Starmegalo here! While I did upload this chapter on time, I forgot to do the early release for discord again, and since this chapter is short, you can expect another one in a short time.

You can support the story with review/comment and follow, favorite/Kudos,bookmark depending on the site you are reading.

KlabOriz: It's so nice to see the development of Emilia, that I'm starting to cheer for her to win in the ending.

A: I see. While I do show her problems, not everything is bad since she has room to grow. This chapter shows some more hope. I hope you'll like it.

Guest: More and more curtains.

2 foreshadowing? I think I saw them, but... well, a lot of things could be seen as foreshadowing, and I'm kind of worried because I think this is about Priscilla... but that'd be too easy, she's noted in the characters after all.

And Tappei, Tappei bad.

A: Priscilla one was more like what to expect when it comes to Subaru's view of her in this fic than foreshadow. In canon Subaru just says "Oh she is incomprehensible this and that" without thinking. So I just showed how things will work here.

I'll explain the foreshadows when it's time. I hope it will be a nice 'Aaaah!' moment.

And thank you to everyone else who reviewed the fic. Now let's get to the chapter.

'Thoughts'

"Speaking"

"Characters speaking Earth English"


"Hey...can you take a look at this? I am having a bit of a problem." Man scratched his helmet while looking troubled.

"What is the problem? Is there another person who said he was a noble while looking like he wore an outfit made from the skins of the sewer rat?" The guard got close to his co-worker.

"No...it's...just take a look." Attempts to explain were futile, so he just handed over the paper he was looking at.

"Let's see...what the hell is this?! If someone can't write, you shouldn't force them!"

"I didn't! I did the same procedure, I did the same thing! He was like "Mineself is a master of this. Now gimme that." and then...this happened." The trouble wasn't solved, then a voice appeared.

"Garfiel...can you please write it again? This time slower." An embarrassed Otto appeared.

"Brotto...Mineself doesn't see the problem. Granny can read my writing perfectly." Garfiel on the other hand was smiling as always. Like there was no problem at all.

"That's just how incredible she is...but not every person cultivated their skills like that."

The loli-granny was incredible for being able to read Garfiel's 's what Subaru said once.

Otto sighs and looks at the other side. Subaru would come off to sign and fill his own papers too... he should've told Garfiel and Subaru to behave beforehand, but now it was too late and problems were about to occur.

'Ugh…why are they so troublesome!' Otto thought.

As he left the luxurious carriage, he turned back and offered his hand to Emilia. Who didn't expect it but tried to hide her surprise anyway. "Thanks." She mutters.

"You to Beako," Subaru says.

"Hmmph." She was being bothered about doing human work. However, that is a good thing and Subaru has to make sure she understands that.

"That's right. You need to be shown in the paperwork too...You are a spirit. But you are not just a mere spirit." Subaru says...and Beatrice who takes that as praise leaves the carriage while saying "It can't be helped."

'I can't believe how he plays with her like that...' Otto thinks to himself. Subaru was good at handling Beatrice.

As Emilia goes first. Guards react to her obviously...but they cause no problem or conflict. They give her the paper that she is obligated to fill out. As she did that with no problem. All they did was smile and give a welcome.

'And now...it's Subaru-time' Subaru time could also be called 'problem-time' or 'Headache-time' in Otto's understanding.

"Please fill this." Guard gives Subaru the document.

"Thank you." Surprisingly, without creating a fuss, Subaru accepts it. Otto is surprised but Subaru was from Japan, it was only natural he would cause no problems.

As Subaru was filling out his papers…

"Emilia-sama...it is Emilia-sama right?" A guard approaches her. Emilia takes a look for a moment to see if he was scared of her but that was not it.

"Yes?" She says a bit reluctantly.

"So it's Emilia-sama! It's Emilia-sama!" As the guard repeats to himself...he also repeats one more loudly for other guards nearby.

"Augh...He actually went for it." One of them spoke with secondhand embarrassment.

"But...if that's Emilia-sama then…" The other wondered with curiosity.

And the guard in front of him asks Emilia as if he has the same curiosity as that guy. "Emilia-sama...could it be that...that person there...is your...it is...could it be?" As the man tried to finish his less-than-coherent question Emilia cuts in and answers the obvious question she was asked so many times this year.

"Yes! That's my esteemed wonderful knight! Isn't that great?!" Emilia says with an honest vigor and a loud voice that is still not loud enough for Subaru's ears. Of course, that was done on purpose...Emilia just couldn't let Subaru hear all that. It would be terribly embarrassing.

But now Subaru wasn't around. She had a big smile on her head and her hands brought together on her chest. She was talking about Subaru freely with other people. This was one of her favorite-no, her favorite activity ever since Subaru became her knight.

Gossipping about Subaru.

It wasn't conscious. Emilia wasn't doing it on purpose. But the way she spoke about Subaru to strangers made them instantly have a good opinion of her. If Emilia talked about her political choices or not-so-formed opinions on complicated matters people would just be massively disappointed. However, Emilia's true purity and goodness she carried for others became known to others as she gently, strongly, and praisingly talked about her knight.

One of the criticisms about her after all was not giving Subaru anything after all that accomplishments. Crusch Karsten let him have the praise and fame he deserved, just like a competent ruler. Felt received some positive rumors since Subaru and she seemed close in the ceremony. Seeing this, Anastasia Hoshin actually sent money to Subaru while making everyone know that she did just that.

This happened the first months after the Sanctuary event... Anastasia visited them and told Emilia about how she also wanted to formally praise Subaru for everything he did.

Everyone could see the intent.

But Emilia just made Subaru get out for a while and then "Yesh! Not just that. Money doesn't work on Subaru... LET'S MAKE A PARTY FOR SUBARU! He loves mayonnaise so there should be mayonnaise. If Beatrice is happy then Subaru is happy so we need sweets, lots of sweets! And, and! Subaru loves me so I'll be there too! Hehehehehehe~" Says...the candidate for becoming the 42nd ruler of Lugunica...in front of every opposition camp(Excluding Priscilla) and their groups.

She started to hop like a rabbit while blushing and giggling as she shouted "Subaru! Subaru!"

That surprised everyone...everyone. Even Anastasia. She was planning to guilt trip her with "Are you not gonna allow your knight to get praise?" after she rejects her obvious intentions but she got this...

Either way, Anastasia also got her share of "Natsuki Subaru" clout. But Emilia's honesty and intensity while talking about Subaru also changed how people viewed her quite a bit.

After all, despite all he did. Subaru managed to be known as a 'man from people' 'a man like us'.

And people wanted him to get something after his absence in the ceremony for defeating the Sloth and Whale. Normally something that should offend both the Kingdom and the people...made him even more popular.

In truth, if Subaru knew how Emilia talked about him to this guard right now or how she showed her appreciation and pride openly when he isn't around, things would go much healthier for both of them.

But Subaru only heard things that would make him question everything. And Subaru didn't get his party either, Emilia realized she would be too embarrassed if Subaru learned she was the one who wanted a party for him while acting like that.

"'Isn't that great?' you ask. I do not think anyone can... I am not saying that I decided who to support...or that I am biased. But it's just...not comparable." Guard says honestly.

"Hmmm~ Tell me more about it. How it's not comparable! Tell me!" Emilia says, somewhat managing to make her smile bigger. If Subaru knew she smiled like that when he is praised by others…

"Well...of course people talk about what they want freely. But when it comes to nobles, guards, and knights...things are different. They cannot freely talk about Natsuki Subaru and compare him to other knights since that would be 'disrespect'. But in those cases, everyone's silence is the answer..." It was a weird and problematic situation for high ranking people. Where you make your answer clear regardless of attempts to stay neutral.

People, of course, talked against Subaru, criticized him, and undermined his achievements. But then he gained more of them. While the death of Rabbit was officially not acknowledged for the reason of 'lack of proof', there weren't many who didn't believe that. It was actually a political offense for Emilia camp... since there were proofs and the fact that Rabbit's path was more clear than other beasts and it was clearly moving towards the west...

But Emilia camp did not particularly do anything about the rejection with the will of Emilia herself. It was widely known that Natsuki Subaru was unsatisfied with that. It was acknowledged that "A threat to people is removed, that's what's important, right?" coming from the princess herself was noble. But people also sympathized with the 'selfishness' of the black haired knight.

They couldn't help but imagine themselves beating a calamity and not getting acknowledged, let alone rewarded.

The conflict between the statements and actions made everyone believe that both statements were genuine. And it also confirmed once and for all that Natsuki Subaru actually listened to Emilia. Since he didn't go against the Kingdom.

That was big. Since to the people, he could do anything at any moment. Without anyone knowing what the limit is.

And that man listened to that Princess. It was a great power. Only Emilia was unaware of that despite being the one who held it, oh and Priscilla, since she forgot about Subaru she just thought all achievements belonged to Emilia.

"Hmm...that's bad for other knights, it must be hard for them. I am sure they are working reaaaaaaaly~ hard. But Subaru is the hardest worker there is so, it can't be helped." Emilia said matter of factly. The guard actually couldn't believe his ears and senses.

There was no belittlement or sarcasm. She actually believed what she said and she said it as if it was natural. She single handedly thought Subaru leaving the other three behind was natural. Guard felt a shiver on his body from the amount of single minded faith.

"But we are talking about the Strongest Sword Saint, Spirit Knight, and Blue..." Guard said hesitantly, obviously, she was going to say something like "Huuuh?! So you say my knight isn't comparable huh?" he already regretted-

"Hmm. That's right, isn't it?" Contrary to what he expected. Emilia just hummed with understanding and agreed with a bittersweet smile. As if she could empathize with knights. Knight was taken off guard.

"Sword Saint, Reinhard is powerful, he can beat anyone. Julius is awesome, he can make people admire him, he is very strong and masculine too and people are saved by Felix, there isn't anything he can't heal."

"..."

"So it's unmistakable, he is hard to comprehend. He just came out of nowhere after all. He is weak but he doesn't lose to anyone. He never gives up while acting however he wishes, you can't help but admire him and move behind him. And he saves people, protects you, whether you realize it or not." Emilia said with a low, thoughtful voice while grasping her chest.

Was she telling this to the stranger in front of her? Or herself?

Even the man was thoughtful...but he spoke anyway.

"To be frank Emilia-sama...it sounded ridiculous at first but now...perhaps you are right. It must be hard for them." Emilia's simple words with seemingly innocent kindness had real understanding behind them.

Emilia just nods.

...

"How can one catch up to that guy anyway? Like...I don't know how to tell you this but..yeah…." Guard says awkwardly.

"I don't know."

"..."

"It's not like Reinhard will be able to just save everyone like him if he gets stronger, he is already stronger. It's not like grace and knighthood has anything to do with Subaru's ability to move people so Julius is entirely different as well. And Subaru doesn't let people hurt to begin with so...healing has nothing to do with it."

And even if she was stronger, it would be Subaru who defeats the enemy and clears the obstacles.

Emilia herself worked her mind for so long. But she still didn't have an answer. "How can I stand beside you? How can I catch up?" she shouted to Subaru in her head so many times. She did that in her dream too, and he answered with…

"You don't get to catch up with Natsuki Subaru." arrogantly with a smile. For some reason it also made Emilia's heart beat faster…

One thing she could work for was never giving up, never despairing...but that was quite hopeless as well if you try to catch up Subaru in that..

Because that was one thing that Subaru was beyond everyone.

"Could it be that you...?" Emilia started to watch as she saw Subaru interacting with the guard in front of him away from Emilia.

"Oh yeah. It's me. That Subaru guy." He said it so casually. To him, it was nothing important. Not like Emilia can correct him on that. She didn't dare to do that. That might've changed his view of her. And that she could not allow.

As for the guard, his mind stopped for a second when the man who destroyed the four-hundred-year-old stagnation in a single day called himself 'That Subaru guy' , however that was even more of a confirmation that he was truly standing in front of Natsuki Subaru.

Because there wasn't any person left that could describe himself like how he just did.

"It's an honor...to meet you, sir!" The man said as he took the documents Subaru just filled.

"The pleasure is mine. I was really surprised that you guys implement the rules here rather appropriately. I have considerably high expectations of this place, more than the capital itself." Subaru said with a calm voice. As always, his way of talking changed depending on who he was talking to.

Beatrice noted that once again while standing beside him.

Whether he knew the size of the praise he gave it or not was irrelevant, he and the other guards nearby felt pride swell in their chests.

In fact, this Priestella, beautiful as it is, until this day no one compared with the capital, today it was done two times, first Sun Princess now Natsuki Subaru. It was a big day for all the guards.

"Well. We make sure that people understand Priestella is different from other places." Guard in front of Subaru said matter of factly. You could easily hear the pride in his voice.

"I see. You need to make people conscious of the rules if you want them to receive consequences for offenses that they consider unimportant." Subaru truly understood one of the intentions here. Littering, causing a general disturbance, and things like that weren't a big deal in other places in this world.

So people could just make excuses about how they didn't know about it or that 'It's not fair'.

To prevent that exploit and half-assed excuse. This regulation was brought as a solution.

The reason Subaru could see through this perfectly was that he was from Japan...a rather strict country, even with simple rules.

But of course, others didn't know about this, not a single person knew about this. So it was a way too impressive deduction for every single person there.

Especially Otto...who questioned if this was actually Subaru for a moment.

"Subaru...did you read about Priestella?" Emilia asked Subaru...the person she was explaining Priestella as if he knew nothing.

Now it was embarrassing because he might've already known about this place...so it was so embarrassing that Emilia was happily explaining to Subaru how she studied properly.

"I didn't particularly know why they did this or not. But what I read about was Priestella's history. I was really interested in its history more than how it currently functions." Said Subaru with an apologetic smile…he kind of kept the fact that he knew about it since it was good to watch Emilia be happy about it.

'Ugh...So he knew about it.' While Emilia was cringing at the fact that she was being boastful about knowing something Subaru didn't and kept 'educating' him. Beatrice spoke.

"Why were you interested in Priestella?"

"There are many reasons. It's one of the few places where non-magical means are used to kill something that no simple human would think they have any chance against. This is the place where two of the three forbidden rules are broken. Perhaps even the third one... There is also the unnatural architecture." Subaru answered with excitement, suspicions, and expectations.

"Ugh...Betty should know more about the place since she lived way longer...yet Betty didn't understand a lick of what you just said I suppose. You will be disappointed in fact. No one knows what the water gates are used against, including Betty.." Beatrice said matter of factly.

However, Subaru... "So you don't know… How is that possible?" He mutters coldly. A disappointed…no, a voice in disbelief surprises Beatrice.

For an instant, there was an expression of a calculating Subaru. For a second Beatrice saw the gears above his head.

However, he quickly hid that away. It seemed like only Beatrice saw it and felt it. Perhaps to others...everything was normal.

"So? Is there any problem?" Subaru said like everything Beatrice perceived was an imagination, he just simply asked about the document. But Beatrice already questioned herself like that a hundred times at least. After so many times ignoring that as an imagination, she was sure it wasn't her imagination.

No more he could fool her.

"No! I was just listening since it was an interesting conversation between the Great Spirit-sama and Subaru-sama. But... about the document." The man mutters as he looks at the paper again.

Subaru just waits for him to explain while Emilia becomes nervous.

Now thinking about it...she never checked Subaru's writing before! She only saw it on the walls of the sanctuary.

That same realization dawns on Otto who goes pale, he was sure that Subaru would embarrass Emilia-

"This is the most beautiful writing I ever saw...I really didn't expect anything like this. Could it be that Subaru-sama is actually a noble?" Guard tried to learn more about Subaru in a sneaky way but Subaru wasn't a noble anyway. The way he dressed was quite normal, even tasteless since he just wore black. The stuff he used to make his dresses was definitely special though.

"No need for flattery. I just practiced making it look better in my free time. And no, I am not a noble." For Subaru, it was just him being a shut-in and taking an interest in calligraphy.

For guards, who saw the writings of all types of nobles and even candidates for the throne...this was an art.

No, to begin with. Even in Japan, Subaru's skill at writing and calligraphy exceeded many, only losing to professionals. But he could find a job with it. However, for Subaru, no skill or experience gained as a shut-in could be respectable. Even though he adapted his skills to a new language.

"Hey let me see it too!"

"Yes, perhaps we see some Gustekon traces?"

"You are stupid...he is definitely Lugunican."

"Wait...do you guys actually question that he is anything but a Vollachian?"

Many guards around gathered to see Subaru's writing while making their opinions open.

After they were satisfied, Emilia and Otto also managed to take a look.

"I didn't expect this at all! Natsuki-san!? Why didn't we make you write all the official invites?" Otto says with unbelief.

"Let me see...Oh...It's actually really beautiful!"

'Another thing that Subaru does better than me...Ugh' Beauty in writing something she and most of the nobles also practiced. Kings had their own style and it was a sign of character. Many writings from different rulers are compared throughout history.

However...Subaru's was excellent. You could see that it was practiced…

"Jokes aside... I know someone with Divine Protection who excels at this. They write for influential people in Kararagi...but even that doesn't come close." Otto makes sure that Emilia understands the meaning of this.

'We need to use this later, make sure you convince him.'

Emilia just sighs.

Beatrice giggles. While putting her hands on her hips.

"Hehe~ Is Betty's Subaru surprising you a bit too much I suppose? You better wear sunglassesbecause he is a star that didn't even reveal his true form in fact!" Beatrice was smug once again.

"...Yes, Subaru is good at writing. But Beatrice should just look at her own writing!" Emilia couldn't hold herself back while making a comeback to Beatrice. She wonders if Subaru would take her side.

But he just shrugs.

"My own writing? Oho~ I understand, I suppose." Beatrice agrees readily.

'This is a loli with an expression that says, "You revealed my trump card, I suppose!"' Subaru thinks.

"Ugh...wait a minute. Why is Beatrice's writing also good?" Emilia says while making a grumpy expression.

"Subaru taught me, I suppose. No, more like it was in my curriculum."

"Subaru! Why did you leave me out?" Emilia looked at Subaru while pouting.

"Eh?! Well...It's my responsibility and mission to teach Beatrice. I asked you about helping with your studies but you didn't want that." Subaru says clearly but Emilia isn't satisfied.

"I didn't know you were talking about stuff like this! I thought you were just making excuses to play games and fool around!" Emilia was genuinely frustrated. Her responsibilities and studies were things that prevented her from spending time with Subaru, but now she learns he could very well be included in those things.

"Well...let's not talk about this here." Otto shuts it down before Emilia could make things worse. For some reason, she was really frustrated about this. And Subaru also gained an annoyed face after she said 'play games and fool around' Otto was sure that Subaru was reminded about the incidents in the capital. Which he opened up to him, which he likely regretted doing.

Otto sighs. "Our camp's communication problem is no joke at all."

It seems that even after everything, Emilia couldn't take Subaru seriously in many cases despite adoring him... Subaru seemed to be hurt about this, Otto could see it clearly.

But there was nothing to do. Subaru had no choice other than to wait for Emilia to understand things more clearly. No matter how unfair things were, Subaru could only wait and had no other choice.

With that, they entered the city where decisions and fates will be challenged.

The city where stars will change.


Some bits of Subaru's reputation, Beatrice's observations on Subaru and Priestella. But probably when it comes to character exploring Emilia's way of acting without Subaru was the highlight.

I tried to show that big ass problem is that even though she acts like a fangirl for Subaru when she isn't around, Subaru doesn't see that, he only sees the Emilia who thinks he is a big walking joke, and honestly Emilia not only treats him like that most of the time but also doesn't respect him as a man or generally. There is still that "Subaru is a little kid" inside of her. Which she needs to get rid of urgently.

Btw the part of Sun Princess, as in Priscilla, kind of canon since she said she liked Priestella better than Capital when it comes to design as example. I thought Priscilla would dislike littering and stuff like that hence praise the guards for the rules.

About three forbidden rules, it's a term I made and something I highlight, however it's canon and it does exist in canon, it will be revealed towards the end. Subaru is also shocked to hear that Beako doesn't know that Typhon is killed there. How does Subaru know that? It will be revealed later but I can say that it's basically him analyzing things.

And even as a 'bro', Otto thinks that Subaru just gotta endure Emilia in every single thing, which isn't an action of a good friend. This exists even in canon. Which is why I mentioned Subaru regretted opening up to Otto about Arc 3 stuff. Even in canon, Otto is quite pro-Emilia. I kind of agree with Tappei saying if he survived without Subaru he would definitely support Emilia. I think he also called her more important than both Rem and Subaru…I mean even politically Subaru is just as important + that dude saved your life, wtf are you talking about?

Anyways, not sure about the date but the next chapter will be up earlier. And soon, I'll publish a new fic, dunno, though, if you saw me in the reddit fanfiction rec part, you might've seen the prompt.

Have a good day, try hard, stay intense!