"In short, it seems Subaru has the Authority of Headpats," he concludes.
"EHHHHHHHHHH?!" Getting this reaction out of both the girl and the boy.
"We still don't know the cause of the affliction or how Subaru has managed to acquire this Authority but using my Divine Protection of Empathy I can confirm what Great spirit Puck said, that Subaru holds no malicious thoughts. I do not see the need to take him for interrogation."
"Oi-oi what's this about an interrogation? Unless being a demi human is illegal I haven't done anything wrong! *cough* yet at least" Subaru muttered still not feeling okay with being transformed into a demi human.
"If this boy has not done anything wrong then I see no reason to persecute him. Although I'm really in a hurry! I need to find something of grave importance to me" Emilia spoke in a hurry, finally managing to retract her hand from Subaru's head and heading to the alley exit.
"Emilia-sama, while I am off duty today I would be glad to help you find your stolen belongings." Reinhard offered like a model knight would although he was rejected quickly by Emilia.
"I appreciate the thought, Reinhard-san but I do not wish to drag you into my problems, I will do it alone," she said in an apologetic tone.
Seeing her leave Subaru feels guilty for slowing the girl down when she just had her things stolen prompting him to offer her help, "Hey listen! I do not know what is happening or how to control my power but I owe you for slowing you down. Please allow me to help you.", he bows down at the end of his request.
"O-Okay but remember I don't have anything to reward you with! If you still wish to aid me I won't stop you." Flustered by the actions of the raven haired cat boy she stumbles out an answer.
Smiling Subaru gets ready to leave with her, bidding Reinhard goodbye.
"Thanks for all the help, Rein! I hope we meet again later! I would love to be your friend!"
Reinhard is surprised to be called someone's friend but flashes a warm smile back to Subaru after releasing the boy was entirely honest in his words "I wish the same Subaru, may we meet again sometime."
Both Emilia and Subaru leave the alley in search of her stolen item traversing the streets of Lugunica. They search long and wide in various alleys, markets, and districts with Emilia even having to pull Subaru out of some troublesome situations but are unable to find any trace of the blonde haired thief that stole Emilia's belongings.
A couple hours passed in their search but to no avail since the thief was already long gone. They stop by at a plaza with a fountain to regain their stamina.
"Ahhh this city is so big, I didn't expect finding your belongings to be easy but we need to rethink how we are gonna find your insignia in this huge capital" Subaru said, leaning against the railing taking in the view.
"I need to recover that insignia at all costs. It is of great importance that I don't lose it forever." Emilia sighed while looking over the area.
"Don't worry Lia! With me and Subaru here we will definitely find it!" Puck said in a cheerful tone while resting in between Subaru's soft ears.
"Oi the only reason I'm allowing you to sit there is because you are incredibly fluffy. Don't squirm around too much, you cat!" Subaru yelled with his fist in the air.
"Ara Subaru you say that while you are a cat too y'know" Puck flashed him a smug smile while yawning carelessly causing Emilia to laugh at them both.
"Alright- alright enough breaks we need to get back to searching, Subaru" Emilia said while smiling.
"Hmm we should visit the area where the robbery took place to find out any clues we can." Subaru suggested what seemed like a good idea so they all started making their way towards the market area again.
They came across a little girl while walking and Emilia who couldn't bear to see her cry stopped to help. "Hey little girl, are you lost? Do you need any help finding your parents?" Emilia questioned but her appearance only seemed to scare the little girl into crying more.
Just as Emilia was about to try to comfort the little girl again Subaru bends down and the girl immediately stops crying getting closer to Subaru putting her hand on his head. "I figured this might happen. What seems to be the problem?"
"Y-Your hair is so soft mister, I don't know why but sniff I feel calmer now. I lost my mom a bit ago and can't find her." The girl spoke while still sniffling a bit and petting Subaru.
"Worry not! Natsuki Subaru will reunite you with your parents!" Subaru declared while making his classic pose and picking up the girl, setting her down on his shoulder so she could keep petting him. Hey, he couldn't lie that he didn't enjoy being pet.
Emilia, smiling at his antics, started walking with them to find the kid's parents. After walking for a while a voice suddenly called out to them.
"Plum! Where have you been dear?! I've been searching for you everywhere, thank Od you're safe." A lady rushed to them and took Plum from Subaru's shoulders.
"Mamaa! Big brother and big sister here helped me find you! Big brother also let me play with his hair! It's so softtt." Plum smiled widely, hugging her mother.
"Thank you both for helping my daughter, if there is anything I can do please let me know." She said while unknowingly going towards Subaru and patting him on the head.
Subaru blushed a little being pet in the public but still managed to get out some mumbled words, "If you have any information on the robberies that happened around here we would greatly appreciate it!"
The lady thought for a moment before leading him to the Appa merchant who was apparently her husband. She told him about the duo and how they helped Plum find her, and how they were asking if he knew anything about the robberies in the area while also giving the description they gave her.
"Askin questions without buying eh? Ah as you helped my daughter find her way back I ought to answer your questions at least. Well kids, robberies are pretty common in this area but only one thief matches the description. Felt is the name of that fast devil. She is usually in the loot house in the middle of the slums. You ought to go there eh. And buy something the next time you come here!" He informed them and sent them on their way with a smile
"Finally we know where to go Subaru! Let's make haste so we can finally get my insignia!" Emilia took his hand and rushed off to where he assumed the slums were located.
"Emiliaaaa! Please never do that again!" An out of breath Subaru said while panting. Even when they had taken a stop earlier for directions (People became very cooperative seeing the cute catboy with a cat hat) Subaru was very exhausted.
Puck unwrapped himself from his head and floated near Emilia's head, "Lia whatever you guys plan on doing I suggest you do it fast, I wouldn't feel safe if you had to go to a dangerous place after sundown." He said knowing he would soon have to rest and wouldn't be able to protect her.
"Don't worry Puck, I am certain with my magic and Subaru's adorable power nothing will come in our way." She said in a cheerful tone much to Subaru's embarrassment .
Emilia barged into the room with icicles at the ready Subaru just behind her. The scene was almost comical with a dusty giant covered in cuts holding his club towards a very voluptuous purple dressed woman's direction, while the blonde thief in question stared incredulously at both the lady and Subaru.
"O-Old Man Rom… be careful around that boy.. He is probably even more dangerous than the crazy lady over here." Felt pointed at Subaru shivering at the thought of what happened earlier….the urge to headpat Subaru was already returning.
"Ara? It seems we have quite the curious individuals. I do feel I am being underestimated a bit." she licked her lips in Subaru's direction already imagining the warmth of his guts.
"Back off you creepy lady! I didn't ask to be gazed at so weirdly!" Subaru screamed in indignation while Rom took this opportunity to rush at the woman.
"Rhhaaaagggggg!" Rom roared while brandishing his club at her with immense speeds, but the assassin clearly avoided him and ducked under the blow, slashing at his achilles heel and immobilizing him. He grunted in pain and had to use the club to keep standing.
"Old man Rom!" Felt cried out and rushed to him while Emilia, who had seen enough, unleashed barrage upon barrage of icicles trying to overwhelm the woman with her and Puck's power.
The woman was extremely agile and dodged around each of the icicles while Subaru, who was out of his league went to try and drag Rom out of the way of the ice. The lady saw this instantly and threw a table at Emilia forcing her to block.
"I hope you've taken care of your guts for me!" She rushed towards Subaru with inhuman speed and raised her knife to go in for the kill.
Time seemed to slow down for Subaru as he was filled with terrified thoughts. Is this really the end of me? Felt and Rom are still a bit away and Emilia got knocked over by the table. I-I don't want to die, I don't want to die, I don't want to die! Repeating these thoughts over and over he heard a faint angelic voice… "Fear not my beloved. No harm shall befall you."
Time flowed normally and Subaru felt a soft sensation on his head instead of the expected knife's edge. Daring to open his eyes he saw something truly bizarre. The entire room shocked and most of all the assassin who was now patting him on the head while blushing.
"Ara-Ara it seems I have been played. I haven't felt the urge to protect….to love something in my entire life. I know I have to kill this boy yet my soul screams at me to protect and…pat him on the head?" She herself was beyond confused and a little scared of the effect that the boy was having on her.
"Ha-hahaha-HAHAH." Subaru burst into nervous laughter due to the sheer bizarreness of the situation. Here was an extremely skilled assassin sent to perhaps murder the entire group and the thing that stopped her was….the urge to headpat him? It seems luck truly was on his side! He grinned widely, finally understanding now the effect his Authority had.
The others slowly came out of their shock and came towards the assassin who was still madly petting the boy.
"You! Cease your actions at once and surrender. I shall not allow you to do any more harm to anyone!" Emilia declared and raised her hand prompting icicles to form and freezing the assassin to her neck finally putting a stop to the impromptu petting session.
"Hey lady! Can you please heal Old Man Rom now? I'll even give you the insignia I took from you." Felt pleaded with tears in her eyes. Seeing her only family member hurt was incredibly tough for her.
"I need to make sure this assassin is dealt with first Felt-chan can you wait-", She was cut off by the sounds of footsteps coming from the door.
"That won't be necessary, Emilia-sama. I shall take care of the assassin. It seems you all have managed to capture a truly dangerous threat to the kingdom. Elsa Granhiert, The Bowel Hunter. While I apologize for my late arrival, allow me to handle the situation from here. I humbly request you to please see to the injuries of the man there." Reinhard went forward to arrest the assassin.
Emiilia went ahead and healed the old man much to Felt's relief who hugged the Old man who patted her on the back to comfort her.
"Felt-chan please hand over the insignia." Which Felt slowly did. Just as she was taking it out a red glint appeared on it and Reinhard who had finished arresting the assassin immediately rushed towards Felt
"Excuse me. What is your name and age? Who are your parents?" Reinhard inquired in a soft but stern and urgent tone holding the arm in which Felt held the insignia.
"Uhggg let me goo! I'm 16 and my name is Felt, Old man Rom is the only family I have!"
"Uhh Reinhard can you please let her go? She's just a kid, I'm sure she wasn't stealing out of malicious intent or anything." Subaru spoke as he got kind of uneasy seeing this.
"I apologize Subaru, but if I overlook this it may be a mistake bigger than not patting your head. This is of grave importance to the kingdom, so please Miss Felt come with me willingly." Reinhard sighed and half requested.
"Alright alright I will come if Old man Rom and Subaru come with us. He indirectly saved us after all. We have a debt to pay him! And I kinda wanna pat his head some more." Felt muttered under her breath.
"No way, Subaru, I owe you a lot for helping me so much. Please come to the mansion with me so I can reward you. Preferably with a bunch of pats on the head!" Emilia exclaimed.
Seeing everyone be excited to take him with them was a first for Subaru and taking a deep breath he smiled and answered the question which would determine his weird but wholesome isekai adventure!
