It was Emilia, Subaru realized trying to distract himself from his thoughts by fleeing into reality. She looked even more embarrassed she took the silence to mean he was thinking up even more deranged things.
"Oh. To repay the debt." He said forcing a smile. The smile fought a battle on Subaru's face and in the end, it turned into more a haggard grimace than a smile. Emilia's face looked a little less embarrassed and a little more confused. I need to follow my old footsteps maybe if I do that then when I look at Emilia-tan maybe… "Let me join your camp for the royal selection." Subaru requested interrupting his own thought process.
"Oh." Emilia giggled a little bit. "Well, I guess after all you've done for me then it would be in my own self-interest to accept wouldn't it." Subaru didn't look fazed by Emilia pretending to be selfish. He just kept up his haggard smile.
Instead of continuing the conversation, Subaru walked over to Felt and Rom. He held out his hand. "Now hand over the insignia," Subaru demanded. "If we didn't bring Reinhardt you'd be dead by now."
Felt looked to the old man. He merely nodded. The kid is probably right. She survived an attack from Reinhardt. We definitely would not have survived. That was the old man's reasoning.
Felt held the insignia in her hand. Her palm faced the cloud blocked moon. And in the shadows, it could clearly be seen. Reinhardt, who was still on alert after Elsa surprised him, saw it immediately. The insignia's jewel shone brightly in the shade of the clouds.
Reinhardt appeared in front of Felt and Rom. He placed his hand in front of Rom's face knocking him out. He collapsed to the ground. His massive body caused a resounding thud. Emilia winced when she heard grabbed Felt's wrist with his other hand. "What is your name?" He asked franticly
"Felt." She responded trying to get out of Reinhardt's grasp.
"Your family name?"
"I don't have one. I don't know who my parents are."
"How old are you?"
"Fifteen I think. I don't know my birthday." Felt responded. "Just let me go." She pleaded. He placed his palm in front of her face knocking her out. He picked her up stopping her from falling. He handed the insignia to Subaru. Reinhardt's eyes widened when he looked at Subaru. Subaru's eyes were a little wider than normal.
"Well I'm sorry for my unknightly behavior, but these two need to come with me for questioning." Reinhardt apologized.
Subaru stood there confused. Hmm. I expected something to happen there, but, I didn't think his methods would be that, crude. Wait Felt cannot become a candidate otherwise Reinhardt won't be able to help at Priestella. Reinhardt kneeling barely holding back tears. Reinhardt throwing the Dragon Sword off a cliff. It's necessary. Reinhardt saving the inhabitants of Priestella with a fake smile. It's necessary. Reinhardt standing there after beating Garfiel again. It's necessary. But I can do it later. In fact, it's better to make that decision with more information. Right?
"C'mon Subaru." Emilia motioned for him to follow. "If you're a part of my camp now then you'll be living at the mansion."
"Alri-ght s-oun-ds gre-at." He said. His voice breaking as he said the words.
Emilia noticed his voice and tried to find a way to change the subject. She looked in the direction Reinhardt had taken Felt and Rom.
Subaru said nothing. He just put his hands on the side of his face. It was necessary. It was necessary.
We should get going Subaru. Ram is definitely going to be irate." Emilia said. She looked down at the ground. She was dreading facing Ram right now.
Ram, Ram, Ram, Ram. Sounds played in his mind. It was Ram insulting him again and again. But those insults held a familiarity. She stopped doing that after the Sanctuary. Why? Please, Ram, why?
Emilia began to walk away. She turned her head back, "Subaru?" Emilia looked back to see that Subaru wasn't walking with her. He was just holding the side of his head. Ram, why? WHY? WHY? WHY? Subaru's knees began to give out his entire body was giving out. It was like his brain and body cut out.
The part of Subaru that was still rational had remembered something Echidna had taught him. It was about how to deal with intense stress. The first ones were simple. Breathing exercises and stretches. Simple stuff. The next was about how to avoid stress until he could enter a tea party. The last was something that had taken a while for Subaru to master. A full-body shutdown. Deactivate the body until a tea party could be attained. In this case, Subaru's rational mind also accounted for the lack of tea parties. Essentially Subaru's mind had forced himself asleep.
Subaru hit the ground with a thud. Emilia rushed over. "Subaru!" She yelled. What do I do? What happened Subaru you were fine. You were smiling. What do I do? After a few moments, she decided it would be best to take him back to the mansion. So doing her best not to wake him she carefully carried him to where Ram was waiting with the carriage.
Subaru's eyes snapped open. He looked at the ceiling. It wasn't the ceiling of the Roswal manor. No, it was the inside of a ground dragon carriage. He shot up. Eyes darting around he realized no one was there. What the hell? Did I force myself to sleep? I guess I wasn't being rational. I think I feel better now. He remembered Echidna lecturing him on the importance of proper sleep. Especially during loops. If he used Return by Death properly then, biologically, he would never need sleep until the loop's end. She also said that sometimes it was still needed since his sleep-deprived mind still made the jump. Ech- Not now. I need to find out what's going on.
He climbed out of the carriage. He felt rested, and refreshed. His mind felt much more stable now. He analyzed the surroundings religiously. After all, it was possible this was a new save point. This is definitely the mansion. Front courtyard. It's afternoon. Maybe around three.
But before Subaru could finish his analysis he was interrupted. A man dressed as a jester descended from the sky. Subaru recognized him immediately. He landed on the grass like a feather. He smiled breathed in. And began to speak.
"Loook aaat thaaaat. Aaaaaaare youuu fiiinalllly awaake? Natsuki Suuubaru right?"
And that's a wrap on arc 1. Not too much Suffaru yet, but I promise it's happening during arc 2. I think I finally get why Tappei likes this so much. Also, if anyone doesn't like me following Tappei too closely I'm going to start diverging herein arc 2. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. P.S. I don't know how to feel about my chapter lengths. I originally intended this to be three thousand words. It's like 7,000 words now. I guess that's a good thing. Anyway, see you guy's next chapter.