"What is the meaning of this?" I hear one of the Sage Council members ask, looking at Reinhard.
I'm surprised they were all gathered here. There's another man here that has some business with them.
"Where is Emilia being kept? I looked for her at the location you told me she would be questioned and did find her." Reinhard responded.
Something is off... the man that was here before we almost seemed to be enjoying this like he's watching a movie...
Who is this?
I stare at him for a member, and he smiles. Blonde hair, older man. Something about his entire attitude toward this is off. Mainly when Reinhard speaks...
"Who are these people with you? Reinhard, you were given direct orders, and it has not been five days. What are you doing?"
Reinhard smiled, "I rather not threaten you, but if you fail to give me the information I ask, I won't hesitate to kill all of you. I have no problem with you, Miklotov, but I believe that Bordeaux would be the one to know where Emilia's location is."
I watched closely. The Sage Council members we're all shocked. Boring reactions, however, this man, seemed similar. He reminded me of a corrupt billionaire from the earth. Controlling the government, and military, if aspects like that exist on earth, I find it hard to not doubt that they exist here.
I turn towards the blonde-haired old man.
"What is your name?" I ask with a curious tone to imply no hostility, but rather curiosity, given the circumstances.
He smiled, "My name is Russell Fellow. I was just in a meeting with the Sage Council discussing a massive construction project. What is your name?"
His tone was way calm. Given the circumstances, he should be afraid at the least. He either assumes his own safety due to not being connected to the current conflict, or my theory is correct and this world shares a similarity to earth. Money is power in most worlds. It's part of the system that makes society function. Corruption spawns from that. If this man has control over the Sage Council or the Kingdom, then... how should I test him?
I decide to speak. This is getting annoying.
"Sage Council members, more importantly, Bordeaux, give the information about where Emilia is being kept now. I remember your actions during the Royal Selection and can tell you are a pathetic person. Other than that, I have no issues with any other members. However, Bordeaux will both give us the location and come with us. If it's deemed that Bordeaux's actions require justice, it will be given however, if not, he will be released safely once Emilia's safety is secured. Currently, this Kingdom is in the most vulnerable position it's been in history, and you, the Sage Council, have nothing at your disposal to save yourself. I, however, will overlook this transgression to insure another nation invades, or even a civil war is possible. I do not blame anybody except Bordeaux for this situation happening. So, would you rather risk the Kingdom falling apart or comply with my demands?" I ask, turning my head to Miklotov.
"It seems that this boy is more capable of considering the Kingdom's safety than you, Bordeaux. Subaru, I agree with your demands. I truly hope that Emilia is safe." Miklotov replies.
If my assumption of this Russell Fellow person is correct, then if the worst scenario transpires, he must not be able to escape.
I turn my head to Halibel, "You specialize in curses, correct? Curse Russell Fellow. I will explain my logic later. If possible, use a curse that takes time to affect him. My goal is to restrain him, not kill him." I said, pointing toward the person I named.
Halibel looked towards the man. He then throws a kunai at his arm. His precision was incredible. Somehow the kunai only left a scratch, yet I'm sure the curse was still given to him.
"What is the meaning of this?" Russell asks me, confused.
But he wasn't confused. He was scared. Or more so interested in something, perhaps what I know in relation to him. Luckily he has an idea what information I do know since I don't know anything about him.
"Simple, those who control the money in a Kingdom always have power. That is an undeniable fact. While I'm not entirely sure of your value if circumstances change, your power may be greater than the Sage Council. Those who control the money of a Kingdom control the Kingdom." I responded with confidence.
However, I wasn't sure. It's always better to take precautions than to not regret it later.
"Emilia is located... in the dungeon in the castle. She is underneath us underground..." Bordeaux admits.
I watch as the other Sage Council members look at him in shock.
"Then you will guide us to this dungeon you speak of," I tell Bordeaux.
I watch as Reinhard restrains him and he begins taking us out of the room we're in.
She better be alive... please.
"Kid relax. She'll be alive, trust me." Halibel tells me reassuring me.
I guess if he can sense negative emotion, he can tell when I'm thinking about that.
Normally I'd hate being called 'boy,' but given his maturity, I feel that it's not unjustified.
Bordeaux opens a hatch in after opening the door that was an empty room at the lowest level of the castle. Everything felt disgusting.
The hatch revealed a staircase, and that is where this dungeon is...
With every step I took, I got more and more angry. I did not want to see...
I kept going. No point in wondering when I'll see in a few moments.
The doungen had a room in it. It was solid probaly meant for taking in prisonors that had incredible physical strength. There was a door locked, most likely the room was sound proof. There one guard there who looked horrified seeing the arrival of us.
"Guard opens the door" Bordeaux demanded.
I watched as the guard looked like he was terrified and ashamed.
Ashamed of what? I find it hard to believe he'd feel guilty for what happened to Emilia.
The door opens and reveals-
"Subaru?"
Her clothes were... missing.
Scraps of clothes covered her chest and her waist...
She had a cloth over her head so she couldn't see. She must've known it was me...
Scars and bruises all over her body, and chains that were digging into her wrists to the point they were bleeding.
That guard... was ashamed that he...
Shameful, pathetic, this Kingdom is a fucking joke.
I looked at Reinhard's face it was filled with despair, guilt, and hatred.
I looked at Halibel, whose facial expression showed he wasn't happy.
'Beatrice got any magic to release the shackles on her?'
'Yes, Subaru...'
Even the tone in Beatrice's telepathic voice was sad.
Beatrice had a spell to cut the chains when I got close enough to catch her.
"Emilia, I'm sorry," I told her to take off the cloth preventing her to see.
She looked like she hasn't had water this entire time... her lips were dried out and breaking.
'Beatrice healing magic now'
Beatrice went over to Emilia and healed her. I watched as her bruises, cuts, and even the effects of her lack of hydration slowly disappeared.
However, that guard was ashamed. Emilia was basically naked...
That filthy human garbage was ashamed he had to rape her... because of his stupid racist logic.
I wanted to comfort Emilia but, I wanted vengeance...
"Emilia, I-"
"Subaru it's okay. You once told me don't let vengeance consume me right? Well, I'll tell you it now, don't let it consume you. I'm in love with the Subaru that healed me from that path, I don't want you to change and become how I was before..."
Can she seriously accept this?
Vengeance? This is justice.
Vengeance in the name of justice?
"Kid, you got a smart, brave girl that loves you. I think you remember are agreement regarding how we will respond depending on what occurred. I will take of that. Subaru." Halibel says to me.
I take off my knight coat and wrap it around Emilia, she was shorter than me, so it was almost like a blanket.
"Very well, but be quick I want to leave this hell hole quickly," I responded looking back toward Halibel.
I hugged Emilia, brushing her hair through my fingers. She was alive, we were reunited.
"Subaru thank you," Emilia said to me as I held her tightly between my arms.
Thank me?
Why thank me?
"Subaru you already know what happened to me, but you gave me the strength to handle anything they did to me. Even if they tortured or defiled my body, I felt no pain. You gave me the strength to be the person I am today." Emilia said looking straight into my eyes.
Her gorgeous amethyst eyes... I felt calmer.
She does love me unconditionally... and I love her the same.
"Emilia, thank you," I say to her softly.
I hear two screams... I guess Halibel decided justice was needed.
Now let's get out of this dump.
"We can leave now." I hear Halibel say.
Wait, I forgot, that guy I had Halibel cursed.
Well, I assume he'd already dealt with it.
This day... this week has all been a nightmare.
Now what?
I don't know
Not sure what to do after this