Reminder, when someone speaks Japanese it is formatted with "italics". When someone says something in Lugnican, it is unformatted direct speech.
Subaru's legs gave out, body shivered and throat dried up. Seconds ago he was dying on the floor, agonising with terrible wound and his thoughts scattered. The contrast of this and his present health and vitality threw Subaru off. He absentmindedly checked his gut and his chest.
The shopkeeper was visibly distressed. He tried to get Subaru's attention, but seeing non-responsive condition of the boy called out for help on the street. Another citizen noticed his collapse, and after brief exchange with the shopkeeper attempted to help Subaru to get up. Still a bit disoriented, the boy didn't resist, eventually walking almost normally, without leaning on the good samaritan's shoulder too much. They arrived back at the fountain, where the guy carefully placed Subaru on the edge.
"Everything is fine. You should just wear a cap next time. Now I suggest you cool off and then find a cover from sun, until you get better."
Subaru only understood he was being addressed and suggested to do something. Seeing as he was sitting on the edge of the fountain, he slowly leaned on it with his chest and then dove in water with his entire head. He felt a hand on his shoulder holding him back from drowning, reminding him of his situation. He was isekaied, and he was supposed to die in that house. But he lived.
It got better. He must indeed have been asleep and hallucinated this. Or so Subaru wanted to think once his mind cleared up a bit. But the memories were vivid. Pain was real. Wound was real. Death was real. His death and death of everyone in that cursed shack…
"Heat stroke is a bitch. I remember my little cousin temporary losing his mind, unable to speak properly or understand. He had a debilitating fever for hours after that, so you got off relatively easy. Hold onto me a bit more, I'll get you somewhere cooler."
The guy continued his rambling, offerinh his shoulder in the process, but Subaru shook his head in denial, not wanting to impose any more on the kind stranger. The guy signed and extended his hand, helping Subaru stand up. He kept talking, but to the boy's shame he couldn't understand a word. Making their way to the alley with small bench, they both rested there, as Subaru wanted to reflect on what's happened and what to do next. The kind stranger silently sat to his left, thinking of something his own.
"Thank you." Subaru didn't know what else to say. He couldn't explain that he felt better and the guy doesn't need to worry anymore. And the boy lost his plastic bag somewhere along the way, so he couldn't even give something in return. He searched for the pocket change in his sportswear to give it as a souvenir, stumbling upon the phone.
Tempted by his intuition, Subaru flipped open the cellphone, his eyes darting to the time and date on the screen. Was he saved by some godly intervention, respawning in the same place? Or…
He pushed himself onto his feet, obsessed with confirming the possibility. He rushed out of the alley to the surprise of the guy previously tending to him."Sorry", he blurted out on habit, then, remembering Lugnican, "Thank you." Subaru hurried, overcoming dizziness, eventually managing to run. He had to find that shack. Because the phone showed the same date as yesterday.
He ran through familiar streets and alleyways until he suddenly saw the familiar silver hair, far along his way. Subaru blindly sprinted towards her, hoping to finally confirm that he indeed was reset, able to save everyone once and for all.
Three familiar delinquents stepped out to block his path.
"If you don't wanna get hurt, cough up whatever you've got!"
Subaru didn't have time for them. Whether they were again mugging him or just in for a beating, he couldn't allow them to delay his meeting with Emilia. If only she too remembered their death somehow…
Subaru slowed down as a bulky guy, confident and relaxed, blocked his way with arms wide open, but then the Japanese boy rushed in to deliver a kick between hooligan's legs. It wasn't as strong as it could be, Subaru felt ill for potentially ruining the life of the young man, its purpose was to hurt the guy and drop his guard, so the boy could deliver a strong hook to his chin. His hand hurt, not used to actual fighting, but he kept going, dispatching the smaller guy with a leg kick, now looking onto finishing off the ring leader.
Brief shock of last of the hooligans changed into grin, as Subaru menacingly closed his distance. At the last moment, the delinquent pulled out two knives, shouting something. Unexpectedly, he impaled Subaru with one of them as the boy recklessly went in for the final knock out. The ring leader himself wasn't exactly ready for that, pulling back terrified immediately after. Subaru felt the wound instantly, stunned by pain and falling on the ground.
"Shit, I actually shanked him! Holy shit! I warned him! Fuck! Guys, let's get out of here!"
Subaru was once again hurt with grievous wound. He could barely breathe, strength leaving him and blood loss impeding his thinking. He faintly registered Emilia rushing to him, attemping to help. But he was too far gone for her skill, bleeding out in her hands without much of intelligent thoughts.
She healed him anyway. Subaru felt… power? strength? vitality? pouring into him, it kept him alive for some time. But the wound was a nasty one, piercing his lung and damaging artery. Five agonising minutes took him to die, choking on his blood repeatedly, pain amplified by the desperate look on Emilia's face.
There was some godly intervention at play. Not respawn, but reset. Judging by how the hooligans weren't exactly ready for him, he alone knew what was going to happen. It was his "isekai cheat", Return By Death. Giving him one more chance- No! Not only him, but Emilia and other people at the shack too! He had to warn her...
"How do I...?" He felt tears forming again. "Why it had to be me? I am useless! I know nothing of this world, I have no powers and nobody can fucking understand me!"
He would try anyway. He should. He would not repeat the mistakes, he would not waste time and he would definitely save Emilia!
With newfound determination he walked the street. Trying to retrace his steps he left the stall again, this time not waiting to be chased away. Subaru didn't care to lose his plastic bag, not ever having much use to it. Some things from it would probably trade well, but clinging onto it now would just slow him down.
How could he warn or stop Emilia from going into the slums? He didn't even know why she was going there. Well, she looked for the running girl. It didn't look like they were friends either, the Blonde was displeased with Emilia's arrival. And the Woman-In-Black outright killed everyone there... Why?
"Why" was the prevalent question on his mind. Nothing made sense. Emilia looked for the girl that didn't want to be found, she somehow located Blonde in that house and confronted her. Realizing that they have been found, Woman killed everyone at the scene. She didn't ask any questions, didn't bother to loot the corpses (as far as Subaru had seen) and very much enjoyed the process. Also, apparently nobody expected her to attack them, not immediately, at least.
She was an assassin. Or a serial killer. Perhaps, Blonde was a lure for Emilia, so that she would walk her way to a distant, isloated location and be killed without many witnesses. It's likely Blonde didn't know her role, she didn't even expect Emilia to come, judging by her reaction. Once the poor girl served her purpose, Woman-In-Black dispatched of her, tying the loose end.
That's it. He could only wonder why Emilia was chasing the girl, but that isn't important right now. The solution already presented itself – he has to secure and restraint Blonde, letting half-elf catch up and thus saving lives of both her and Emilia. They might not be good friends, but whatever issues they have aren't worth dying for.
Quickly finding the small alleyway where he was mugged by delinquents, Subaru saw them again – apparently, it was their "fishing spot". He didn't want to repeat his mistake of getting impaled, but he never gave much thought to this encounter. He stopped, trying to come up with a way dispatch them quickly and without being hurt. It seems only the ring leader was using weapons, so if Subaru knocks the armed thug out first, he is in the clear.
They called out to him, in the same way they always did. The ring leader grabbed Subaru by his shirt, in attempt to intimidate him, but that made him unable to defend himself from the desperate boy's punches. Subaru wanted to make sure the guy wouldn't get up anytime soon, as it happened the first time around, which gave the bulky guy opportunity to get into the fight.
Subaru didn't manage to completely dodge the powerful strike of his new opponent. It wasn't that painful, just a grazing hit, but it showed that the boy wouldn't stand much of a chance in the fair fight. Subaru had to resort to kicking between thug's legs again, hurting the poor man even more since he couldn't risk trying to hold back. The small guy, despite Subaru's worry, ran out screaming loudly, which wasn't ideal since he could call for help from other thugs. Hopefully, Subaru wouldn't be anywhere close when the guy comes for revenge.
Now, clearing his first obstacle and moving deeper into the alleyway, Subaru started to doubt his plan. He would have to basically manhandle a young girl, potentially even hurtung her. Also, now he remembered that Emilia didn't know how Blonde looked like, it was a ring leader who had drawn her image for half-elf.
Did the girl steal something from Emilia? That would explain a lot. Blonde pickpocketed something important from Emilia and ran away. It was hard to say how good of a look elf had on the girl, but since she chased her to this alley, she must at least had seen a glimpse of the thief, right? Subaru wasn't sure about any of this. If only he could talk to Blonde or Emilia…
The time was running out. The only other thing that came up in his mind was taking the picture of Blonde so that she could be reported to local equivalent of police, thus Emilia would not have to come to that shack, potentially even getting that Woman to leave without killing anyone. But last time she found the girl on her own, without police, why would she want to involve it this time? No, it's a bust. But, phone could still be useful...
"Move! Out of my way!"
It was now or never. Or next loop, if Return By Death isn't a 2-time deal. Subaru didn't want to find it out in practice...
He flipped open his phone, setting it to camera mode. When Blonde was closing in, he pressed the button to take a series of pictures, flashing her repeatedly. In the relatively dark alley and with how concentrated on running efficiently the girl was, she was desoriented enough to swerve and hit the wall, falling down briefly. Subaru caught up to her and grabbed both of her hands one by one, moving them forcefully behind her back and up, putting Blonde in police submission hold.
"Get off your hands! Get off! Someone, please, help! Help!"
She flailed, kicking Subaru with her leg. Subaru adjusted his grip so she couldn't reach him so easily, feeling guilty for having to hold her this way. Well, at least he (probably) avoided looking like rapist.
"What do you want? WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?! Are you with that girl? Or with that scary butler? Alright, alright, I got it! I'll give it back, I promise! Take it, it's…"
Subaru didn't have an easy time holding her. He wasn't a pro and Blonde was surprisingly nimble, having him put a lot of power and concentration into maintaining his grip on her. The boy only had to wait several more minutes...
"You should release this poor girl. I insist."
The tall red-haired guy silently made his way behind Subaru, startling him. Even the Japanese boy, unfamiliar with the world, knew this person had to be important. And powerful. He was tall, clad in white stylish uniform with purple decor and with a big sword in sheath. The spitting image of a fantasy knight. Handsome, courteous and professional.
"Who… Who are you?"
The knight looked at Subaru strangely, sighed and murmured something, before responding to the boy.
"I am just a knight on my day off. But regardless, I cannot ignore certain things. You must let her go, I really want to settle this peacefully." Calm and confident, he walked closer, as both Subaru and the girl looked at him awestruck. Then, scary-eyed boy realised something.
"You speak Japanese?! Thank god! Finally, some-" Subaru unwittingly let his hold weaken as the girl wasn't flailing, and suddenly he was struck in his hip with a big knife. Blonde saw him distracted and almost completely releasing his grip, so she took her chance to run, stabbing him in the process. She must have been in great stress and shock, as the wound wasn't deep and the knife slipped from her palm, leaving the weapon in the wound. "Argh! Shit! Again! What's with the knives-".
Subaru slowly sat down, his leg numb and the wound with ridiculously big (for that girl) knife inside aching more with each movement. He didn't dare to remove it, afraid of bleeding out. Emilia might help with it, it's just a prick compared to the last one… But he had something more important on his hands. He looked up, finally hopeful for things to come.
"Hey, sir? Oh, you are so close already. Don't leave me, please. I need to talk to you."
The knight stood near him, looking towards the roofs where Blonde fled. His concern changed with sincere pity when he looked at Subaru. The knight knelt and quickly removed the knife, making the boy hold down knight-provided handkerchief on the bleeding wound. Surprisingly, there was much less blood than Subaru anticipated, but it still hurt a lot.
"Don't worry, I'll help you to the guard station. Everything will be alright."
"No! It's not about it… Just tell me, why you alone know Japanese in this world?"
"Japanese? What's-"
"The language you use right now! The language I speak, the only one I know."
"Oh, that must be the work of my newly acquired Divine Protection of Soul Language. I never learned anything but common tongue."
Subaru plopped back, content despite numbing pain. The solution already presented itself, to both of his problems.
"Magic! I knew it! So, how could I acquire one for myself? It's really bothersome that I can't talk to anyone but you. No offense!"
"It's not possible, I am afraid. People are born with Divine Protections-"
"Good evening, sir knight. Have you accidentally catched the thief I am after? Is it really-"
The knight and Subaru were interrupted by a familiar voice, once again assuring Subaru that certain events were pretty much predetermined in each loop. And in a way, he was glad he always met Emilia.
"Emilia-tan!" Subaru looked at her with excitement, cringing internally at her dumbfounded expression as he remembered they haven't met before in this loop. Familiar cat flown to him, inspecting his face and attire, ignoring his wound and pained look.
"I am honoured to meet you again, lady Emilia."
Emilia was visibly pleased at first, then her face turned sour.
"Sir Reinhard? I am glad to see you too. But… I didn't want to involve anyone with my situation."
"Sure, I won't pry unnecessarily. Lady Emilia, you called this man a thief, so he had allegedly stolen something from you, correct?"
Emilia looked sternly at Subaru, who correctly guessed she took him for who that Blonde girl was. He looked at the knight with pleading eyes, hoping this man could finally help him explain everything to Emilia.
"I have to mention, he doesn't seem to understand normal speech. Without my Divine Protection, I wouldn't be able to talk with him at all."
"I don't need anything from him but what belongs to me. I won't press any charges and forget what happened. Explain that to him, please."
Reinhard turned to face Subaru, as Emilia came closer, now in full view of him.
"This is lady Emilia. She thinks you stole something from her and she wants it back now, in return she forgets this happened and lets you go."
"Reinard, he is wounded! What happened?" / "It wasn't me, it was that blonde girl! I tried to stop her."
The knight frowned a little, then responded. Apparently, processing several languages at once took a toll on him.
"Miss Emilia, this man said it was a different person who stole it, blonde girl he held captive just before my arrival. She stabbed him and fled when I tried to interfere."
Emilia leaned over Subaru, wanting to inspect his wound. Having an impulse to move Subaru's palm that obstructed the wound with her own hand, she instinctively reached towards him… And jolted back, looking into the boy's eyes cautiously. He wasn't scared, wasn't disgusted. He returned her look, sincerely smiling, despite the pain the boy must have felt.
Subaru saw her hesitation, and thought overly kindhearted Emilia was just afraid to hurt him accidentally. He looked at Reinhard, "Tell her I am fine, she doesn't need to tiptoe around my wound."
"It looked like you were seriously hurt. It's not life-threatening at this point, thanks to my Divine Protection of First Help, but I don't think you can just walk it out. If you ask lady Emilia nicely, she might help to heal your wound right here and right now."
"The reason I tried to apprehend that girl was that assassin is after Emilia-tan! The assasin used that Blonde as a lure. It's more important you call upon guards to protect Emilia-tan than heal me – I'll be fine, I can wait."
"Lady Emilia, this man claims that the girl who stole something from you is used to stage an assassination attempt on you. I believe, you should take this seriously and use your privilege as a Royal candidate to ask knights for help."
Subaru watched their exchange attentively. It was a stroke of luck he found a way to communicate what transpired in this alley, otherwise all the trouble and pain he underwent this loop would be for nothing. The knight seemed to know her, so she must trust him, as the knight seemed to trust Subaru already.
Emilia plumped her shoulders, averting gaze from the knight. She looked around impulsively, deliberating if to disclose her failure to Reinhard. Subaru felt Emilia's distress, largely unaware of contents of her exchange with the knight, the boy wondered what he might have said wrong. Finally setting her eyes back on Reinhard, with the earnest look Emilia decided.
"I... can't. I just can't. I am sorry, sir Reinhard, this is on me. I will be extremely careful onwards, so your warning is not in vain."
"Not my warning… This man believes what he said. And my intuition tells me to take his words very seriously, but…" Reinhard sighed heavily, his friendly smile faltering for a moment. "But, I guess I can't take on everyone's burdens."
"What's going on? What have you decided to do? If it helps, I know how the killer looks and I roughly remember where she would end up today."
"That's really good. But how do you know all that?"
"Because I already d-"
Subaru's vision darkened and body paralized. He could barely make out his surroundings, frozen in time. A shadowy, immaterial but very much real tentacle hand reached out to the boy, going inside his ribcage. Subaru felt it, it wasn't exactly painful, until the hand caressed and then squeezed his heart. Confession about Return By Death was never to leave his mouth, replaced by barking cough.
"Sir? Are you alright?" Reinhard placed his hand on Subaru's shoulder, trying to discern what made the boy ill so suddenly. "Reinhard, he is wounded! I need to heal him!" Emilia interrupted, placing her own hand around the wound carefully. Reinhard nodded, letting her proceed. He made his way into the farthest corner of the alley, to the surprise of Subaru.
"Is it something dangerous, what Emilia-tan is doing?"
"No, not at all. It's just in my vicinity mana flow is very restricted, so lady Emilia might have had harder time healing you."
Subaru glanced at Emilia's concentrated face. He felt a bit gazing at her face to much, instead shifting his look to her hands, which were shining with white light while his wound was closing. Reminded of his previous deaths, he looked away, at Puck, who in turn was silently inspecting him, hovering closely above them. Emilia finished the process, leaving not even a scar but smooth if slightly reddish skin and helped Subaru to stand upright.
"Well, I am done here. I am not nearly as good as Blue Knight, but that's what it is."
"Thank you, Emilia-tan."
"I was ought to do- What? Are you talking to me? What does 'tan' mean?" She turned to Reinhard, stupefied. "Reinhard, you told me he doesn't talk!"
"Well, he definitely talks and apparently knows few words from common language. Haven't you met before?" He looked at the boy again. "Sir, have you met lady Emilia before?"
"We had, but I doubt she remembers. She... Emilia-tan helped me a lot. So I really wanted to help her now! Oh, actually after the healing I owe double as much! Also, I forgot to introduce myself to both of you." Subaru stepped back into the middle of an alley and made his over-the-top introduction.
"I am Natsuki Subaru. Not only am I clueless, I'm also broke beyond compare!" As Subaru looked at the knight, the red-haired man smiled politely and translated the boy's speech, switching his gaze between the two.
"Lady Emilia, this man wants to introduce himself as, I quote, 'Natsuki Subaru. Not only am I clueless, I am also broke beyond compare'." The knight ceremoniously bowed, facing Subaru. "I apologize for not familiarising with you earlier. I am Reinhard Van Astrea, Sword Saint and Knight of Lugnica. But you can call me Reinhard, for your convenience."
"Likewise, I am simply Subaru. Also, I spoke absolute truth about being clueless and broke. Hopefully, you wouldn't be too bothered by me if I accompany Emilia-tan and you to slums... Though, we might have to swing by your 'guard station' or whatever, because that Woman-In-Black might be too dangerous."
"Subaru... Lady Emilia insisted on not involving anyone. I am afraid, best you can do is tell her everything you know about the assailant and how she can find that thief girl. I am sorry. But I can help you-"
"No! Last time she-" Subaru wanted to tell about their first encounter, when Emilia gladly let him accompany her in search for that girl, keeping him out of trouble and teaching language. But he remembered his curse, abruptly cutting his words. "Emilia will die if she goes there alone! Isn't she a royal, or at least a noble? Shouldn't knights protect her? Reinhard, talk to her, explain that she just can't! What is so secret that it's worth dying for!?"
"What's wrong? Why Natsuki is so agitated? The wound's fine, is it?"
"Lady Emilia, Subaru is really worried about you. He believes you alone wouldn't be able to fend off the assassin, whoever that is." Reinhard paused, seeing Emilia's silent resolve. "He might help in your search, on the condition that you wouldn't go wherever that girl is alone."
Emilia sunk in deeper thought, as Subaru made his way closer to her, trying to muster his most earnest look. Puck flown between the two youths, peering at Subaru inquisitively. The cat was somewhat more on the fence throughout this whole encounter, making Subaru wonder if he somehow ticked off the spirit this time.
"I am sorry. It's not about you, Reinhard. Or anyone but me, for that matter. I will take every precaution on my way, but it has to be me who retrieves my in-... what was stolen. If anything, Subaru would help me a lot if he tells where the girl is going, so I can face the assassin with Puck, before the sun is out."
As it was translated to Subaru, his face contorted with pain. He was so close, and yet the girl he desperately tried to save refused to listen to voice of reason. Emilia would go, find the Blonde and die by the hands of Woman-In-Black. Unless…
"I refuse to give her any leads. I can't let her just throw her life away because of some stupid… some… I don't even know! Emilia, why? It's all lined up for you! Just take it! I know you are a good, mindful person, so why do you have to be so hard?"
Emilia didn't need Reinhard's help to understand Subaru was extremely distraught with her decision, his posture an image of defiance, refusing to help her in what he deemed as deadly mission… Puck, extremely vigilant of the boy, assured her there was no foul play, Subaru indeed was worried about her, to the point of being angry... Yet, for Emilia, it was do or die. With Subaru's help or not.
"Calm down, Subaru. Think wisely. Lady Emilia is a Spirit Arts user. She is more than capable of defending herself, assassin's only hope is to get a drop on her, which is nigh impossible with the Great Spirit Puck on alert. I do agree it's better to not risk her life at all, but if lady Emilia is going to do this anyway, you might want to increase her chances however possible."
"I'LL INCREASE HER CHANCES BY NOT GETTING HER THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
Subaru turned around and started to walk away, twitching with whole body from overwhelming feelings. He made conscious effort to not look back, absentmindedly going through the alley. He had nowhere to go. Everything in his new life (lives?) so far was revolving around saving Emilia. If Subaru has to walk away, has to antagonise and hurt her, he will do it. Even if-
He let out a sob. He didn't see where he was walking, too preoccupied with holding onto single soothing thought. Emilia-tan will live. She'll hate him, but she will live. Subaru will be the loneliest, most pathetic and powerless hero. But Emilia-tan will live. A hand on Subaru's shoulder gently stopped his trudging, pulling him out of despair for a moment.
Back in the middle of the alley, Emilia herself wasn't in the best place of mind. She might have been an image of resolve, but in truth she almost caved in. She trusted Reinhard somewhat, and started to gain trust for Subaru. It would have been really shameful to share her story about missing Royal Insignia, her only qualifier for Royal Selection and for the moment the only thing that kept her from being considered just a witchspawn. But how could she face knights when they could know Emilia failed her only duty?
Now, she had almost no chance at retrieving it. The girl was gone, her features escaping Emilia in the scuffle. The only witness refused to help, warning of the assassin after her. What next? Go back to her backer and plea for help? She skimmed last look around, unthinkingly. And yet she noticed something.
The big knife or a small sword, visibly bloodied. The knife Subaru was hurt with. The weapon that belonged to the thief.