A/N: I suppose this might be my third time writing a new summary for this fic. But I'm trying to keep the content's meaning the same. Pardon me for the inconsistencies.
Anyways this is the epilogue to arc 1 which might give a clearer view of the scenario and some of the characters, both original and added by me.
The arc 1 was quite small. I didn't want to write about stuff which is known to the fandom quite well, that is the arc 1 loops before the main OC actually interferes.
This is the epilogue for arc 1. It will clear up some more things like the plot and stuff, upto some extent that is.
As always constructive criticism is more than welcome, that is only if you have actually read till here.
My story has an awfully low review count after all.
"Ferris-sama…I am honored to make your acquaintance."
"No, no, Don't bother with all those formalities nya. They sure had a wild one here." He looked around the loot house. It was impossible to renovate it without spending a fortune on it given how badly damaged it was. Burns, dents and broken roofs and walls at regular intervals. The owner should look for another place for his trades. Anyways, it was none of his concern. He wanted to get out of the rotten slums as soon as possible. People living here were low-born scum, at least they lived like that resorting to illegal means of differing magnitudes. They should rather die than living so miserably.
[If not for Reinhardt asking me, I would have never come here! Now where is that kid?]
He looks around a bit more and finds the boy- indigo hair lying behind the maid.
"What might your business here young lady?"
"If I must say, I was sent to pick up an important guest of the lord."
"Lord?"
"Margrave Mathers is my lord, sir knight."
"I see nya…. So did you find that important guest?"
"Yes." she moved sideways allowing a clearer view of the boy. She said pointing to the boy.
Felix moved in closer, the description which Reinhardt gave him matched to the point including the burnt right palm and the torn off left arm. It was him no doubt. It was really a hassle. If preferable, he didn't want to bother with him. This guy was the Mathers' guest. Yup, if that was the case then he didn't have any responsibility.
[What if he was an important recruit in their camp?] That thought was valid and if that were the case…
"I see then I'll be taking my leave now." He didn't want to offer any support to the opposing camp. Unless his lady asked him to do so, he won't.
"I can't let that happen."
"Huh?" Ferris turned around just as he was about to leave. "What do you want to say nyow?"
"I'm afraid I can't let that happen. I possibly couldn't escort an important guest in this state."
"And what does that have to do with Ferris?" his usual 3rd person narrative entering the play, but he was not interested in this clumsy dialogue here.
"Until the selection starts, Sir Felix is a royal knight. And here is a important guest of the Grand Court Magician. So, shouldn't he be taken care of if it is within your ability." The maid rambled on calmly, without stammering and finishing it in one go. To Ferris it felt he was being lectured on his morals and duties by someone…by someone soo…
"Aren't you also a healer, Miss maid?"
"That I'm. But I must admit that my skills in the regard are nowhere near as yours. A wound of this degree…I can't heal it completely…" the later half was spoken in a low tone. Perhaps she was ashamed of her incompetence?
"If that was the case…you should have asked for it nicely, nya!"
The stubbornness in her eyes shook, as the maid was about to lose her nonchalance. "I'm sorry for my rude behaviour, Sir knight. May you please help him."
"Well, you didn't need to phrase it that nicely. Now I'm the one feeling guilty."
[A hell of a stubborn maid!]
Approaching the sleeping beauty, Ferris bent down while the maid gave way. She handed the detached arm to the healer who received it without a world and silently held it against the boy's left torso.
"This is going to be tricky. Make sure not to disturb nya."
"Understood."
A gentle light emitted from the healer's hands moved, enveloping the detached the arm and the torso like an adhesive (glue) attaching the torn arm of a paper soldier. And the ritual continued for the better half of the silence which followed.
After the healing was done, the maid was demanded to produce a proof of her affiliation with the Margrave. The cat-guy was still pissed off at her it seemed, and he wanted to screw her even if little.
"Here-", the maid showed the emblem of the Roswaal household.
"I see that you are all clear, Miss Maid." Felix replied wiht content.
"Of course, I would be. Thank you for your help."
"Nya, nya~ it was all my duty! No need to thank Ferris." He turned to the other knights who had just been watching the entire scenario without uttering even a single word and gestured them to move out. Their work here was done. And he didn't want to stay in this rotten place any longer, let alone bicker with this stubborn maid. But he knew that wasn't all about those two. Something big was going to happen soon enough and he was sure about it.
After the knights had left, the maid softly picked up the boy and place him in a piggy back position in order to carry him. She could have chosen to escort him comfortably, but she didn't have that luxury now. She needed to hurry.
Securing the sleeping guest, she took a sprinting pose. Her aqua-blue hair seemed to resonate with his cobalt blue-hair under the gentle moonlight. She burst forth with a swish! Dashing through the slums. creating a small torrent in its wake.
"Ara~! You're already awake Cain-kun." he heard a familiar voice. It sounded disappointed. "I was hoping to take a peek at your guts if you slept a little longer." He knew who that was, even though his head was hurting like somebody hammered it from within and he body ached at every single joint and muscle he could feel. There was no way one would not recognize this pervert even when near-death.
"Put me down bitch!" he shouted, but the words sounded more like that of a child complaining against a grown-up for taking away his candy. He felt really feeble. But it was leagues better than being carried by this psychopath.
"Oh! Cain-ni san's awake! My animal chan's were pleading me to eat you if you died. I suppose I must leave them starving." a small girl chimed in. This was none other than the mabeast controller and Elsa's partner in crime- Meili. Despite all this strange conversation which would seem to take a wrong turn at any moment leading to him losing his life, Cain Lockser wasn't really paying attention.
He was currently associated with the crime syndicate run by the mastermind- "Mama". But she was quite different as one might guess by her name. Cain was no different. But after seeing that monstrosity for himself, he decided to surrender and act as his dog even if it meant going against his ideals. A death delivered by that deranged loli would be the farthest thing from a peaceful death. And it was something which even someone like him would avoid at all costs.
It all happened half a year ago for him when he was suddenly transported out of the blue in this strange land where dragons and demis were a common occurrence. He luckily didn't kill any of these at first sighting. Not because he didn't want to act rashly but because he couldn't. He had grown weak. Weak like that time when he had just become an adventurer. He wondered if he had grown younger or had been sent to the past like some popular theories which the grand magicians preached, but it wasn't the case. He had all the battle scars on his body which slowly accumulated during his almost a decade long period in his profession. Adventurers didn't age with time as long as they were in service and they didn't die. However that didn't mean they were unkillable, just that the Goddess' blessing prevented them from dying naturally. His life was smooth as he didn't took the job for eradicating monsters and going to a war against the Demon Kingdom with occasional loots which came by his way begging to be robbed. Maybe it was Karma that he lost all his powers and was left at the mercy of a psycho loli.
But he was glad. He was glad that Fred was alive and kicking, even though he didn't seem like himself, his presence was enough to motivate him to keep going. He was glad that he wasn't the only one to be kicked out of his world as a powerless fella.
[On second thought, maybe I shouldn't have stalked them into the Tower of Time] He was planning to ambush the couple when they were exhausted and tired from the continuous battles.
THUD!
"OW! I told you to put me down! Not to just throw me!"
But as he kept on thinking, another thought struck him:
[I was able to cast 'Tempest' without any problem. If my magical pathways were that of a noob's then my body would have burst due to the backlash. I only passed out due to Mana exhaustion…Maybe…we really didn't grown weak. It might be that…our magic… hk!]
"Oh no!" If that were the case then he had no time to waste. "So, what are we supposed to do now?" he asked trying to get up, but his hands were to weak to listen to himself forcing him to stay sitting.
"Well, we kept our end of the promise so I'll just met up with our client and…"
"No, after that."
The room was filled with silence. Not even Meili was making any sound now, she was staring at them, nervous.
"We go to Mama after that."
"...Huh…Crap…That…" he was tired. He couldn't defy fate. So he'd at least rebel against it. And he'd do that by sleeping his fill for now.
The footsteps echoed in the empty lodge. It was not exactly empty since there were two people…three now in the room. The third person being the guest who had been put to sleep in his bed. His cloths had been changed by the maids skillfully without waking him up. Well, they had been made sure that he wouldn't wake up for that night. It was overall a two in one process. Dress him up and check for potentially dangerous things which he might be carrying. This was basic training which the servants of the Mathers household were very familiar with. But this was their first time checking the possessions of a sleeping guest and that too in front of him. But he didn't have anything on his clothes. Not even a handkerchief. Well, he was clear anyway so there was nothing to be concerned over.
"Are you done?"
"Yes, Nee-sama."
"I'll guard the lodge. You go and search for Emilia-sama."
The younger sister nodded in approval. The twins then moved down to the doorway, the elder one probably wanted to see off her cute younger sister. Nonchalantly she opened the door so that her sister could step out. That was the least she could do with that frail body of hers. But she stopped on her tracks, frozen, simply standing there.
"Nee-sama?"
"Rem…"she muttered under her breath low enough so that she could hear, "I found Emilia-sama. She was kidnapped by a scum."
"Hey! Don't accuse a person you meet for the first time as a kidnapper!"
The door opened completely now giving the maids a complete view of the people standing in front of the doorway, both men with ladies in their arms.
"His name is Subaru. He is Emilia-sama's benefactor…" and with a little hesitation, "...and savior as well." The Sword Saint deftly protected the dignity of his friend which was about to be tarnished at first glance. But perhaps he was not fast enough, since that particular maid seemed to overpower him when it came to a combat of words.
"I see…" she replied nonchalantly as if the lady and her savior were none of her concern. "Then Reinhardt-sama is the savior of that girl, I assume?" It was impossible to guess what she was thinking but to Subaru, it appeared that her words were filled with contempt. Malicious contempt which would even make a Saint feel guilty. It was unbearable. He turned to Reinhardt to see how he'd react.
"Uh…No. I'm more of her apprehender. For the time being. I can't say any more on the matter."
[He ended things at that with a smile! Reinhardt you're so cool!] Though he felt quite pathetic but his admiration for this guy was off the roof. That was the charisma that he exuded.
Reinhardt looked at Subaru sensing his sight only to find the boy staring at him with his scary(he got Sanpaku eyes, you know that right?) but puppy eyes.
Of course, it was the right thing to not say anything which would give away Felt's identity as the 5th Royal Selection Candidate. And that too in front of members of an rival camp, though maids. He knew at first glance that they were not humans judging from the mana flow through their bodies. He could not act rashly. But he would make sure to give a detailed explanation of the events which happened, in case Subaru might be charged with suspicion. But he felt guilty nonetheless. He did kidnap a girl after all. Huh…he had a lot to think even if it was not his responsibility. But he didn't want to regret- for not doing something which he could have done. He…
"Please come in. It is rude to keep the esteemed Sword Saint keep standing." The maids gracefully bowed in unison which made Subaru's heart skip a beat or two. He was really in a fantasy world for real now and he could feel it.
[No! I can damn see it! This is what true fantasy is like!]
"You there." The pink-haired maid said without turning back to give him as much as a glance. "Put the lady to her bed. She will guide you."
"Who?" His eyes then landed on the petite maid with aqua blue hair. She was almost a head shorter than him and looked exactly like the other maid except that her front hair covered the other half of the face.
[Iconic maids. Twins probably.]
The maid then turned without speaking another word.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Subaru followed her in tail, the awkward continued.
"Sleep well." he whispered to the sleeping princess as he laid his lady love on the bed. He was tempted to give her Goodnight's kiss, but refrained from it. They weren't lovers yet and he didn't want to do anything with her consent. But he'd make sure to make that wish of his come true.
Turning around, he found the maid staring at him silently. Without saying anything at all.
[Did she take me for a pervert? Well…]
"Etto…unno…Let's go!" he changed his nervousness and awkwardness into confidence or just because he couldn't bear her empty look at him, he decided to lead the way.
[But where am I supposed to go?] The thought finally struck him. He had been too busy to think what he'd do next. He'd repaid his favor and now…
[I've nowhere to go.] In all honesty, Subaru didn't want to be apart from Emilia. But he didn't want to think of him as a burden much less hate him. His job here was done and he had to depart. He didn't know where, but he couldn't stay here. He didn't have the permission to and well… he'd have to find a place for him now. Where he could survive on his own. He'd meet Emilia again for sure. And he'd propose her. But he needed the background to sustain themselves.
[Aaah…here I go again thinking of the future…] He stopped on his tracks and so did the maid following him. She was still awkward towards him, but he didn't mind now. Feeling miserable on his own for who knows what reason, he breathed a few times deeply. After calming himself down, he turn to face the girl.
"Etto…Maid-san, I suppose I should take my leave now. I couldn't impose here any more." He knew it was his pride and that he was forsaking his chance to stay with Emilia even for a bit longer. Maybe they'd let him stay if he asked for it, but his pride took over, he possibly couldn't act like a brat infront of the people who were close to Emilia, it might give her a bad impression of him later on.
"Wait a moment." the maid said, stopping him on his tracks. "We possibly couldn't let the savior of Lady Emilia to go unrewarded. It would damage the dignity of our Lord."
"You mean, she is not your Master?"
"No, the Margrave Roswaal J Mathers is my Master and Emilia-sama's important benefactor and backer for the Royal Selection."
"Royal Selection? Emilia? She is going to become the Queen?!" he was flabbergasted.
[Was I thinking of marrying the future Queen of this country?] He felt his dreams being smashed. Earn to make his base, a foundation, his earnings would all that ever measure up to her dignity? He knew the answer. He knew it all very well. He gave his all to save the girl. He felt his heart jump in happiness when she had finally accepted his presence after all those loops. Now he could feel his chest ache in pain as this reality check hit him.
[I can't leave her side at this rate. Is there a way I can stay with her?] He clenched his fists. He had made his decision.
"When can I see him?" he asked looking straight in the eyes of the maid. His gaze was filled with determination.
"We will depart for the Lord's residence tomorrow. You can meet him after that."
"I think I'll be asking him very troublesome as my reward." he said wolfishly, flashing his teeth in a greedy manner which was very unlike him. The maid did not reply.
"Uh…Can I ask for a place to stay for the night? You see, I am completely broke and I doubt the inns will be open at this time." It was well past midnight after all.
"I'll make preparations for that then. Please come to the dining room for the while."
"So, you'll be staying with Emilia-sama?" he quite expected him. But Reinhardt still wanted Subaru to stay at his residence for the time being. But it seemed he had made his decision.
"I wish you good luck." the Sword Saint said. One might think he was giving blessings to a newly wed couple. It made Subaru feel awkward. But he knew what struggles would have to follow. He couldn't get carried away by all these compliments.
They were now sitting at the dining room. The maids served them some late night snacks. At the end of the meal Subaru couldn't help but keep smacking his lips. The vegetables and all were cooked differently as compared to his world but they tasted delicious nonetheless.
"Subarashi!" he couldn't help but compliment like some old geezer having his taste buds stimulated after a long while.
"Rem, Rem, the stranger likes your cooking. I guess even a thug is helpless towards my sister's cooking."
"Nee-sama, Nee-sama, the stranger is looking at your way with his scary eyes. He is truly a thug I guess."
"Why are you two anxious to get on my nerves! I'm not a thug! I'm Subaru! Natsuki Subaru!" he said exasperated. Strangely the twins were ganging up on him for no reason, which made their apathetic behavior towards him seem like a joke.
[At least things are not so awkward like before…] he sighed in relied. But seriously he didn't see a normal person after getting isekaid. Except the Appa-guy and his family.
[Are all the people like this?] But he had no way of knowing that.
After some chit-chat, the Sword Saint said and left with his prisoner.
Later on he was guided to his provisional room for the night. He wished the younger maid, apparently Rem Goodnight and retired to his bed. He took a last look at his hands, rugged after all the day's work.
[Tomorrow is going to my big day!] He had plans of his own. And fate did too for him. But it was not possible for him to know that. Until the fates of the two transmigrators collide again things would go as they were supposed to.
A/N: Ah guys! Nice to meet you again, i.e. if you reached this point. This marks the end of Arc 1 of this fiction. I guess I had mentioned before that Arc 2 is going to be comparatively longer.
And I've decided to post reference arts of the iconic scenes of the chapters. Uh… yeah in the discord server itself. In case you haven't joined yet, here is the link:
/z4sMtj2u
Drop in your reviews and criticisms. Don't be so much of a lazy bum. Giving me reviews gives me points to improve on. So that's it. Ciao.
And uh…the updates might get a bit delayed from now onwards. Family Problems as always.
