Side Note: The beginning of this story starts from an outsider's perspective… kind of, you'll understand what I mean by "kind of" if you actually read it...
Re; Collection Of The Unsung Hero
Chapter 1 - The Essence Of A Deed
A deed is a conscious action initiated by a person. A good deed seeks to benefit another without resulting in detrimental consequences upon another. A bad deed, on the opposite side of the spectrum, seeks provocation and offense in the hopes of a detrimental circumstance. Some will waste their lives doing good deeds, unaware of the cruel reality in which their actions are set in. Some waste their lives doing the bad deeds, unaware of the number of lives they might have directly ruined or indirectly brought to ruin.
It is an equally grim idea to match for an equally grim world. Despite that though, some people do exist that hold unique circumstances, unique ideas, and personalities.
To be more specific, it is the former of the two scenarios above that can scare the most battle-hardened of men. In fact, there was once a person who wasted their life doing such good deeds but was one who was also aware of the cruel reality he was born in, and yet he continually sought to do such deeds regardless. That mere fact, that mere characteristic of him was a terrifying existence. This person was a man of commitment and impenetrable determination. It is hard to determine what it would take to stop him.
I suppose commitment is something he had that scared many people as very few people are willing to acquire it for it is on the line between obsession and control.
Kararagi is a brilliant example in the commitment department. It is obvious that the country was founded upon commitment, innovation, and trade. The entire country's structure and attitude accept this fact and show no effort in the attempt to hide it.
Lugunica too is a shockingly good example as well, for the country housed a Queen of a good heart but who was still experienced in the matters of the world. She experienced first-hand the cruelty of the arch-bishops, abominations that, regardless of their past experiences and trauma, murdered hundreds upon thousands of innocents for the sake of either appeasing their own selfish wishes or to appease the imaginary will of their beloved witch. A horrid existence indeed, would thee not agree?
The Queen also experienced the terrifying nature of the cult in the events of Priestella, the skin-rattling presence of the great mabeasts at Sanctuary and in the meadows near the tree grown by Flugel, the confusing mind of the Tower of the Pleiades, the strong over the weak dominant nature ingrown in Vollachian culture, and so, so much more. Despite all that, however, she sought to bring prosperity to the country and had never stopped with her positivity.
She was also doubted and bullied, in a sense, by her fellow countrymen during the Royal Selection and now she sits on the throne. With the power handed to her, one would expect her to punish all those who have supposedly wronged her. Yet she did the opposite and gave everyone in the country hope and stability.
I, too, live in the country of Lugunica. The Queen, her beauty everlasting due to her elven lineage, seems to never digress in quality. Her mere presence bespeaks support, kindness, and an odd sense of humility for she never really bragged about her achievements and has never spoken in a manner similar to that of one of the other Royal Candidates back many years ago. What was that princess's name during the race? The one with the long red dress and lion eyes? Ah, yes… Priscilla. I believe she moved back to Vollachia once tensions decreased significantly, I am unsure whether or not her status is… alive.
It seems that our country has an unbelievable tendency to procure heroes as well, for it housed the Finest of Knights, Julius Juukulius; the Sword Saint, Reinhardt Van Astrea; The Glacial Queen, the glorious Emilia; the Mabeast Tamer, Meili Portroute; and so much more. To believe that I was born at the right time to see the next rising of heroes rivaling that of the Sage, Dragon, and Sword Saint Reid still fills me with pride to this day.
Regardless of my pride and patriotism towards this beloved country, I still feel like it is missing something crucial. If I was in a higher position of status or rather if I was just more confident, I would certainly ask the Queen if she too felt the same way. If she too felt as if something was missing.
My brain betrays me for it aches for something. It yearns to grasp something that I believe not to be there. Why do I feel such a way? Has the Od stricken me with an illness, an illness that sickens the mind and forces one into hysteria? It couldn't be any mere headache for no mere headache could inflict such warmth, joy, and yet, at the same time, pain and despair. It felt like something could pop out of my skull at any second.
Many people feel sick or succumb to some illness of some kind. It is natural to be sick once in a while and all one really needs to do is attend a healer's session or get into contact with a healer to set an appointment. Thanks to the gracious Queen, the kingdom got a lot healthier and under control than it ever was before.
And yet, no matter how many healers I attended or met with, I had learned that they too were feeling a similar ache inside as well. Perhaps a new disease?
The appa-man, Kadomon I believe his name to be, seems to be kneeling near his stand in pain, grasping his head as if something too may pop out at any second. Everyone on carriages, on sidewalks, the thieves, as desperate for money as they are, all stop as the announcements speak loudly and shockingly clear.
Speakers, an invention from Priestella, were implemented in the capital. One screech emitted from them indicated that an announcement of some sort was to be made and so when such a screech echoed throughout the streets of the capital, everyone listened with deep intent and focus. Perhaps the Queen felt this aching too.
"My citizens, I have an urgent message to express. I am not the one who planned the defeat of the White Whale, I am not who defeated the Great Rabbit, I am not who trapped the Black Serpent, I did not make any such speech at Priscilla, I did not conquer the Tower as singlehandedly as many of you believe, I did not ever step foot in Vollachia at the time of Vincent's rise, I have done no such thing!"
It sounded like the Queen was in deep distress; it inadvertently caused many to worry about whether or not she may be being attacked. But that was shot down when many remembered that her strength in magic was very much on a proficient level and was quite intimidating to boot.
Her voice, like a silver bell, echoed in the minds of people everywhere in the capital and had effectively ceased the pain in their minds for a moment. But, in truth, it was not the voice of the Queen that was easing their minds, rather it was the message she was so close to expressing in the first place.
My brain had been yearning for something and I had finally realized what it just might be.
Recollection? To recollect something is to remember something once forgotten and to recognize the details behind that forgotten object that one had known once before. However, though that is what I felt, I could not ascertain or determine anything within my mind that could be causing this apparent recollection.
To describe the other's faces though, it seemed that everyone's faces were enamored by the Queen's voice for they too realized that her message was quelling their pain. Her statements still settled, though, inside the minds of many.
The Queen had done none of those actions on the level of legends? But that must be untrue because the previous Royal Candidates themselves supported and gave evidence towards the Queen's achievements. No rival would do such things, would they? The Queen had to either be in danger and was being threatened to say such words in the eyes of the people she loved so dearly or… she could be telling the truth.
I was confused as to why, as a fully vilified supporter of the Queen's rule, I was instead leaning more towards the Queen telling the truth. It felt as if something had taken over my body and was making all the decisions for me instead of myself making the actual decision.
It seems that I unexpectedly, unusual considering my latest behaviors, played devil's advocate. If the Queen hadn't earned those accomplishments then who could have done so? Who had the commitment, the power, the smarts to do the same accomplishments that she claims that she hadn't done?
The Sword Saint Reinhardt? No, he is strong and resilient but is also too hesitant. The supposed achievements of the Queen would have also disobeyed the limitations placed upon the Saint by the Council. The mystery hero, it seems, could not be him then.
Perhaps it was the Finest of Knights? No, he was too… knightly and loyal for he would never leave his lady's side to fight in something that his lady herself didn't want to participate in. Being a Royal Knight also placed a number of limitations upon him as well. By this logic, he could have never participated in Vollachia or the Great Rabbit defeat had the supposed mystery hero been him.
Perhaps it was the Shield of Lugunica? No, the demi-human was too rambunctious and, though showing slow improvement in his logical thinking much to my enjoyment, could not have made the same tactical decisions to meet the same accomplishments that the Queen once said she held.
Perhaps it was the Mabeast Tamer Meili? Blue, the greatest of healers? The Great Spirit of Yin? The Sword Demon? So many heroes and yet none who fit the bill or felt right.
"Citizens, the man who has done all these wonderful acts of charity and greatness is Natsuki Subaru! He has a strong stature, he wears a suit lined in orange and black, he has gracious black hair, and mean but still kind eyes!"
Natsuki Subaru? What a ridiculous and forgettable name. If this man had accomplished the same objectives as did the Queen then how come the entirety of the capital had no knowledge of his existence? It was a preposterous claim and it was clear that the Queen had to be joking.
As I looked around, however, I was witness to a shocking revelation and reaction. Carriage riders and drivers stood up at shocking speeds as if they instead had heard that a sale was to commence. Market dealers and salesmen had eyes filled with stars and disbelief.
The others, the majority really, proceeded to bicker and gossip.
"The Slayer of Sloth? How could we have forgotten the hero?"
"I don't know, father. I'm sure that the Queen has an explanation for all of this."
"Where did he go? He doesn't stay in the palace anymore, does he?"
Chitter chatter permeated everywhere within the capital.
"How'd I forget the boy!?" yelled an adult man's deep voice.
I turned a full 180 degrees around to see Kadomon yelling in uncertainty and surprise. Had he remembered something? Had everyone been struck with the same recollection feeling but with something to actually satisfy it? Was Kadomon perhaps recollecting about Natsuki Subar-
It was a similar reaction all throughout the capital.
Natsuki Subaru.
My god, how could they have forgotten?
"He seeks to hide the authorities, the powers once held by the arch-bishops, away and intends to ensure that no one can possibly seek them again. He's going to grant himself eternal solitude and I won't stand for it!"
Queen Emilia's voice cracked as if in great sorrow and sadness. Her entire form, once known for being strong and firm as in any great ruler, was breaking apart significantly.
Looking back at the street, I could see the unbelievable. The Sword Saint was running down every sidewalk and road at unbelievable speeds in the search of the black-haired friend that he may have just lost. His face was pale and his hair was quite messy as if he had just gotten up.
Following the Saint, the Beast Tamer, with her purple hair flowing behind her, was being carried by the Shield of Lugunica and ran at a pace far above that of the average human. They tried to smell or, at least, sense the presence of the one they had once recognized as their Captain. For the beast tamer, she had once known the man as a father.
"He used the power of Gluttony and wants no one to follow him. He is a kind man and one who loves this country very much so we can not let him fall into this internal prison he seeks to imprison himself within. I've set a bounty of a hundred holy coins and most likely even more for his safe return. Find him!"
The Queen continued her speech but they all knew it would be to no avail. It had already been five years or so since the last mentioning of the man, the hero, the legend… the Sage. I was shellshocked as more knights, old and new, poured into the streets. Distress was spreading everywhere and it wasn't just in Lugunica either.
In Vollachia, Vincent was sitting on his throne grasping his head due to the aforementioned pain. His Divine Generals rushed to him with haste and worry, for their Emperor appeared to hold an unfamiliar illness. They'd recollect too soon enough.
It was clear the second that Vincent looked back upon his throne to witness the high and mighty chair in which he sat on that he realized just where such power and status had come from.
If he had truly worked with Emilia during his rise to power then he knew that he'd never agree with any of her plans. At the time, she was too hesitant and, for lack of a better word, quite incompetent in many areas. There was only one person that he could now think of who fits the bill.
In Kararagi and Gusteko, feelings similar to having lost a great resource of hope and prosperity were apparent in everyone's decreasing morale.
"I will pay anyone who comes across him and brings him back to me alive. Be it a citizen, mercenary, bounty hunter, assassin, thief, shopkeeper, innkeeper, knight, it does not matter who you are! Natsuki Subaru must be found and soon!"
Many residents of the capital crawled in their shops and paraded the streets in search of the black-haired knight while I just stood there laughing. Laughing because I already knew how hopeless and unaffecting such actions really were.
My laughter slowly turned into pouts and my pouts slowly turned into cries.
Natsuki Subaru had been gone for five or so years with very little contact with the capital. Even if the world had forgotten him, then some rumors of a man of mysterious powers and intellect must have surfaced in some format, correct?
And yet that wasn't the case as I, who has been a merchant for many years, has yet to hear of such a man of mystery and wit.
It seems that I had failed miserably as a friend and that I failed miserably as a brother to him.
After all, just how could I, Otto Suwen, have forgotten… Natsuki Subaru?
(Second Outsider Perspective - Not same as first)
Reinhardt barged into the Royal Palace and then into a room that held a large wooden table in the middle, filled with intricate decorations and golden lining. The table's purpose was once to be a place to dine at but that had changed the second many important Lugunican figures appeared with serious tones and expressions.
It had become a meeting table of sorts.
I was a simple maid, almost done with my usual duties of cleaning the room when it was once again subject to a mess the second the Sword Saint entered. Papers were scattered across the table with outstanding force by the Finest of Knights as he too entered.
I noticed, however, that, though their demeanor bespoke intimidation and urgency, their eyes spoke of doubt and inadequacy. Their mouths quivered and shuttered with remarkable speed, for they knew that their efforts looking in the capital were pointless in all the time they tried.
I was terrified when I looked at the Sword Saint, not because of his god-like power and invincibility, but because of how his face grew pale and his body shivered. I had seen the most powerful being perhaps in the entire world, seconded by only the Od Laguna itself (and even that was debatable), quiver in fear.
"I'm such a failure. Julius, how could this have ever happened?" said the shaken Saint.
"This can't be happening, we just need to ask some people around about if they've spotted someone with his traits, right?" retorted the purple-haired knight, trying his best to keep his friend under control and, unknown to himself, trying to keep his own mind intact.
Then the Queen came in with that same sense of urgency, her dress rubbed against the floor and her divine manner was not demonstrated on her face. Her face seemed odd, it was not befitting of a ruler. I had not seen her wear such a worried face in so many years. It was a face that felt as if the world may crumble at any moment.
The Queen took the speaker once again and called out for all of her friends to return to the palace's dining room for an important meeting.
She looked at me. Her eyes looked past my body as if my entire being was actually just transparent. Her eyes felt so full of worry and yet so empty at the same time. Her eyes were dull and yet tried their best to shine as brightly as they had before. I had not seen her try to put up an act in such a long time as well.
I could only imagine what she must be feeling, having lost her greatest knight and most valuable person. She told me and some of the other maids to stay in the room in case things got messy and unruly. The first few seconds had already proven that the room indeed was going to get unruly and messy. The door to the room then blasted open once again, this time presenting us with the Queen's many allies.
"Cap'n won't be in the city, he's long gone by this point," replied Garfiel, rubbing his hair which was something he commonly did to relieve his stress.
The second he got to the table was when things escalated quite a bit.
"GODAMNIT!" cried Garfiel directly after, ready to hit the table at any moment and smash it into many pieces. He only stopped his punching motion once he got a look at me and realized that I'd have to clean it all up if he were to follow through with his plans.
"I suggest we notify the surrounding areas and especially those near the borders," stated Crusch as she walked in the room, her dragon blood curse having been cured.
"I agree with my lady, contacting towns near the borders will ensure that we might get information about him if he is present in another country," continued Wilhelm, walking in the room with eyebrows furrowed.
The Sword Demon? It was truly a sight to see such a well-known legend in the same room as oneself. However, I do remember the relationship between the two. Wilhelm van Astrea ne Trias viewed Natsuki Subaru with the same fondness as if they were in the same family.
"If I may chime in," I asked, hesitantly looking towards Julius for an idea popped inside my mind. Surely Emilia-sama would allow me to speak, right?
"We are in no mood to chatter, we are planning on how we should find Sir Subaru," Wilhelm retorted, walking past the maid and towards the papers laid about on the table.
Many would view the Sword Demon's current attitude as quite rude, but I understood the reason for his current nature for it was most likely equivalent to a grandfather losing his grandson. To lose such a source of hope and pride can be extremely harmful to a person's physique and mental status.
"Let her speak," requested Emilia, neglecting Wilhelm's statement and allowing me to speak my mind.
"Julius-sama, I suggest that you notify Anastasia-sama for her merchant network and get into contact with Gusteko and Kararagi officials," said I. At least my shy demeanor had not presented itself during my sentences.
Julius looked at me and back to the table in thought, hopefully giving his full thought on what I had just said. If they were to access Anastasia-sama's vast network of information, they could find the most obscure of rumors and hope for the best that it was the Sage himself that the rumors were talking about.
But Julius had another question for the maid.
"Why should we just investigate Gusteko and Kararagi, maid?" asked Julius, still wanting this uncomfortable discussion to end as soon as possible. He felt like any moment he'd burst into tears and become a puddle of insecurity and incompetence.
Julius' demeanor got more unnerving the longer he waited for an answer from the maid. I saw him rubbing and fidgeting with his fingers in an attempt to ensure that they hadn't fallen off of his hands. He probably felt uncomfortably numb and exhausted. His back was slumped and his slouch was quite severe. It was all uncharacteristic of what a knight should be, especially the Finest of them all.
I was soon to respond when lady Crusch interrupted unexpectedly and created a reason stronger than what my own was.
"The maid didn't say JUST Gusteko and Kararagi. Subaru was key to keeping the relations between all the surrounding nations stable, but the majority of his allies and connections lie in Vollachia due to the incident years ago and here too obviously," explained Crusch.
"What are ya trying to get at, miss?" asked Garfiel, wanting her explanation to go a tad bit quicker so that he could start searching immediately.
"If Subaru really wants to avoid us to the point of erasing our memories of him, he still wouldn't risk it all by staying somewhere where many of his allies are. He'd stay in either Gusteko or Kararagi instead," explained Crusch, making everyone in the room nod at the logical statement.
"I understand. I'll notify Anastasia of the urgency of all of this immediately. Though, knowing her, she probably is already checking her information network as we speak," said Julius.
"If you don't mind me asking, Queen Emilia, how did you know that Subaru-sama is trying to hide the authorities away?" questioned Crusch, being still relatively unknowledgeable on the intricacies of an authority. She seemed to at least be aware that it was the power of the Witches. The question still remained, however, of how Emilia was aware of Subaru's intentions once she had recollected him.
"He told me that it was the only way and said goodbye… I should have been quicker," pouted Emilia, clearly in a deep self-deprecating mood considering the gradual decrease in her volume as she spoke.
"Then why didn't ya stop Cap'n before he left!? For five damn years too!" shouted Garfiel, it seemed that the pressure was reaching him as well. I didn't blame him for the pressure was already reaching me. I too felt like all was lost.
I am fully aware that the Shield had the utmost respect for the Queen and was a part of her camp during the Royal Selection. The Shield viewed Emilia as someone whom his Captain, Natsuki Subaru, deemed worthy and, therefore, Garfiel inherently respected her in return. Her later accomplishments in other areas only increased that respect.
Through their trials together like when the two tried to acquire Subaru again when he was sent to Vollachia, they became powerful allies. However, Garfiel always respected Subaru in far higher regard than Emilia. In a way, losing Subaru for the demi-human would always be thousands of times more painful than losing Emilia.
"Don't be an idiot, Garf," seriously stated Ram, who was now walking into the room. "Barusu must have erased our memory the second he said goodbye to Emilia-sama."
As I viewed the situation more and more and observed the slight details of all those within the room, I noticed something quite intriguing. A normal man would never erase all of their accomplishments just like that, right?
The only man that had the heart to do such a thing was Natsuki Subaru. No normal man would throw away such achievements, especially those on the same scale as those accomplished by the mean-eyed man. Natsuki Subaru, however, was no normal man and was one of a few humans in the world who saw it more important to actually save someone or something for the sake of it rather than for the recognition of it. Perhaps that is why I admired him so much.
"That's why he… Why was I so gullible?" whimpered Reinhardt, grabbing his head tightly in the attempt to hide the large frown on his face with his hand.
"What... what did he do?" questioned Emilia, wanting to understand the full extent of Subaru's departure. As she did so, Wilhelm tried comforting Reinhardt the best he could like the grandfather he should have been years ago. All he could do, however, was just simple rubbing motions on his back and an occasional encouraging line.
Reinhardt seemed pressured to the fullest of extents, his stress levels were climbing to unforeseen levels, and he must feel like he'd implode any second. His determination to find his friend was slowly being overtaken by the growing feeling of stupidity and self-deprecation.
"Subaru asked if I could help him move some of his stuff out of the palace so that he could refurbish all of it. He said he'd just get new stuff and throw all the old stuff away. He also asked if there was a merchant who sold foreign goods outside of Lugunica and when a whole bunch of them would come in. He said he wanted to get Emilia-sama a present," continued Reinhardt, trying his best to keep his stature and voice under control.
It was truly a terrifying spectacle. The strongest human on the planet was quivering at his own mistakes, completely tearing the perfect facade that most people viewed him to truly be. The pain that was being inflicted upon him wasn't a pain that the Sword Saint specialized in taking down, it was a pain that directly attacked Reinhardt himself for he realized his crucial mistake.
"I don't get it, Cap'n wanted to clean his room and that's suspicious?"
"No, Garf. Barusu wanted to ensure no one could get any clues to where he went. He most probably burned every note and journal his stupid self had ever written, claiming that he was just going to 'throw them away,'" explained Ram, her forehead was showing signs of wrinkles of frustration. If her sister had been in the capital, she would be going ballistic on the fact that they had all forgotten the man who saved her at Vollachia.
Emilia observed Reinhardt's sentence. Her entire being too was close to bursting. She was a piece of unreliable dynamite whose fuse was lit. There was no telling whether or not she could keep herself together for the next few minutes.
Trying her best to catch onto as many clues as possible, she questioned Reinhardt further.
"Did he ever say where he wanted those foreign goods from?"
"No, my Queen. I just told him where he'd find some options and when the merchants usually enter the city."
"Then I'll send knights to that area to question each merchant coming in and out. Reinhardt, I believe you've had enough and should rest. Everyone, it is clear that my Subaru must have asked this foreign merchant to transport him somewhere. That dunderhead used the idea of getting me a present as an excuse to find where the merchants would be located and when," spoke Emilia before abruptly stopping.
She turned to the door that led outside the room and seemed to have realized something crucial.
"Everyone, please get rest… I need to talk to somebody real quick," quickly ended Emilia, remembering someone important that she had left in her room.
And as such, everyone left the room with grim faces… leaving only I standing in the middle of the room. I was just a simple maid, plain as that. It seemed, however, that the Finest of Knights had left papers strewn across the table. They had left too hurriedly to really get into conversing on whatever such papers entailed.
All the other maids were left in distress and many did not want to clean the mess on the table as, for all they know, the papers may hold vital information that they didn't want to be caught tampering with. I peeked to see what they were about and had found myself confused by their contents.
Some of the papers were IDs of some merchants and medical professionals. IDs, for context, was an idea coined by Natsuki Subaru himself. Other papers looked bent and misshapen, most probably letters that were sent to the Royal Palace for the Queen and other officials. Perhaps they were trying to see if Subaru had written to the palace or if any viable information could be gathered from the letters.
It was clear to me what the papers truly showed, however. The Sword Saint was not a Saint, the Finest of Knights was not fine, the Shield of Sanctuary was not as impenetrable as he seemed, and the glacial Queen was not cold-hearted or as firm as a person as her name forever implied.
I grabbed some of the papers that I viewed as important and decided that I'd try to get permission to travel to Anastasia-sama myself. I wanted to help the Queen like she had helped the country many, many times. She may not be the same hero that everyone once viewed her as before everything was recollected, but she still didn't deserve to be wearing that frown.
Emilia-sama had helped me too. Her camp, as a whole, had helped me greatly many years earlier and still helps me to this day.
.
.
.
And so the maid left the room with a serviceable amount of papers; her auburn hair and red ribbon flowed right behind her.
She decided that moment that she wouldn't want to let Subaru down either. After all, he never did let any of them down ever.
(Switching Back To The First "Outsider" Perspective)
All carriage drivers near the edge of town were lined up while being examined by a handful of well-armed knights. Each knight was inspecting their cargo and expressions, questioning each and every single one of them for if they knew a man named Natsuki Subaru.
Of course, the majority knew the man but denied that they knew him personally. I was there as well, a humble and straightforward merchant, just hoping that he could leave as soon as possible. Having remembered Natsuki Subaru, I felt the inherent need to leave the city immediately and start searching.
Before I personally had remembered, I assumed that maybe the so-called 'hero' was disappointed in the country, believing that it was too incompetent to deal with the Witch powers, or whatever the Queen had called it, in an effective manner.
But I was wrong and my incompetence as a true friend led to the greatest mistake I may have ever made.
Natsuki Subaru's escape was my greatest blunder.
"Did any of you help Sir Natsuki Subaru escape this city? The Queen has allowed us to pay anyone who can give us substantial evidence to support the fact that you helped him escape. She set the minimum to 20 holy coins," shouted a commanding officer.
My eyes perked up at the mention of Emilia-sama's name, my eyes were full of water from realizing just how much I must have screwed up. I could only imagine what Emilia-sama must be feeling at this current moment. So much for being the Minister of Internal Affairs when you can't even handle problems like these.
Truth is, I now remember him hopping onto my carriage. I had no idea who he was, he just scared me a bit and I had instinctively given him a walloping punch. In the merchant business, when someone steps even a little too close to merchandise or gets inside of your carriage without permission, it was a safe bet to assume that they were a thief hoping to make an easy coin by stealing from a gullible and weak merchant. I, Otto Suwen, fit that bill quite well.
It seemed, still shocking to me to this day, that he knew that I was going to go for a quick jab. He grabbed my hand and re-directed it only to hit one of my boxes of food. My sweet, sweet hands felt like they had been broken. I remember the urge to scream in an extremely high pitch voice before he grabbed my mouth to quiet me down.
I was scared for my life!
"Woah, calm down," he said. "I'm not stealing anything, and I fully understand why this seems like a terrible move on my part, but I really need help… I'll pay handsomely!" he retorted at the time, flashing a bright smile at the last remark.
It was at that time that I saw the youth have a scabbard near his waist with an obvious sword protruding out of it. Perhaps he was a mercenary or knight? If that was true, then perhaps he was actually telling the truth about not being a thief.
My breathing slowly calmed down and I hid the urge to run away. I remember feeling quite oddly familiar with his antics. I see why now… that idiot.
Other than that, it was just another hurried guy looking for transportation, yeah? In all honesty, though, he did pay quite handsomely. Funny thing is, he didn't even technically pay for the full trip… or, more specifically, he had made me drop him off in the middle of nowhere in between the destination he wanted to go and the capital.
I waved my hands all around in the air, telling him that I could just take him there and that he doesn't have to walk the rest of the way. He nodded his head to say 'no' and wished me good luck. My heart was racing the more I remembered the trip.
Natsuki-san wanted to go to a city a tad bit east of Kararagi. Perhaps he wanted to go to Gusteko, ' a hellhole' in his own words? He said he didn't and simply wanted to go to a hometown of his centered in Kararagi. He could have been easily lying but that was 100% confirmed as I knew that Natsuki-san never would talk about his hometown that casually.
In fact, he had never revealed its true location ever even when his camp remembered him.
But he sounded so convincing at the time. He was always far more perceptive and skillful than anyone ever expects of him, even himself. If I had remembered the legends of Natsuki Subaru but wasn't personally his friend, I swear that I could have still identified that it was him after a few seconds of observing his behavior.
Continuing on…
He asked me about the Odglass and seemed deeply curious about the spirituality of Gusteko. It made sense now as he is known as the lolimancer, the user of little girls or, more accurately and less horridly named, the user/contractor of the Great Spirit of Yin… who so happens to be a little girl. Oh, how I remember their little arguments.
His array of questions was sporadic, he went at no consistent rate of asking and randomly asked questions from time to time during our drive.
"Are there any areas of Gusteko with large trees the size of buildings underneath a sacred mountain?"
"Maybe? That's oddly specific."
"Could you give me an example? If you can think of any of course."
"Kanai is a sacred mountain, I think. I don't really go to Gusteko, it's so cold, you know! Maybe you can find a book on it."
"That is true…" responded Subaru, his volume decreasing as he dragged the phrase.
"What part of Kararagi is rural, as in there is not as many people as let's say, the capital?"
What an odd change of subject… Perhaps his passenger was just trying to waste time during the journey. After all, staying in silence the entire ride could get quite uncomfortable for both the driver, his ground dragon, and the passenger.
"Don't know but asking the locals wouldn't hurt, would it?" responded Otto.
"True…" said Subaru. His voice sounded crackly as if he was crying internally. His hands were fidgeting with each other in an effort to keep himself awake. After all, it would be quite embarrassing to have a 'stranger' watch you cry out loud because of a nightmare, right?
But this merchant did once say that it wasn't a bad idea to let his friends take some of the burdens too sometimes. Natsuki Subaru wanted desperately to confide in the man in the carriage with him but his body prevented him from doing so. Perhaps it was fear and perhaps it was his perception of things.
Perhaps Natsuki Subaru believed that his sacrifice was the only way.
After that barrage of questions, a few minutes had passed in silence…
I heard a sound behind me in my carriage, it was clear that he must have leaned his head against something back there. He didn't fall asleep though, that much was clear to me due to the slight whimpering noises that I could hear back there. That was most likely due to having been looking outside of the carriage, looking at the capital one last time.
I wanted to help him so badly and yet felt scared about how to approach him at the same time. If only I had remembered then, I could have given him a meaty scolding.
As he said to stop right in the middle of a large meadow near Kararagi and Gusteko, I could see his eyes show a bright red, implying that he truly was crying for a large majority of the ride. I waved my hands in the air as he walked away from the carriage. I still remember the words he said.
"Mister! I can take you all the way, it wouldn't be that much of a burden! You've also left your scabbard here, isn't your sword important to you!?"
"Don't worry, Otto. I know where I'm going and that sword… you'll need it, don't worry! Just act confidently, wave it around, and you'll be fine!"
"What!"
I couldn't stop his walk and decided to cowardly accept his request as his figure disappeared into the meadows.
That wasn't the only shocking event during the journey.
It was also quite shocking when bandits ambushed me a few hours later. A few swings of Subaru's leftover sword and bluffing that I had trained as a fellow knight alongside the Shield of Lugunica, had apparently scared them away. Perhaps they saw the crest on the sword or perhaps they truly bought into Otto's horrid acting. It seemed like Natsuki Subaru, as if he already knew what was going to happen, had saved him again.
Perhaps Natsuki Subaru naturally knew that I'd get into trouble but that was the least of my concerns now. It seemed to me that his plan, despite its apparent simplicity, had worked brilliantly for he had escaped with so little as a whimper.
And the one who helped him escape, the stupid and useless little friend that helped him disappear was none other than Otto Suwen, Subaru's friend who'd never do such a thing under normal circumstances.
And then I got snapped back into reality.
"You there! Why did you step forward?" replied a knight, eyeing the merchant square in the eye.
I looked at my feet and compared them relative to the feet of all the other merchants around me. It seemed that my feet were a foot or so in front of the others. Had I subconsciously stepped forward?
As the officer continued to stare into my soul, I could feel the sweat on my hands increase in volume as they dripped to the ground. Everyone could see my nervousness.
If I were to admit my participation in his escape was to accept the incompetent friend I am and how terrible I am at keeping promises. I remembered his whimpering during the carriage ride again, he must have been crying for so long and must have been holding it in for longer.
"I have slight information on the situation regarding Natsuki-san! I need one thing to be requested though!"
"Are you so greedy to desire the money than to help save the hero that saved your lives!?" yelled the officer, clearly misinterpreting Otto's desires.
"I'm not asking for more money, sir. Hell, I'd be grateful even without the money. My name is Otto Suwen, and I was once the Internal Affairs Minister for the Emilia Camp themselves. I want to meet with the Shield of Sanctu- I mean the Shield of Lugunica and the Queen herself!"
The officer's eyebrows curled up, indicating that he hadn't yet bought into the merchant's plea. That would not stop Otto's redemption though.
"Please, I'm exposing myself right here in front of so many knights. I am not lying, you could even ask the Queen herself on the matter. If you don't trust me then just bring me to her in handcuffs and you'll see that she'll recognize me immediately! Well… I have gotten a tad bit taller… but she'll still recognize me I swear!"
"Just a word?"
"Huh?"
"You're saying that it will all take just a look and a word for her to recognize you? As the commanding officer, I will present you to the Queen and if her words truly do imply that she recognizes you then I'll have to applaud you on your current bravery, merchant," responded the officer, pulling out handcuffs and putting it on the merchant's hands.
Silence permeated for a few seconds...
"Officer?"
"Yes, merchant?"
"Thank you so, so much."
(Switching To The Second "Outsider" Perspective)
It took a few days of traveling and asking Emilia-sama for directions to which she asked very few questions about, shockingly, but I had finally arrived.
The 'Queen Merchant's Humble Station' stood in the capital as a convenient place to set up a business. It seemed that Anastasia herself was producing posters about Natsuki Subaru and if anyone has seen him. They were "wanted" posters in a sense or perhaps more fittingly "missing" posters.
On the very same posters, it was clear that all previous Royal Selection Camps were teaming up for this goal.
Crucsh Karsten was gathering up supporters and giving the news to her knight about the full status of the situation.
Queen Emilia, Emilia Natsuki in the most technical of terms, was sending letters to all her previous camp members in an attempt to gather their help once more.
Anastasia Hoshin too was trying to access her merchant information network in order to gather a slight lick of information on Natsuki Subaru and his whereabouts.
I walked inside the tall structures, it looked as if it could be a Kararagian Embassy within Luguninca's capital.
"What are you here for, miss?" asked a demi-human near the front counter of the merchant's place, looking at the maid with delightful eyes.
"I'm delivering… a message of sorts from the Royal Palace and it requests for Miss Anatasia's presence and her only," stated the maid, her auburn hair flowing smoothly down her body to which showed an air of confidence and sturdiness… instilled by none other than Frederica-nee-sama herself.
"Anastasia-sama has actually just returned from her trip from Kararagi, much to her knight's enjoyment. Just when will the two get together, I wonder? No matter, you can meet Anastasia right now as long as you follow me!" exclaimed the demi-human, leading Petra towards the Queen Merchant's office.
Opening the office, one is entranced by the smell of books, old books in specific, pertaining to the Great Hoshin and his ideas. It was not a surprise for the merchant sitting at the desk within the tidy office was one whose last name itself was Hoshin, biologically earned or not.
However, strewn everywhere this time were documents all sent from mercenaries and members of the Iron Fang to Anastasia-sama herself. All of them, with a few exceptions, pertained to Natsuki Subaru and how no new or significant information was truly obtained regardless of the amount of searching one did.
Anastasia's head was laid on the table, it was clear that the frustration of having not found anything despite the vast network she spent years building was truly getting to her.
"Lady Anatasia, a mai- an emissary, I guess you could say, from the palace has come to notify you of something," stated the demi-human who proceeded to leave the second Anastasia's head was showing to lift up.
"You're that maid that was in their camp, right?" responded the scarfed-up merchant, clearly a bit down in the dumps.
"Yes, my name is Petra Leyte and your knight, I believe, left these during his discussion with the Queen on what their plan to find Subaru-sama would be. I'm sure you've already seen the many documents pertaining to the merchants but some of these medical records seem suspicious as if they are trying to hide something."
"They are? Let me see," said Anastasia, her hopes getting lifted up as she grabbed the documents from the nervous maiden's hands.
It seemed that the longer Anastasia looked at the documents, the more her forehead showed wrinkles for her confusion was being made clear and apparent in front of the auburn-haired maid.
Petra shared the same confusion due to the fact that she too had looked over the documents on her way to the merchant's location.
You see, Subaru had implemented an ID system (as mentioned earlier) but that also led to the development of a new system for medical documentation, a system co-created by Subaru and the greatest healer, Felix. In all apparent honesty, it was Felix who did the majority of the set-up for the system though.
But if the system was as air-tight and secure as the great healer proclaimed it to be, as he did many times, then why had Julius failed to find one pertaining to a Natsuki Subaru? Many of the papers had people whose names started with an N or an S and yet none had the name 'Natsuki Subaru' that they all had known and loved.
However, Petra wasn't just a little kid anymore as, by this point, she was well into her early teens.
"I believe Subaru-sama, wanting to keep the hero mask that he sadly wears all the time, wiped out his records so that if he got into any trouble after the escape, it wouldn't be added to his already existent record. In other words, we wouldn't be able to track him down or get details pertaining to any event he participates in," concisely stated Petra, trying her best not to fall into the panic and urgency of the situation.
"So another dead end?" sighed Anastasia, falling back into her chair in despair.
"I brought you these papers because I thought you'd be able to find a missing detail I had missed during my skim of it all," continued Petra.
It was silent for a good few minutes. Petra sat on a chair near Anatasia's table while the merchant Queen herself thought of ways on how she could possibly extract information from these seemingly useless documents.
But the light-bulbs do indeed turn on in one's head once a while…
"That's it!"
"HUH!" yelped Petra, who was close to having fallen asleep.
"Natsuki-san may have wiped his records but that doesn't mean he doesn't have one. If he, and I really hope he did, made another record of himself then the date for when it was made would be at least a few weeks after his escape from the capital, right!?"
Perhaps they really were getting somewhere. Petra's lips curved upward as she got a tad bit excited for being able to potentially help in a drastic fashion.
"Wait… but Anastasia-sama, there would be so many records of people who fit a similar bill. After all, it has been five years since I've heard of Subaru!"
"That is true, we'll just have to compare our findings with the others then. Firstly, I think we should all rest. I've heard from Julius that that is what the Queen requests."
"Indeed, Anastasia-sama," replied Petra, nodding her head and walking out of the office with a bright smile of hope on her face.
Perhaps the hope wasn't dead.
.
.
.
Once walking outside though, Petra was shocked to notice that she may have waited longer than she anticipated. It was night time and when looking up, one could see the stars of the night sky.
She remembered Subaru, on various occasions, in fact, talking to her about how his hometown had these objects called 'constellations.' They were shapes that could be created by the alignment of the stars and could be useful in telling and perhaps even remembering a story.
Her once bright smile then declined significantly as she remembered more and more of the man.
Oh, how times have passed… how times have passed.
(Neither Otto nor Petra)
The snow crunched beneath his feet, the winds screamed at him for he intruded upon sacred areas that he was not allowed to intrude upon in the first place. The winds and the ice begged him to stop his journey and to return back to the home that he too desperately wanted to return to. He continued onwards nonetheless.
He stepped upwards towards the ledge and started his daily routine once again, activating the power that allowed him to detect his friends. He saw no bright lights or signs of them in the vicinity. That meant that they were safe and he was safe.
One-step and it's all over, Subaru~~ One-step! And it's all gone.
The man shook his head and his coat in an attempt to shake off the voices inside his skull. Sadly, they were stuck in there far deeper than he wished them to be.
"No, I have a job to do," said the man, turning around and rejecting the wishes of the voices.
But why? Freedom is right there, salvation is right over that ledge! You can do that or why don't we just return to Lugunica where your merry band of friends is, that'd be fun!
"This is to protect them, why would I go back after all this time? I'm not finished with my job yet."
But the voices disliked the man's hesitation and supposed weakness. They yelled at him and scorned him.
You really are a monster, Subaru.
"I can say the same to you, Natsuki," repeated the mean-eyed man on the high, snowy mountain.
.
.
.
And as he walked back to continue his work, he walked with a great sense of loneliness and dullness. For five years, he had to spend every damning second with the person he hated the most. They were one coin, just two sides of it thanks to the damn factor.
Subaru hated Natsuki and Natsuki hated Subaru, perfect symmetry.
And so he walked and walked into the depths of the snow while his friends searched every inch of the palace for a semblance of evidence towards where he might just be.
Author's Notes:
So I had no idea how to update it properly and how to get it to appear so I just decided to make a "new story" instead.
This is the 'full' version of Chapter One. I wanted to see if anyone actually liked the idea before I posted this chapter so what I did was trim the chapter into 1,000 words to see if anyone liked it before posting the actual one. This 9,000-word piece is the actual Chapter One I had. Some parts are the same, most parts certainly aren't at all.
Hope you enjoyed it though!
Happy New Year! Maayong Adlaw!
I'm Yorelis, signing out.
