A/N: Guess who's back? That's right, Arc 3 adaptation begins NOW!

I think a lot of you are really going to enjoy this Act as it answers so many of the lingering questions from the first two Acts.

The regular Friday Night (PST) releases will re-resume starting this week. The entirety of Arc 3 is already adapted and written. It ended up being 208k words; 33 chapters in total. There's also 3 custom commissioned artwork of scenes in the Act as well (however they will only be shown on WP and AO3).

I hope you all will look forward to the return of the weekly releases! Please enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 78: Lady In Red

Having arrived back once more to the Great City, the Capitol was as lively and crowded as YN had remembered it to be.

This place is just massive...

As YN navigated the ground dragon carriage, Rem gave him directions to the inn they had been expected at. Getting checked in, Roswaal requested the carriage YN had spent so long trying to find parking for to be called back up the entrance.

Approaching the curb, Subaru and YN dismounted the driver's seat as they pulled up to the other four awaiting them.

Roswaal: Juuuuust in time. Very good work.

Bowing his head, YN accepted the praise while Subaru disinterestedly looked about while picking his ear. Earning a quick stomp on his feet by Ram, she scolded him

Ram: Barasu, be sure to acknowledge Roswaal-sama's praise, even if it is the fruit of YN's work.

Subaru: —Tch, jeez...

Mounting the driver's seat in their absence, Rem and Ram both shared the reins as Roswaal entered into the carriage. Leaving the door open, he explained their sudden departure.

Roswaal: Rem and Ram will be joining me for a short business meeting in regard to garnering some support of Emilia-sama's upcoming Roooooyal Selection appearance. You all are free to do what you must until later once we return.

Emilia: Subaru has to make good on some promises he made to a few people here in the Capitol, so I'll be sure to keep an eye on him while he does.

Roswaal: Ahh, is this perhaps another one of these 'dates' I've been hearing so much about as of late?

Emilia: Not quite, this time it's just for—

Roswaal: YN-kuuuuuun,—

Cutting off the half-elf's words, Roswaal grinned as he called over to YN, who was standing off to the side making small talk with Rem and Ram.

Roswaal: Please chaperone these two while they're out, would you? We can't have them getting into tooooo much trouble.

YN: Yes, Roswaal-sama.

Emilia: Roswaal! If there'd be any trouble it would only be because Subaru over worked himself again!

While trying to somehow defend Subaru, Emilia had more so made it sound like she was skirting the possibility of trouble being a result of her own actions, and thus would have to be from Subaru's doing.

A put-down, to say the least.

While Subaru normally would have commented on that as well, he instead prioritized another problem with this arrangement.

It's gonna seriously be less fun if YN has to third-wheel!

Clearing his throat, he had an idea.

Subaru: Hey, Ros-chi, don't you normally only take one of the twins with you? Why not leave Rem-san behind to make sure it isn't YN who starts any problems.

Hoping to pair Rem with YN so they'd be more inclined to stay amongst themselves and hopefully give Emilia and him some space at the very least, his idea was shot down.

Roswaal: Unfortunately, since Ram will be leaving on her own as soon as this meeting is over, we'll need to bring back twoooo carriages. And with how hard they are to come by right now here in the Capitol, the client we're meeting has so graciously agreed to loan us one while you and YN-kun are treated.

Kicking the ground in frustration, Subaru cursed under his breath at the idea that Roswaal was too "high and mighty" to drive his own carriage back rather than needing one twin each to bring back a carriage.

Emilia: I guess it's not an issue if YN comes along then, he might want to talk to some of these people too since he traveled with Subaru here.

Ram: Roswaal-sama, we should be off now.

With Ram hoping to get things moving, Roswaal nodded and shut the door, but not after giving YN a wink of confidence.

Creepy...

As the carriage rumbled by, Rem waved and blew a kiss to YN. Waving in return with a red face, he watched the carriage roll further and further away.

Sighing at the prospect of being seperated from Rem, YN was brought to by the sound of Emilia clasping Subaru's hand. Stiffening from it, Subaru broke out into a momentary cold sweat before being dragged along by her.

Subaru: E-Emilia-tan?! If you wanted to hold hands, at least let me get ready! It's all clammy right now and—

Emilia: C'mon and get a grip, we don't have all day and that appa stand is reeeaaally far from here.

Firmly denying the notion it was for any wholesome reason as Subaru might have liked it to have been, Emilia scolded him once more.

Emilia: I can't have you running off and causing any trouble, alright?

Subaru: Emilia-tan!

Putting the back of his hand to his brow, Subaru dramatically tried to garner some sort of empathy from her, yet still failed.

As this went on, YN had continued to wave until the carriage was gone from sight. As soon as it was, he sighed again, and let the realization of separation from Rem sink in.

Oh well, it's only for a little while—

Cutting off his thoughts, he heard two stomps on the bricked ground behind him, their impact noting a shortness in patience.

YN: Huh—?

Emilia: Are you going to focus or do I need to drag you along too?

Holding out her only other hand, unoccupied, Emilia questioned YN.

YN: I uhh, think I'm okay. I have Roswaal-sama's orders to keep an eye on you two after all, Emilia-sama.

Falling back on speaking formally from nervousness to her minor ultimatum, YN declined the offered hand.

Subaru: Ah, Emilia-tan, not so rough...

Having twisted her wrist around while she had approached YN just now, Subaru was busy fidgeting about as the half-elf, who was much stronger than him, held his hand in an uncomfortable manner. Keeping her own hand extended though as she seemed to process YN's answer, she finally retracted it.

Subaru: Emilia-tan... please...

Emilia: Fine. B-But if you feel like you're going to start trouble or run off... you have to take it, okay?

Huh?

Caught off guard by what she had said, YN saw the tips of her pointed ears turn a slight shade of red as she turned to proceed onward, jerking Subaru around more as he rightfully complained.

I think she said that too low for him to have noticed just now...

Knowing Subaru had been too distracted to have heard Emilia as well, he had begun to think that maybe he had misheard her.

I don't think I'd have held her hand... I get she's just being protective, but that might look bad if Rem had happened to see it...

Following behind, but keeping a small distance to give Subaru and Emilia room, YN was fortunate to have denied it, as from the high rooftops from above, a certain maiden shadowed their movements as they set off.

Roswaal-sama can simply have the other carriage brought here while he discusses whatever he needs to with the client.

Moving from roof to roof, ledge to ledge, Rem observed them afar.

On Roswaal-sama's orders, Rem will follow them, but also be sure to stay hidden from view.

While the oni surely would have liked to walk hand in hand with YN as Emilia did with Subaru through the picturesque streets of the Capitol, she did find an uneasy satisfaction in observing him from afar.

Oh YN-kun, why must he capture Rem's heart so~?

Feeling a guilty pleasure from watching him, she kept a close eye on the group as they found their way about to their first destination.

Scratching the back of his head as Subaru and Emilia were several passes ahead of him, YN tried quelling an odd itch that wouldn't go away.

Why do I feel like I'm being watched?

While keeping the handheld duo in his sights, YN had decided to hang back and give them as much space as he could.

Subaru might be getting dragged around, but this is time with Emilia. —Time he's wanted with her for a while, so I should try to minimize my presence.

After having spoken to an appa salesman of all people, the man's scared face and stern attitude clued YN in on who this was.

He must have been the fella Subaru was talking about...

Recalling Subaru's telling of the first two loops that he was not present for in this new world, a man who owned and operated a fruit stand by such a description rang a bell.

Still allowing Subaru to handle the conversation on his own, YN simply browsed nearby stands trying to stay as distant as he could.

Seemingly having finished their reunion, Emilia had dragged Subaru over to where YN was to discuss where they were going to head towards now.

Emilia: Our next stop is going to be the Knight's Barracks. It's located at the guard house that enters into the Noble's district.

Raising an eyebrow, YN first questioned the logic of such a location, rather than their reasoning to go there in the first place.

YN: Are the Nobles really that afraid of a riot that the only way into their part of town is through where the knights report to?

Emilia: Well, while it does seem—

Subaru: Oh, what does it matter? Big-wigs are gonna be big-wigs, right?— owowow!

Releasing his hand, Emilia had instead grabbed him by the ear.

Emilia: Subaru, you can't just write off those kinds of things. It's not fair or right.

Letting him go, Subaru skulked behind Emilia's pace as the three began walking again.

But, seeing his recoil of pain, a few begging urchin children that had been loitering nearby had found it amusing, and ran up to harass the already wounded Subaru.

Kid: Haha, mister is getting in trouble!

Subaru: Hey, cmon, haven't you all been scolded like that before?!

Trailing further behind, a few more kids in impoverished rags joined in on teasing Subaru. It seemed entirely by his own aura Subaru could win over the hearts of children, much like he had in the village of Arlem.

Seeing Emilia was set to scold him further, YN shook his head to halt her.

Emilia: —?

YN: I think he's earned a little freedom, as a treat.

Looking downward, the half-elf seemed somewhat upset in herself.

Emilia: I guess I maybe have been a little hard on him...

While the three kept moving towards their destination, Subaru was thoroughly distracted as the urchin children danced all around him. Poking fun at the oldly dressed, black haired boy, they also were slowly being won over by his words, laughing at his jokes, and finding the assortment of party tricks he could perform to be most amusing.

YN: Um, Emilia-sama—

Holding his tongue, YN sought to correct himself.

YN: Emilia, what were you going to say earlier, about the guard house?

Surprised to hear he was still interested in what she was going to say, the half-elf cleared her throat in a less than serious manner.

Emilia: What I was going to say was that there's a lot of things like that in the Capitol, but also the rest of Lugunica. Inequality is something that runs deep here...

Looking around him, YN didn't immediately see anything to worry him right away, but remembering the way the slums looked, and where Felt had called "home..."

YN: This 'Noble's' district, is it close to the center of the Capitol? Further up from here? Where that big castle is?

Nodding in conformation, Emilia explained.

Emilia: Yes, we'll have to pass through the guard house anyway to enter the Keep where the Royal Selection conference is taking place, but that won't be today.

Looking up at it, the further one got to the citadel-like center of the Capitol, the more rich and pleasant the city became.

Thinking back to the slums...

The inverse also seemed correct as well.

The further you get from the middle, the more ruined and poverty struck things are.

Seeing YN was contemplating the realities of the Capitol, she awaited to hear what he had to say on it.

YN: I can understand how and why the Noble's District came to be, and why they all live there... But—

Emilia: —But?

Prompting him on, the silver haired girl could see the gears ticking in YN's mind.

YN: When you keep things like the guard house and the Knight Barracks so far from anything else, it's no wonder why crime, and in turn, poverty run so rampant the further you get.

Smiling warmly at his realization, Emilia seemed to be greatly satisfied in hearing YN come to such a conclusion.

Emilia: You see it too then. All the strife and unfairness.

Putting a hand to her chest, she looked sternly at YN, and moved her voice to a more serious sound, one that invoked a deep confidence.

Emilia: That's what I hope to change.

Looking up to the castle herself, YN could see a twinkle in her amethyst eyes.

Emilia: That's something I'm going to change. That's why I must become King...

Somewhat surprised to hear her speak so stoically, their moment was ended by Subaru returning to their side.

Subaru: I asked you guys to wait up! Those kids didn't wanna go any further than that last street, and I wanted to say goodbye.

While it was unsurprising that Subaru had so quickly won over the hearts of the young, Emilia turned to look back at the urchin children. With the entrance to the guard house, and just beyond that, the Noble's District, the children cloaked in rags and dirty from the streets, dared not come into view of those who were their betters.

Turning and giving YN a look of "See what I mean?" before proceeding further, Emilia then turned to Subaru.

Emilia: We're here. If Reinhard is anywhere nearby, this is our best place to ask.

YN: Reinhard? What do we need to speak with him about?

Thinking it was strange they'd need to contact him again, the motive puzzled YN.

Subaru: According to Emilia-tan, you both saw Reinhard take Felt off after Elsa was dealt with last time we were here. Kadomon, —that appa salesmen said she hasn't been seen since. I'm wondering if Reinhard knows why considering he took Rom and Felt back to his residence to recover.

YN: That's... strange. Maybe he did turn them in?

Wondering why the Sword Saint of all people would trouble himself so much with commoners like Felt and old man Rom, it was now understood what their goal was; talk to Reinhard and get a clue of some sort.

Walking towards the guard house, YN stayed silent in thought as Emilia and Subaru spoke more with each other on the subject, and what had happened after Emilia was left alone with both of them passing out after Reinhard had left with Felt.

Most notably, Emilia's ambitions came to mind.

I guess it's not surprising Emilia is such a bleeding heart. That seems just like her.

Thinking back on further examples of the inequality Emilia described, he remembered his and Rem's date in Costuul and how he had nearly been run out of Daniela's Cafe for not being a demi-human.

I guess it's more than just a 'humans are better than demi-human' kind of trope you'd expect from a fantasy world. It seems very two sided.

Knowing how these sort of things might be a problem later in life for Rem and himself, especially for their future relations, YN had begun to warm up to the idea of Emilia, —or at least someone like Emilia being put on the throne.

Still, a doubt of realism existed in his mind.

If this 'Royal Selection' is as competitive as I can maybe imagine it'll be, Emilia's probably not in a very good standing based on skill and merit alone...

Swallowing hard, one other key thing came to mind.

And the fact she looks... well, like the supposed Witch who destroyed the world or something.

Emilia and Subaru walked ahead of YN now once more as he fell back, and from this distance, he looked the half-elf up and down.

I guess also as part of a 'Royal Selection,' there'll be other Candidates as well, —meaning there's maybe someone with better ideas, and more power to fulfill those ideas than Emilia.

Sighing, YN had to be honest with himself.

As a friend, and one of her retainers, I have to support Emilia and help her win... But—

Feeling guilt, YN continued in thought.

If there's someone who can guide this Kingdom in a way that will ensure a happy and safe life with Rem, I have to be open to them as well.

Shaking his head, YN concluded his inner monologue.

At the end of the day, having grandiose ambitions and goals is nice, but if history is any teacher, it takes a lot more than that to be a successful King.

While his mind had come to its point, the three had finally reached the main gate of the guard house.

Releasing Subaru's hand, Emilia turned to them both as YN caught back up.

Emilia: We've dilly-dallied enough up until this point, so let's see if Reinhard is here or not, and be quick about it.

Subaru: Who even says 'dilly-dallied' any—

?: I thought my eyes had seen a lovely flower in the distance.

With a noble voice cutting off Subaru's idle observation of Emilia's speech pattern, a young man dressed in a most regal fashion approached them.

?: It's been quite some time, Emilia-sama.

Bowing to the half-elf, Emilia had an expression of great surprise.

Emilia: Julius?!

Standing back up straight, the young man's demeanor expelled great amounts of posh, well groomed mannerisms. His light, lavender colored hair fell gently across his face that certainly left most women weak in the knees.

Julius: I must inquire, what brings you to the Barracks today?

Emilia: We were hoping to contact someone in the Keep. Reinhard to be specific. But how are you as well? Are you still in good health?

Julius: Yes, I am.

Taking Emilia's own hand, Julius leaned forward once more.

Julius: I am honored that you would care to know of my own condition.

Planting a kiss on Emilia's wrist, YN's eyes opened wide. Not because of Julius's act of chivalrous mannerisms, but at how he knew Subaru would react to such a display involving Emilia.

Subaru: Woah! Hey—!? Hmph!

Covering Subaru's mouth before he could raise his voice anymore and say something that might make himself look foolish, YN whispered to him.

YN: Hold on for a moment. This is probably proper edicate for him to do that.

Letting Emilia's hand go, the young man slightly pushed his hair back into place.

Julius: I do believe you said you were looking to contact someone inside.

Gesturing to the mighty gate of the Guard House behind him, Julius turned his attention to the two behind Emilia. As Subaru struggled against the hand-muzzle being held onto him, they each froze when they became the center of the conversation.

Julius: Am I correct to assume the reasoning is because of these two?

Seeing they were now the focus, YN uncupped his hand from Subaru's mouth and stood back to his side.

Taking a half step towards them, he casually rested his hand on the hilt of the knight's sword that hung on his hip. Looking directly at Subaru, Julius fine tuned his question.

Julius: Or perhaps it's because of this one, here.

Skulking still, Subaru held his tongue as the young knight, dressed in royal regalia seemed to look down on him.

Julius: This may sound uncouth, but—

Breaking the tense, but brief silence that had formed between them, the knight was first to speak back up.

Julius: Your manners and outcries are a bad combination for the clothes you wear. You should correct that, as it's not a problem you cause for yourself alone.

Giving the knight a smug, but ultimately nervous, smile, Subaru fired back.

Subaru: Thanks for the tip, but here's mine; avoid eating curry in an outfit like that. The stain will never come out.

Nodding his head, the young man disregarded the not-so-friendly advice.

Julius: I'll be sure to avoid the situation should it come up.

Biting his lip, Subaru clenched his fists in anger at the mockery he continued to face.

Subaru: Tch, you—

YN: Please excuse my friend.

Stepping between the two, YN put a hand to his chest and did his best to dispel any hostility.

We can't let Emilia's reputation get soured here by such a petty exchange.

YN: Him and I are recent arrivals to Lugunica, and while we both come from very far, such customs like that are not practiced from where he is from.

Acknowledging YN's words, Julius bowed his head in recognition of his efforts.

Julius: I must say, it was not my intention to start such a qualm.

YN: Thank you for your understanding.

Bowing in return to Julius's words, they both stood back up straight, and with that, the knight turned his attention back to Emilia.

Julius: It is clear one of your retainers possess a much more level head then other. But now then, shall I lead you all to the conversation mirror? From there you should be able to contact Reinhard.

Subaru: Conversation mirror?

Losing his previous hostility at the prospect of such a familiar sounding mechanism, Subaru bluntly asked his question.

Julius: Yes, a Mitia that displays one person to another, it's used for communication over great distances.

Blinking twice, Subaru was stunned.

Subaru: So those kinds of things exist here too, huh? Kinda like our phones.

Receiving odd looks from both Julius and Emilia, the one from Emilia felt especially cold as she blankly looked at him.

Normally she'd say something like 'I don't know what you're talking about' to him, but this silence is deafening... Is her patience with him running that thin?

Finally, the half-elf broke the brief silence between them.

Emilia: Subaru, I want you to wait outside. YN too.

YN had not even finished nodding his head in conformation by the time Subaru had protested the idea.

Subaru: The hell—?! Are you saying you care more about not upsetting him than you do me?!

Pointing at the royal knight, Subaru had a tinge of anger grow on his voice as an aura of betrayal fell upon him.

Ouch...

Shaking her head calmly, Emilia explained herself.

Emilia: It's not because I'm choosing favor based on either of your feelings, I just don't want to subject you to something you'll hate.

Dropping his accusatory finger, a look of dejection went across Subaru's face.

Subaru: Something I'll hate, huh?

Speaking under his breath, YN took a half step closer to his mentally wounded traveling companion.

'Something he'll hate?' Does she mean Julius acting politely to her? If so, leaving with him alone isn't sparing him any pain, but rather rubbing salt in his wound.

Julius: Wait a moment, Emilia-sama.

Emilia: Hmm?

Halting, Julius turned to YN, preventing him from maybe consoling Subaru in his low state.

Julius: YN, was it?

Addressing him, YN stood back straight once more, and gave the knight his full attention, doing just as Rem had instructed him to do when talking to those above his position around Emilia or Roswaal.

YN: Yes.

Julius: By chance, if it's okay with Emilia-sama, I could give you a tour of the Barracks while she converses with Reinhard.

Surprised to hear such an offer from Julius, YN awaited Emilia's permission before speaking of his own interest.

Emilia: I guess that would be okay. Hmm, yes. It should be fine.

Gesturing to YN to follow, Julius welcomed him to join them.

But, as he was about to take a step forward past Subaru, YN caught a glimpse of the morose look on his face from Emilia's denial.

Bowing to the knight, he spoke as formally as he could, hoping to not sour relations.

YN: I appreciate your offer, but I am afraid I should decline. It would be more worthwhile for me to remain outside with Subaru while we await Emilia-sama's return.

Nodding at YN, Julius gave him a look of confidence.

Julius: Perhaps that may be for the better. Emilia-sama is fortunate to have someone so responsible under her.

Turning to the half-elf as if awaiting a confirmation from her on that, Emilia simply said nothing and turned to leave. Knowing Julius's words were venom to Subaru, she at least hurried their departure along.

Emilia: We won't be here long, and we'll try to hurry, so please, wait here for us.

Slumping his shoulders, Subaru watched as the two ventured the rest of the way into the Guard House, leaving him and YN behind.

I don't understand how Emilia could just do that to Subaru... I get she doesn't want to stress him anymore based on his Gate alone, but that wasn't very fair to him either.

With the last vision of them being Emilia's silver hair departing around a guarded entry way, YN sighed.

I'm thankful Rem would never act this way. She values what I think and feel, just like I do for her and makes that her first priority. She wouldn't have let me feeling so down like Emilia just did to Subaru.

Without another word, Subaru turned his back to the Guard House and began a slow walk of shame over to a bench that occupied the opposite end of the courtyard.

Letting him get a few paces in front of him, YN followed, knowing his friend needed support.

Some distance from the Guard House, YN sat next to Subaru as he moped. With his elbows on his knees, he leaned forward and held his hands folded together as his head hung downward towards the ground.

Crossing his arms and keeping his back straight, YN watched as the people of the Capitol came and went through the busy square. Guards were performing searches on wagons entering the Noble's district, Noble's themselves were coming and going with large enterages of their own, and occasionally a Guard Patrol would pass by, marching and looking as uniform as possible.

Sitting for several minutes in silence, Subaru remained unmoved. Taking his attention off of people watching, YN turned his attention back to Subaru, wondering just what he was doing, staying so still like that.

But as soon as he had moved his gaze downward, Subaru spoke up, as if he had somehow seen him do so.

Subaru: You don't have to stick around here, I don't need a babysitter.

Sighing at his angst, YN waited a moment before replying.

YN: Ya know, talking about these sorts of things usually helps how you feel.

Subaru: What would you know about how I feel?

YN: Try me.

Picking his head up slightly, he had almost snapped back at the person sitting next to him, but Subaru suddenly remembered who was talking to. With everything YN had gone through with Rem in the loops at the mansion before gaining the trust of her and Ram, he realized YN was probably the only person who could understand how he felt.

Sighing in defeat, Subaru opened up.

Subaru: I can just tell Emilia really thinks I'm super uncool right now. I'm bad at rank and file stuff, and I guess I am just a source of trouble for her in these situations...

Picking his head back up fully, Subaru regained the determination in his voice.

Subaru: But that doesn't mean I don't want to be there and support her all I can.

But lowering his head once more, reality struck him.

Subaru: I just need to suck it up I guess. I did this to myself.

Staying silent as a nearby Guard Patrol shuffled past, YN finally answered Subaru.

YN: I get you feel all alone right now and that everyone is against you for how you acted, but—

Looking up to his wayward traveling companion Subaru straightened his back more.

YN: I don't think you being forced to stay behind is your own fault at all. And in my honest opinion, that was, well, kind of shitty of her to say that to you.

Putting his hands on his knees and sitting up more, Subaru gave YN a look of surprise.

YN: Don't take that as me being harsh on Emilia though. I think her intentions are for the best, but she could have handled it much better. No one's perfect after all.

Turning his gaze to the people on the square like YN continued to, Subaru shook his head.

Subaru: You've got a point there... Jeez, and here I was all mad at you too just a few minutes ago.

Raising a brow to Subaru, YN questioned what he meant.

YN: Oh? Why's that?

Subaru: I really thought you were against me when you stepped between me and that Julius guy. But you were just trying to cool my hot headedness. I realized that when you turned down his offer to go with them.

Shaking his head some more, Subaru finally leaned back against the bench as he continued.

Subaru: At first, I figured you maybe thought I was going to make more trouble if I was left on my own, but you knew how I felt when Emilia told me to wait outside.

Giving him a slight chuckle at him being so open all of a sudden, YN tried to lighten the mood once more.

YN: There's no need to explain and get all gushy. Anyone who knows would have sympathized.

Turning his head away and scratching his cheek, Subaru tried answering YN through his own embarrassment now.

Subaru: I guess what I should say then... is... Thank y—

?: Don't toy with us lady!

Cutting off Subaru's reply, was a shrill voice coming from the same alleyway that the urchin children from before had retreated down once the three of them had arrived at the square of the Guard House.

As they both craned their vision to see what was going on around the corner, a response to the first shout was heard. This time, it was a feminine voice.

?: Do not get ahead of yourselves!

Giving each other a puzzled look, Subaru and YN stood to go see what all the shouting was about.

A few dozen paces down from the main street they stood at, four people were in the alleyway. Facing away from them were three individuals, rough looking and with each coming in a different size of small, medium, and large. The three faced one other person, a young woman, perhaps around Emilia's age. She was dressed in a very fancy, dark red dress with black accents, and her fiery red hair was a stark standout from everything else around her, spare her own piercing gaze.

Subaru: —Tch! That lady is surrounded by those thugs...

?: You really are asking for it, aren't ya?!

As the thugs continued to show hostility to the woman, she stood her ground.

Subaru: Maybe we should go get the attention of the Guard. They're just right over there.

Pointing back to the Guard House, YN shook his head.

YN: We might not have time...

?: Hey! You think you can just give us the cold shoulder?! We're talkin' to ya!

Hearing the thugs become ever more hostile, YN's mind raced.

Subaru: Are you saying we should step in ourselves?

I just can't shake the feeling, but what if that was Rem? Wouldn't I want someone to save her too if I wasn't around?

YN: I think we might have to play the role of White Knight here.

Well, maybe Rem could defend herself easily from these three, but what if that lady is like Rem is to me, but to someone else?

Unsure if his attachment to Rem had altered his priorities in a time like this, YN felt the unmistakable desire to act.

Subaru: Are you saying we should fight them?

Shaking his head, YN denied that strategy.

YN: If we instigate a fight, that might look bad if the Guard does decide to show up, and that would in turn look bad on Emilia.

Nodding in agreement, they both felt somewhat helpless as the jeers from the thugs was nearing a boiling point.

YN: We gotta try something—

Subaru: I've got an idea, let me handle this.

Straightening his tie, Subaru cut off YN's words.

Changing his entire demeanor, Subaru entered the fray.

Subaru: Honey! There you are!

Pretending to be this woman's husband or fiance, Subaru had bluffed false information to squeeze past the three thugs and place himself between them and the orange haired woman.

Doing his best to excuse her behavior, Subaru had reached for her hand to lead her away with a "We should be going now!"

Yet as he reached for her hand, it was batted away.

Woman: I did not give you permission to touch mineself!

In one swift motion, the woman in red reached into her ample exposed bosom and pulled out a large object, and wacked Subaru hard enough to stagger him backward into the alleyway wall.

Subaru: What the hell?! Can't you take a clue?!

Having reverted to his true self, Subaru fired back at the woman who rejected his help.

But just as YN was surprised too, so were the thugs.

?: Did she just wack the guy trying to save her? Man... Maybe we picked a bad one to try and go after...

As Subaru laid slumped up against the wall, the object the woman held that she had retrieved from her cleavage opened up, revealing itself to be a large hand held fan.

Woman: I do not need saving, peasant.

Declaring her denial, she folded back up the fan, and returned it to her chest.

Jeez, she makes even Rem look small... How does she fit that in there?!

Confused not only about this woman's actions, but her ability to hide things in endowments, YN was much more shocked at what she said next.

Woman: After all, everything in this world exists to amuse me. I cannot be truly in peril here.

Speaking with an air of entitlement like they'd never heard of before, one filled with absolute certainty in themselves to the point of what could only be foolhardiness, both YN and Subaru had parallel thoughts.

What did we just get ourselves into?

Turning back to the three thugs, she looked past them and made eye contact with YN, prompting the thugs to look back behind themselves as well, and finally notice he was there.

Seeing they were somewhat surrounded, the three regrouped to one half of the alley, giving YN just enough space to slip by them and help Subaru up off the ground.

Woman: So many of you have been attracted to the presence of mineself...

Grinning, the woman seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself. Snapping open her fan once more, she voiced her self righteous decree.

Woman: Now, then, make your commoner selves useful and amuse me a little!

Utterly duped at how someone could be acting in such a way, at such a time, YN's mind struggled to comprehend it.

This woman is legitimately off the rails... I've never heard such crazy talk before... She probably started this!

With a three on three standoff on, YN helped Subaru up the rest of the way as they now stood on either side of the orange woman's flanks.

Subaru: Hey... wait a second.

YN: —?

Seeing Subaru was eyeing the three thugs with a new look, YN gave each of the thugs a look over as well.

While one was definitely small, shorter than even Rem by a whole head or more, the other two were more concerning to him. While one was definitely larger and more muscular, it was the middle sized one who YN could see had a knife or two printing from underneath his shirt, tucked away by his belt.

Subaru: This is the same trio... That I ran into before. Here in the Capitol.

Putting two and two together, YN recalled how these three had killed Subaru in one go around he had, supposedly before he had ever shown up in this world.

That means that guy with the knives...

Seeing the middle sized one reach behind him, YN stepped before the orange woman, readying mana in his palm.

He's dangerous. He has intent to kill if he wants to.

Working on all the information he had, YN prepared a defense. Whilst he stared down the thugs, it was Subaru who had voiced his recognition of three aloud.

?: Did that crash scramble your brain? We haven't met before.

?: —Wait.

Speaking up, the shortest one seemed to recognize Subaru.

?: You're that brat! You're who called on the Sword Saint of all people to come save you and he really did show up!

With all three thugs coming to remember Subaru, the orange haired woman at the center of this debacle also chimed in her opinion on the matter, only seeking to further intensify the situation.

Woman: Ah, so all of you commoners know each other. That would explain why you all share such slack-jawed expressions.

?: What did you say?!

Subaru: Yeah, what the hell?!

Beginning to see some unity between the thugs and Subaru form out of the lack of patience brewing, YN tapped his wayward traveling companion on the shoulder and shook his head.

Seeing he knew what YN meant, Subaru backed back off as the orange woman's comments only further enraged the thugs.

?: How dare you lump us in with that coward?! Ya know what?! I don't care that you're a girl! I'll teach you a lesson all the same!

Cracking his knuckles, the large one took a step forward.

Woman: Oh, so you're finally deciding to get serious?

This is escalating to worse and worse levels!

?: I don't care if you beg and plead now. We'll have to show you some respect!

Seeing the middle sized one join on the large one's flank, Subaru spoke under his breath once more.

Subaru: That stupid lady, she's baiting them into this too far now.

Woman: As I stated, everything in this world exists to amuse mineself. Will that pathetic punch of yours really meet its mark?

?: That's it!

Launching a punch with all his force, the largest of the thugs was dead-set on doing as much damage as he could against the woman in red.

Damn it!

Just as the fist was to make contact with the orange haired woman's pristine face, it was halted.

*Wack!*

?: Wha—?!

YN: —Tch!

Having stepped between the two, YN had taken his mana-readied arm, and intercepted the thrown punch with his hand.

With the blunted impact being strong enough to slightly blow against the woman's red hair, she raised her fan to cover the lower half of her face, concealing her smile.

How amusing. I hadn't expected this one to be capable of such a feat. This is most entertaining.

Looking at his restrained fist, the large thug could see a heat wave rising off the knuckles of who stopped his strike.

That was too close!

?: Woah woah woah! How did he do that?!

As the shortest of the thugs staggered backwards at the sight, YN kept all his mana poised in the muscles of his arm. Focusing on keeping his strength up, he had begun to realize his hand was clamping down hard around the caught fist.

?: —Gah! That burns!

Seeing a small amount of steam rise from the caught fist, YN let go at the feeling of the thug trying to pull his hand away. Nursing his fist upon retrieval, the large thug pointed back at YN.

?: Larkins! Rip that guy's guts open!

Larkins(?): With pleasure.

Seeing the middle sized one unsheath his two shanks, Subaru recognized the danger and grabbed the orange haired woman, seeking to get her away from the bladed foe.

?: Hey! They're making a run for it!

As the short one had pointed this out, Subaru called back to YN.

Subaru: Let's get out of here— Gwah!

Woman: I still have not given you permission to touch mineself!

Bracing a few of her strikes as he continued to evacuate the woman in red, the two larger thugs had squared up against YN, and were in striking distance.

Shit, we can't just let a back alley brawl start up! I don't think I can take two, or even three on at once!

Waiting for his friend but still keeping in motion, Subaru couldn't bring himself to abandon YN, despite the odds.

Knowing he needed to avoid a fight, YN re-readied mana in both his palms nonetheless.

I can't think of anything else, but I gotta try this!

Putting both of his hands next to his face, with his palms facing outward, towards the thugs, they were angled just above them, up to the sky.

Please work!

Putting mana into his hands and closing his eyes, YN cast his Yang magic, focusing on projecting a wide and bright Jiwald.

YN: SOLAR FLAIR!

?: —Ack! Too bright!

Sending out a cascade of intense light rays above their heads, YN had successfully blinded his foes.

Now I gotta run!

As the woman in red had shielded her eyes with her fan, and Subaru had used his free arm to cover his own, they heard YN run past.

YN: Like you said, let's go!

Subaru: R-Right!

Taking the orange haired woman's hand once more, the three retreated as the thugs were slow to catch on with their vision impaired.

?: C'mon! Don't let 'em get away with this!

Rounding the corner of the alley, YN, Subaru, and the woman had a decent head start to their chase thanks to YN's improvisation.

How interesting these two are, especially the one with the Yang magic...

Putting away her fan, the three ran off as fast and far as they could, hoping to evade the thugs following them.

A/N: For anyone curious, the beginning part of this Arc 3 adaptation will be closer to what occurred in the manga/LN than the anime, most notably the part we're going through right now. It's a shame the anime cut it since I think it has some great characterization. If you want to see how this part unfolds in the actual story, I suggest reading the second chapter/episode "The Orange Girl" in the first volume of the Arc 3 manga (Daisanshou - Truth of Zero).