Hi again everyone. Let me just say this now… I am blown away by the response that this has gotten… I was expecting between 0-2 reviews for these first chapters and 10? AND over 50 followers is insane! Thank you all from the bottom of my cold, dead little heart.
I've settled on about 5k words per chapter, but I jumped the gun. I think that between work and everything else I will try to manage a chapter every Friday, and then maybe a bonus here and there.
As always, I live off feedback even if it is only "this SUCKS" I'll appreciate it all the same. This story now 'has' a Beta in the form of my beautiful partner (she fell for the begging)
Thanks for reading!
Re: Full Authority
Arc: 1 Chapter: 2
A Discovery
Reinhard couldn't help but almost laugh a little at the display in front of him. Both because of how over the top and dramatic Subaru was turning out to be, and because of how flustered the little half elf was over such a simple display.
He held no prejudice against could a monster such as himself cast even a single ounce of distrust at another, just because of how they looked? Most others did not share his small understanding of the half-elf, and actively shunned or even hated her.
Though I can't really speak on a matter such as this… I'm sure my experience with others is lacking even compared to hers. Reinhard thought.
Emilia, clearly flustered by Subaru calling her such impossible things like 'my lady' and her 'knight', tried her best to hide it by turning away. How long had it been since someone had looked at her with something other than hate or indifference, besides Puck that is. Today alone, this strange man had been nicer to her than all others she had combined.
Even though I know he's just being humorous I can't help that it still affects me! Surely he can't be saying that truthfully… I am too similar to that awful witch. Emilia thought sadly, bringing her attention back to the matters at hand.
Despite these sad thoughts, Emilia's blush couldn't be wiped away so easily. She could at least pretend he was being serious, for her own sake, couldn't she?
Subaru saw the reactions his declaration caused and smiled too;enjoying the company of people he thought he would never get the chance to see again.
He felt a little guilty, for he knew these two better than they might even know themselves at this point in their lives… He knew Reinhard felt the crushing weight of his family, his guilt over his grandmother… and being treated like a crockpot of unstable nukes his entire life. Emilia with the trauma of her village, the isolation of living with only Puck and then Roswaal… He couldn't help but feel sad for the both of them, despite his position being the most sad of he didn't even bother to consider that.
Even now, Subaru had trouble thinking of himself, his own feeling or condition, something that Emilia and many others tried and failed to get him to do in the last loops.
Subaru finished the thought and faced them both, looking very serious for the first time in the short time they had known him.
"I understand that both of you… and Puck, hardly know me but please, trust me with this! After we get Emilia her insignia back I will answer any questions you have. 'Til then, please! Trust me!" Subaru bowed low at the end of his statement, both to show his sincerity and to hide away from their reactions to his words.
If there was anyone in this world he could trust, it would be these two in front of him. It was only his fear of the retaliation of the Witch that stopped him from breaking down and hugging them close, telling them everything he had seen.
Even at the cost of himself he would protect these two who were so much stronger than him in the only way he could. That was something about himself he simply couldn't escape.
Reinhard was the first to speak after Subaru's plea.
"...You know Subaru, as someone who bears the weight of responsibility, as the Master Swordsman, being spoken to casually is not something I am accustomed to."
Subaru looked up and stood up, hoping that Reinhard would trust him just as he had in the past.
"You asked to be my friend earlier; something I never expected to hear when I decided to go for a walk today. Did you know that was the first time I've heard those words?" Reinhard said, trying to mask the sadness filling his usually cool and confident voice.
Subaru wanted nothing more than to smack the sadness right out of the swordsman. But before he could move, Reinhard continued.
"You moved to help Emilia-sama even though it put you in danger. You made me feel human for the first time in… a long time. You haven't lied to us and even offered your assistance in something that I can sense will be nothing but trouble for you…." Reinhard said, the sadness from his previous statement nowhere to be found.
"So then…?" Subaru started.
"I will trust you. Subaru, my …friend!" Reinhard finally finished saying what he wanted to say.
Subaru just nodded, the faith his old friend was showing he made him feel guilty for a moment. How could he ever doubt these guys?
With that thought in mind Subaru looked to the thoughtful, but still slightly flustered, Emilia. She was currently glancing up to Puck as if asking what she should do in such a foreign situation.
Puck was simply staring at Subaru. His cute little snout scrunched up in thought, as if he was trying to piece together an interesting puzzle.
"What the sword guy said is though it wasn't necessary, this guy did step in and try to help you Lia. I can't find any malice in him I do get some really weird signals from him, so…. in conclusion… I don't know!" Puck said, flying to hide in Emilia's hair.
"In anycase, I think this guy is safe, Lia. He seems to care about you, and the more bodies between my cute daughter and the ruffians, the better!"
Subaru can't help but laugh a little at the little cat's laissez faire attitude. He didn't remember Puck being this uninvolved the first time he had met Emilia, so what changed? Maybe it was that Puck held a different opinion of Subaru this time around?
Besides that, Puck seems to be trying to leave this more to Emilia. Could it be that Puck actually did realize how much of an emotional crutch he was to Emilia, even back here?
He was forced to stop this train of thought when Emilia realized that Puck wasn't going to handle this situation any she started to stutter out a response.
"W-well that is true. Like Reinhard said, you did try to help me in your own way didn't you. Puck said you don't have any malice towards me…", Emilia trailed off as if surprised she was able to say that about someone. " … A-and you seem to be really earnest about this! So yes, I will trust you for now, Subaru!"
Subaru was stunned. Was it truly this easy? Just by putting a little trust in his friends, his first trial would be overcome? The confident look on Reinhard's face as he waited for Subaru to speak. The guarded but hopeful look on Emilia's cute face…
"*Sniff* S-sorry"
Subaru sniffed and wiped at his face. He couldn't help it, a few tears fell before he could reach up to block them.
Both Emilia and Reinhard looked on, concerned and slightly confused. Why was he crying?
"Subaru, did I say something wrong?" Reinhard asked in concern.
"Subaru, was it something I said?" Emilia asked at the same time.
"N-no… you two are just too amazing you know?" Subaru said with a smile, managing to get his tears under control.
Subaru took a deep breath to steady himself.
"Alright! I said I had a plan and I wasn't lying! So here we go!" Subaru clapped his hands together and walked over to a patch of dirt. He started drawing a diagram of the slums and loot house.
Surprised at his sudden change of emotions, both Reinhard and Emilia were left standing in place by the wall, only reacting when Subaru called them over.
"Both of you come over here. So this is the situation… and don't ask how I know all this! I'll tell you later, promise!"
Subaru waved them over until the strongest swordsman in the Kingdom and one of the Candidates for the throne, crouched down to look at his 'battle plans' sketched in the dirt off the side of the path. He held back a laugh, how ridiculous this must look…
Subaru shook his head and focused, using a small twig to point to the finer details.
"Alright so here are the major actors and locations. Slums… the loot house… old man Rom, Felt and… Elsa… the Bowel Hunter." Subaru said, pointing out each of his crude drawings.
At the mention of Elsa, Reinhard looked at Subaru with wide eyes, causing Emilia to look between them with concern.
"Truly? That mad woman is behind this?" Reinhard said, concern and a slight hint of anger seeping into his voice.
"The Bowel Hunter? That sounds… gross." Emilia said with a disgusted look.
"Yeah, more than you could know. Her whole shtick is that she only goes for the gut. " Subaru shuddered, remembering some of his first deaths in this world.
Reinhard noticed this action and looked at Subaru with a thoughtful glance, but ultimately chooses to not say anything. There could be many reasons Subaru had such a reaction, afterall.
"Anyway here's the plan…"
The plan was something tried and true. In a literal sense, as it wasn't far off from his first successful run at Elsa.
Emilia, Reinhard, and Subaru walked together through the streets of the capital. Just before reaching the edge of the slums, Emilia and Subaru waved goodbye to the red haired swordsman.
Because Subaru intended to bring Emilia, he couldn't seek Felt out at her 'den' like the successful loop. Felt would have recognized Emilia immediately and would surely avoid them, completely ruining the point of finding her. So, they would head directly to the loot house and talk to old man Rom. First, convincing him of the gravity of the situation and hoping that he would help convince Felt in kind.
However, there was a slight snag.
Based on past loops, where Elsa instantly recognized Emilia as the insignia's original owner… and how Subaru bumped into Elsa just outside of Felt's home… she had to have been watching the slums long before Felt ever arrived with the insignia.
Whether this was because she actually intended to fight Emilia, or some other reason, who could say. But what this did tell him was that she had no intention of altering her course so long as she didn't detect anything crazy… Reinhard's level of crazy for example, could throw everything out the window and cause Elsa to not even show up to the loot house.
To avoid leaving the known path so soon, his plan was to have Reinhard separate from them before entering the slums, allowing Elsa to see himself and Emilia only. Meanwhile, Reinhard would use one of his many divine protections to stealthily follow them from the shadows. Once they arrived at the loot house, he would intercept Elsa the moment he saw her approaching. A simple, sturdy plan.
With the plan in motion,Subaru and Emilia began casually strolling towards the loot house. This time, Subaru was painfully aware that the glares and anger being directed at them were not simply those of the less fortunate.
The thought of why they were glaring made him rage on Emilia's behalf. But instead of flying off the handle he chose to distract himself by thinking about earlier, back when he was explaining the plan.
Honestly they're too trusting! Those two didn't ask me a single question or… well Reinhard's comment was actually pretty unexpected. Subaru thought..
"Subaru, your confidence in your planning is incredible… you sound like some veterans I've trained with… Have you ever thought of joining the imperial knights?" Reinhard had said.
Subaru smiled lightly, earning a side eye and an implied question from Emilia. Their walk through the slums was taking its toll on her, he noted. Her gaze had steadily dropped lower and lower from the hatred directed at her.
He looked towards the sky. The sun had only just begun to set, maybe a couple of hours were left until dark. Plenty of time for Puck to lend them some aid, if the need arose.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about Reinhard's invitation to become an imperial knight. I feel a little bit like he was making fun of me." Subaru said, slightly scratching his face in embarrassment. She seemed to perk up slightly at the comment.
"Oh? What makes you think that?"
"Ah… it's nothing. Let's say, I've had some embarrassing run-ins with knights in my past. It's not something I ever saw myself being a part of, ya know?"
"Ah yes. I know what you mean… I find myself in a similar situation."
She must be talking about the selection. Though, this feels a little strange, like I'm unlocking a secret dialog option with Emilia for the first time. Heh… I think I've mentally regressed a little...
When Subaru didn't respond, Emilia followed up with another question.
"Subaru… you really are strange. Even your name is strange. Where are you from? It must be somewhere exotic." Emilia said, thinking with wonder about the wide wide world out there.
"Well, last time, I said I was from a small island nation to the east of here. But I know there's nothing east of Lugunica now, so let's just say a small island nation and leave it at that." Subaru said with a smile, not noticing his little slip up.
But Emilia did.
Last time? What last time? This was the first time I asked something like that, wasn't it?
Emilia had a thoughtful look on her face, trying to remember everything Subaru had said so far, and realized it wasn't much. Even though she had agreed to not ask any questions until later, she simply couldn't help it. Her curiosity was piqued.
"Soooo… what are you doing here in Luginica Subaru?" Emilia asked, trying to sound innocent.
"Ha, I'm not sure in all honesty. Maybe you could say I have some unfinished business. But truthfully, I'm not sure if that's right or not…" Subaru said, his voice taking on a mysterious tone that Emilia couldn't place.
With another question sidestepped without a clear answer, she couldn't help but pout just a little.
"I know I said I'd trust you on this for right now, Subaru, but you could at least try to not seem so suspicious!" Emilia said, her slight pout making Subaru's heart race.
So… cute… I'm gonna die….
Subaru cleared his throat to prevent himself from fan-girling over how adorable the half elf was acting.
"Sorry Emilia-tan, truthfully I'm not sure how much I can tell you…"
"Emilia-tan? What does 'tan' mean?"
"Ah sorry, just a slip of the tongue. It's just something we say in my homeland."
At this Emilia just started to pout harder, choosing to ignore Subaru and look at the rundown buildings around them. Though this only lasted as long as it took for her to see another pair of hate filled eyes, hidden within a home whose roof had caved in.
Subaru's shoulders sagged a little, sensing how much he had already upset her. Within less than a day of meeting, no less.
"... How about this, I can tell you a story while we walk if you'd like."
Emilia didn't respond but looked towards the black haired young man, clearly interested. Seeing her eyes on him he continued.
"When I first came to… Lugunica, I met someone. They saved me from a bunch of thugs. I think I started crushing on her a little bit from that… then we spent the day together, looking for something she lost."
Subaru couldn't help the nostalgic smile that came over his face as he said this. Fondly remembering his first day in this world, despite the pain that came after, that time would always be a memory he held close.
"At some point I realized that she was someone who cared for others over herself, even to her detriment. I knew that no matter what, I had to help… otherwise she was going to waste her entire life on others."
Emilia couldn't help but laugh a little at this. The sound was crisp and clear in Subaru's ears, sweet and pure.
"Subaru, I'm not sure but… doesn't she sound just like you?" Emilia had a hand in front of her face, trying and failing to hide her laughter.
"Now that you mention it… yeah, I can see the resemblance just a little bit" Subaru said smiling, enjoying Emilia's laughter like it was the greatest sound in the world.
"She sounds like an amazing person, Subaru." Emilia said with sincerity.
Subaru was silent for a moment, complex emotions flashing over his face. The irony and the sadness of the situation left him unable to react.
"... Yeah… Yeah she is, I just wish she knew that a little better", he finally said trailing off.
There was companionable silence as they continued their walk. They arrived at a small wooden foot bridge over a tiny creek running through the middle of the slums. The area was oddly peaceful, despite the sad aura that surrounded much of the slums.
"So what happened between you two? Is she somewhere around here?" Emilia asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.
" She… well… she.." Subaru said, sadness creeping into his voice as he struggled to find the words to continue. "The last time I saw her… I failed her in the worst way possible, I couldn't save her."
Emilia's eyes softened, realizing what he was implying. She started to reach out to him, only to pull back at the last second, terrified what her new friend would think of a devil like her trying to touch him. The fact that he had touched her earlier in the alley with no hesitation was lost on her at the moment.
Subaru failed to notice Emilia's abortive movements and sighed.
"I see a lot of her in you, ya know. Maybe that's why I couldn't help but reach out to try and help you, in any way I could." Subaru said, the melancholy in his voice causing sadness to well up within Emilia too.
"It might not be my place to say, but if I were her I'd want you to take care of yourself, and not put yourself in danger for strangers" Emilia said softly.
Subaru stopped in the middle of the road, startling the anxious half elf, who was already studying his face, worried about his reaction to her words. The shock on his face quickly morphed into something more like…?
Oh I hope I didn't upset him with that! But this look on his face… He seems to be looking at me… fondly? Emilia thought with confusion plain on her face. Seeing something she had previously only seen from afar between the looks of strangers, left her feeling only confused.
"Haha, no you're alright! I… sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that, that was just… I think she actually said something along those lines to me before, and it surprised me."
Emilia, who was still worried she had made him angry with her, relaxed, but stayed silent.
"Ah sorry, I didn't mean to make this conversation so sad, Emilia."
"Please don't be sorry, how else am I to get to know you if you won't answer any questions?" She said, slightly shaking her head.
"Well, I promise I will answer any questions you have after we're out of this mess." Subaru said, still smiling at the half elf fondly, who did her best to smile back in return.
Subaru waved her on and they both continued walking the gravel road of the slums.
As they turned a final corner, their object arrived within sight. The loot house, unassuming for how much dread it instilled in Subaru.
"Looks like we're here… let's get inside and talk with the old man before anything bad happens." Subaru said with apprehension.
Emilia nodded in agreement and glanced around, unable to detect anything out of the ordinary.
But Subaru couldn't help but worry.
I didn't just send up a flag, did I?
As they approached the door, Subaru realized that he might not in fact remember the password.
"Alright so how did this go again… ah something like *knock*knock*...*knock*... or was it… ah forget it! *BANG BANG BANG* OLDMAN ROM, OPEN UP!"
Subaru did his best to remember the code but he quickly realized it was far too long ago and he paid far too little attention to it back then. So, he fell back to his failsafe, annoying the old man till he came out to yell at them!
Emilia cringed at the loud noise and display Subaru was putting on, quickly glancing around to ensure that no one was approaching them for causing such a ruckus.
"Subaru, are you sure that this is a good id-" Emilia started to say, but was interrupted.
"Shut yer trap!" The door flung open and a giant of a man walked out, yelling slightly slurred words. "You tryin' ta bust down my door when ya don't even know the password or signal!"
Old man Rom loomed over the smaller pair. Despite the anger in the giant's face, Subaru couldn't help but be happy to see the old guy.
With everything that happened after the prophecy, and the search for a way to defeat Envy, I wonder what happened to him?
"Hey old man Rom, sorry 'bout that. I couldn't remember the password haha… something about the dragon lord and shit right?" Subaru said, having the good sense to look embarrassed.
The old man glared at the strange pair, but noticeably cooled his anger when he saw it was just two kids.
Though that elf looks… nah whatever, who the hell are these kids? Rom thought, reaching up to scratch his balding head.
"Do I know ya two kids?" Rom asked, a little confused who they were or why they were there.
"No, but we have business to discuss. Mind if we come in old man?" Subaru said, stepping in front of Emilia. Not because he was worried the old man would do something, but just to put Emilia's mind at ease.
"Sure, come on in. I just finished my evenin' booze" Rom said, wandering back inside and behind his bar.
Perfect, should have some time before Felt gets here and hopefully enough time to convince her before Elsa gets here!
Subaru walked through the door confidently but Emilia lagged behind. She had a slight hint of worry in her eyes and was glancing around the slums outside as if expecting something to jump out at her.
Emilia grabbed Puck's crystal for comfort, and followed Subaru into the surprisingly clean and orderly loot house.
Subaru saddled up to the bar with a confident swagger, earning a raised eyebrow from the old man and the half elf. Emilia simply walked up and took her seat next to Subaru.
"...So, what business do you have to discuss with this old man?" His previous drunk speech was nowhere to be found.
With determination set firmly on his face, Subaru began to explain who they were, and what they were doing there.
"It goes like this old man…"
By the end of Subaru's explanation, the old man was left in a shocked state. Blinking away the surprise in his eyes, he started rummaging on the shelf behind him, before turning back around and taking a swig from an opaque bottle.
"Urgh… I need another drink after that." The old man said.
Emilia and Subaru look at each other, would he listen to them?
"So let me just confirm a couple o' things… Felt's employer is that mass murderin' lunatic the Bowel Hunter? You're here with guards but you're not even mad at Felt? You'll even compensate her for helping capture the Bowel Hunter!?"
Subaru nodded vigorously, throwing a thumbs up the old man's way.
"That's exactly right! We have our backup waiting to help capture her when she comes in!" Subaru said.
"*Sigh*…I knew Felt was gonna bite off more'n that little thing could chew one've these days…" Old man Rom said with a long and tired sigh, taking another sip from the bottle.
"In all my years in this business I feel like I've gotten ah pretty good ability to read people… and I got a good hunch that yer not lyin about this, but I've gotta ask, why help Felt when she's wronged ya?"
Emilia, who had been mostly silent during the explanation, aside from the occasional confirmation, looked to Subaru. That same question had been on her mind as well.
Lucky for Subaru, on the spot thinking was something he excelled at.
"She… Felt's a good girl, and even though I don't know her as well as I'd like, she's someone who's just out there trying to survive. I respect her for that, so this little favor is no big deal, right?" Subaru said honestly.
Plus, I know how important she will be to Reinhard, so how could I not help her here?
Emilia listened to this with a disappointed look, she was hoping that she could learn a bit more about Subaru from this, but he was still just vaguely answering questions.
But for Old-man Rom, this seemed like enough, as he nodded along with Subaru's words. In his mind, who wouldn't want to help his innocent granddaughter?
"Well, sit tight. Once Felt's here we can talk some more, but till then we're just waitin'", the old man said.
Subaru nodded along at the old man's words. Now all they had to do was wait. The difficult part was done.
Man it would be really nice if I could get a checkpoint here, now that all of this is going so well…
"*ERGH*... what the hell!?" Subaru yelped, and fell off his chair.
The moment he finished that thought it felt like he had been punched in the gut. His eyes grew heavy and his vision shrunk to a single pinpoint. His body thudded against the floor and he vaguely heard Emilia and Rom yell in surprise and worry.
Oh shit… what's happening… this feels like when I first tried using Shamac times about a million… wait…
Despite being brought literally to the floor, Subaru's eyes widened in surprise. The weight of the small white book tucked neatly in his jacket suddenly felt heavier than the entire world.
No way…
The words within the first page of the book flashed in front of his eyes.
"This is all I am able to do to aid thee. The Authority of Envy is now thine…"
The shock that settled in atop what seemed to be mana exhaustion felt like a freezing cold blanket. Surrounding Subaru and making him shiver despite the sweat that was starting to drench his body.
If this is what I think it is… it changes everything…
This was the last thought that Subaru managed before passing out cold.
A splash of water sent him flying back to the conscious world. Sputtering as if he had just been baptized, for the second time that day.
"There ya go boy, up! Come on! Getup!" Old-man Rom said, holding a now empty bucket.
Subaru shook off the water and let the old man pull him to his feet. He met the concerned eyes of Emilia and Rom. He was shocked by the information he might have just learned based on his mana being drained. So, rather than have anything intelligent to say, he only groaned.
"Urgh… man I feel like I just got hit by a bus" Subaru said.
What's a bus? Rom and Emilia both thought at the same time.
"Subaru! Are you alright? What happened?" Emilia asked with concern thick in her voice, brushing off the strange words.
"Yeah… sorry about that. I think I used way too much mana on accident right there. Do you happen to have a bocca fruit on you Emilia?" Subaru said, swaying side to side slightly, as if a single breath would send him back to the ground.
"Ah of course!" Emilia said, digging into the small pouch on her hip and handing Subaru the large, raisin-like berry.
"Thank yoooou…" Subaru said, gratefully taking the berry and downing it in one go. An electric current ran from the tip of his toes to the top of his head, replenishing a tiny amount of mana and making him feel infinitely better.
As Subaru basked in the glow of feeling human again, Emilia stared at him with great concern.
I can sense he actually did just drain all his mana… but what could he possibly have been doing?
"Subaru! What could you possibly have been doing to use up your mana in an instant like that?!" Emilia shouted at Subaru, making Subaru's eyes widen at the care she was showing.
"S-sorry Emilia-tan, I'm not even sure myself! I was just thinking of something and then suddenly I was falling off my seat!" Subaru said honestly, though Emilia didn't seem to buy it.
Before any more words could be said, a rhythmic knocking froze all present.
"... that must be Felt. I'll go get it." Rom said slowly. As he stood up he grabbed the large club near the end of the bar, just in case.
Subaru looked at Emilia, suddenly alert and very, very serious.
"Emilia, get ready. There's a chance that's not Felt." Subaru said.
No authors note, I'm beat! See you next time!