Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Capella Emerada Lugunica…

I’m curious…

…

I’ve changed you… just a little…

Go find him…

Satiate my curiosity…

Start with him… from zero…

——

Subaru: “Jeez… rough start to my great isekai adventure.”

The raven-haired, scary sanpakugan eyed boy grumpily wandered the streets of Lugunica with furrowed brows and hands in pockets.

Ever since being transported to this world, which was about 10 minutes ago, he’s gotten into nothing but trouble. In one hand he held his bag of groceries, which conveniently traveled with him to this parallel world. In his other hand, he held his signature tracksuit as it was soaked from when he embarrassingly stumbled and fell into a river after accidentally entering a woman’s restroom.

…It already was a long day.

At this moment, Subaru’s excitement was slowly wearing off. He was originally ecstatic finding himself in a new world, but now he’d really like to take a nap more than anything.

After his tracksuit got dry enough, he put it back on, returning to his original black, orange, and white color scheme.

Subaru: “So much for my protagonist status… Why am I even here anyways?”

Before Subaru could begin to question his situation, he stopped walking. Something down a dark alley caught his eye.

It was a girl.

An unconscious one to be exact. She was blonde, and her outfit was… rather interesting. Due to her being flat on her stomach that’s unfortunately all he could make out from a distance.

Glancing left and right to all the passerby’s, no one seemed to take notice of the girl except for him.

Barely able to contain a squeal of excitement, he eagerly rushed into the alley.

Subaru: [Is this where my story begins?! A lonely girl, tossed out into a shady alley in need of a hero! Ooh~! Maybe she’s the one who summoned me?]

With numerous fantasies flooding through his mind, he sat down his groceries and knelt down in front of the girl. He gently shook her shoulder, and whispered.

Subaru: “Hey… Lady, wake up. It’s me, Summoner-sama. Your hero, Natsuki Subaru!”

A gentle shake turned into a slightly rougher one, which then turned into tapping, which then turned into rougher tapping.

Subaru’s fantasies were put on hold as he gradually grew more and more concerned the longer she didn’t respond.

Subaru: “H-Hey… You alright?”

No response.

A drop of sweat ran down his forehead.

Subaru: [She’s not dead or anything, right? W-Was I too late?]

???: “Mmgnh…”

A muffled sound that came from the ground put his worries at ease, allowing to let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

Subaru: “Ah! Thank goodness you’re alive! I thought I already failed before I even started…”

Slowly, the currently anonymous girl brought her hands up, slowly pushing her face off the ground.

Subaru: “Hey, are you hurt? Don’t push yourself.”

Just then, the girl looked at Subaru, as if she just noticed his presence. Their faces were surprisingly close.

Subaru grew a faint blush. She was kinda cute. Her curious crimson red eyes gazed into his, and her outfit was indecently revealing. Inspecting her face, she had no cuts, scratches, or bruises, so she thankfully wasn’t beaten up. In fact, she looked like she was in pristine condition.

???: “H-Heh? Who’re you?”

Subaru: “Uh, I’m Subaru—Natsuki Subaru. I saw you knocked out in this alley. Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

The girl slowly got up and stretched, strangely calm for waking up in a dark alleyway.

???: “Mmm-yup! I believe this pretty lady’s fine, no broken bones or anything!”

Subaru: “Y-You don’t seem very concerned… How’d you get here?”

???: “I… Hm… Can’t remember.”

Subaru: “Okay, your lack of concern is scaring me, Summoner-sama! Did you hit your head?”

???: “Summoner-sama?”

Subaru: “Ah, y-you did summon me, right? To help you? I don’t know your name, so…”

The blonde girl, now standing, who was considerably shorter than Subaru, looked up at him with baffled eyes before chuckling.

???: “Kye-he. Summoned you? What’re you prattling about? A lady such as myself would have no reason to summon someone like you.”

Subaru: “Hey, that’s–!”

Subaru nervously started touching his index fingers together, feeling like an idiot. The girl kept giggling at his embarrassment which he eventually couldn’t take anymore.

Subaru: “J-Just—Nevermind, forget it! Uh… so what is your name?””

The girl’s giggling fit halted at the question. Her eyes stared upwards as she put a hand to her chin, like she was physically digging through her mind.

Subaru: “Don’t tell me you don’t know your name! I really think we should get you some help—“

???: “I shall grant you the honor of knowing my name.”

Subaru: “Oh—Wait, you were just thinking of whether or not to tell me?!”

Subaru stomped his foot on the floor repeatedly in frustration.

Capella: “It’s the one and only… Capella-chan! Well, uh… as far as I remember!”

Capella nonchalantly struck a flamboyant pose, announcing her name like she was a celebrity. Any signs of worry for her own well-being or faulty memory were not present whatsoever.

Subaru: “‘As far as you’—sigh—Okay. Nice to meet you, Capella.”

Subaru’s concern for Capella only grew more, but with how indifferent she was about whatever her situation was he couldn’t bring himself keep expressing it.

He stuck out his hand for a handshake, which Capella silently stared at for a minute.

She then leaned to the side past Subaru, to see the bustling pedestrians walking briefly in view from where they stood in the alley.

Capella: “You’re the only one who entered this alley, and made sure I was okay?”

Subaru: “Uh, yeah.”

Capella: “Hm.”

She silently stared at him. As if she was evaluating every inch of him.

Suddenly, her eyes took a more sultry look as she approached him.

Capella: “My my, what a gentleman you are… I think that deserves more than a handshake, don’t you~?”

Subaru had to do a double take in his head. She wasn’t talking about… anything like that, right?

Subaru: “U-Um… sorry? I don’t think I follow.”

Capella: “You heard me…”

Capella quickened her advance towards Subaru until he was backed up to a wall. She looked into his eyes with a smirk.

Capella: “You were infatuated by my otherworldly beauty and that’s why you came to help me, right? I know what you want…”

Subaru: “H-Huh?!”

Subaru’s brain was short-circuiting. A lot has happened in such little time.

Subaru: “No, no! I was just concerned, a-and no one else was helping you—“

Capella placed a gentle finger on his mouth, which she then trailed down to rest her hand on his chest. The result was the tomato-red face of Subaru, which amused her greatly.

Capella: “Shh… It’s okay, give in. You know what you really want. There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of lust.”

All Subaru wanted to do was help this girl, and finally get the wheels turning on his sudden new life. This was probably the last thing he was expecting to happen.

His heartbeat was breaking records as Capella leaned closer…

And closer…

And closer…

Capella: “Pfft… Kya-hahahaha!”

Capella laughed right in Subaru’s face.

To say Subaru was in a state of emotional whiplash was an understatement.

Capella backed off of him and clutched her stomach in a fit of laughter.

Capella: “Your face! Kya-haha!”

Subaru’s face—still blushing—was blank, he wasn’t sure how to process the events that just occurred.

Subaru: “What the hell?! I don’t… why did you—?!”

Capella: “Relax, Subaru-kun! I’m just messing with you. This lady happens to like you! You can feel honored now.”

Capella did a bunch of theatrics, which included a twirl, as she talked. When she finished, she closed her eyes and held an arrogant, satisfied smile as her hands rested on her hips.

Within the past 3 minutes, Subaru figured out a few things. None of which were assuring.

First, Capella is arrogant.

Second, Capella is obnoxious.

Third, Capella is infuriating.

And fourth, he still doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing here.

Subaru pinched the bridge of his nose as he calmed himself down.

Subaru: “…Okay. Sure, yeah, I’m honored or whatever.”

Capella pouted at him, feigning offense.

Capella: “That doesn’t sound very genuine.”

Subaru: “Oh, shut up!”

Capella: “How dare you talk to me, the beautiful Capella, in such a way?!”

Subaru hated this. He wanted to go home. He already gave up on his new, epic isekai life all because of this one girl.

Subaru: “I really don’t understand why you felt the need to do that earlier… I just wanted a handshake.”

Capella: “What’s wrong with a little teasing, hm?”

Subaru: “I just met you! What would you’ve done if I took advantage of you or something? N-Not that I would, but—”

Capella: “You wouldn’t be able to.”

Subaru: “But—“

Subaru looked in Capella’s eyes. Something new gleamed in them. Confidence? Whatever it was, it shut him up.

Capella: “And besides, with how you were stammering back there, I know ya’ don’t got the guts to!”

She flashed an arrogant, cheeky smile.

Subaru raised up his hands in defeat and dropped the topic.

Subaru: “Whatever.”

Suddenly, from behind Capella, Subaru could see the silhouettes of three figures approaching.

Subaru: “Uh…”

Subaru jetted out a finger towards them, causing Capella to curiously turn around to see the three thugs that caught his eye.

Capella: “Huh?”

Capella was immediately displeased with the appearance of the three unknown individuals. Already, at first glance, she didn’t approve of them.

Meanwhile, Subaru was internally panicking.

Subaru: [Woah, are you kidding me? Are we about to get robbed?! We’re totally about to get robbed! These guys look just like textbook bandits—and not the cool ones! Argh, I never should’ve helped this girl!]

Thug 1: “Well, well, well.”

Thug 2: “You two picked an awfully bad place to get romantic.”

Subaru snapped out of his internal panic just to immediately deadpan before waving his hand towards the three thugs.

Subaru: “Woah, dude, you got the wrong idea. She’s the last person I’d ever get romantic with.”

Capella turned around and scoffed.

Capella: “Oh yeah? Well, I feel the same way! You’re no fun at all! Bleh!”

She stuck her tongue out at him, which Subaru rolled his eyes at.

Subaru: “Oh, shut up! Sexually assaulting someone isn’t ‘fun!’ You have no dignity!”

Capella: “I didn’t do anything to you, and I said I was joking! Besides, if this pretty lady really wanted to do something like that with you, you know you’d love it!”

Subaru started blushing. She wasn’t entirely wrong, but he was still against it.

Subaru: “N-Nuh uh!”

Capella: “You’re blushing! Yuh-huh!”

Subaru: “Nope!”

Capella: “Yup!”

The three thugs watched the strange duo bicker in bewilderment.

It’s like their existence didn’t even register to them anymore.

…

Thug 2: “HEY! We’re the ones talking to you! Frankly, we don’t care about your relationship!”

Capella and Subaru huffed at the same time, returning their attention to the uninvited guests.

Capella: “What do you three meatbags want anyway?”

Thug 3: “At first, we just wanted your valuables…”

Thug 1: “But now that you’ve ignored us, that totally ruined our mood!”

Thug 2: “So, in short, we’re gonna kill you now.”

…

Capella clicked her tongue in amusement, while Subaru’s eyes widened.

Subaru: [Wait what?! Shit, I can’t die yet, I just got here! I don’t—wait a second… I was summoned here. This must be a compulsory event for my development!]

Quickly adjusting from fear to overconfidence, Subaru walked in front of Capella, and got into a fighting stance.

Capella: “Eh?”

Subaru: “Alright then, bring it! Let me warn you, I fantasize about situations like this all the time. I thought of every attack pattern you can throw at me!”

Capella: “You fantasize about this? What are you, a masochist?”

Subaru spat out his clenched teeth.

Subaru: “Shut up. I’ll keep them distracted, you make a run for it.”

Thug 1: “You’re gonna regret mocking us!”

The first thug charged him, eager to pummel his skull in.

Subaru: “That’s… my line!”

SLAM!

Subaru threw a punch faster than the thug could react. The sensation of his fist making violent contact with another’s flesh was foreign to him. It hurt, but it was effective! The thug fell face first on the ground.

Capella mockingly hummed in approval.

Subaru clicked his tongue at her, and ran to the second thug who was still in shock from seeing his friend get K.O’d

Subaru: “Take this! A high kick forged by after-bath stretches!”

The second thug was slammed into the wall by Subaru’s kick straight into his temple. His adrenaline was peaked, he felt invincible!

All that was left was the last thug.

Charging towards him, Subaru glanced back at Capella, who was just standing there, cross-armed.

Subaru: “What the hell are you doing?! Run!”

Capella: “I doubt you’d want me to~!”

Capella yelled back in her a teasing, yet somewhat foreboding tone. Did she know something?

Subaru: “I’m handling these losers just fine—!”

Subaru was promptly interrupted by the glint of a rather dangerous object in the last thug’s hand.

He was on a high. He didn’t even know he had it in him to fight, let alone punch someone, but looks can be deceiving—even to yourself.

However, what was held in front of him was, in fact, a knife. Which meant Subaru had to pull out his secret move.

Subaru: “I’msosorryitwasallmyfaultIregretmyactionsandIswearI’llneverattackyouguyseveragainpleasespareme—!”

The ultimate move. The pinnacle of patheticism.

Surrendering.

Subaru halted his raging onslaught to fall to his knees and beg for forgiveness. The switch-up in demeanor was jarring for everyone in the alley, especially Capella, who couldn’t help but laugh.

Capella: “Pfft, kya-haha! What happened, Subaru?! I thought you were ‘handling things just fine!’”

Her laugh rang through his ears like an annoying little rusty bell.

Subaru: “I should’ve left you in the alley.”

He deadpanned to Capella.

Capella: “Well, that’s not very nice!”

Subaru: “Why would I—Agh!”

The knife-wielding thug stepped on Subaru’s head.

Capella’s cheeky grin immediately fell to a frown.

Thug 3: “You son of a bitch, I’ll kill you!”

He adjusted the knife in his hand to point down towards Subaru’s head.

Subaru: “W-Woah, wait! Let’s not get hasty, now! How about this? I can work for you guys! You don’t have to pay me! Just… let me live!”

Subaru’s voice was shaky. He didn’t wanna die. Not now.

Thug 3: “Shut up! I’m tired of your noisy voice!”

The knife began plummeting down towards Subaru’s skull.

The tip of the blade grew closer and closer, ripping through the air without mercy. Subaru clenched his eyes shut as he braced for his imminent death.

He hoped it would at least be painless.

…

It was painless.

…

There was no pain at all, because he wasn’t stabbed.

Opening his eyes, Subaru saw a sight he wasn’t exactly prepared to see.

Thug 3: “Agh, Y-You freak! Let me go!”

Capella: “Hmm, let me think about it—no~pe! Sorry, but I don’t like you very much.”

Capella’s tone was playful, but her face betrayed her true feelings. She was upset.

Her hand was big. Like, absurdly big. The thug’s entire body was in her grasp. He was at her mercy.

Subaru swiftly scrambled away from underneath them, still watching with awe.

Subaru: […What in the gear three?]

She started lifting him up off the ground. The rest of her body was normal. It was just her hand that had grown to such an absurd size, and… does she have claws?!

Capella: “Y’know, I’m a bit of a philanthropist, but I can make exceptions~”

Her grip tightened.

Thug 3: “—Agh! S-Stop!”

Subaru: “What the hell…”

Subaru: [Is this magic? Can magic do this? I’ve seen people perform it occasionally ever since I got here, but I’ve never seen something like this…]

Capella: “Meatbags like you have no value, no love. So, I’m sure no one would mind, right~?”

Her eyes sadistically squinted as her grip tightened even more.

Thug 3: “Ack!”

The thug coughed up blood. Subaru realized what was about to happen.

He didn’t want this. He wasn’t ready to see this. Sure, the guy did try killing him, and he’s thankful for Capella saving him, but this was—!

Subaru: “H-Hey—Capella, watch out!”

Capella looked in Subaru’s direction to see him running to her. Just right then, everything was ringing, causing her to let go of the knife-thug, her hand turning back to normal.

Her vision was blurry, her eyes were watering.

Capella: “W-what?”

When Subaru called out to her, she failed to notice the other thugs, who Subaru attacked, had woken up, and the big one clapped his hands on her ears with immense force, painfully disorienting her.

Capella: “A-Ah…”

Suddenly, she was put into a headlock.

Subaru: “Shit, let her go!”

Subaru, instead of running, tried to throw a punch to the thug holding her, but he was kicked to the ground by the smaller thug.

Thug 2: “You bitch… We’ll make sure you two die slowly! Rachins, get the scary-eyed bastard. I got this little lady…”

Capella struggled to break from his headlock. She could’ve done so easily, but her discombobulation and current lack of oxygen was making it hard to use her powers.

The knife wielding thug, Rachins, slowly made his way towards Subaru. His body was red from being almost squeezed to death.

Rachins: “You little shit.”

Subaru: “C-Crap.”

Subaru tried to run, but before he could, he was slashed in his calf.

Subaru: “Gnh—!”

He grit his teeth. Thankfully the adrenaline dulled the pain, but it still hurt like hell.

Falling to the floor, he watched as Rachins stood above him once more. However, he had no intention of killing him so soon.

Subaru: [Alright, parallel world… Is this when I awaken my powers? Cause it’d be really nice to have right about now! Invincibility? Strength? A system of sorts? Anything works—HNGK!]

Subaru’s face was met with the bottom of a shoe—quite forcefully, I might add.

Once, twice, thrice.

His head was stomped over and over. His forehead was bleeding from being repeatedly slammed and scraped against the ground. His skull was burning, it felt like it would crack any second.

Subaru: [This is… really bad! It hurts! It hurts like hell! Ow ow ow!]

Capella thrashed about in the thug’s headlock. She was about to pass out any second, her kicks and punches losing their usual power.

The situation turned dire really fast…

Subaru caught a glance of the bustling commercial district right outside the alley.

Pedestrians walked by without even batting an eye.

Subaru: [What the hell is this…? Why is no one helping? Damn it!]

Just when he had that thought, he heard something.

Hope.

???: “Out of my way!”

A petite, blonde girl ran into the alley, stopping for a moment to witness the brutal scene before her.

Everyone looked at her. Rachins stopped his beat down on Subaru for a moment, which was a moment that Subaru cherished.

Subaru: [F-Finally, someone…]

Capella: “Ggghhh…”

Capella strained to make any noise. Her lungs, devoid of air, were like a vacuum now.

Subaru’s eyes held hope, practically begging for this random girl to save him.

???: “Woah, looks like you two are having it rough… Well, sorry, but I’m busy right now. Live strong!”

And with that, she scaled the wall of the alley and escaped on the rooftops.

…

Subaru: [LIVE STRONG?! MY FUCKING HEAD IS BEING CRUSHED! I WON’T LIVE AT ALL IF THIS KEEPS UP!]

Subaru’s hope was ripped away without mercy.

Rachins: “All these damn interruptions…”

Rachins lowered his foot onto Subaru’s head again. This time, he slowly grinded it into him, dirtying and cutting up his face.

Subaru: [Is this punishment? It’s been nothing but struggle since I came here, and now… I’m just gonna die in some alley?]

Subaru made eye contact with Capella, who was barely conscious.

He then closed his eyes, coming to acceptance with it.

Subaru: [Damn it…]

???: “—That’s enough, villains.”

A voice of authority that chimed like silver-bells rang throughout the alley.

…

Was the world toying with him again? Was someone actually coming to save them?

Rachins stopped his assault on him once again, freezing up when he saw the source of the voice.

The thug holding Capella froze up as well, but still kept her restrained.

For Subaru, turning his head to the source of the voice, time itself stopped.

She was beautiful, magnificent, gorgeous.

Capella looked at her, her eyes begging for help, while Subaru stared, locked in a trance.

Subaru: [Am I… are we saved?]

Rachins: “H-Hey… look, we don’t want any trouble.”

Thug 2: “Yeah… Y-Yeah, we’ll let them go! F-Forgive us!”

The thug holding Capella promptly let her go, clearly terrified. She immediately fell to her knees and collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.

Capella: “…air…”

Her voice was hoarse.

The three thugs slowly backed away further into the alley.

Subaru’s skull was still on fire, but he was eternallly grateful to have his torture end thanks to this beautiful, silver-haired woman…

???: “I’m happy to see you’re all so gracious. It’s not too late, so return what you stole.”

Rachins: “S-Stole? Camberley, Gaston, what the hell did you steal?”

The two thugs, now named Camberly and Gaston, both nervously shrugged.

Gaston: “I never stole anything from her!”

Camberly: “Me neither! W-Wait… are you not here to save these two?”

Camberly, the smallest of the thugs, pointed at the two individuals he was referring to, struggling on the ground. One was slowly bleeding out from his calf, and the other was greedily gasping for air.

The white-haired woman eyed the duo curiously, with pity.

???: “Was there some sort of internal strife between you? I don’t exactly approve of you ganging up on them like this, but I’m afraid I don’t have a connection to either of them.”

Camberly: “If not… then you have no business with us!”

Gaston, the big thug that held Capella, stepped forward nervously.

Gaston: “Y-Yeah! About what was stolen from you, there was another blonde girl that ran through here and jumped onto the roof!”

Rachins: “She was really fast, she’s probably three streets away by now!”

The three thugs quickly threw together an explanation, as the mysterious, silver-haired lady looked on at Subaru and Capella, who stared back at her.

She sighed.

???: “Really? I’ll have to hurry…”

And with that, she fled the scene.

The three thugs sighed in relief.

…

Subaru: [What the fuck?!]

Capella: “So… rude…”

Capella, slowly recovering, tried her hardest to get up, but it was in vain.

Subaru quickly came to the conclusion that this was hell and he had a front-row seat.

Or so he thought.

???: “However, I can’t overlook what’s taking place here.”

She returned and held out her palm, shouting an incantation. The three thugs were met with rock solid balls of ice to the face.

Camberly was the most unfortunate, getting entirely knocked out, while the other two stood their ground, still sustaining heavy injuries.

Gaston: “Y-You’ve really done it now…”

Despite the fear in his eyes, Gaston was ready to fight. Rachins stood alongside him.

Rachins: “Think you can survive a two on one?”

Subaru: [These guys are so resilient for some beginner level enemies… There’s gotta be a way I can help—GHK!]

Subaru tried to stand, but the wound on his calf was deep. Just moving his leg made it bleed even more and sting like hell now that his adrenaline wore off.

Blood was continuously flowing out his calf. If this kept up any longer, he may just die anyways from blood loss.

Subaru: [Damn it… I’m so pathetic…]

The silver-haired woman noticed his struggle and alarming wound, making her decide to speed things up a little bit.

???: “Hmm… Two on one is a bit unfair.”

????: “Then how about a two on two!”

A new, playful voice made itself known in the alley.

A cat floated out of the girl’s long, beautiful silver hair.

Gaston: “—A spirit arts user?!”

????: “Correct! If you flee right now, I’ll hold off on pursuing you. Think fast, I don’t have time for this.”

Gaston immediately turned and high-tailed it out of there, followed by Rachins who brought the unconscious Camberly with him.

Capella: “Kye-he, pathetic…”

Capella muttered, finally recovering, slowly getting up.

Before finally leaving, Rachins turned around to face Subaru and Capella.

He pointed his knife out at them.

Rachins: “You two are damn lucky! Next time we see you around here, it’s death on sight—!”

He was promptly interrupted by a rock of ice the size of his head, flying right past his face at a blinding speed towards the wall behind him.

The one who threw it, the floating cat, smiled.

????: “If you don’t leave right now, the next one is hitting your face.”

Rachins didn’t need to hear it twice as he finally bolted out of there, leaving Subaru, Capella, and their unknown saviors alone.

Silence filled the alley for a moment.

Suddenly, before he could speak up, things started getting a little blurry for Subaru.

The silver-haired girl rushed up to him, kneeling down.

He could hear her and Capella talking.

Slowly, their voices faded, and so did his vision.

He passed out from blood loss.

——

Emilia: “This is a reaallly bad wound…”

Capella: “Weakling. He should’ve ran.”

Capella, now mostly recovered, stood and looked down at the kneeling Emilia as she healed Subaru’s calf and head.

Emilia: “That’s not very nice!”

Puck: “If this cat recalls correctly, weren’t you on the ground as well?”

Puck poked Capella’s forehead with his tail, which she flicked away, annoyed.

Capella: “Tch, as if! A lady such as me would never lose to such pathetic meatbags. I was just distracted…”

Capella looked back at the unconscious Subaru.

Emilia: “…Such strange clothes.”

Emilia muttered to herself as she stared at the tracksuit Subaru was wearing like it was an alien.

Emilia: “…In fact—“

She then looked up at Capella, who raised an eyebrow at her, confused.

Both her and Subaru had strange clothes, but for two entirely different reasons.

Emilia: “You both are wearing quite peculiar outfits…”

Puck: “What’s the deal? With a revealing outfit like that, no wonder you got attacked in an alley!”

Puck flew around Capella’s head, just out of her reach as she frantically tried to grab him.

Capella: “Argh! I didn’t choose to wear this! I just woke up with it on!”

Emilia: “Woke up with it on?”

Emilia tilted her head in confusion.

Capella: “I woke up in this alley… and… I-I don’t remember anything from before.”

Capella’s brows furrowed. She wasn’t too concerned with her lack of memories earlier, toying with Subaru and fighting against the thugs, but now that everything has calmed down…

She was starting to feel the weight of her situation.

Emilia: “I see. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your relationship with this boy?”

Capella: “He found this lovely lady unconscious in this alley just a few minutes before you two showed up. He just came in to check on me. Other than that, I’ve never met him before…”

Capella smiled looking down at Subaru.

She already grew a little bit fond of him, technically being the first person she met as she couldn’t recall anybody else she’s known, not even relatives. He was really fun to tease and bicker with, but she could also tell that he was a genuinely good guy.

Capella: “He told me his name is Subaru. Natsuki Subaru. I think he’s a pretty good guy.”

Emilia smiled as she finished healing the raven-haired boy.

Emilia: “Allllright, his body should be sufficient… He’ll wake up any moment now—shoot!”

Emilia then turned to Capella, panicked.

Emilia: “Uhm, Capella, was it? Sorry, I really gotta go! C-Can you stay with him?”

Capella: “What’s with the rush? Is this about that girl you were after?”

Emilia: “Yes! She stole something really important to me… I need to find her!”

Puck: “Hold on, Lia…”

As Emilia was already on her way out the alley, Puck promptly stopped her while facing Capella.

Puck: “Like those low-lifes said earlier, she’s probably far gone by now.”

Emilia: “So? That’s exactly why we should catch up with her!”

Puck: “We don’t even know where she is. I think we should ask these two for information.”

Emilia: “Eh? O-Oh… you did see her, right? Did you see where she went? Pleeeease tell me!”

Emilia briskly walked to Capella and begged.

Capella: “I don’t know too much… my vision was all blurry.”

Capella huffed, annoyed at how she got caught by one of the thugs.

Emilia frowned.

Emilia: “Oh… I see.”

Puck: “Well that’s—“

Puck was cut off by the sound of a groaning boy on the floor.

Everyone in the alley turned to face Subaru.

Chapter Text

——

Subaru: “Mmh…”

Subaru was coming to. Opening his eyes slowly, the sun glared into his retinas, which immediately made him clench his eyes shut, and roll over.

Subaru: “Five… Five more minutes—aH!”

He was quickly jolted awake by the feeling of something freezing coating his whole torso. Frantically looking for the perpetrator, Subaru saw the same cat from before he passed out, giggling.

The unsatisfying feeling of a sleep cut short dug into his mood. He was ready to mouth off to this damn cat but was interrupted just before he could.

Emilia: “You’re awake!”

Emilia leaned close into Subaru’s face, glad he was alive and well. His face quickly grew red like a tomato, which Capella stifled a laugh at.

Subaru: “E-Eh? You’re that girl from earlier…”

Subaru glanced back at his calf, only to see that it didn’t have a grotesque canyon in it.

Subaru: [I’m healed? This world has healing magic? That’s so sweet!]

Subaru: “You healed me… thanks!”

Emilia blinked before briskly backing away and taking a more cold demeanor.

Emilia: “D-Don’t get it twisted. It was for my own selfish benefit. I wanted to ask you some questions… If not, I would’ve left you here. Yes, I would.”

Emilia nodded and talked as if she was trying to convince herself.

Capella: “Why’d you look so panicked when he passed out, then?”

Capella smugly smiled.

Emilia: “I didn’t! I wasn’t!”

Puck sighed, shaking his head.

Puck: “Face it, Lia, you’re just way too kind to be even remotely selfish. Even strangers can see that.”

Emilia pouted.

Subaru: “Lia? That’s a pretty name…”

Capella: “You’re straightforward, aren’tcha?”

Subaru: “Oh, shut up…”

Emilia: “Ah, L-Lia is just what my spirit, Puck, calls me.”

Puck: “Nice to meet ya!”

Puck struck an adorable pose.

Subaru: [Spirit? Come to think of it, those bandits did call her a spirit arts user… Huh, this world’s power system must be pretty intricate! I wonder if I can be a spirit arts user too…]

Subaru almost started fantasizing his future before snapping himself out of it.

Subaru: “Ah, I see… So, what is your name then?”

Emilia: “My name is Emilia… Just Emilia!”

The name echoed through Subaru’s ears like gentle, majestic silver bells ringing in a cool breeze.

Subaru: “Emilia…”

He looked like he was in a daze, staring at Emilia’s face. The only thing taking him out of his trance was the slightly uncomfortable look of Emilia, and the small cheeky chuckle from Capella beside him.

Puck: “Hey, don’t get any funny ideas, boy.”

Puck put on a menacing voice which was still just as cute as he looked, but the sudden dropping temperature around Subaru was enough to send the message.

Subaru: “Ahem. So… you wanted to ask me some questions, you said?”

Emilia: “Oh, yes! Have you seen a little blonde girl around here, and if so, do you know where she’s going? Maybe who she is?”

Subaru turned to Capella.

Capella: “… She obviously isn’t talking about me, meatbag!”

He sighed.

Subaru closed his eyes as he rummaged through his mind, trying his best to ignore the pestering Emilia who was a bit too close for comfort.

… Little blonde girl …

Subaru immediately grimaced as he put a face to the description.

“Live strong!”

Those words echoed through his mind.

Subaru: “Oh, her…”

Emilia: “So you do know her?!”

Emilia was even closer to Subaru’s face, prompting him to back up. Clearly this information was important to her, so he hated to get her hopes up.

Subaru: “Ah, n-not really. I just happened to encounter her here with Capella. As for where she went, sorry… I just saw her climb out of the alley. She was surprisingly agile, now that I think of it. Maybe Capella knows—“

Capella: “I already told her. I don’t know where she is either thanks to those three meatbags from earlier.”

Emilia: “Oh, I see…”

Subaru frowned at Emilia’s disappointment.

Emilia: “I guess I’ll start searching for her, then.”

Puck: “It’s okay, Lia, I’m sure we’ll be able to find her.”

…

Subaru inhaled for a moment, debating in his mind whether or not to say what he wanted to say, but before he could come to a decision, he said it.

Subaru: “W-Well, I can help you!”

Capella glanced at Subaru curiously, while Emilia, shocked, stared at Subaru.

Emilia: “Eh?”

Subaru: “I said I can help you look for her. Think of it as compensation for patching me up!”

Subaru held out a peace sign with his hand, while putting on a reassuring smile.

Emilia: “B-But I told you, I healed you for my own benefit. You have no obligation to compensate me!”

Subaru: “Flat out rejected?! Well… I wanna help you anyways, would you let me?”

Capella: “Sheesh, how desperate can ya’ be? You just met the girl!”

Subaru: “Can it, shorty! It’s nothing like that.”

Subaru barked back without even turning towards her.

Capella: “Aw, come on, it’s painfully obvious! You’re practically drooling from your eyes~”

Subaru: “She’s pre—I… I mean… Stop making fun of me! If anything, why don’t we talk about you? What’s up with that outfit?! You’re one step away from being an exhbitionist!”

Subaru gestured both his hands out towards Capella’s absurd outfit, which was pretty much just a purple bikini with stockings.

Capella: “The world should be honored to have such a pretty lady’s bare chest on display~”

Subaru: “…You actually have no dignity. You have no right to make fun of me, like at all!”

Capella only blew a raspberry at him.

Subaru: “What is this, pre-school? That’s not even a sound argument! Objection!”

Subaru raised his arms up to form an ‘X’ in retaliation.

Emilia and Puck only watched their banter in silence. Puck held a blank, indifferent expression, while Emilia was bewildered at the scene.

Puck: “Lia… maybe it’s best we leave these idiots alone.”

Emilia: “Ah… uhm…”

Subaru overheard Puck’s proposition over his arguing with Capella, and swiftly turned back around towards Emilia and Puck.

Subaru: “Hang on, now, I think you mean idiot. Singular. Don’t lump me in the same category as her.”

Subaru pointed his thumb behind him towards Capella, who was silently mocking him.

Puck: “Mmm, fine. Idiot…”

Puck pointed a paw at Capella, who scoffed, then pointed it towards Subaru.

Puck: “Moron. Happy?”

Subaru only sighed.

Subaru: “Whatever… okay, look, I have no significant ulterior motives. I just wanna help. Let’s see… one good deed per day, yeah?”

Emilia: “You have no significant ulterior motives? Implying you have smaller ones?”

Subaru: “Ah, well…”

He almost forgot he was summoned to a parallel world with so much going on all at once. Meeting an amnesiac girl, getting sexually harassed by said girl, getting attacked, passing out from blood-loss, and meeting probably the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.

Even for a fantasy world this was way too much to process in what… 5 minutes?

Now that things have settled somewhat, one question remained. That being: what should he do here?

At first, he thought Capella would be the catalyst for his epic isekai journey, but now Emilia seems like the ticket.

Pretty girl? Check.

On a mission? Check.

Needs help? Check.

Saved his life?

Subaru: [Unfortunately… Check.]

It was clear: This was where his journey began. From zero… to hero.

So, that was his ulterior motive.

…

Oh, yeah, also—

Subaru: “I suppose I just wanna have a small talk with that blonde girl myself…”

His tone, laced with pettiness, implied he had more than a small talk ready for her.

That, and he literally pounded his fist into his palm.

Capella: “Maybe it was your scary eyes that made her run.”

Subaru: “My eyes are not scary!”

Subaru glared at Capella with his scary eyes and then looked back at Emilia.

Subaru: “Both that, and I’d like to go on a little adventure myself, I guess you could say. But, those are all small reasons. I really do just wanna help you for the most part.”

Emilia stared at Subaru, stunned and unsure.

Emilia: “U-Uhm… Natsuki Subaru-san, yes?

Subaru: “Just call me Subaru.”

Subaru tried his best to do a charming wink, much to Puck’s disapproval.

Emilia: “Er, okay… Subaru-san. I-I don’t have any way to repay you…”

Subaru: “Agh, you’re too nice! I told you, I just want to help you! One good deed per day, that’s my earnest desire! You don’t need to repay me!”

Emilia could only look at him for a moment before closing her eyes and taking a deep, slightly shaky breath. For some reason that Subaru couldn’t figure out, she couldn’t believe someone wanted to help her so much… and for nothing too…

Finally, she opened her eyes, and smiled.

Emilia: “Alright, Subaru-san. I… I guess your help would be greatly appreciated.”

Subaru: […Cute…]

Puck: “I guess I’m not entirely opposed to it. A meat shield never hurts.”

Subaru: “That’s all I am to you?!”

Capella: “He’s not far off…”

Subaru: “You aren’t helping—actually… wait a second, Capella, what about you?”

Capella: “Hm?”

Subaru: “How much do you remember? Any family, friends?”

Capella: “Nothing beyond my beautiful name!”

She announced, hands on hips, loud and proud.

Subaru: “…Right. Well, how about you tag along? Y’know, kill two birds with one stone.”

Subaru, despite his annoyance towards Capella, still desired to help her. He knew he’d regret it if he didn’t, and besides, he kinda related to her at the moment… being lost and confused.

Puck then spoke up.

Puck: “Hey, hey, we never agreed to help her with her memory issues! Lia’s already dealing with enough herself.”

Emilia: “A-Actually, I’m perfectly fine with that. However, I’m reaaaallllllly against killing any birds. None of that!”

Subaru blank faced for a second before pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing.

Subaru: “Well, for one, I never asked either of you two to help her. Though your help would be appreciated, helping her is something I decided to do myself… and two, we aren’t killing any birds! It’s a figure of speech.”

Emilia blushed in embarrassment as she glanced away while Capella chuckled to herself.

Capella: “Well, though my irresistible charm and perfection may fool you, Capella-chan has nowhere to go, it seems…”

She then flashed a genuine toothy smile, putting a hand on Subaru’s shoulder, who immediately shrugged it off.

Capella: “I’d love to bask you all in my divine presence! I know you’d enjoy it especially, Subaru-kun…”

Subaru: “Don’t make me regret this anymore than I already do.”

Capella: “Watch your tongue when speaking to such a lovely maiden!”

Subaru: “I’m talking to a lovely maiden?”

Capella scoffed, but before she could retaliate, Emilia spoke up.

Emilia: “Uh… Subaru-san? You said you desire to do ‘one good deed per day,’ yes?”

Subaru: “That’s my motto! A-As of now, at least.”

Subaru scratched his cheek.

Emilia: “I see. Aren’t you trying to do two good deeds right now, though?”

…

Subaru: “Eh?”

Emilia: “In fact, you helped Capella-san earlier from what I’ve heard, so isn’t your one good deed already complete?”

Subaru: “Huh? W-Wait, stop! That doesn’t count! I meant one good deed per day as of now!”

Emilia only giggled, which made Subaru blush slightly.

Emilia: “Subaru-san, you’re the type to waste their whole life, aren’t you?”

Capella: “PFT—“

Capella, barely being able to stifle her laugh, crouched in the corner of the alley, facing away from the others.

Subaru: “Ah… You… t-that’s…”

Emilia: “W-Wait, I didn’t mean that in a bad way! Er… actually that is pretty bad… Well—“

Puck: “Lia, I hate to interrupt you, but we really should get going. Who knows where that insignia will be by nightfall?”

Emilia: “Oh, right! We need to go!”

Subaru: “Uhm, y-yeah!”

Capella: “Hehe… Alright, meat shield. Treat us well!”

Subaru, grabbing his bag of now otherworldly groceries, only sulked as they ran out the alley.

Subaru: […This is not how my isekai story is supposed to go…]

——

The newly founded ‘Natsuki’ squad began wandering the streets of Lugunica’s shopping district.

Well, it was only the ‘Natsuki’ squad to the man himself as when he proposed the name he was immediately shot down by Capella and Puck.

He was really feeling like a side character right now…

On a more important note, one thing Subaru’s mean eyes noticed was that the local pedestrians that surrounded them on this bustling street slightly parted when nearing them. Like water to oil, they were being avoided.

Along with this discovery, he also noticed that they were attracting many stares, and definitely not the good kinds; whatever those would look like.

Subaru: [Strange…]

Glancing at Emilia, he saw that her expression was almost completely stoic. It seemed like a lot of the mean stares were towards her for a reason he couldn’t seem to fathom. Though she put up a brave face, he could tell it was getting to her.

Subaru: “Hey, Emilia?”

Emilia: “Hm?”

Subaru: “Why’re so many people staring at you? S-Sorry if that was tactless of me!”

Emilia stopped walking for just a moment, before continuing.

Emilia: “Well… it’s only natural.”

She bit her lip, preparing herself to lose her new companions.

Emilia: “I’m a silver-haired half-elf after all…”

Emilia only waited for Subaru’s response, while Puck stood on guard, both to protect and comfort her.

Then, it was as if a lightbulb turned on in Subaru’s head.

Subaru: “Ohh… No wonder you’re so pretty…”

Emilia: “Eh?!”

Both Emilia and Puck’s eyes widened at Subaru’s response.

Subaru: “Elves are always beautiful, aren’t they?”

Subaru nodded to himself, mindlessly talking.

Subaru: “I’m not sure why that warrants all these hateful stares, though. Maybe they’re just jealous? They seem a bit too intense just to be jealous…”

Emilia: “H-Hang on, wait a second—!”

Subaru: “Huh? Did I say something wrong?”

Puck: “You said something, that’s for sure!”

Emilia: “…I-I said I’m a silver haired half-elf, Subaru-san!”

Subaru: “Yeah, I heard you.”

…

Emilia wasn’t sure what to do. This was NOT on her bingo card.

Capella suddenly exclaimed from the back, poking Subaru.

Capella: “You’re totally all over her!”

He turned to Capella, bright red, waving his hands around in flustered rejection.

Subaru: “N-No! I’m just… agh! Shut up!”

Capella: “‘No wonder you’re so pretty’ You’re real smooth! You might just get her with that one!”

Capella deepened her voice to perform a very poor impression of Subaru.

Subaru: “I was just talking without thinking… a-and, I—“

Emilia only watched their bickering once more with bewilderment. Not towards their absurd acts, but towards the fact that… they don’t care.

They didn’t shun her immediately, they didn’t treat her any differently… Not better, nor worse.

They just… accepted it.

And that made her really happy.

Puck unexpectedly flew into the war zone, adorably shouting as his soft, fluffy fist collided into Subaru’s cheek with anti-climactic force.

Subaru: “W-What’d you do that for?!”

Puck: “Sorry, I just had to do something about this strange tingle I’m feeling!”

Subaru: “…Man, you’re weird. I’ll forgive you because it was soft, though.”

Capella: “Really?! Punch me!”

Subaru and Puck could’ve sworn Capella had stars in her eyes at Subaru’s description of Puck’s punch.

Puck just shrugged and did as she asked, but with a little more flare.

Puck: “Paw-punch!”

While Capella was basking in Puck’s softness, Subaru stared. His eyes laid on Capella’s… admittedly problematic outfit.

Capella: “What? Like what you see?”

Subaru: “...”

He then glanced at the staring pedestrians that passed. Not all of them were staring at Emilia.

Capella: “This lady can’t help but notice you didn’t answer my question—“

Subaru: “Okay, I know we’re on a really important mission right now, but can we make a small detour to get Capella some actual clothes?”

Capella: “Is my beauty that distracting?”

Subaru: “Distracting enough to bring trouble if we don’t do anything about it! There’s kids here, you know.”

Capella: “And?”

Subaru: “Your lack of shame amazes and disgusts me.”

Capella: “It’s not like I can do anything about it. This lady is in financial despair! How about you—“

Before she could even finish her sentence, Subaru cut her off.

Subaru: “Broke beyond compare right here.”

Puck sighed and placed his paws on his hips.

Puck: “Wow, you two make a great team.”

Emilia: “Well… There aren’t any clothing stores nearby… they’d be preeeetty out of the way.”

Puck: “Why’re you even wearing that in the first place?”

Puck floated around Capella inspecting her outfit.

Capella: “I thought I told you, I woke up with it on!”

Puck: “Hm… at least you had something on.”

Capella: “Are you trying to say this body isn’t the peak of human desire?”

Puck just stared at her disapprovingly.

Puck: “Golly, Subaru is right. You are shameless. Well, as a spirit, I don’t mingle with that lust stuff you humans do.”

Puck whispered the word lust, leaning away from Emilia, like a protective parent trying to shield his child’s innocence.

Puck: “However, if I were a human, I wouldn’t even pick you if you were the only woman alive.”

Puck put on a playful condescending voice, a menacing shadow might as well have casted over his eyes.

Capella: “Why—you!”

Capella lunged towards Puck, only for him to casually float out of the way.

Puck: “Too slow!”

Subaru took a moment to consider his options.

Subaru: “Okay, here. How about this.”

ZZZIP

Subaru took off his tracksuit and handed it to Capella, leaving himself in a plain black t-shirt.

Subaru: “Just wear this.”

Capella and Puck stopped their cat and mouse chase, Capella glanced at Subaru before taking the tracksuit with a smirk.

Capella: “What a gentleman you are~”

Subaru: “Don’t even start.”

Capella slid on the tracksuit with ease. Being considerably shorter than Subaru, it was a bit too big for her, but it fit. She left the zipper open, however, unsure of what to do with it.

Subaru: “Ah, wait, you don’t have zippers here? I guess that makes sense. Medieval period and all… Here.”

“Zippers?” Everyone else questioned as Subaru leaned towards Capella and grabbed the bottom of the tracksuit, interlocking the zipper and zipping it all the way up, successfully hiding her nearly exposed chest. It wasn’t like there was much to display, but he would keep that thought to himself.

Subaru: “There we go!”

Leaning back up to admire his one-second worth of work, he saw Capella stood still, enamored by the zipper. The sleeves of the tracksuit were just barely longer than her arms, concealing her hands, which were hovering around the zipper.

It was an interesting outfit, for sure; a tracksuit with purple stockings, but Subaru couldn’t deny it… she was quite adorable.

Noticing the sudden silence, he turned around to see a remotely interested Puck and a stunned Emilia, though his gaze was enough to snap her out of it.

Emilia: “—Er, Subaru-san, I’ve been meaning to ask… Where are you from? Your clothes are so strange, your hair is such an unnatural color, and your appearance and physique makes it hard to tell whether you’re a peasant or a noble…”

Subaru: “Where am I from?”

Subaru prepared for this question. He can’t just say “Oh, I’m from another world!” He’d definitely be seen as some insane weirdo. All it took was a simple, slightly ambiguous but specific enough answer, and he’d be in the clear.

He cleared his throat for dramatic effect.

Subaru: “A small island nation to the east. You may not have heard of it…”

Emilia: “Huh? But Lugunica is the easternmost nation on our map…”

Subaru: “…Lugunica?”

Emilia: “Yes, Lugunica. We’re in Lugunica right now.”

…

Emilia: “D-Did you not know that—?”

Subaru: “Eh?! Seriously?!”

Subaru felt Puck’s eyes narrow.

Emilia: “Oh dear… Are… are you in a similar situation as Capella-san, Subaru-san?”

Subaru: “N-No, I—“

ZZZIP

Subaru was promptly interrupted by the familiar unzipping of a certain tracksuit.

Subaru: “Capella…?”

Subaru turned around to see Capella reverting to her shameless exhibitionist ways. The tracksuit, which she was still wearing, was now fully unzipped.

Capella: “…It’s hot.”

He then turned to Emilia

Subaru: “Uh… let’s talk about all that later.”

——

After a few minutes of physical banter, which Puck and Emilia tuned out. Capella and Subaru finally agreed on having the zipper zipped halfway. It concealed her enough to only receive the occasional disapproving glance.

It’s been a solid two hours at least, and they haven’t gotten any leads on the blonde girl they’re on the hunt for.

Suddenly, something crossed Subaru’s mind.

During his time in Lugunica, he’s seen magic multiple times, but never anything like Capella’s magic when she fought those thugs…

Is that… regular magic? Something felt off about it.

Subaru: “Hey, Capella?”

Capella: “Yeah, meat shield?”

Subaru: “That… thing you did in the alley. What was that?”

Capella raised a brow, trying to recall what he could possibly be referring to.

Capella: “Oh… that.”

Suddenly her voice shifted from her typical obnoxious, arrogant, teasing tone, to something more serious, which reasonably startled Subaru.

Emilia: “Capella-san, Subaru-san, is something wrong?”

Subaru: “Uh… I’m not sure.”

Capella’s brows furrowed as if she was trying to recall the events in vivid detail.

Capella: “I just… did that on instinct. I didn’t know I could.”

She muttered just loud enough for everyone else to hear as she stared at her own hands.

Puck: “It’d be great if you two stopped being so cryptic.”

Subaru turned towards Puck, who floated around Emilia in his usual playful yet indifferent demeanor.

Subaru: “Oh, yeah. Um, it’s kinda hard to explain… Uhh… GAH!”

Without warning, Subaru felt Capella grasp his shoulder. Normally, such a feeling wouldn’t be so startling, except for the fact that Capella was too far to do such a thing.

Her arm stretched out like fleshy chewing gum towards Subaru’s shoulder.

The four stared wide eyed at the scene.

…

Capella: “Oh.”

Emilia: “W-What…”

Puck: “…”

…

Subaru, accepting the situation faster than he should’ve, pointed towards his shoulder.

Subaru: “So, this is what we were talking about. Except her hand didn’t do this earlier. Instead, it grew… really big.”

He was met with silence.

Gradually, Capella’s breathing started getting heavier. Eventually, after a few more seconds, Capella’s hand snapped back to normal with a disgusting squishy flesh sound, leaving her out of breath.

Capella: “Gah! Hah… That’s exhausting…”

Emilia and Puck continued to stare. It was almost like they were frozen in time.

Subaru: “So… is that normal—?”

Puck promptly interrupted him.

Puck: “No! Is that even a question?! Absolutely not!”

Emilia: “C-Capella-san, are you okay?”

Capella: “Y-Yup… hah… It’s to be expected that a dazzling beauty, such as… hah… myself, is superior to everyone else.”

Subaru: “Puck said you aren’t normal, not superior.”

Capella: “In my case, that’d only mean I’m superior.”

Subaru: “Sure…”

Emilia: “You both are… reaaalllly interesting.”

Puck: “Lia… these two might be trouble… maybe we should reconsider—”

Subaru: “Okay, what did I do?! Capella I can understand, but—!”

Capella: “What was that, meatbag?!”

Subaru: “Stop calling people meatbags—!”

Suddenly, the cry of a child entered the ears of the four.

——

Emilia: “Hey… little girl, are you lost?”

Emilia insisted that they’d go help this lost child, despite the pretty tight time crunch they were on. Puck reminded her, but she was adamant. The sky was gradually getting darker.

While they were losing time, Subaru admired Emilia for her seemingly… reckless kindness?

The girl looked towards Emilia, and her frown only grew more, before she burst into even more tears.

Emilia looked hurt and unsure how to proceed.

Subaru: [Yikes…]

Capella: “Yeesh, this girl’s annoying! Hmm… Ooh~! What if I try using my special ability on her?”

A devious sparkle gleamed in Capella’s eyes.

Subaru: “And what’ll that do?! We aren’t trying to give little kids nightmares.”

She pouted.

Capella: “As if my beautiful body could cause nightmares.”

Subaru: “Sigh… Let me try.”

Walking up to the crying child and the panicking Emilia, Subaru inserted himself into the chaos with his self-proclaimed mission as the peacemaker.

Reaching into his grocery bag, he grabbed something small that he was rather surprised to see.

Subaru: [Oh, I almost forgot about this. I guess it’ll work.]

And in one deep breath.

Subaru: “Huzzah!”

Making his entrance known by shouting ‘Huzzah!’ and extending his hand out between the two parties, he successfully startled the two into silence. A perfect exordium.

Subaru: “What I have here is a ridged 10-yen coin! One of a kind! You’ll never see something like this anywhere else…”

Gradually, everyone got increasingly interested from Subaru’s words. Even Capella was peeking over his shoulder, unbeknownst to him.

Subaru: “Now, watch as I squeeze it tight… just like that… tight, tight, tight! Now, I open my hand… where did it go?”

An audible gasp could be heard from both the child and Emilia.

Subaru: [Huh… maybe I should become a magician.]

Subaru gently reached his hand behind the child’s ear, and pulled it back out, along with the same ridged 10-yen coin. The child’s eyes sparkled in wonder and excitement.

Child: “W-Woah…”

Emilia: “How did you…”

The sight of Emilia being just as amazed as the child was amusing to Subaru, what he did not expect however was—

Subaru: “Oomph—!”

Capella: “How did you do that?!”

Capella firmly grabbed Subaru’s shoulders, and forced him to face her, rattling him back and forth.

Subaru: “A-Ah! Sto~p Sha~king M~e!”

She abruptly stopped and stared directly into his eyes. She looked… absurdly shocked, but also determined?

Capella: “Tell me how you did that.”

Subaru couldn’t help but form a smug smile.

Subaru: “Surprised? Amazed? Bedazzled? Sorry, but a magician never reveals his secrets.”

Capella: “Do it again, then. I’ll figure it out.”

Subaru: “Huh?”

Capella: “Is the meat shield deaf? Capella-chan said do it again. When I’m done with you, you won’t have any of your pathetic little secrets left~”

She slowly leaned in, eyes locked into his soul as she talked.

Subaru: “Why are you so eager about this? It’s just sleight of hand… a-and why did you say it like that?!”

Child: “Mister!”

Subaru was cut off by the little girl grabbing his leg, a beaming smile radiated from her face.

Child: “That was so cool!”

It warmed his heart.

Subaru: “Really? Well, I’m glad you think so! Here.”

He gently rested the coin on the child’s hand.

Subaru: “You can have it! Remember, it’s one of a kind. Super rare! Be sure to take care of it.”

Child: “Hm—Hm!”

The child eagerly nodded her head up and down as she gazed in astonishment at her new gift.

Capella: “Hey! No! I said do the magic trick again! You’re gonna give it away to the stupid chil—?”

Subaru promptly interrupted Capella.

Subaru: “Chill. It’s just a magic trick. I don’t need that specific coin to do it, y’know. I can do it with anything I can fit into the palm of my hand…”

Capella: “Then—!”

Subaru put a palm to her face.

Subaru: “No, calm down, I’ll show you later.”

Her shoulders slumped as she looked genuinely defeated.

Emilia: “Hehe… You’re reaaallllyy good with kids, aren’t you, Subaru-san?”

Emilia smiled as her gaze lingered on Subaru before drifting to Capella.

Subaru: “I guess so.”

…

Capella: “I’m not a kid!”

——

Kadomon: “It seems you’ve helped my daughter. Sorry about earlier… You can ask me anything.”

As it turns out, the child happened to be Kadomon’s daughter. How convenient!

Subaru: [I should’ve known. It’s how these stories work… Despite how big this world seems, everyone I meet or help is gonna play some role sooner or later…]

Subaru then glanced at Capella, and let out a resigned chuckle to himself.

Subaru: [Whether I like it or not…]

Emilia: “There! Our little detour turned around and benefited us in the end!”

Puck: “Great job, Lia. Please, do consider when you do your kind acts more often, though. I’m not available all-day…”

Subaru: “You aren’t?”

Capella: “You know, maybe you’re both the type to waste their lives…”

Capella stifled a laugh.

Subaru: “Ugh…”

Subaru turned to Kadomon.

Subaru: “Well, there is one thing we’d like to know.”

——

Subaru: “Are you sure he said she’s here?”

The Natsuki squad patrolled the slums under the night sky. The cold air stung Subaru’s skin, not that it was freezing… The atmosphere was unnerving.

As they traversed the barren fields, they were being stared at. It was no different from the capital, except these stares were from the shadows, and way more devious.

Emilia: “Well, it is what he said… I don’t see why he would lie.”

{}

Kadomon: “A nimble little blonde you say? Ain’t that her?”

Kadomon pointed at Capella.

Capella: “Why would it be me?!”

Subaru: “No, no… There’s another one.”

Kadomon pinched his chin in thought.

Kadomon: “You’re probably looking for that Felt girl I’ve been seeing around, then… She’s pretty well-known in the slums, but that’s about as much as I can tell ya’. Dunno where she lives.”

{}

Subaru: “I guess…”

——

After traversing the slums for a while, Puck had to go back into Emilia’s crystal as he was “out of time.”

Subaru: [So that’s what he meant, earlier…]

Emilia: “He works reaallllyyy hard…”

Subaru: “He’s really in that thing?”

Subaru curiously eyed the crystal that hung around Emilia’s neck like a necklace.

Emilia: “Mhm… Have you never seen a glintstone before, Subaru-san?”

Subaru: “Nah, t-they aren’t really around where I’m from.”

Capella: “Except… you don’t know where you’re from.”

Subaru: “Look, it’s… complicated.”

Before disappearing, Puck told Subaru… and begrudgingly, Capella, that he was leaving everything in their hands. So, with the trust of her guardian, Subaru had an entire new layer of determination to get Emilia’s insignia back.

Subaru: “Anyways… that’s one down, three remaining.”

Emilia: “You make it sound like he passed on…”

Capella: “My my, Subaru-kun… Now, you’re alone with two girls. Please be gentle with us—“

Subaru: “Stop making this all so weird! You’re somehow making things weirder than I ever could!”

Subaru flailed his hands around before blushing and covering his face in rejection.

Emilia: “Subaru-san, I trust you enough, but don’t get any ideas. I know magic.”

Subaru: “I’m not! I wasn’t!”

Capella chuckled to herself as her mission to tease Subaru for the hundredth time was a phenomenal success.

——

Subaru: “So, those little lights told us to go over here?”

Emilia: “They said they last saw her in this direction…”

Capella: “We better not be lost…”

Emilia: “Maybe we could ask someone?”

Capella: “This lady doubts it’ll work. Slum meat wouldn’t rat out their own for nothing…”

Subaru: “‘Scuse me, man!”

Subaru suddenly put on a more… “hip” tone of voice. Emilia and Capella, confused as to what prompted him to do such a thing, turned to find him talking to one of the slum residents.

Subaru: “Know if a girl named Felt lives somewhere this way?”

Slum resident: “Ya lookin’ for Felt? There’s nothin’ that way except for Old Man Rom’s loot house. Might have what ya’ lookin’ for. Heh, must’ve lost something pretty important if y’all had to come out here. Well, I wish you luck on bargaining for it, live strong!”

Subaru: “Live strong!”

…

Capella: “…Oh.”

——

The air was still.

The night grew colder.

Subaru, Emilia, and Capella stood in front of the loot house they were informed of.

It’s interior was pitch black, absorbing all light around into its unforgiving void.

An inexplicable chill went down Subaru’s spine.

Capella: “Scared~?”

Subaru: “Eep—! Ah, I mean, ahem, no, not at all.”

Capella: “Hehe, what kind of meat shield are you if you’re scared of the dark?”

Emilia: “Eh? You’re scared of the dark? I apologize for keeping you out so late, then…”

Subaru: “N-No! I’m not scared of the dark! That’s not even… sigh. Forget it.”

Subaru took a reassuring breath before slowly approaching the porch of the loot house.

Subaru: “Alright. Project: Negotiator Natsuki is a go.”

Emilia: “I still think it’s unfair that we have to pay for something that’s rightfully mine…”

Subaru: “That’s just how it works around here… best to play by the rules.”

Capella: “Would you care for this… bedazzling lady to come with you?”

Capella paused as if she was searching for new adjectives to describe herself.

Subaru: “No, no. This is my job as a man! I appreciate the offer, but I gotta take on the scary stuff.”

Capella: “So, you admit it, you are scared!”

Capella pointed and mockingly cackled at Subaru.

Subaru: “I never said I wasn’t!”

Emilia: “You did though…”

Subaru: “I… Fine. J-Just… leave it all to me, okay?”

Emilia: “All right, then. I trust you.”

Subaru: “…You agreed to that pretty easily.”

Emilia: “Eh? Was I not supposed to?”

Subaru: “No, no, just… I expected something like: ‘You want me to leave this to a useless boy like you? That’s such a ridiculous idea, it actually hurts my stomach!’ And then, although that would stomp all over my feelings, I’d still decide to help you.”

Capella dead-panned.

Capella: “You’re really desperate.”

Emilia: “I’d never say such a thing!”

…

Emilia: “Well, I’d be lying if I said you two haven’t been holding me back a bit…”

Subaru: “Right…”

Capella: “Kya-haha!”

Capella broke into another laughing fit.

Subaru: “That includes you too, shorty!”

Capella: “This lady’s not the one in love with her!”

Emilia: “Wh—Eh?! Love? Me?!”

Subaru: “N-No! Yes? I don’t?! Agh! We’re stalling, just… let’s get this over with.”

Emilia: “W-Wait! You’ll probably want this…”

Subaru: “Huh?”

Emilia ran to the flustered Subaru, took his hand, which he stifled a blush at, and put a glowing stone in it.

Subaru: “What’s this?”

Emilia: “It’s a lagmite. It’ll light up the inside so you won’t be as scared!”

Subaru: “I’m not scared of the dark!”

Emilia: “Well, it should still be of use to you, Subaru-san…”

Subaru: “Right… Ah, also, you can drop the honorific, y’know. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Emilia: “F-Friends?”

Subaru: “Yeah! W-What? You don’t wanna be—?”

Emilia: “No, no, I do! I just… You can’t just say that out of nowhere, Subaru-san! Especially to me!”

Subaru: “Eh? I can’t? Is there some law on spontaneous friendships over here?”

Emilia couldn’t say anything at that moment, except for one word.

Emilia: “…Dunderhead…”

Subaru: [Dunderhead? Holy crap, I haven’t heard that in forever…]

Emilia: “W-Well, Subaru. I’m leaving this in your hands.”

Subaru gave her a thumbs up, accompanied with a wink before gently making his way into the loot house.

Subaru: “You got it!”

And with that, Emilia and Capella were left outside, alone.

…

Capella: “You aren’t getting that insignia back.”

Emilia: “Well, I have faith in him! I’m sure he can manage it.”

Capella and Emilia stood together, watching Subaru as he only leaned through the doorway, searching through the darkness.

Capella: “Heh, he says he’s not scared of the dark, yet he sure acts like it.”

Emilia chuckled.

Emilia: “Capella-san?”

Capella: “You don’t have to give me an honorific either, ya know! I would have you call me ‘Capella-chan,’ but since you did save my life, I’ll allow you some leeway.”

Capella talked with arrogance, but she didn’t really mean it.

Or maybe she did, Emilia couldn’t really tell…

Emilia: “Haha… alright, then. Capella, I have a question.”

Capella: “This lady may have an answer. What’cha got?”

Emilia: “Is… Is Subaru… really in love with me?”

Capella: “Oh? Are you starting to catch feelings for him too~?”

Emilia: “Er, well… No? I don’t know. I don’t really know what love is.”

Capella went silent for a moment.

Capella: “Huh… Really?”

Something… deep down inside Capella reacted.

She grasped her forehead with her palm as if she had a headache.

Her heartbeat grew more intense… Well, she thought it was her heart.

She felt like she could relate to Emilia, but she couldn’t understand why…

Emilia: “I-I mean… I’m just worried. What if he tries to kiss me? I’m not ready for babies yet, I just met him!”

Capella: “W-Woah! Wait, what?”

Now Capella was confused.

Capella: “Wait, kissing doesn’t… Why do you even think—?”

——

The chill in Subaru’s spine grew to absurd levels upon entering the loot house, yet he persevered.

Subaru: “Alright, world, what’re you gonna throw at me? A demon nest? Snake pit? Either is plausible in a fantasy world…”

Subaru shined the lagmite across the walls, illuminating the various stolen goods.

Subaru: “All of this is stolen loot? Wow, impressive. I don’t see anybody, though…”

Gathering the courage to go deeper, Subaru brought his entire body through the door frame, fully entering the loot house. The door naturally shut behind him.

Subaru: “Is this Rom guy not home? Negotiator Natsuki is completely useless, then!”

Subaru walked further into the loot hou—

SQUISH

Subaru: “Huh?”

He stepped in something.

DRIP

DRIP

DRIP

Turning the lagmite towards the source of the sound, the sight made his stomach turn.

A dead body.

Natsuki Subaru has played rated M video games. He has watched rated M movies before. He’s seen gore.

But this… to see it in person…

He felt sick to his stomach.

The smell of blood finally hit his nostrils.

His pupils dilated as he stood frozen, unable to scream out of fear.

It wasn’t just because he was staring at a corpse.

The blood… it was still flowing.

The body is fresh..

And if the body is fresh, that means the killer can’t be far—

????: “Oh dear, you found that? How unfortunate. It appears I have no choice, then…”

Tonight was not a very good night for Natsuki Subaru.

——

Before he could react, Subaru was on the floor. He was bleeding. Bleeding profusely. His stomach had been slashed so deep that the skin on his back was the only reliable thing keeping his two halves together.

The feeling of the very essence of life, flowing out of his body like an unstoppable fire hose was inexplicably painful and dreadful.

Blood invaded his mouth, the taste of iron overwhelming his senses.

No matter how much he tried to hug himself to keep the blood in, it only made things worse.

His top half spasmed and thrashed, his bottom half completely limp from the severed connection.

Never has Subaru been hurt so bad in his life.

He was gonna die.

Subaru: [Ithurtsithurtsithurtsithurtsithurts]

The pain was forefront on his mind and no other thought could overtake it.

He had no energy to be terrified anymore.

He could’ve sworn through his blurry, darkening vision he saw destruction. Something was happening, something chaotic.

But, soon enough, all the blood within his body escaped, rendering him nothing but a bag of meat.

Natsuki Subaru has died.

—-

…

Voices.

???: “Su—ru—?”

…

???: “M—bag—!”

He heard voices.

???: “—baru! Su—san!”

Slowly, his vision came—

SMACK

Capella: “Hey! Wake up, meatbag!”

Emilia: “S-Subaru-san, is everything okay?”

…

Subaru: “Huh?”

His vision rejuvenated.

A short blonde girl and a taller silver-haired girl stood in front of him.

…

Subaru silently looked up into the sky.

Subaru: “W-What?”

Capella: “What’s the deal with you?”

Emilia: “Subaru-san… is something wrong?”

Puck: “What’s the problem? You’re wasting time…”

Emilia: “Puck… I-I think something is really wrong…”

Subaru kept his gaze on the sky.

The clouds drifted as the sounds of a bustling shopping district surrounded him.

Slowly, the sun made itself known through the parting clouds.

It was morning.

Wasn’t it?

Subaru: “The sun…”

Capella: “Yeah, that’s what that is.”

Capella, though still teasing, gazed at Subaru curiously and somewhat concerned. Emilia shared a similar look.

To Subaru, everything he was currently perceiving with his own two eyes was an enigma.

Was it all a dream? Why does he remember it so vividly?

A thousand questions raced through the raven-haired boy’s mind, yet his brain went as slow as a sloth.

…

Subaru: “I’m… alive? D-Did you two heal me?”

Capella: “Huh?”

Emilia: “Eh?”

Puck: “Did you lose your mind or something?”

…

Subaru’s eyes darted around.

Emilia: “Ah… U-Uhm…”

Capella: “Hey. Calm down.”

Capella put a hand on his shoulder, which caught his attention.

Capella: “I don’t wanna slap you again. It hurts my pretty hand.”

She daintily inspected her hand that she slapped Subaru with.

Subaru: […Right, okay… I’m here… in the shopping district… We were still looking for Felt…]

Subaru: “Ah… S-Sorry, I just… I guess I zoned out really hard or something.”

Subaru: [They don’t look like they remember anything… and my mind is all fuzzy… was it really just a dream?]

Subaru was unsure how to proceed.

Puck: “You zoning out is costing us precious time… Could you not do that?”

Puck jetting his tail out accusingly towards Subaru, to which he responded with a salute.

Subaru: “R-Right, sorry!”

Puck: “Good soldier!”

Emilia: “Subaru-san, pleeeaaassseee try not to dilly dally again…”

Subaru: “Eh? O-Oh, yeah. Sorry. That was a one-time thing, probably…”

Capella glanced worriedly at Subaru. Clearly something was rushing through his head, but it was unreadable on his face.

She decided to leave him to his own battles for now.

——

Everything felt eerie to Subaru. It felt like everything had eyes, and they were all staring straight through him.

Though his mind was fuzzy, he continued through the day.

Everything felt eerily familiar…

Conversations muffled together, it was like he was on autopilot.

They found Kadomon’s daughter, got information on Felt, and they were walking to the slums…

…

Eventually, before Subaru even realized it, they were in front of the loot house.

Emilia: “This place looks a little creeeeepy…”

Subaru: “…”

Capella: “Scared~?”

Capella pounced on Subaru’s back, which successfully made him jump.

Subaru: “Y-Yeah… a little bit.”

This house was practically burned into his mind from whatever that cruel dream was.

He wanted to tell himself that it was no big deal. That it was just a dream. That he would go in there, get the insignia, and live happily ever after.

But something else told him to heed… whatever the hell that dream was trying to tell him.

Subaru: “So… a-are we sure your insignia is in there?”

Emilia: “I’m not completely confident… but it’s worth checking…”

Emilia walked towards the entrance.

Subaru: “W-Wait!”

Emilia: “Hm?”

Subaru called out to Emilia as she reached the door to the loot house.

If this dream he had is to be taken seriously, the lady who killed him is still in that house.

Should Emilia go in there, she would be in danger.

Subaru: “There… There’s somebody in there. Someone dangerous, I think.”

Emilia: “Eh?”

Capella: “Are you serious? Or are you just stalling?”

Subaru: “N-No… I… a-agh!”

Emilia: “S-Subaru-san!”

Out of nowhere, a headache attacked Subaru along with flashing visions assaulting his eyes.

The dead body.

Subaru felt sick to his stomach.

Though he’s seen gore in fiction, nothing could compare to real life.

What shook him even more was the fact that the body was fresh by the time he got to the loot house. The unknown man’s death could’ve been minutes… possibly seconds before Subaru’s.

Capella: “Hey, snap out of it!”

As Subaru looked into the sky, a dark blue glow casted itself across the horizon.

They were here earlier. In the dream, it was midnight. Was he holding them back?

…

Could he still be alive?

The warmer atmosphere and subtle light from the windows of the lighthouse conjured a more hopeful feeling within Subaru.

Whoever that man was, he could prevent his death if events are gonna follow close to, if not, exactly how the dream went.

…

Sure, it’s none of his business. He never met the guy, but…

Subaru: [If I have the knowledge that someone nearby is gonna die—someone I can save. Can I just ignore it?]

Subaru only stared at the looming loot house as the seconds ticked off one by one in his mind.

Is he dead, or alive? Was he too late, or is he about to be too late?

All he had to do was open the door to find out, and his chances got worse by the second.

He was playing one fucked up game with Schrödinger’s cat.

Capella: “Sheesh, you’ve been acting strange ever since the capital… Are you okay?”

Capella, feigning annoyance, looked up at Subaru as he glanced back, disassociated.

He’s been unusually quiet the whole day. Capella and Emilia only met him today, but they could tell he’s not normally like this.

Subaru took a step towards the loot house.

He wanted to barge the door open and warn the man inside of what’ll happen, but he was scared.

He could send Emilia or Capella inside—

Subaru: [No… They don’t know anything about the killer. The last thing I want is for them to die too…]

Subaru: “Ngh!”

Another headache assaulted his mind.

A vision.

…

Come to think of it… weren’t there two dead bodies?

It was only for a moment, but in the dream, Subaru could’ve sworn there were two dead bodies.

A giant man, and…

A little blonde girl…

Felt?

Two lives are in play now. A man and a child. That was Subaru’s breaking point.

Emilia: “Eh? S-Subaru-san!”

Capella: “Woah!”

Subaru briskly walked to the door of the loot house with hesitation present in each step, yet it was overcome with simultaneous hope and fear.

Fear that it could already be too late, that the man and child could already be dead, and he’ll be next.

Hope that that isn’t the case. That he’d be just in time to prevent this tragedy from happening.

The life of two people in there depend on the entrance of one Natsuki Subaru, and he’ll be damned if he wasn’t gonna give them one hell of an entrance.

Emilia: “W-Wait, Subaru-san!”

Capella: “You said some dangerous meatbag is in there, right? Why are you barging in?!”

His hand clamped the door knob, and in one great push…

——

He was too hopeful.

Tears welled in his eyes as the same hellish experience pulsed through his nerves.

The giant and Felt were already dead. The eerie silence should’ve given it away… what the hell was he thinking?!

It played out just like in the dream, which made it worse. He knew what was coming.

The pain was instant.

Two halves completely severed. Snapped like a kit-kat bar.

Writhing on the ground, through Subaru’s blurry vision, he saw the outlines of Capella and Emilia, presumably trying to heal him. The pain eased ever so slightly. He was thankful for that.

Though, they ran in right after him…

Subaru: [T-The woman should still be here… aren’t they in danger?]

His mind was too clouded to think about it any further.

There were few things Subaru thought in his final moments. Thoughts of regret, thoughts of hatred, thoughts of sadness… but one stood out among the rest.

Subaru: [Mom… Dad… Why am I even here?]

——

Voices

Capella: “—ag!”

Visions

Emilia: “—aru-san!”

As the sight of the world converged around him, Subaru blinked.

His weight was too much for his legs to handle at the moment.

THUD

Emilia: “Subaru-san!”

Capella: “H-Hah? What’s the deal with you?”

Falling to his knees, and getting on all fours, Subaru began hyperventilating.

He just died… again.

That felt too real to be a dream…

Subaru: [You… you can’t be serious… What the hell is happening?!]

Puck: “Where’d this all come from?”

Slowly, Subaru’s mind was putting things together as he slowly stood up, clutching his stomach.

Subaru: [T-This is… back at the shopping district… not too long before we find Kadomon’s daughter…]

Looking up into the light orange sky, a bead of sweat glided down his forehead.

Capella: “You having a stomach-ache or something?”

Subaru: “Ah… I…”

His eyes darted between Capella, Emilia, and Puck as his thoughts went all over the place.

Subaru: [Do I tell them that I died? I don’t even know if that was a dream anymore… No, I shouldn’t tell them. That’s way too big of a bombshell, and I’m not even sure about it myself… Would they even believe me? They’d probably think I’m crazy.]

Unbeknownst to Subaru, his short panic attack gathered a small crowd.

Subaru: “Huh? A-Ah! Sorry, everyone, nothing to be worried about!”

The crowd slowly dispersed with worried glances and unintelligible muttering.

???: “Excuse me, but… are you all right? I can sense your emotions are all over the place.”

Subaru: “Huh?”

Turning around to the source of the sound, Subaru was met with a rather handsome man emerging from the crowd.

His hair was an eye-catching flaming red, which his eyes contrasted with a captivating sky blue.

His majestic, open white coat with beautiful lilac lining flowed behind him as he approached the comparatively unimpressive boy.

It was as if this man was the pinnacle of grace.

Staring at him and his attire, Subaru innerly chuckled.

Subaru: [Oh, I get it. This guy’s the main character, and I’m just here to watch.]

???: “Ah, I’m sorry, I apologize for reading you without your permission.”

Subaru: “N-No, no, it’s fine. Wait, you can do that—?“

Puck: “Sword saint? What’re you doing here?”

Subaru nearly coughed at the glamorous title.

Subaru: “Sword saint? That’s his name? He’s totally the protagonist!”

He declared, eyeing Reinhard up and down.

Reinhard: “A-Ah, well, that nickname is rather much…”

Capella: “Eh? Sword saint? Oh! You’re that meatbag?”

Subaru immediately elbowed Capella.

Subaru: “Will you stop calling everyone ‘meatbag?’”

Emilia: “S-Sword saint-san… I didn’t think I’d meet you so suddenly!”

Reinhard: “Please, please, all of you, just call me Reinhard.”

Reinhard turned to Puck, donning a friendly smile and placing his hands on his hips.

Reinhard: “To answer your question, I just so happen to be off duty today. I sensed something quite distressing over here along with the forming crowd, but thankfully it seems everything is alright. Though, you do still appear a bit on edge… Is everything alright?”

He eyed Subaru inquisitively.

Subaru: “Ah, well, I… Yeah, I just… remembered something.”

Trying his best to brush it off, Subaru scratched his cheek and let out a small awkward chuckle. While what he experienced certainly shook him to his core, he had no desire to bring it up. He didn’t want to bother the others—he wasn’t even sure what was happening himself…

While Emilia accepted that answer. Capella analyzed him from behind, admittedly worried.

Capella: [And whatever you remembered was that harrowing?]

Reinhard’s eyes narrowed for just a moment, as if he was analyzing him.

Reinhard: “I see, my apologies. I didn’t mean to pry.”

Subaru: “No, no! You’re fine—Reinhard, is it? Um… who are you? That might be a dumb question, actually—“

Capella: “You don’t know who the Sword saint is?!”

Subaru: “…No.”

Everyone’s eyes, especially Reinhard’s, widened in surprise; Puck sighed.

Puck: “Are you sure you don’t have a faulty memory too?”

Subaru: “I do not! I’m just… a sheltered kid. Yeah…”

Using one of his many divine protections, Reinhard could tell that he wasn’t lying. He really didn’t know who Reinhard, or what the Sword Saint even was…

He only smiled at Subaru.

Reinhard: “It’s nothing to dwell on… Let’s just say I’m just a descendant of the line of Sword Saints.”

Subaru: “You’re just a descendant? These Sword Saints sound like a big deal, though!”

Reinhard: “Well, I guess my family is a bit unique… Everyday, I don’t feel like I live up to their expectations.”

Reinhard muttered that last part to himself, though it wasn’t lost on Subaru.

Subaru: “O-Oh… I see.”

Reinhard, his smile not faltering, turned to Emilia.

Reinhard: “Anyways, Emilia-sama, what’re you doing out here, if I may ask?”

Subaru: [Huh? —sama?]

Emilia: “Eh? Well, I was just searching for… something that was stolen from me, and Subaru-san and Capella-san are helping me.”

Emilia nervously glanced to the side as she spoke. It wasn’t like she was lying, but she was embarrassed.

Subaru and Capella didn’t care that she got her insignia stolen, they weren’t aware of what it was for anyways…

But if Reinhard, a knight… the knight, were to find out…

Emilia’s cheeks grew redder.

Emilia: [I’m supposed to be a candidate for leading this country! How could I have been so careless?!]

Reinhard: “I see. Thank you two for your kindness.”

Reinhard bowed towards Subaru and Capella. Capella took a prideful stance, her ego bloating from being bowed to by the Sword Saint.

Subaru: “Hey, n-no need to bow! It’s what any person would do.”

Reinhard turned to Emilia once more.

Reinhard: “Would you like me to accompany you three? I may not be much of help, but if you can describe what you’re searching for, perhaps I can be worth your time.”

Subaru: [Wow… this guy’s humbleness is off the charts.]

Emilia glanced back and forth, her cheeks growing redder.

Did she have to tell him? Tell him that she lost her insignia?

It’s not everyday you’re offered help from the Sword Saint personally.

…The shame overwhelmed her, she couldn’t do it.

Emilia: “N-No thank you, Reinhard-san. This is something I got myself into.”

Reinhard: “I see. That’s a rather admirable attitude.”

While Emilia was sweating bullets behind her back, Reinhard turned to Subaru and Capella, giving Subaru a particularly warm smile.

Reinhard: “Subaru and… Capella, is it? Again, thank you for your kindness, Lugunica is blessed to have people like you.”

Subaru: “Hey, aren’t you the Sword Saint? You shouldn’t be praising commoners—“

A slight frown flashed on Reinhard’s face.

Subaru: “Ah… T-Thanks, Reinhard.”

Reinhard smiled.

Reinhard: “Of course, perhaps we’ll meet again?”

Subaru: “I wouldn’t mind that!”

Subaru threw him a thumbs up as they began going their separate ways.

——

Emilia: “So many interesting things have happened with you two! Capella-san is stretchy, and you just made friends with the Sword Saint!”

Subaru let out an amused scoff at Emilia’s overly-simplified summary as she chimed, walking slightly ahead of the group.

Subaru: “I only talked to the guy once, I dunno if I’d consider us friends yet.”

Capella: “I don’t know about that! He seemed like he really enjoyed talking to you~”

Capella gave a teasing smile.

Subaru: “…Oh, don’t give me that look! He’s just a nice guy! Don’t start shipping me with him!”

Capella: “The Meat Shield and the Sword Saint. Oooh~, that has a nice ring to it!”

Subaru: “It does not. That’s like comparing dirt and gold! And stop calling me meat shield! Or meat bag! Stop calling anybody anything meat related!”

Puck, resting on Emilia’s head and watching the passing pedestrians, spoke.

Puck: “Y’know, Lia. You should’ve accepted the Sword Saint’s help, because… he probably would be more helpful than these two.”

Puck lazily pointed a paw towards Subaru and Capella who were passively bickering. Capella would blow an occasional raspberry or just start mocking Subaru which only riled him up more.

Emilia: “I know, b-but Puck, I…”

Emilia’s face was beet red.

Emilia: “If he were to find out I lost my insignia, ahh… I don’t even wanna know what would happen...”

Subaru, over hearing a little bit of the conversation, went silent for a moment.

Subaru: [Reinhard… Sword Saint… Could he—?]

Visions of his horrible demise in the loot house haunted him as he clutched his stomach.

Subaru: [If he came with us, and we rushed there… Maybe…]

Subaru glanced behind him, they only separated from Reinhard about a minute ago. Despite the colorful array of hair littering the road, he was able to spot the already familiar head of flaming red hair.

Abruptly turning to Emilia from Capella, Subaru asked.

Subaru: “Emilia. Is Reinhard some kind of guard?”

Emilia: “Eh? Oh, well… I suppose so. He’s a knight; a part of the Royal Guard.”

Subaru: “A knight, huh? So, he’s definitely strong then, yeah? I mean, with a title like Sword Saint and all…”

Emilia: “Veeerrry strong! The absolute strongest.”

Emilia spoke with certainty.

Subaru: “The absolute strongest?”

Subaru spoke with hope.

Subaru: “Then maybe he can come to the loot house and…”

Subaru muttered to himself as he turned back towards the crowd behind him.

That same flaming red hair was still there. Wouldn’t he be gone by now?

This was it, this was an opportunity.

Those two deaths… dreams, premonitions, whatever they were… he never wanted to experience them again.

And he would experience it again if he went to the loot house as he is…

But now, he’s been given an opportunity.

…

So, why won’t he take it?

Subaru’s mouth was open. Something wanted to come out. Words.

Yet he couldn’t seem to find these words.

His hand flexed, wanting to reach out to Reinhard. Yet, its motor functions disobeyed.

What is he doing? Reinhard is, according to Emilia, the absolute strongest! He just needs to call him and…

No.

Reinhard doesn’t know anything…

The woman who killed him, the woman who made him experience that unimaginable pain…

What if she’s stronger?

…

He can’t burden Reinhard with this, he seems like a great guy.

Perhaps, if Subaru could just get to the loot house in time and warn Rom and Felt, he could save them.

He can be a hero.

Subaru: “N-Nevermind…”

Emilia: “Huh?”

Capella: “You already miss him?”

Subaru clicked his tongue at Capella.

Subaru: “No, but I know where Felt is.”

Emilia: “F-Felt?”

Capella: “Felt? Is that the blonde girl’s name? How’d you know that?”

Subaru: [Oh… r-right. This is before we help Kadomon’s daughter…]

Subaru: “I… I just heard it around.”

Subaru glanced up at the sky that glowed a warm soothing orange.

The clock was ticking.

Subaru: “We gotta go to the slums.”

Subaru abruptly grabbed Capella and Emilia’s arm.

Capella: “Eh? Where’s this coming from?”

Emilia: “The slums?”

Puck scowled.

Puck: “You better know what you’re doing, Subaru.”

—-

In the distance, in the crowd of daily pedestrians, an unmoving flaming red-haired man stood, eyes closed.

Reinhard: “Hm… interesting.”

Having heard the whole conversation, Reinhard smiled and turned to see Subaru running into an alleyway with the others.

Reinhard: “Please forgive me, Subaru, but I believe our reunion may be sooner than we thought.”

——

Capella: “H-Hold on! Slow down… meat bag!”

Emilia: “S-Subaru-san! What’s going on?!”

Subaru didn’t answer, his thoughts were focused on that damn loot house.

That was, until a familiar cold shock hit his back.

Subaru: “—EEP!”

Puck: “Oi, you’ve been dragging Lia around long enough. You better have a good reason for this.”

Subaru stopped in place and rubbed the back of his head.

Subaru: “Ah, yeah… Sorry, sorry. I just… I had a feeling.”

Capella: “You dragged us all the way out here because of a feeling?!”

Capella angrily stomped her foot on the ground, which was only amusing thanks to her petite frame.

Emilia: “Uh… Subaru-san… does this have something to do with your freak out earlier?”

Subaru: “I… I guess so. I got a… really strong feeling.”

Subaru felt sick thinking about what he summarized as just a “feeling.”

Turning to his left, he saw that he made it to the loot house before he realized it.

Instinctively, he put a hand to his stomach as he stared at the intimidating structure, which didn’t go unnoticed by Capella.

Circumstances were significantly better this time, however.

It was much earlier in the day, and he could actually somewhat see inside the house through the windows.

He held out a finger, pointing towards the house, which was also his grave twice.

Subaru: “Your insignia… i-it’s probably in here.”

Emilia: “Eh? R-Really?”

Puck: “And what makes you say so?”

Subaru: [Right, of course they’d ask questions. What do I say…]

Subaru: “Well, I was just thinking… The girl that stole your insignia. If she’s stealing something, she’s probably poor, yeah? So, I just thought that…”

Subaru bit his lip for a moment.

Subaru: “She might be in the slums.”

He stood silent, hoping that his half-assed explanation was enough to stop the questioning.

Emilia: “Hmm… Well, I guess that’s not a horrible idea.”

Capella moodily crossed her arms.

Capella: “What’s stopping her from—…”

She stopped in the middle of her sentence as she read Subaru’s gaze towards her. His eyes begged her to just go with it.

Capella: “N-Nevermind…”

Capella: [What’s your deal…?]

Capella stared at the ominous house Subaru dragged her to.

Capella: [And why is he so adamant about going to this house? Ugh, this meatbag is a headache!]

Puck: “I guess you aren’t just a bag of awful ideas after all.”

Subaru: “You met me today, you have no basis to judge my ideas!”

Puck: “Though…”

Puck narrowed his eyes.

Puck: “How’d you know how to get to the slums? You even led us to this specific house, so you definitely know your way around here. If I recall correctly…”

Puck pointed an accusing tail towards Subaru.

Puck: “You didn’t know your way around the capital. You didn’t even know we were in Lugunica. So, what’s the deal with that?

Subaru silently cursed.

Subaru: “I… I’ve been here before.”

He said it with a straight face, though there was a subtle shaky tone in his voice. He wasn’t lying, but “before” was something he’d rather not remember. Especially so vividly.

Puck, noticing his unease, seemed to accept that answer.

Puck: “Hm, okay. I don’t sense any ill intent from you, so I guess I’ll take that…”

Emilia perked up like she just connected the dots in her mind.

Emilia: “Oooohhhh, were you raised here, Subaru-san?”

Subaru: “N-No, I just—”

Capella: “Hoho, that’d explain a lot!”

Subaru: “It would not!”

Subaru sighed, and gazed into the sky again.

It was darker.

TICK

TICK

TICK

He could hear the seconds passing in his mind.

He shouldn’t stay out here any longer. They must be alive in there.

Subaru: “We should head inside.”

Emilia: “Ah, why this house specifically, though?”

Subaru: “It’s a loot house. Stolen goods, like your insignia, would be here.”

Emilia’s eyes lit up with hope as she followed Subaru, with Capella close behind her.

KNOCK

KNOCK

No answer…

KNOCK

KNOCK

…

Still no answer…

Subaru: […They couldn’t be…]

KNOCK

KNOCK

Emilia: “Maybe no one’s home…”

Subaru: [NO! I made it on time! There’s no way they’re already—!]

Subaru grit his teeth.

Knocking turned to pounding.

Pounding turned to slamming.

SLAM

SLAM

Emilia: “Subaru-san?!”

Capella: “You ever heard of manners—?!”

Subaru: “H-Hey! Hello?! Is someone in there?! Anybody?!”

His panicked shouting was cut short when—

THUD

THUD

???: “Shut your trap! D’you youngin’s have an ounce of respect?! You can at least use a password or somethin’ instead of tryin’ to bust my door down—!”

An old giant walked out.

Subaru let out an inner breath he didn’t know he was holding.

Subaru: […This has to be Rom…]

Emilia spoke up.

Emilia: “Ah, sorry sir! B-But may we come in?”

Rom eyed the four newcomers.

Rom: “And you are?”

Emilia: “Emilia… Just Emilia.”

Puck: “I’m Puck! Nice to meet ya!”

Capella: “Capella-chan!”

Capella pointed at herself, her index finger poking out of the cuff of the tracksuit Subaru gave her.

Subaru: “…”

Speaking of Subaru…

He wasn’t speaking.

Everyone turned to him, confused.

He was just… staring at Rom.

Subaru: “H-Huh—Agh!”

Before he could snap out of it himself, Capella swiftly karate chopped him on the head.

Capella: “I get you’re just a meat shield, but a little courtesy wouldn’t hurt would it?”

Subaru: “Ah… uhm… S-Sorry, it’s just that… you’re alive!”

Everyone blinked in silence.

Emilia: “S-Subaru-san…”

Capella: “What did this lady just say?!”

Puck: “How is Capella more polite than you…”

Capella turned to the cheeky floating cat.

Capella: “Wha—?! I’m very polite!“

Puck: “A polite person doesn’t proudly walk around while being practically naked.”

Puck stuck his tongue out at Capella. A signature move of hers when bickering with Subaru, so Puck just had to do it himself to rub it in.

As Capella grumbled to herself, Rom laughed.

Rom: “—Hahahaha! I suppose I do look like an old man at death’s door, but I assure you, I’m definitely still alive and kicking!”

——

Rom: “So, what brings you here? You kinda look like nobles, though I don’t see any reason for a noble to be down here…”

Emilia: “Ah, well, we—“

As Rom and the others chatted, Subaru sat silently.

He was there to get the insignia for Emilia.

However, there was a problem.

Felt was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps she’d show up later?

Subaru: […But then there’s that killer lady…]

Subaru was glad to make it there in time, but now he was on edge.

A threat was coming; a threat to his life.

A threat to everyone’s life.

He could warn everyone now… but would they believe him?

Subaru begrudgingly recalled his earlier fate.

In the loot house, Rom and Felt’s bodies were there both times. Their blood was still flowing. They were fresh.

Subaru: […So, if it goes the same way, Rom and Felt have to be here at the same time when she’ll strike…]

He twiddled his thumbs together as he muffled out the other’s conversation.

Subaru: [Felt will definitely be dropping off the insignia here. This is the kinda place thieves would sell their loot for profit.]

Subaru analyzed the shelves of the house which were packed with various kinds of loot from creepy dolls to ornate swords and shields.

Subaru: [Besides… her body was here. The question is… how do we get the insignia? Do we just trade for it? Do we have anything valuable enough to trade? Capella’s broke, I’m broke… shoot. W-Wait…]

Subaru began bouncing his leg.

Subaru: [How long do we have when Felt arrives? What if she arrives minutes before the killer arrives? Will we even have time to trade?]

He began breathing heavier.

Subaru: [And… Emilia’s here… if Felt sees her; the girl she just stole from… Shit! I didn’t think this through!]

Subaru began internally panicking before—

Capella: “…Oi.”

An unexpectedly soft voice got to him.

Subaru turned towards Capella.

Capella: “You’ve been acting really strange ever since the capital. Are you alright?”

…

Subaru: “Yeah, yeah. Sorry, it’s just… a lot is on my mind.”

Capella only squinted towards Subaru as Emilia spoke.

Emilia: “Do you care to talk about it?”

Subaru: “…”

Rom: “If ya’ looking for therapy, you came to the wrong house.”

Subaru: [Heh, that sounds kinda nice right now…]

Subaru: “No, it’s just something personal… Sorry for zoning out on you guys. What were you talking about?”

Emilia: “Weellll, I asked Rom-san if he happened to have my insignia. Unfortunately, it’s not here.”

Subaru: “Really?”

Emilia: “Yeah. But he also said that Felt—Felt, right?”

Rom nodded.

Emilia: “Felt-san will be coming by with a buuuunnnch of loot soon!”

Subaru: “So, we’re waiting then.”

Puck: “Waiting is about all we can do at this point. Let’s hope you’re right, Subaru.”

Capella groaned and slouched down in her chair in a very unladylike fashion.

Capella: “Let’s also hope we don’t have to wait long… This lady’s beautiful body can’t take how hot today is…”

Subaru: “Capella. Keep the tracksuit on.”

Capella pouted and muttered to herself.

Capella: “I wasn't gonna take it off anyways…”

She was, in fact, gonna take it off.

Meanwhile, Emilia had her hand to her chin, her brows furrowed.

Emilia: “Mmm… What if it’s a different Felt?”

Rom laughed.

Rom: “Nervous, aren’t ya lady? Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure everyone around here only thinks of one girl when they hear the name Felt.”

Capella: “Is she famous around here?”

Rom: “Suppose so. Heard her name tossed here and there. Probably more infamous than famous, though.”

Rom laughed to himself after that last sentence.

Emilia: “Well, I guess I’ll just have to wait and see… Hopefully she’ll have my insignia.”

Rom: “I can assure you, unless there’s some other short blonde girl hopping across buildings, we’re thinking of the same Felt, and she’ll have your insignia. Whether or not you can afford it, though? That’s a different matter.”

Emilia: “Eh? Afford it?”

Puck: “What’re you saying, old man?”

Rom: “You can’t just expect us to give it back to ya’ right?”

Puck: “That’s exactly what we expect you to do.”

The room fell slightly colder, as Subaru scrambled to defuse the situation.

Subaru: “H-Hold on! Hold on! Let’s just do as he says!”

Emilia: “But it’s my insignia!”

Subaru: “Yeah, but…”

Emilia: “Why do I have to pay for something that’s rightfully mine?!”

Subaru: “I agree! But you gotta think about—“

Subaru was cut off by Rom.

Rom: “Listen lady, we gotta make money somehow.”

Emilia: “Making money like this is unjust! Why don’t you get a job in the capital?”

Rom scoffed.

Rom: “You wanna talk unjust? Ain’t no way anybody at the capital would offer slum rats a decent job.”

Rom used air quotes saying “slum rats” with a face of disgust.

Rom: “We ain’t choosing to live here, y’know.”

Emilia fell silent at the statement.

Emilia: “I see. I’m sorry about what I said.”

Puck: “Lia?”

Rom: “It’s fine, at least you understand fast. My old head can only handle a disagreement for so long.”

Emilia sat down with a steel resolve in her eyes.

Subaru: “Emilia?”

Emilia: [I can fix this. I will fix this! This prejudice will stop when I become the ruler!]

Puck sighed with a small smile.

Puck: “You’re lucky she’s so benevolent.”

Puck nonchalantly said, pointing at Rom as he floated around.

——

As an hour ticked by in Subaru’s mind, he was almost distracting himself conversing with the others.

Almost distracting himself.

He won’t forget the threat who could be looming just outside the house by now.

Subaru: [Or maybe she’s already behind me…]

KNOCK

KNOCK

Subaru felt his heart jump in his throat for a moment.

Emilia: “Ah, is that Felt?”

Rom: “Hm, no… That knocking is way too polite to be that girl.”

????: “Hey! Old man! The password doesn’t matter right now. We have Prince Charming for a guest over here!”

Rom: “I guess I stand corrected.”

Rom approached the door, walking past the others who stayed seated.

Subaru consequently tensed up at Felt’s arrival.

Now that she’s here, all the prerequisites have been met. They could be killed any second now.

All they had to do was get the insignia, and somehow deal with the threat that’s coming.

She could arrive at any moment, the interior of the loot house was rather well-lit, so there’s no way she could already be inside, hiding.

The only issue was that Subaru never managed to catch her appearance. All he knew was that she was a woman.

So, all Subaru could do was stay on guard, and when the threat shows up, immediately inform everybody.

Subaru: [If I tell everyone beforehand, that’ll just bring up more questions and prolong the trade for Emilia’s insignia. I need to wait…]

A blinding glint shined in Subaru’s eyes.

Looking down at his hand, he clenched it into a fist.

Subaru: [I’ll give that bitch the meanest punch in the face.]

He had this all under control.

????: “Ah. I’m sorry, but that’s not my name.”

????: “Yeah, yeah, whatever!”

Another voice sounded beyond the door.

It was a man.

Subaru: [Wait… did Felt say she brought a guest? T-There wasn’t a third body in my last two premonitions…]

Subaru, with a combined feeling of curiosity and nervousness, watched the door open like a hawk.

In stepped Felt, and…

Capella: “Ah!”

Subaru: “R-Reinhard?!”

Subaru jolted up out of his seat, along with Emilia and Capella.

Reinhard: “Short time no see, Subaru.”

He replied with a smile.

Capella: “Two soul mates reunite!”

Subaru: “Shut up!”

Felt: “Hah?”

Felt eyed the three more unexpected guests.

A strange, scary sanpaku-eyed boy.

A fellow blonde girl with the most… interesting wardrobe in the world.

And…

Felt: “Ah! Y-You’re!”

Felt instinctively turned with intention to dash out the door.

Subaru: [Damn it… I knew this was gonna happen.]

Emilia: “Wait!”

However, she was abruptly stopped by Reinhard effortlessly gripping her wrist, holding her in place.

Subaru was eternally grateful for not having to go on a wild goose chase.

Felt: “Agh! Not again! Let me go!”

Reinhard: “I’m sorry, but you must have something rather important if you’re running away from her.”

In an instant, Reinhard figured out the situation.

Felt: “Yeah, no shit! That’s why I’m running! Old man, why is she here?!”

Rom: “These aren’t your clients? Well, they’re still customers, Felt.”

Felt: “Customers my ass!”

Subaru: “Hang on, Felt!”

Emilia: “Felt-san! I-I just want my…”

Emilia nervously glanced at Reinhard before looking back at Felt who was still trying to run out of Reinhard’s steel grip.

She sighed.

Emilia: “I just want what you stole from me back!”

Felt: “Oh, yeah, sure!”

Emilia: “R-Really—?”

Felt: “Hell no! I’m not just gonna give you your insignia back! This is gonna be my ticket out of this shithole!”

Emilia flinched at the mention of her insignia as Puck floated next to her ear, whispering.

Puck: “So much for trying to hide it…”

Reinhard’s eyes widened in emergency for only a moment, before gently tugging Felt back into the house.

Felt: “Uwah!”

Reinhard: “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you leave this house until you return her insignia.”

As he stood in front of the doorway, blocking the exit, his tone was more stern; way different from his usual warm, friendly tone that Subaru associated him with. It startled him, Capella, and Felt a tad.

Felt, trying to regain her footing from being effortlessly pushed back into the house, gritted her teeth.

Felt: “Not a fucking chance!”

Felt got in position as if she were ready to run a marathon.

Emilia: “Wait! We’re willing to trade!”

Felt stopped.

Felt: “‘You joking?”

Emilia: “No! I… I know why you do this… but that insignia you stole from me, it’s really important! So, I’m willing to trade with you…”

Reinhard: “Emilia-sama… You do understand that—”

Emilia: “Yes… I know. But please, let me fix this. Don’t arrest her, Reinhard-san.”

Reinhard stood still, his expression unreadable for a moment, as if he was analyzing everyone in the room.

Then, a small smile formed on his face.

Reinhard: “…Well, I am off-duty.”

Emilia also smiled, thankful.

Felt stood still, contemplating her options, before she let out a sigh, cutting through the silence.

Felt: “Fine…”

——

Felt: “Yeesh… a lot is happening today...”

As if on cue, Rom slid Felt a glass of milk, which she immediately took a swig of.

Felt: “Yugh… Old Man Rom, did you water down this milk or something? It tastes worse than yesterday…”

Rom: “I give you somethin’ outta the goodness of my heart and I don’t even get a thanks?”

Rom patted Felt’s head as she sat at the bar, still drinking the glass of milk Rom slid to her, despite her complaints.

The others sat at a round table that Felt gestured them to, Reinhard stood besides them.

Subaru: “So, Reinhard. What’re you doing here?”

Hearing about Reinhard’s strength from Emilia and learning first-hand that he can apparently ‘read emotions,’ it creeped Subaru out a little that he just so happened to show up exactly where he was.

Subaru: [What is this guy capable of?]

Reinhard smiled at Subaru.

Reinhard: “In all honesty, since I met you and Capella, I’ve started scouting areas with frequent pickpocketing incidents. I figured the least I could do is prevent more of these situations.”

He glanced at Emilia with a knowing smile that made her wanna crawl in a hole.

Reinhard: “That’s when I happened to run into Felt, and I got her to bring me here.”

Felt: “Not like I had a choice!”

Felt barked.

Subaru: “…Huh. Why here though—?”

Before Subaru could question further, Emilia interjected.

Emilia: “Ah—oh… Oh no…”

Puck: “Lia? What’s wrong?”

Capella: “Mm?”

Emilia pulled out a purse from her dress pocket, and opened it.

Inside was nothing but a few copper coins along with one or two silver coins; an amount akin to a child’s pocket money.

A fly might as well have flown out.

Emilia: “My money! I forgot I spent it for that demi-human girl…”

Subaru: “Eh?! So we’re all broke?!”

Puck: “Looks like not every kind favor works out for us after all.”

Felt: “Ya’ ain’t got any money? Then there’s no reason for us to talk in the first place!”

Subaru felt like screaming.

Each second passing felt like a spontaneous migraine.

Emilia just had to be broke, didn’t she?

Subaru: [What do we do, what do we…]

In the corner of the room, Reinhard watched silently. His eyes particularly focused on Subaru.

Reinhard: [What’s bothering you so horribly?]

A hint of wonder and caution glazed his face.

…

Subaru eyed the bag of unsuspecting groceries he sat on the floor next to him.

Picking the bag up, he browsed his inventory.

Chips, Ramen, Energy Dri—

Subaru: [It’s all worthless. Great job, Natsuki Subaru!]

As Subaru planted his elbow on his leg, he made contact with something hard in his pocket.

Reaching inside… he pulled out his flip phone.

Subaru: [Would this…? It might work.]

Normally, he’d be a little reluctant to sell his phone. He had memories preserved on it, after all.

However, a killer was gonna break down the door and slit their stomachs any second now, so—

Subaru: “I… I might have something!”

Emilia: “Subaru-san?”

Holding up his phone, he quickly made himself the center of attention.

Subaru: [Alright, these people don’t know what a phone is, so I gotta really sell them it… Okay. Salesman Subaru is on the scene!]

Subaru: “This is a phone!”

“Phone?” Was sounded out through the room by almost everyone.

Subaru: [Okay, cool… They’re intrigued.]

…

Subaru: [Now what do I say?]

Felt: “I ain’t never heard of a… ‘fone’ before. So, what makes you think I’d wanna trade for that—?”

Rom: “Hang on, Felt. He never said what it is exactly. It could be valuable.”

Subaru: “He’s right. It is valuable. You see, it’s a really special, magical device that…”

Subaru dragged out the sentence as he dug through his mind on how to sell the item.

Subaru: [Think… think! Salesman Subaru is never not quick on his feet! The messaging feature? No… I’m probably the only one in this world with a phone. The… camera? The camera!]

Subaru: “…can capture moments and freeze them in time!”

…

Felt: “Eh? Whadd’ya mean?”

Rom: “You’re gonna have to explain ta’ this old man.”

Emilia: “Freeze them in time?”

Puck: “And you just had that on you?”

Reinhard observed the phone Subaru held with ever growing curiosity, both for the object he introduced, and Subaru himself.

Subaru: “Alright, alright, here. Let me explain—actually, maybe I should just show you.”

Going through the phone, Subaru opened the camera, aimed it at everyone and—

Subaru: “Nine shots per second: Continuous shot!”

Announcing it like an ultimate move, Subaru frantically took multiple pictures from different angles, making sure to get everybody in frame.

He didn’t account for the flash, though.

Felt: “Agh, what?!”

Rom: “You tryin’ to kill me?!”

Capella: “Meat bag!”

Emilia: “S-Subaru-san!”

Puck: “What’d you do, Subaru?”

Reinhard and Puck were unbothered by it. Only curious.

Subaru: “Relax, relax. Here, look.”

Felt: “Huh? W-Woah…”

Rom: “That’s me n’ Felt’s faces!”

Emilia: “That’s everybody… It’s me…”

The photo was a rather wide shot of the loot house, with everybody, besides Subaru, curiously staring into the camera; their eyes obnoxiously illuminated from the flash.

Subaru: “Like I said, it’s a magical device that can capture moments and freeze them in time! Kinda like bottling up a memory.”

Reinhard: “Amazing… Things like this exist in the world?”

The phone was practically useless to Reinhard. He could already do what it could do, and so much more. But, nonetheless, it truly fascinated him.

Rom: “Is that one of those metias I’ve been hearin’ about?”

Subaru: “Metia?”

Reinhard chimed in, walking up to Subaru.

Reinhard: “They’re devices that allow unfortunate people who have faulty or unopened gates to perform magic.”

Leaning in, he observed the phone in Subaru’s hand with wonder.

Reinhard: “This would definitely fall into that category, but a function like that… That goes beyond magic.”

Reinhard: [It’s like one of my divine protections…]

Felt: “That’s great an’ all… but how much would I be able to get with that thing?”

Felt glanced at Rom, expecting an answer.

Rom: “It’s my first time dealing with these metias, too. However, I’m pretty confident that’ll fetch far more than that insignia. Fifteen to twenty holy coins, at least.”

Felt: “Really? I could even get away with overcharging it!”

Emilia: “Twenty holy coins?”

Emilia said in astonishment as she looked at Subaru with gratefulness and guilt.

Subaru: “Is that a lot?”

Rom: “Are ya’ kiddin’? That’s enough to buy cheap booze for a lifetime!”

Subaru: “A–ha! Is that so? Well, in that case… Negotiations are complete! Now we can all leave this place—“

Felt: “Not so fast. We’re waiting for my client.”

Subaru, Emilia, and Reinhard’s eyes widened.

Subaru: “Client?”

Felt: “Yea, this wasn’t just some impulse theft! It was a job. Wouldn’t be fair to skimp on her now, would it?”

Subaru: “Ah—haha… I guess not.”

Capella: “Mmm…”

A small grunt sounded from Capella, one that only Subaru took notice of.

Glancing at her, he saw her clutching her forehead as if she had a sudden headache.

…

Meanwhile, Puck donned a worried expression, floating next to Emilia’s ear.

Puck: “Lia… maybe you should start laying low.”

Emilia: “Someone… paid for my insignia to be stolen? Why?”

Felt just shrugged.

Felt: “Dunno. She didn’t give many details…”

Emilia: [Is it just because I’m a half-elf?]

Reinhard: “Do you know the name of your client?”

Felt: “Nah. Gonna be honest, she was really mysterious. I told ya’ though, she’ll be coming soon, so you can just ask ‘er.”

Reinhard appeared bothered at her answer. If someone is paying for a candidate’s insignia to be stolen, that isn’t something that should be ignored.

Reinhard: [The public shouldn’t be aware of her status… This could potentially be an inside job…]

Rom: “You just took a job from some random like that? You should be more careful.”

Felt: “Oh, relax! You would’ve done the same thing if you were offered ten holy coins.”

Subaru: “Ten? But, isn’t my ph—metia worth more?”

Felt: “Yeah, but that’s only when I sell it. Cold hard cash is always better, and besides, she may have extra she’d be willing to give.”

Subaru: “…”

Subaru furrowed his brows. The situation just got more complicated.

Rom: “Hey, don’t look so pathetic!”

Felt: “Don’t worry, bro! To be honest, I’m totally leaning towards your offer more.”

She flashed a toothy grin.

Subaru sat in silence, drowning in his anxious thoughts.

Subaru: [Client… That… That has to be her!]

Distressed, he spoke up.

Subaru: “U-Uhm… Your client…”

Sharply inhaling through gritted teeth, he stopped himself.

Subaru: [Do I just say it? “Hey, your client is gonna kill us all!” That’ll just raise more questions, damn it! Figure it out!]

Subaru clenched his teeth. They were at a stalemate.

As his internal clock ticked, his anxiety and dread only grew.

Still, he innocently smiled.

Subaru: “…When will she be arriving?”

If his streak of luck continued, it would probably be the very next second.

Felt: “Should be pretty soon! Any minute now, actually.”

Felt glanced out the window.

Subaru: “Any minute now…”

…

As Subaru stared outside the window, he was lost.

An unpleasant sensation swirled in his gut.

A cutting sensation.

He wanted to run, and he hated himself for it.

His eyes, drifting around the room, settled on Reinhard.

“The absolute strongest!”

Those words echoed through his mind.

He stared.

Once again, words wanted to come out.

Yet they didn’t.

So, he stared.

Unbeknownst to him, those words came from his eyes, like a torrent.

And eventually, Reinhard caught his gaze.

Was he… reading him—?

…

Capella: “Ara—ara~ so, what’s this?”

Subaru: “GAH!”

Subaru jumped out of fear from Capella whispering right into his ear.

Just like how she did…

Capella: “Kya-haha! You’re a real jumpy meat bag, y’know!”

Subaru: “D-Don’t do that! Why’d you even?!”

Capella: “I saw you staring at your Sword Saint for quite a while over there…”

Capella teasingly narrowed her eyes.

Subaru: “My Sword Sai—? No! I already told you, no!”

Emilia: “Subaru-san… are you okay? You’re zoning out a lot.”

Subaru: “Huh…? Oh, yeah. I’m a-okay!”

He gave a too reassuring smile.

Subaru: [I’m ready for you… I’m ready… I am…]

Felt groaned.

Felt: “Okay, it’s been a hot minute! I’m tired of waiting!”

Subaru: “Huh?”

Rom: “I told you. You can’t just trust randoms like that. ‘Specially when it’s too good to be true!”

Felt: “I know, I know!”

Felt got off her chair and walked towards Subaru.

Felt: “Alright, ya’ got that… ph… pho~ne thing?”

Subaru: “What? Weren’t we…”

Felt: “Turns out she bailed on us! Stupid bitch…”

Puck: “Oi, mind your tone around Lia!”

Felt dismissively waved a hand at Puck.

Felt: “Yeah, yeah, whatever. I’m just tired of being treated like a nobody, okay?”

Felt turned back to Subaru.

Felt: “So, the phone?”

Subaru’s eyes glided to the window.

Complete darkness was outside. It was cold.

Shadows coated the walls, basking the room in heavy darkness.

It was night.

…

Subaru: “What?”

Felt: “Whadd’ya mean ‘what?!’”

Subaru: “I—I…”

Subaru: [Did I space out for that long?]

Subaru: “Are you sure she isn’t just late?”

Felt: “As if, people in this kinda business ar’ always punctual. I doubt she’d be any different. She probably just thought it’d be fun to waste my time… Tch…”

Felt looked back at Subaru with a softer expression.

Felt: “Though, I appreciate ya’ guys. I dunno whether to call y’all dumb or gracious that you actually wanted to trade for your insignia back. Still, thanks for unda’standing. Kinda makes me feel bad…”

Emilia smiled.

Emilia: “Of course, Felt-san. I swear… I’ll try my hardest to make your… all of your lives better.”

Felt raised a brow.

Felt: “Uh—yeah, sure. Also, next time, try keeping this thing in a more secure place than your pocket if it’s so important to ya’.”

Felt teased her, grinning.

Puck: “Yeah, poor move on your part, Lia.”

Emilia: “Oh, shush! You didn’t say anything when I put it there…”

Emilia blushed, embarrassed.

Puck: “I’m your spirit and father, not your custodian.”

Turning back to Subaru, she reached into her pocket, which prompted him to pull out his phone from his pocket again.

Felt: “M’kay. Here ya’ go.”

Subaru: “R-Right. Negotiations complete!”

Subaru said that last part with way less enthusiasm than he would’ve liked.

Felt pulled out the insignia, and as Subaru laid his eyes on it he felt relieved, yet… conflicted.

A beautiful red gem glowed in the center.

Reinhard: “—What?!”

Felt: “Oi—Oi! Stop grabbing my wrist so suddenly!”

Reinhard, who was reserved in the corner of the loothouse, suddenly rushed up to Felt, gripping the wrist of her hand that’s holding the insignia.

Rom: “Hm?”

Emilia: “Reinhard-san?”

Reinhard: “This isn’t… This shouldn’t be possible!”

He was inexplicably shocked, which shook everyone else in the loot house, considering how serene he’s been.

Reinhard: “Your name… it’s Felt, yes?”

Felt: “Uh… Y-Yea. Wha—“

Reinhard: “Family name? How old are you?”

Felt: “F-Fifteen, I think? And I don’t have anything fancy like a family name! L-Let go—!”

Promptly cutting her off, Reinhard held up his hand towards Felt, which knocked her out. The insignia slid out of her slouched hand and onto the table.

Subaru: “H-Hey, Reinhard, what’s going on?”

Rom: “Oi, what the hell’re you doin’?!”

Reinhard: “I’m sorry, but she’ll be coming with me. She’s fine, I only drained her mana.”

Emilia: “R-Reinhard-san! I thought—“

Reinhard: “Apologies, Emilia-sama. This isn’t what it looks like, but I’m afraid it’s urgent.”

Subaru: “It looks like you’re kidnapping a little girl, dude.”

Reinhard: “Considering the events unfolding before me, I’d regret not going to such lengths.”

Reinhard glanced at Subaru and Capella before turning to walk out the door.

Reinhard: “It was a pleasure meeting you two again. I’m sorry it had to be cut short this way.”

Subaru: “D-Don’t sweat it? I don’t even know what’s happening…”

Rom: “Hold it! You aren’t leaving without tellin’ me anythin’!”

Reinhard sighed.

Reinhard: “I’m afraid this information is highly confidential. You’re Felt-sama’s benefactor, yes?”

Rom: “Mor’ than that! You can’t jus’ take her!”

Reinhard stared at Rom for a second, before smiling.

Reinhard: “I see… I suppose I can take you with me, then. Follow me.”

Reinhard then turned to the door of the loot house once again.

Reinhard: “I’m glad you were able to get your insignia back, Emilia-sama… And again, thank you, Subaru, Capella, for aiding her.”

As Reinhard exited the loot house with an unconscious Felt in his arms, and a concerned looking Rom following behind, he felt a sense of happiness.

Reinhard: [I’m glad I followed you, Subaru.]

SHUT

The door to the loot house shut naturally, and Reinhard, Rom, and Felt were no longer present in the room.

Silence took the stage as Subaru glanced at the phone he didn’t get to trade, and then the insignia, now sitting on the table they stood at.

Turning back to the Natsuki squad, he spoke.

Subaru: “So, what just happened?”

Capella shrugged.

Capella: “I didn’t know the Sword Saint was into that stuff…”

Subaru: “Woah, hang on, I don’t really know the guy, but I don’t think he’s doing anything like that… He brought Rom with him, after all.”

Capella wagged her finger.

Capella: “That doesn’t mean it’s off the table~.”

Subaru: “…Ew.”

Emilia: “Uhm… What are you two talking about?”

Puck: “Just ignore them, Lia…”

Emilia turned to her insignia on the table, and grabbed it, sighing.

Emilia: “Really… thank you, Subaru-san, Capella-san. I don’t know what I would do if I lost this…”

Capella: “Of course. You couldn’t have done it without me, after all!”

Subaru: “Oi, you didn’t do anything! I was the one negotiating!”

Capella: “I was too! I was sitting here, being pretty!”

Capella pouted, acting adorable.

Capella: “Do you think any of this would’ve gone as well as it did if this lady’s beauty wasn’t present?”

Subaru: “Yes, actually, it would!”

Capella blew a raspberry at Subaru.

Subaru: “I told you. That argument isn’t valid—!”

Puck: “You two have a real talent for stupidity, huh?”

Capella and Subaru both turned to Puck.

Capella and Subaru: “Huh?!”

Puck: “But, it turns out you were also more helpful than I thought you’d be, Subaru… So, I’d like to thank you as well, you really saved Lia’s behind!”

Subaru: “Haha… It wasn’t that—wait, what do you mean ‘more than you thought?!’”

Puck: “Whoopsies! Slip of the tongue!”

Puck giggled.

Puck: “Seriously, though, I really appreciate you! As thanks, I’d say I owe you a favor.”

Subaru: “A favor?”

Puck: “Yup, whatever you wa—“

Capella: “Hey, wait! What about this lady?!”

Puck: “Sorry, I don’t give out participation awards! You wouldn’t even be eligible for one…”

Capella: “YOU—“

Suddenly, Emilia jolted slightly, as if she had a realization.

Puck: “Eh, Lia?”

Capella let out a groan, feigning exasperation.

Capella: “Ugh, what now? Did you lose a second insignia or something?”

Emilia: “No… Ram! Ahhh, she’s probably looking for me…”

Subaru: “Ram?”

Emilia began walking towards the door of the loot house.

Emilia: “I reaaallly caused a ruckus today, haven’t I?”

Subaru: [Who says ruckus nowadays?]

Subaru and Capella followed closely behind.

Capella: “Who’s Ram?”

Emilia: “Ah, s-she’s my supervisor at the moment, but I kinda got lost, then my insignia got stolen…”

Subaru: “Eh? Supervisor? You have a supervisor? You’re not a kid, though!”

Emilia: “I-I don’t really go out into the capital very much…”

Emilia opened the door as they all exited the loot house. The atmosphere noticeably shifted, especially for Subaru, as they left its interior.

Walking off the porch, they made contact with the rough ground. The soft glow of the moon caressed their skin.

Capella: “So… are we searching for another meat bag, now?”

Emilia: “You don’t have to help me anymore… You two have helped me enough—.”

???: “Emilia-sama. It’s late.”

Emilia was interrupted from a certain woman’s voice.

Turning to the owner of said voice, a petite girl—not as petite as Capella—stood in a maid uniform. Her light pink hair was in a bob-cut, covering her right eye, and was adorned with purple ribbons. Her slanted red eyes analyzed the group, focusing more on Subaru and Capella.

Subaru: [Maid costumes exist in this world as well?]

Emilia: “R-Ram! I’m sorry I ran off… My insignia was stolen, a-and…”

Capella pointed at Ram like she was making a revolutionary discovery.

Capella: “Meat hair!”

…

Subaru grabbed Capella’s shoulder.

Subaru: “What is with you and meat?!”

Ram: “Emilia-sama… Who are these two dirty mutts Ram has to bear the displeasure of seeing?”

Subaru: “Dirty mutt?!”

Capella snickered.

Subaru: “She’s talking about you too!”

Emilia: “Ram… please be nice! They helped me get my insignia back!”

Ram said nothing, simply narrowing her eyes.

Emilia paused for a moment, before turning around to Subaru and Capella.

Emilia: “Subaru-san, do you have any place to stay?”

Subaru: “I’m professionally unemployed and have nowhere to go!”

Puck: “You say that so pridefully…”

Emilia: “And… Capella-san, you don’t remember anybody or have anywhere to go?”

Capella’s brows furrowed as she rubbed her forehead as if she was having a minor headache.

Capella: “Nope, not a thing…”

Emilia: “How about I take you both to the Roswaal Mansion! It’s the least I could do for you…”

Subaru was shocked by the offer.

Subaru: “Eh? M-Mansion?! You wanna take me to a mansion?!”

Emilia turned back to Ram.

Emilia: “Ram, I’d like to repay them by giving them a place to stay…”

Ram simply stared for a moment before responding.

Ram: “Do not expect Ram to clean the mud tracks they bring in.”

Ram swiftly turned on her heel and began walking, not without elegance.

Subaru: “D-Did I do something to her?”

Emilia: “Aha… That’s just how Ram is, she doesn’t really mean it.”

Subaru: “Ah… I see…”

Following closely behind Ram, Subaru looked past her to see a dragon-drawn carriage.

Subaru: [Woah… I saw a lot of those at the capital. That must be how she got here…]

——

Grabbing the reins, Ram sat atop the ground dragon. With a diligent crack, she was off.

The carriage that was being dragged behind held the Natsuki squad.

Emilia sat on one side of the carriage while Capella and Subaru sat next to eachother on the other.

Emilia: “Puck… where should I keep this?”

Emilia held her insignia in the palm of her hand as Puck sighed.

Emilia: “I just don’t want something like this to happen again. Maybe my purse?”

Puck: “I feel like that’d make it more enticing to steal, Lia.”

Emilia pouted.

Emilia: “Well, I don’t know where else to put iiittt! Maybe a necklace?”

Subaru was zoned out, staring at Emilia and Puck conversing.

Subaru: […She didn’t come.]

Normally, such a realization would bring relief, your would-be killer ending up never arriving.

And, it did, for the most part.

But, it was also distressing.

Subaru: [Why? What happened?]

He remembered when he thought there was little time left, how he desperately looked at Reinhard.

How he begged for help without realizing it.

He frowned.

Subaru: [And I thought I had it all under control… Pathetic…]

…

His eyes narrowed as he recalled his earlier visions.

Helping Kadomon’s daughter, arriving at the slums…

Dying in the loot house.

That pain was so unbearable, and he remembered it so vividly. Yet, it never came this time…

Subaru rested his face in his palm.

Subaru: [What were those visions? Just dreams? Am I going insane?]

He recalled his visions as best as he could, trying to remember every detail leading to his death…

Until, an idea popped into his mind.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a coin.

A ridged ten-yen coin.

Subaru: [If these visions are credible, then maybe…]

Subaru: “Hey, Capella?”

Subaru spoke in a rather mellow voice.

Capella: “Hm?”

He lifted his hand out towards Capella, the coin resting in his palm.

Subaru: “This is a ridged ten-yen coin.”

Capella: “…A what?”

Subaru: “Just… watch closely.”

Capella narrowed her eyes in confusion as Subaru squeezed his hand tight, hiding the coin.

Subaru: “Tight… Tight… And now…”

As Subaru slowly opened his hand, the coin never revealed. It vanished.

Capella: “Eh? Eh?!”

Capella’s eyes widened in shock as she grabbed Subaru’s hand, scanning it like a dog looking for a treat.

Capella: “What the… where did you—?!”

Subaru cut her off, continuing her sentence with a hint of pizazz in his tone.

Subaru: “Where did I put it? Well, it’s right here.”

With his other hand, he reached out to Capella’s face, reaching into her hair. As he stroked through it, Capella flinched slightly.

Pulling his hand out, he held the coin.

Capella: “Wh—Wha?! How… How did you do that?!”

Subaru: [So, she is amazed by this…]

Emilia: “A-Amazing!”

Emilia’s voice cut through to Subaru. Turning his head he saw that both her and Puck were also watching his little show, unbeknownst to him.

Subaru chuckled at the fact just some simple sleight-of-hand was being treated like a big deal in a world with real magic.

Capella: “Meat shield! Tell me—“

Subaru: “Ah—ah… A magician never reveals his secrets.”

Puck: “Do you have some secret ability too? I didn’t sense any mana movement…”

Subaru simply crossed his arms with a slightly smug smile.

Subaru: “I’ll never tell!”

Capella: “Do it again. This lady will figure it out!”

Capella glared into Subaru’s soul with unwarranted determination.

Subaru: [Just like last time…]

Subaru thought of his visions.

The conversations, the banter, the teasing.

Helping Kadomon’s daughter in the capital…

Even if they were just visions that never really happened…

Even if they were memories only he remembered…

…

Capella: “Oi! Is the meat shield deaf?”

Capella snapped her fingers in front of Subaru, catching his attention.

Subaru: “Ah… no. I’m just thinking.”

Capella analyzed his face after hearing that answer.

In the loot house, he appeared on edge, like he was gonna get pounced on without warning.

He was clearly hiding something.

However, whatever it was, it didn’t seem to be bothering him anymore.

Capella: “Just thinking… Huh? You’ve been doing that a lot.”

Subaru scratched his cheek.

Subaru: “I guess so.”

…

He smiled. After everything that has happened… after all the questions he has and all the answers he lacks…

He can’t wait to make some memories with these people.

Emilia: “Subaru-san…”

Subaru: [—san? Oh, that’s right!]

Subaru: “Emilia. You don’t have to give me an honorific, y’know. I told you to just call me Subaru.”

Emilia: “Eh? B-But…”

Subaru: “Oh, come on! Surely your boundless kindness can give a little leeway for your friends, yeah?”

Emilia: “F-Friends?!”

Subaru: “Yeah! That is… if you want to be—“

Emilia: “I-I do!”

Emilia smiled.

Emilia: “I… I would love to be friends with you, Subaru.”

Puck, resting on Emilia’s head, let out a yawn as he looked at Subaru with a grateful expression.

Capella then leaned into Subaru’s ear.

Capella: “Just friends, huh?”

Subaru: “Don’t ruin the moment.”

…

Subaru: “Also, I want my tracksuit back, it’s cold.”

Capella: “Eh? So you’re gonna let this lady freeze?”

Subaru: “You’re the one who’s been complaining about how hot it was…”

Capella: “When the sun was up, meat shield!”

Subaru: “I’m not a meat shield anymore, and I still want it back! Natsuki Subaru isn’t the same in a plain t-shirt!”

Capella: “Meat is still meat no matter what it wears!”

Emilia silently watched them, and sighed.

Emilia: “I reaallly made some troublesome friends, haven’t I?”

——

Back at the slums. A woman was running.

…

Running away.

???: “My my… This was certainly unexpected~”

Her voice was silky smooth. Cold, yet deceivingly comforting.

However, despite her composed exterior, she was shook to her core in fear.

???: “I don’t recall my client ever mentioning this…”