Chapter Text

I Am The Hero(ine)!

Subaru groaned, clutching his aching head. The pounding pain felt like someone had taken a jackhammer to his skull. For a moment, everything was blurry. The dull throb in his head made it hard to think, but eventually, his vision cleared, and he realised he was sprawled out on… a stone floor.

He blinked. Stone floor? He wasn't in his apartment. This was... an alley?

The walls surrounding him were grimy and narrow, and the faint smell of mildew filled the air. He winced as he pushed himself up, rubbing his head.

"Where the hell am I?" he muttered, his voice echoing faintly in the empty alleyway.

The last thing he remembered was… slipping on the edge of the balcony. His memory pieced itself together in a hazy, fragmented replay. He'd been leaning out to grab his phone—it had fallen after one of those stupid "how far can I throw this without breaking it" games he'd play with himself.

And then… splat. Five stories. Concrete ground. His head took the brunt of the impact. He remembered the sickening crunch vividly.

He froze.

Wait. He fell five stories.

Shouldn't he be, y'know... dead?

A shiver ran down his spine. His fingers instinctively pressed against his neck, feeling for a pulse. It was there. Steady, strong. He was breathing, too.

But how?

That was when he noticed something odd. His heartbeat felt... off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but it wasn't normal. Almost like it was too steady, too mechanical.

And then there was the weight.

He looked down, confused. What he saw made his stomach do somersaults.

He was wearing armour. White armour with intricate golden designs etched into it. His hands, encased in gauntlets, flexed reflexively. The armour gleamed like something out of a fantasy RPG, complete with ornate shoulder plates and—

Wait.

Subaru's eyes widened.

"Armour?" he whispered.

He tilted his head, half-expecting the world to suddenly make sense, but no. He was still in the alley, still wearing armour, and very much not lying in a hospital bed with a fractured skull.

"Okay, this is weird," he said, his voice shaky.

And then the thought hit him.

"Did I die... and get isekai'd?"

His heart skipped a beat—or at least it felt like it. The pieces began falling into place in his mind. This kind of thing didn't just happen. Not in real life. But in anime and light novels? Oh, hell yes.

He stood up, a surge of excitement coursing through him. Could it really be? Was this his big chance? His moment to shine as an overpowered protagonist in another world?

He brushed back a stray strand of hair that had fallen over his face, only to stop dead in his tracks.

His hair wasn't black anymore.

It was red. Bright, long and vibrant red that shimmered faintly in the dim light of the alley.

Subaru stared, his jaw slack.

"Red hair..." he whispered in awe. "This is it. This is the sign."

Everyone knew red hair in anime meant power. Badassery. Domination. He clenched his fist, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

"I'm finally going to be the OP protagonist," he said, his voice trembling with excitement. "No more being a loser. No more rotting in the room. This is my story now!"

But his celebration was short-lived.

The first step he took felt... odd.

Something had moved.

There was a strange weight on his chest. He froze, blinking. His brain refused to connect the dots, even as he took another tentative step.

The weight shifted again, and this time, he felt it clearly. Something was... bouncing.

He glanced down, dread building in his gut. His eyes locked onto his chest, which was now very clearly bound tightly by the armour. His brain screamed at him not to think about it, but his hands moved on their own, patting his chest cautiously.

No.

No way.

"I refuse to believe it," he said, his voice shaky.

He took a step back, his breathing quickening.

"Don't. Don't even joke about this. This isn't funny."

But the proof was there, undeniable.

Subaru squeezed his eyes shut, as if doing so would make the nightmare go away. When he finally opened them again, he found himself staring at his reflection in a dirty, cracked puddle at his feet.

A beautiful young woman stared back at him.

Long, flowing red hair framed a face that looked like it had been sculpted by the gods. His—or rather, her—eyes were a striking blue— like the sky, and her complexion was flawless. The armour hugged her figure tightly, accentuating every curve.

Subaru's lips parted, a shaky breath escaping as the reality of the situation hit him like a truck.

"I'm... I'm a chick," he whispered.

The words tasted foreign on his tongue.

"I'm a girl?!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the alley.

Even his voice was different—higher-pitched, smooth, and undeniably feminine. He clutched his head, pacing in a small circle as panic set in.

"This—this can't be happening!"

He stopped abruptly, glaring at the puddle.

"Why?! Why do I always get the short end of the stick?!"

His voice cracked, and he winced. Even his freak-outs sounded dainty now. He gritted his teeth, his frustration boiling over.

"Alright, fine. I'm in another world. Cool. Whatever. But why—why—did I have to end up like this?!"

He kicked at a loose stone, which skittered across the alleyway with a clink.

"Alright, Subaru, get a grip," he muttered to himself, rubbing his temples. "You've been through worse. You've died a hundred times in the games, faced demons in Resident Evil, witches, and psychotic knights. You can handle this."

He glanced down at his new body and groaned.

"Not sure if I want to handle this, though."

Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself. Panicking wasn't going to help. He needed to figure out where he was and what was going on.

"First things first," he muttered. "Find some answers. Maybe a mirror. And some pants that don't make me look like I'm about to star in a magical girl anime. This… this is an ideal female protagonist body, 5'6"..."

With that, he adjusted his armour, brushed back his red bangs, and took his first step out of the alley.

It was time to face this new world, whether he liked it or not.

Ö~Ö

He—no, she—blinked in disbelief, her blue eyes wide as she took in the sights around her. The bustling streets were unlike anything she'd ever seen, straight out of a medieval fantasy.

Humanoid figures with animal traits walked alongside humans—fox-eared merchants haggling over goods, lizard-headed porters hauling crates, and even a towering wolf-like knight clad in heavy plate armour. Wagons weren't pulled by horses but by massive, scaly creatures that resembled komodo dragons with saddles.

Subaru rubbed her chin thoughtfully, the cool metal of her gauntlet brushing against her cheek.

"Okay, so definitely a medieval setting," she muttered. "But am I someone important here? Or just a random newbie dropped into this world?"

The question nagged at her, but it wasn't like she could ask someone. The thought of introducing herself as "a guy who fell off a balcony and woke up like this" didn't seem like the best plan.

"Probably a new character," she concluded with a sigh.

But why as a girl?

Her eyes narrowed as she looked down at her armour-clad chest.

"Seriously, couldn't I at least stay a dude?" she muttered. "Where's the fairness in this?! The orchestor of this… I hate them, sort of."

She shook her head, trying to focus. Standing around complaining wasn't going to get her anywhere. She needed a plan.

"Okay, first step in every isekai: find a guild," she said, nodding to herself. "An Adventurer's Guild, preferably. If this place has one, that's where all the info and quests will be."

She had barely taken a step when the sound of screaming ripped through the air.

Subaru turned her head sharply, her heart skipping a beat.

Down the street, a wagon drawn by one of those massive lizard creatures was careening out of control. The driver was yelling and pulling at the reins, but the beast wasn't stopping. It was charging straight toward a little boy who had wandered into the middle of the road, oblivious to the danger.

Subaru's body moved before her mind could catch up.

One moment she was standing on the side of the street, and the next, her surroundings blurred into a rush of motion. Her armour barely made a sound as her feet left the ground, and the world seemed to slow down around her.

In a flash, she was there.

Her arms wrapped around the boy, pulling him into her chest. The wind roared past her ears as she leapt, soaring over the cart and the thrashing lizard beast. She landed on the other side of the road, her boots hitting the cobblestones with a resonant thud that echoed like the final note of a grand symphony. Her white cape fluttered like a flag.

The crowd froze, their collective gasp hanging in the air like an exclamation point.

Subaru straightened, the boy still cradled in her arms. Her long red hair gleamed in the sunlight, falling around her like a fiery halo. For a moment, she looked every bit the knight she was being mistaken for.

The boy sniffled, looking up at her with wide, teary eyes.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice gentle.

The boy nodded, wiping his face with his tiny hands.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

"Did you see that?!" someone shouted. "She saved him like it was nothing!"

"A real knight in shining armour!"

"She must be one of the king's elite warriors!"

Subaru winced at the praise, feeling her cheeks heat up. She wasn't a knight. She wasn't even sure what she was supposed to be. But the way the crowd looked at her—awed, inspired—it was almost overwhelming.

The boy's mother ran up, tears streaming down her face as she pulled him from Subaru's arms.

"Thank you, my lady!" the woman said, bowing so low her forehead nearly touched the ground. "You saved my son's life!"

Subaru scratched the back of her head awkwardly, her gauntlet clinking against her armour.

"Uh, no problem," she said, trying not to sound as flustered as she felt.

The crowd parted to let her pass as she began walking again, murmurs of admiration and gratitude following her like a trail of confetti.

"Great," she muttered under her breath. "Now they think I'm some kind of hero."

Still, she couldn't deny the rush she felt from saving that kid. Maybe this new body came with some perks after all.

"Alright, back to business," she said, patting down her armour. "Adventurer's Guild, here I come."

Her sky-blue eyes scanned the street for signs of the guild. If this world had one, it had to be nearby. After all, every good fantasy world needed a hub for adventurers, right?

As she walked, she couldn't help but notice the way people kept glancing at her. Whispers trailed behind her, some in awe, others in curiosity.

"Who is she?"

"I've never seen armour like that before."

"She must be a noble knight!"

Subaru groaned internally. This was going to get annoying fast. Still, she kept her chin up, letting the crowd's assumptions work in her favour. If they thought she was a knight, then maybe she'd have an easier time finding her way around.

"Let's just hope this Adventurer's Guild actually exists," she muttered. "Because I'm not in the mood to explain that I'm not actually a knight, a noble, or, y'know, a woman."

With that, she strode forward, her newfound confidence bolstered by the cheers of the crowd. This world might have thrown her a curveball, but Subaru wasn't about to strike out just yet.

TBC

Subaru in Arc 6, drawn by the GOAT Eternal

Chapter Text

First Quest!

Subaru leaned back on the wooden bench, her sky-blue eyes scanning the bustling street. This wasn't going according to plan. Adventurer's Guilds were supposed to be an isekai staple—every protagonist's go-to starting point. And yet, after asking vendors, passersby, and even a guard standing stiffly at a street corner, the answer was always the same:

"A guild? Sorry, my lady, I've never heard of such a place."

Or the less polite but equally dismissive, "You sure you're in the right city, miss?"

Subaru groaned, letting her head tilt back. The sun peeked through the gaps between the roofs of the tightly packed buildings, mocking her with its cheerful glow.

"Of course there's no guild," she muttered to herself. "Why would things be that easy?"

Her stomach growled loudly, interrupting her self-pity. She glanced down at her abdomen, the armour fitting snugly against her surprisingly lean frame. Her waist was noticeably wider than she was used to, and her thighs were definitely thicker. Her tongue felt weird and her teeth were neat; but she had to admit this body wasn't half bad. If it was some kind of buffed protagonist body, maybe she'd be able to pull off some crazy feats once she figured out her skills.

But first, she needed food.

She patted down her armour, searching for any sign of a coin pouch. Nothing.

"Of course I'm broke," she grumbled. "Why would things be easy for me?"

The dagger strapped to her waist caught her eye. It was sleek, with an ornate hilt that gleamed faintly even in the shadowed alley. For a brief moment, she considered selling it, but the thought made her stomach churn.

"What kind of hero sells their weapon on day one?" she muttered, shaking her head. "Not happening."

Her eyes wandered to a nearby stall where a burly man with wild green hair was hawking his wares. The sign above the stall read "Appa Seller" in bold letters— she didn't know the language, that's what a father told his son; and the fruits on display looked suspiciously like apples—round, shiny, and red, with just a hint of a golden sheqen.

Subaru sighed. She wasn't proud, but her gaze kept darting toward the appas, her stomach growling louder with every passing second.

The vendor noticed.

"You alright there, my lady?" the man called out, his voice a deep rumble.

Subaru froze, her cheeks heating up.

"Oh, uh… yeah, I'm fine!" she said quickly, looking away.

The man chuckled, reaching for one of the appas.

"You've been eyeing these for a while now," he said. "Go on, take one."

Subaru blinked, her sky-blue eyes wide.

"Huh?"

"You look tired," the vendor said, holding out the fruit. "Here, have an appa. On the house."

Subaru hesitated, her hand halfway to the fruit.

"But I don't have any money," she admitted, feeling the weight of her situation sink in. "I mean… I forgot my purse."

The vendor waved her off with a grin.

"No problem, ma'am. Thank you for your work!"

Subaru's heart skipped a beat.

"Work?" she repeated, confused.

The vendor nodded toward her armour.

"You're clearly a knight or some kind of protector," he said. "You saved that boy earlier, didn't you? The whole street's been talking about it."

Subaru stared at him, her mouth slightly open. She wasn't used to this kind of treatment, and it felt… strange.

"Oh… yeah, that," she said awkwardly, finally accepting the fruit.

The appa felt cool and firm in her hand, its faintly sweet scent wafting up to her nose. She stared at it for a moment before looking back at the vendor.

"Thanks," she said, her voice softer.

The man waved her off with a smile.

"Just doing what I can," he said. "Enjoy!"

Subaru took a bite, the sweet, tangy flavour exploding in her mouth. It was unlike any apple she'd ever had, and for a brief moment, she forgot all about her lack of money, her unfamiliar body, and her complete and utter confusion about this world.

"This is amazing," she mumbled through a mouthful of fruit.

The vendor laughed heartily.

"Glad you like it, my lady!"

Subaru gave him a small, grateful nod before turning back to her bench. The appa might not solve her problems, but it was a start.

As she finished the fruit, her mind began to churn with plans. She didn't have money, a guild to fall back on, or any idea what she was supposed to do in this world. But she did have a body that could move faster than anyone she'd ever seen, an armour that made people mistake her for a hero, and, apparently, a reputation starting to build itself.

"Alright," she muttered to herself, tossing the core into a nearby bin. "Time to figure out what's next."

Whatever this world had in store for her, she wasn't going to sit around waiting for answers.

Ö~Ö

Subaru wandered the streets, keeping her eyes peeled for anything that resembled a lead. The town bustled around her, its cobblestone paths alive with vendors hawking goods, children darting about, and the occasional stern-faced guard patrolling the area. Though her primary mission remained elusive, Subaru found herself stopping to help people along the way.

A hunched old granny struggled to load sacks of grain onto her cart, her frail arms trembling with effort. Subaru stepped in without hesitation, easily lifting the heavy sacks and arranging them securely. The old woman clasped her hands together in gratitude, her wrinkled face lighting up with a smile.

"Thank you, kind knight," the granny said.

"Knight?" Subaru muttered, scratching her cheek. "Well, sure. Let's go with that."

Further down the street, a young boy stood beneath a tree, his tear-streaked face tilted upward as he called out to a fluffy white cat perched precariously on a branch.

"Hold on, kid," Subaru said, striding over. "Your knight in shiny—er, slightly scuffed—armour is here!"

With a graceful leap, she grabbed the branch and swung herself up. Her newfound strength made the task almost laughably easy, and within moments, she descended with the feline in her arms.

"Here ya go!" she said, handing the cat to the boy, who beamed up at her.

By the time she reached a vendor's stall with a broken door hanging off its hinges, Subaru was starting to realise just how strong her new body really was. Fixing the door took barely any effort; she lifted the heavy wooden frame back into place as if it weighed nothing.

"This body's kinda awesome," she mused, flexing her arm beneath the armour. "Maybe I really am a protagonist."

As she dusted off her hands and prepared to continue her search, a flash of silver caught her eye.

Subaru turned, her sky-blue gaze locking onto a figure moving through the crowd. The girl stood out starkly against the earthy tones of the market—a slender form with flowing silver hair, eyes that sparkled like amethysts, and a white frilly dress that billowed as she moved. But what really grabbed Subaru's attention were the pointed ears peeking out from her hair.

"An elf?" Subaru whispered, excitement bubbling up inside her. "It has to be!"

Without thinking, she jogged after the girl, weaving through the bustling crowd until she caught up.

"Hello there!" Subaru called out, plastering on her most disarming smile.

The girl turned, her amethyst eyes blinking in surprise.

"Hello," she said softly, her voice lilting and melodic.

Subaru cleared her throat. "Are you, uh, from around here?"

The girl hesitated, her gaze darting to the side. "I… I am, but… excuse me, I'm in a hurry."

She turned and began walking away, her steps quick and purposeful.

Subaru frowned. Her protagonist instincts tingled. This girl had to be important. Maybe helping her was the first task in her heroic journey.

"Wait!" Subaru called, catching up to her again. "What's wrong? Maybe I can help?"

The girl paused, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight as she turned slightly toward Subaru.

"I… It's personal," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Subaru's shoulders slumped, disappointment flickering across her face. "Oh. Well, alright, if you don't want to—"

"Wait!" the girl called, stopping Subaru in her tracks.

Subaru spun around, her sky-blue eyes alight with curiosity.

The elf stepped closer, her expression tinged with both hope and hesitation. "Are you… a knight?"

"Um, kinda?" Subaru replied, scratching the back of her head. "It's a long story."

"Great!" The girl clasped her hands together. "Do you know a short blonde girl? A thief?"

Subaru tilted her head. "Hmm, nope. But let me guess—she stole something from you?"

The elf nodded, her amethyst eyes glimmering with frustration. "Yes."

Subaru crossed her arms, grinning confidently. "Alright then! As the hero—eh, or protagonist—I'll help you find your… uh, what was stolen again?"

The girl hesitated, her cheeks tinged pink. "It's, um… a trinket."

Subaru blinked. "A trinket? Wait, what?"

"It's fine if you don't want to help!" the elf said quickly, waving her hands as if to dismiss the whole conversation.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down!" Subaru interjected, raising a hand. "It's fine! Helping people is kinda my thing. By the way, what's your name?"

The girl hesitated for a moment before answering, "Emilia."

"Emilia!" Subaru repeated, a grin spreading across her face. "What a great name. Behold, I am the great hero, Natsuki Subaru!"

Emilia blinked, clearly taken aback by Subaru's dramatic proclamation.

Subaru held out a hand, her grin softening into something more reassuring. "Don't worry, Emilia. We'll find that thief and get your trinket back. Leave it to me!"

With that, the two of them set off, weaving through the busy streets in search of the elusive blonde thief. Subaru's heart raced with a mix of excitement and determination. This was it—the start of her journey. And if she played her cards right, she'd make sure it was one for the ages.

Subaru and Emilia wandered through the busy streets, stopping at every corner to ask passersby if they had seen a short blonde girl—a thief, specifically. But no one seemed to have any useful information. Each inquiry was met with shrugs or polite apologies. Frustration bubbled beneath Subaru's surface, though she kept a smile for Emilia's sake.

As they approached the central square, Subaru's eyes caught a lone figure sitting on the stone steps of a fountain. A young boy with green hair sat there, his face buried in his small hands as he sobbed quietly. The bustling crowd seemed to ignore him, passing by without a second glance.

Subaru pointed toward the boy. "Hey, Emilia, what do you think? Should we check on him?"

Emilia hesitated, glancing from the boy to Subaru. "Well, um… sure, I suppose. He does look upset."

The two approached the boy, Subaru taking the lead but gesturing for Emilia to speak first.

Emilia knelt slightly to meet the boy's eye level, her voice soft and kind. "Hello there. Are you alright? What's wrong?"

The boy lifted his tear-streaked face and looked at Emilia, his lip trembling, but no words came out. He hiccuped and wiped at his eyes, his crying only growing louder, leaving Emilia looking flustered.

"Oh, um, it's okay! You can tell us. Don't be afraid…" she said, though her voice wavered slightly.

Subaru stepped in, quick to think. "Alright, kiddo, how about this?"

With a dramatic flourish, she reached behind her back and pulled her hand forward, palm outstretched. Then, with an exaggerated twist of her fingers, she seemed to pluck a small berry out of thin air. It was a sleight-of-hand trick her dad had taught her as a kid.

"Ta-da!" Subaru said, holding the berry up like it was a priceless treasure.

The boy's crying stopped almost immediately, his wide, teary eyes staring at the berry in astonishment. "W-Wow… how did you do that?"

Subaru grinned, flipping the berry in her hand before offering it to the boy. "Magic. Pretty cool, huh? Here, you can have it."

The boy hesitated but then accepted the berry, his small hands clutching it tightly. "Thank you… I-I was lost."

"Lost, huh?" Subaru said, crouching down to his level. "Well, don't worry, kiddo. You've got the great hero Natsuki Subaru and her trusty partner, Emilia, on your side. We'll get you home!"

Emilia blinked at Subaru's confidence but quickly nodded in agreement. "Yes, of course. Don't worry, we'll find your parents."

To emphasise her determination—and maybe to show off just a little—Subaru scooped the boy up in her arms with ease. "Hang tight, kid. Let's find your folks!"

The boy clung to her armour, his earlier tears now replaced with a small smile.

It didn't take long before Subaru spotted a familiar face in the crowd. The broad green-haired man selling appas—the same one who had kindly given Subaru a fruit earlier—was searching the area frantically, his booming voice calling out a name.

"Oi! Appa guy!" Subaru called, waving an arm.

The vendor's eyes widened as he spotted them, relief flooding his face as he ran toward them. "My boy! You found my boy!"

Subaru handed the child over to his father, who embraced the boy tightly. "Thank you, Sir Knight! Thank you so much!"

"Knight, huh?" Subaru muttered, scratching the back of her head but choosing not to correct him.

Emilia watched the interaction with quiet amazement, her amethyst eyes lingering on Subaru.

Subaru crossed her arms, grinning. "No problem, but hey, I need a favour. We're looking for someone—a short blonde girl who's, uh… not the most honest person around."

The vendor straightened, his brows furrowing in thought. "Ah, you must mean Felt."

"Felt, huh?" Subaru said, committing the name to memory.

"She's a thief, lives in the slums," the vendor continued. "You'll find her at Old Man Rom's Loot House. Not the safest place, but if you're looking for her, that's where she'll be."

Subaru's grin widened. "Awesome! Thanks, Appa guy!"

The vendor chuckled. "Be careful, Knight. The slums are no place for a lady."

Subaru waved dismissively. "A lady? Pfft. I'm a protagonist, remember? Nothing can stop me!"

With that, Subaru and Emilia headed off toward the slums, their goal now clear. The bustling market faded behind them, replaced by narrow, shadowy alleys and the faint smell of decay. The air grew heavier, the laughter of children replaced by hushed whispers and furtive glances.

Subaru's confidence didn't waver, though she glanced at Emilia with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Emilia. We've got this. Just stick with me!"

Emilia nodded, her earlier nervousness giving way to quiet determination. Together, they ventured deeper into the slums, ready to face whatever awaited them.

To Be Continued

Chapter Text

Fake Knight VS Real Homicidal Maniac

The slum was everything Subaru expected from a place with such a grim reputation: narrow, dirty streets; the stench of rot and waste; and shadowy figures lurking in corners. Broken barrels and crumbling buildings lined the path, creating an atmosphere of desperation. Subaru glanced at Emilia, who held her silver hair close to her hood, trying to avoid the stares of the few people they passed.

"Not the friendliest neighbourhood," Subaru muttered, stepping over a puddle that looked suspiciously like sewage.

As they turned a corner, they found themselves face-to-face with a trio of shady individuals. The leader, a wiry man with sunken cheeks and sharp, darting eyes, grinned at them. Behind him stood a hulking brute with a scar running across his face and a third man who looked unnervingly eager, constantly shifting on his feet.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" the leader said, his grin widening to reveal yellowed teeth. "Two pretty little ladies wandering into our territory? You must be lost."

Subaru rolled her eyes, already irritated. "And here I was hoping for a warm welcome. Guess manners are in short supply around here."

Emilia stepped back, her amethyst eyes darting between the men. "Subaru, maybe we should—"

"Nah, don't worry, Emilia," Subaru interrupted, raising a hand. "I've got this."

The leader snickered, clearly not taking Subaru seriously. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts won't stop us from taking what we want."

The brute stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Shouldn't have come here, little knight."

Subaru sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Okay, look, I was really hoping we could skip the whole 'thugs making bad life choices' thing. But if you insist…"

The brute lunged at her, his massive fist aiming for her face. Subaru stepped aside effortlessly, her movements precise and fluid. Before the brute could recover, Subaru grabbed his arm and twisted, flipping him onto the ground with a resounding thud.

"Gah!" the brute cried out, clutching his arm.

The eager man tried to rush her next, swinging a rusty blade. Subaru ducked, her foot shooting out to sweep his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, groaning as the blade clattered away.

The leader, now looking significantly less confident, reached for a knife at his belt. But Subaru was faster. She closed the distance in an instant, grabbing his wrist and twisting it until he dropped the weapon. She shoved him back, sending him sprawling into a pile of crates.

"Let me make this clear," Subaru said, standing tall and dusting off her hands. "I don't have time for your nonsense. So unless you want another round, I suggest you leave."

The trio scrambled to their feet, nursing their wounds. The leader shot her a wary glance, then muttered something to his companions.

"You're tough, boss," he said grudgingly. "We'll remember that."

"Good," Subaru replied with a smirk. "Now beat it."

The trio stumbled away, disappearing into the darkness.

A few minutes later, they reached a run down hut. Sunaru knocked on the door.

From a hole, they could see a large, imposing figure sat on a makeshift throne fashioned from a collection of barrels and cushions.

The man was massive, his tan skin stretched over rippling muscles. His face, weathered and scarred, was framed by a thick mane of white hair. His eyes widened as he sized them up, leaning forward. "W-why are you here?! How are you here?!"

"What? I'm here for business, man! Open up!" Subaru said.

He narrowed his eyes. "What's your name?"

"Natsuki Subaru, old man!" Subaru said with her usual flair.

"I see..." he said. "Well, I need passwords." He then shifted a bit. "For a rat?" he said, his gravelly voice echoing in the room.

Subaru tilted her head. "Rat? What rat?"

He grunted. "The password. If you don't know it, then you've got no business here."

Subaru sighed, crossing her arms. "Listen, I'm not here for passwords or games. I'm a Royal Knight on an official mission."

The giant's eyebrows rose, skepticism etched across his face. He stared at her gleaming white armour, the golden trim catching the dim light, and the dagger at her hip. After a long moment of silence, he grunted again and gestured toward a rickety wooden bench.

"Fine, Knight. Come in. But don't touch anything," he growled.

Subaru smirked, motioning for Emilia to follow her inside.

The door to the Loot House creaked ominously as Subaru and Emilia stepped inside. It was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of stale ale and wood rot. The interior was cluttered with piles of random objects—worn-out swords, rusty shields, broken trinkets, and crates whose contents Subaru didn't want to imagine.

The man watched them carefully as they sat, his eyes flicking back and forth between them. "Now, what does a Knight and an elf want with me? I'm just an old giant selling odd items."

Subaru frowned, glancing at the random assortment of goods scattered around the room. "Odd items? Right. More like stolen ones."

The giant grimaced, leaning back in his makeshift throne. "You've got a big mouth for someone so small."

Emilia, ever polite, clasped her hands together and leaned forward slightly. "We're looking for someone. A thief. A blonde girl, short—"

The man stiffened slightly, his gaze darkening. "I don't know anything about a thief."

Subaru raised an eyebrow, leaning back casually. "Oh, really? Because you sure look like someone who'd know. And judging by all this," she gestured to the piles of junk, "you don't exactly seem like a fan of honesty."

The giant scowled but didn't respond immediately. Emilia sighed softly. "Please, it's really important. She stole something of mine—a trinket. It's precious to me."

He hesitated, his eyes drifting back to Subaru. The shining armour, the pristine white cape, the gauntlets—everything about her screamed authority. With a deep sigh, he finally spoke. "Alright, fine. The girl you're looking for… her name's Felt. She's ambitious, hates slum life. Always talks about leaving this place behind."

Subaru nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Sounds like she's just trying to make something of herself."

The man grunted. "Yeah, well, she found herself a client recently. Someone who offered her a lot to retrieve something. She didn't tell me what it was, but she was excited."

Before Subaru could respond, the door burst open with a loud bang. Both she and Emilia turned sharply to see a short blonde girl storm into the room, her face lit with excitement.

"Old Man! I've got—" Felt froze mid-sentence, her wide amber eyes landing on Emilia first, then sliding to Subaru. Her expression hardened instantly.

"You!" she yelled, her hand flying to the dagger at her side.

"Yes, me," Emilia said, standing up. "Now, hand over my insignia this instant!"

Felt scowled, gripping the hilt of her dagger tightly. "No way! I worked hard to get it!"

"You mean stole it," Emilia shot back, her voice firm but not unkind. "Please, it's really important to me."

Felt's face twisted with defiance, but before she could respond, the old giant spoke up. "Felt, you're messing with complicated stuff. This isn't just any trinket if a Royal Knight is here looking for it."

Subaru straightened her back, tilting her chin up slightly. "Exactly. This insignia is no ordinary object, and as a Royal Knight, I can't let it stay in the wrong hands."

Felt flinched, her grip on the dagger loosening. She hesitated, her eyes darting between Subaru, Emilia, and the old man. After a tense moment, she let out a frustrated sigh and reached into her pocket, pulling out a small, ornate insignia.

"Fine," she muttered, holding it out toward Subaru.

Subaru took the insignia, examining it briefly before handing it to Emilia with a flourish.

"Your precious trinket, milady," she said dramatically, bowing slightly.

Emilia smiled, her amethyst eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you, Subaru. I don't know what I would've done without you."

Subaru basked in the praise, her chest puffing out slightly. "All in a day's work for the great Natsuki Subaru!"

Felt crossed her arms, glaring at them. "You're lucky I'm giving this up. Next time, it won't be so easy."

The old man shook his head, muttering under his breath. "Kids these days…"

Subaru turned to Emilia, grinning. "Well, mission accomplished. What's next on the agenda?"

The creaking of the door grabbed everyone's attention. A woman strolled in, her movements sleek and deliberate, like a predator. Her attire was revealing, with a sinister aura that seemed to suck the air out of the room. She scanned the room with a cold smile.

"Oh my," she said, her tone dripping with mockery.

Felt turned to her, her face paling. "Forget about the insignia. I've failed."

The woman tilted her head. "Oh, so you did. How unfortunate."

Emilia stepped forward, her finger pointing accusingly. "So you're the one who made Felt steal my insignia!"

The woman shut the door behind her with a soft click. "You must be the owner," she mused, her smile widening. "Interesting."

Subaru felt a chill run down her spine as the woman's eyes swept over her and Emilia.

"Well, not that it matters. I was going to kill everyone here anyway," the woman said nonchalantly.

"What?!" Felt's voice was filled with shock and fear.

Subaru's instincts screamed at her. She saw the faint glint of a blade slicing through the air, heading straight for Emilia's back. Time seemed to slow as she lunged forward, but before she could reach her, a shield of crystalline ice materialized in front of Emilia, stopping the attack just in time.

"What…" Subaru stammered, her eyes wide as the frozen shards glimmered in the dim light.

The woman's grin faltered for a moment, then returned, even more twisted. "My, my. A spirit."

A small feline creature floated into view, its fur shining like silver in the moonlight. It hovered beside Emilia, its tail swishing lazily.

"Don't worry, Hero Girl," the creature said in a calm, androgynous voice. "I'm Puck— Lia's contracted spirit."

Subaru stared at the creature, barely able to contain her excitement. Magic? This world actually had magic?!

The woman—Elsa, as she later introduced herself—grinned wickedly, her gaze snapping to Subaru. "A redhead knight… Are you an Astrea?"

Subaru's brow furrowed. "Nope. I'm Natsuki Subaru. Clueless, broke beyond belief, but undeniably a hero!"

"Interesting," Elsa purred, her grip tightening on her blade. "I am Elsa, the Bowel Hunter. And I cannot wait to see your guts."

Before Subaru could react, Elsa was a blur, her speed almost inhuman. The blade arced toward them, but Puck was faster. A wall of ice rose from the ground, intercepting the attack with a sharp crack.

"Oh, that's adorable," Elsa chuckled, leaping back and flipping in mid-air. "Let's see how long you can keep this up."

She darted forward again, this time aiming for Puck. The small spirit yawned, as if utterly bored, and with a flick of his paw, icy winds howled through the room. Elsa skidded to a halt, her blade raised to block the sharp shards of ice slicing through the air.

"Too slow," Puck muttered.

The room temperature plummeted as frost began creeping up the walls. Elsa gritted her teeth, her breath visible in the freezing air. Her eyes narrowed as she lunged for Emilia again, but Subaru was ready this time.

"Not so fast!" Subaru yelled, stepping in front of Emilia with a knife she had taken from the table, raised.

Elsa's blade collided with Subaru's, the impact sending a sharp vibration up her arm. Subaru gritted her teeth, barely holding her ground.

"You're tougher than you look," Elsa said, her voice filled with amusement. She kicked Subaru hard, sending her stumbling back into a pile of junk.

"Subaru!" Emilia cried out, but Puck remained calm.

"Focus, Lia," Puck said. "She's mine to deal with."

Elsa laughed, her voice echoing through the room. "Deal with me? Oh, little spirit, you're underestimating me."

She hurled her blade, the weapon spinning through the air like a deadly boomerang. Puck waved a paw, and the weapon was encased in ice mid-flight, falling to the ground with a clatter.

"Overestimating yourself is a bigger problem," Puck said, his voice tinged with annoyance.

Elsa clicked her tongue, retrieving a second blade hidden beneath her cloak. She dashed toward Puck, her movements erratic and unpredictable. Frost coated the floor, making it difficult for her to find footing, but her agility was remarkable.

Subaru scrambled to her feet, clutching her knife. "I'm not done yet!" she shouted, charging at Elsa.

Elsa twisted away, her blade slashing toward Subaru's midsection, but Puck intervened again, forming a barrier of ice that forced Elsa to retreat.

"I'm getting tired of this game," Puck said, his tone growing colder—literally. A frosty mist emanated from his small form, and the air grew heavy with his power.

Elsa smirked. "Then stop playing."

"Gladly," Puck replied. He raised a paw, and the ground beneath Elsa's feet cracked with a deafening noise.

A massive spike of ice erupted from the floor, narrowly missing Elsa as she flipped backward. More spikes followed, each one forcing her into tighter and tighter spaces.

"You're good," Elsa admitted, her voice calm despite the danger. "But not good enough."

She launched herself at Emilia again, her blade aimed for the kill.

"Enough!" Puck's voice boomed.

The entire room was engulfed in a blinding flash of icy light. When the glow faded, Elsa was frozen solid, her body encased in a thick layer of frost from head to toe.

The room fell silent, save for the faint sound of frost cracking.

"Is it over?" Rom's voice came from behind the counter, trembling slightly.

"Maybe," Felt muttered, her wide eyes fixed on the frozen figure of Elsa.

As Emilia and Puck relaxed, believing the battle was over, a sudden cracking sound filled the air. The ice encasing Elsa shattered, sending shards flying. In a blink, she was in front of Emilia, her blade poised to slice through her abdomen.

Time slowed for Subaru. Her instincts screamed, and before she could think, she was already moving. She appeared behind Emilia, grabbing her by the waist and yanking her aside just in time. Her sapphire eyes locked onto Elsa's dark, predatory gaze.

And then, shocking even herself, Subaru's gloved hand shot out, catching the descending blade. With a sharp crack, the weapon snapped in two, the broken pieces clattering to the floor.

Just like that.

Elsa leapt back, her expression a mix of amusement and intrigue as she stared at the broken weapon in her hand. "You're quite strong."

"Uh, yeah. Apparently," Subaru replied, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. She lowered into a karate stance, looking more like a cheesy action hero than a knight. "Looks like I was underestimating myself the whoke time."

Elsa's grin widened. "Let's test that strength."

From the folds of her cloak, Elsa pulled out another blade, gleaming wickedly in the dim light. With a burst of speed, she lunged at Subaru, her movements fluid and deadly.

But Subaru was faster. Or maybe something else had taken over her body. She moved like a blur, each swing of Elsa's blade met with precise parries. Sparks flew as steel clashed against her gauntlets.

"Too slow!" Subaru shouted, ducking under a wild slash and landing a solid punch to Elsa's ribs.

Elsa stumbled but recovered quickly, lunging again. Subaru sidestepped with ease, her body moving instinctively. She struck again, her fist colliding with Elsa's shoulder, sending her spinning.

"Two!" Subaru counted, her grin widening.

Elsa snarled, pivoting and slashing upward. Subaru leaned back, narrowly avoiding the blade before driving her knee into Elsa's stomach.

"Three!"

Elsa staggered, coughing, but her eyes gleamed with excitement rather than pain. "Impressive," she murmured, straightening.

Then, without warning, Subaru grabbed Elsa's wrist mid-swing and twisted. The sickening crack of bone echoed through the room. Elsa's blade clattered to the ground as her hand dangled unnaturally.

Subaru froze, her confidence faltering. "Uh… oops?"

Elsa didn't scream. She didn't even flinch. Instead, she glanced at her mangled hand, her lips curling into a sinister smile. "Well, that's inconvenient."

Subaru's stomach turned as Elsa raised her blade and, without hesitation, sliced off her own crippled hand.

"What the—?!" Subaru gasped, stumbling back as blood splattered the ground.

Before anyone could react, a new hand began to grow, the flesh knitting itself together at an unnaturally fast pace. Within seconds, it was as if nothing had happened.

"Regeneration? Seriously?!" Subaru shouted, glancing at Puck and Emilia, who both looked equally stunned.

Elsa flexed her fingers, testing her new hand. "You're good," she said, her tone almost admiring. "Who is your master?"

"Uh… Jackie Bruce Lee?" Subaru quipped, dodging as Elsa lunged at her again.

Their fight resumed, even more intense than before. Elsa's movements were relentless, her strikes faster and more calculated. But Subaru kept up, dodging and parrying with an agility that defied explanation.

"You've got talent," Elsa said, her voice breathless yet filled with glee.

"Yeah, well, I'm full of surprises," Subaru shot back, sidestepping another strike.

"You're not using your dagger," Elsa noted, her tone almost teasing.

Subaru blinked, suddenly aware of the weapon still strapped to her side. She hadn't drawn it once.

"Guess I realised don't need it," Subaru said, though the words felt odd even to her. Something about this fight didn't call for the dagger—it felt like the wrong weapon for the moment.

Elsa's eyes narrowed. "Interesting."

As the fight wore on, Subaru began to feel the strain. Her breaths came heavier, her muscles aching with each movement. Elsa, on the other hand, seemed tireless, her attacks as fierce as ever.

Then, in a blur, Elsa shifted her focus. She turned, hurling a blade straight at Felt, who was cowering behind Rom.

"Felt!" Emilia screamed.

Without thinking, Subaru lunged, her body moving faster than her mind. She caught the blade inches from Felt's terrified face, the sharp edge pressing against her palm.

"Not on my watch," Subaru growled, tossing the blade aside.

Elsa chuckled darkly, stepping back. "I'll gut you all, in time."

Subaru turned to face her, but the Bowel Hunter was gone. The only sign of her departure was the faint echo of her laughter.

Subaru straightened, wiping sweat from her brow and grinning wide. "We'll see!"

As the tension in the Loot House eased, Emilia turned to Subaru, her voice warm and sincere. "Thank you again, Subaru. You really saved me back there. Twice, actually. Are you going to arrest me?"

Felt, still wary, muttered, "Yeah, thanks, I guess. Even if you're annoyingly showy about it."

Subaru scratched the back of her red head, her cheeks flushing as she laughed nervously. "Well, funny story about that. I'm… uh, not actually a Knight. Or even a trainee." She paused, glancing at the curious stares around her. "I just kinda woke up here. Long story."

Subaru purposefully skipped the part about waking up in a completely different body—a girl's body, no less. That was a can of worms she wasn't ready to open.

Emilia's jaw dropped. "Wait, you're not a Knight?"

Rom furrowed his brow. "So, what are you then, some kind of wandering weirdo?"

"Hey, that's harsh!" Subaru protested, raising her hands. "I'm a hero! A very… unorthodox one."

Emilia blinked, clearly processing this revelation. "You lied to me?"

"I didn't mean to deceive anyone," Subaru said quickly, bowing her head. "I just thought saying I was a Knight would help us get the insignia back without any trouble. I'm sorry, Emilia. Truly."

Puck, floating lazily beside Emilia, yawned. "She's not lying. This 'Hero Girl' doesn't seem to have any bad intentions."

Emilia hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. I believe you. But don't lie to me again, okay?"

"Scout's honour," Subaru said, holding up three fingers and grinning sheepishly.

Felt crossed her arms. "You're weird, but… thanks for helping us. Even if you're not some fancy Knight."

Subaru gave her a thumbs-up. "You're welcome!"

With that, Emilia and Subaru left the Loot House, stepping back into the chaotic streets of the slums.

TBC

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Clothes And Tastes

Subaru, feeling a mix of curiosity and boredom, decided it was time to crack the mystery of the twin maids. They were like matching ice sculptures—beautiful but cold, and somehow managing to make her feel like a pebble in a palace.

After wandering around for a bit, Subaru found them in the kitchen. Ram was wiping down a counter with the intensity of someone scrubbing away their disdain for humanity, while Rem was focused on chopping vegetables with the precision of a serial killer.

"Yo, ladies!" Subaru called out, leaning casually against the doorway, trying to seem friendly. "What's cookin'? And don't say me, 'cause I'm already hot!"

Ram barely spared her a glance before returning to her cleaning. "Is there something you require, Honored Guest?"

Subaru blinked, thrown off by the formality. "Uh, yeah, actually. I was hoping to chat, y'know? Get to know my fabulous hosts a little better."

Rem paused her chopping and looked up, her expression unreadable. "It is our duty to serve, not to socialize."

"Ouch." Subaru clutched her chest dramatically. "That one stung, Rem. Right in the heart."

Ram sighed, finally turning to face her. "If you're so desperate for attention, perhaps Emilia-sama would be a better audience for your antics. We are quite busy."

"Busy? You're cleaning a counter, and she's chopping veggies! This isn't exactly high-stakes stuff," Subaru shot back, grinning.

Rem's hands froze mid-chop. "The quality of the food and cleanliness of the manor reflect directly on Roswaal-sama and Emilia-sama. It is not something to take lightly."

"Alright, alright, I get it," Subaru said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "You two are pros. But come on, you've gotta loosen up a little. Don't you ever just… have fun?"

"Fun?" Ram repeated, her tone dripping with disdain. "We are not jesters, Honored Guest."

Subaru smirked. "Well, you could've fooled me with that sarcasm. You're a natural."

Ram's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.

Subaru turned to Rem, who seemed slightly less intimidating. "What about you, Rem? What do you do for fun? Hobbies? Secret talents? Hidden stash of snacks you don't share with your sister?"

Rem blinked, as if the concept of 'fun' was a foreign language. "I… enjoy working."

Subaru stared at her, waiting for more. "That's it? Just… working?"

"Yes," Rem replied, completely serious.

Subaru threw her hands in the air. "You two are impossible! How are you even human?"

"We could ask the same of you," Ram quipped, her tone icy but with a hint of amusement.

"Touché," Subaru muttered, rubbing the back of her neck. She took a step closer to Rem, peering at her chopping board. "So, what're you making? And please don't say something fancy I can't pronounce."

Rem hesitated, as if debating whether to answer. "Soup."

"Soup?" Subaru repeated, tilting her head. "That's it? Just soup?"

"It is a complex recipe," Rem said defensively.

"Hey, I'm not judging. Soup's great. I just wasn't expecting something so… normal," Subaru said, leaning against the counter.

Ram crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "Is there a reason you're hovering in the kitchen like an uninvited stray?"

Subaru grinned. "Aw, come on, don't be like that. I just wanted to bond with you guys! You're part of the squad now."

"Squad?" Ram repeated, raising an eyebrow. "We are maids. Not your 'squad.'"

Subaru shrugged. "Details. So, Rem, can I help with the soup? Or is that sacred maid territory?"

Rem looked genuinely startled by the offer. "You… want to help?"

"Sure! I'm a pro at, uh…" Subaru paused, realizing she had zero kitchen skills. "Chopping stuff! Yeah, give me a knife, and I'll dice like a demon!"

Ram looked horrified. "Absolutely not. You would likely injure yourself and others."

"Rude, but fair," Subaru admitted.

Rem hesitated before handing Subaru a potato and a peeler. "You may peel this."

Subaru took the peeler like it was a holy sword. "You got it, chef!"

As she started peeling, the potato promptly slipped out of her hands and hit the floor.

Ram sighed loudly. "This is why we don't let amateurs into the kitchen."

"Hey, it's a slippery little guy!" Subaru protested, picking it up and rinsing it off. "Second time's the charm."

Rem watched her attempt to peel with a mixture of curiosity and mild horror. "Perhaps… you should simply observe."

"Wow, no faith in me, huh?" Subaru said, mock-offended. "Alright, fine, I'll just stand here and look pretty. Which, by the way, I'm amazing at."

Ram rolled her eyes, but there was the faintest twitch of a smile on her lips.

Despite their chilly demeanour, Subaru couldn't help but feel she was making progress. Small steps, she thought, glancing at Rem, who was quietly correcting the mess Subaru had made of the potato. Maybe one day, she'd crack through their icy exteriors. Until then, she'd settle for being the lovable nuisance in their lives.

Subaru had spent enough mornings watching her mom expertly tie her hair in various styles to know how to manage it herself. Even though she'd spent her whole life as a boy until recently, the muscle memory—or perhaps just sheer determination—kicked in. With a few clumsy but eventually successful attempts, she fashioned her long, vibrant red hair into two panda buns.

Looking at her reflection, she grinned. "Not bad for someone who had short hair yesterday. Now, let's get some clothes."

Ram, ever the picture of poise and irritation, was tasked with showing Subaru the manor's dressing room. The moment the door opened, Subaru was hit with the sight of racks upon racks of extravagant dresses, ornate robes, and tailored suits.

"Impressive," Subaru said, stepping inside and running her fingers along the luxurious fabrics. Then she frowned. "But, uh, not really my taste."

Ram's eyebrow twitched. "And what, may I ask, is your taste, Honored Guest?"

Subaru scratched the back of her head, avoiding eye contact. "Eh, forget it. There's no way anyone here knows how to make my kind of—"

That was as far as she got before Ram's eyes narrowed with the fire of a thousand suns. "Give me the design."

Subaru blinked. "What?"

"The design," Ram repeated, her voice firm. "If these clothes do not meet your expectations, draw what you desire."

"Oh, no, no," Subaru said, waving her hands defensively. "I didn't mean—"

"Do it."

Subaru sighed, realizing there was no escape from Ram's determination. She plopped down at a nearby desk, grabbed a sheet of paper, dipped a feather quill into ink, and began sketching.

"Alright, something badass," she muttered, chewing on her lip. "Let's start with a white overcoat—long, dramatic, the kind that flaps in the wind during cool hero moments. Jeans... yeah, jeans. Practical but stylish. And a cloak, because every hero needs to look mysterious. Casual wear? Hmm…"

She added a shirt, a t-shirt, shorts, and, after some hesitation, a skirt. "Why not? It's not like Ram is going to make it," she reasoned, shrugging.

When she was done, she handed the paper to Ram with a smug smile, fully expecting the maid to balk at the complexity—or outright laugh.

Ram, however, simply stared at the designs for a moment. Then, without a word, she turned on her heel, marched into the tailoring room, and shut the door behind her with a decisive click.

Subaru blinked at the closed door. "Wait, she's actually gonna try?!"

Shrugging, she decided to leave Ram to her madness and wandered off to find Rem. Poking around the kitchen, she found the younger twin busy preparing some kind of elaborate meal.

Subaru, of course, couldn't resist pestering her. "Hey, Rem, quick question. Do you ever get tired of chopping vegetables? Like, does your wrist just give up and cry for mercy?"

Rem looked up, her expression as blank as always. "If the Honored Guest is bored, there are plenty of books in the library."

Subaru grinned. "Nah, I prefer live entertainment. That's why I'm here, watching a master chef at work."

Rem sighed but said nothing, focusing on her chopping. Subaru leaned against the counter, occasionally throwing in ridiculous commentary about soup-making techniques, much to Rem's silent exasperation.

Three hours later, Subaru was lounging in the sunlit garden with Emilia, casually chatting about magic and Puck, when a loud thud interrupted them.

They turned to see Ram standing there, looking supremely smug, with a massive stack of neatly folded clothes in her arms. She dropped them onto the table with the elegance of a general laying down a battle plan.

Subaru stared, wide-eyed. "No way."

Ram crossed her arms, her expression as smug as it was triumphant. "As requested, Honored Guest. Your designs have been completed."

Subaru gawked at the clothes. There was the white overcoat, perfectly tailored. The jeans looked like something straight out of a fashion magazine. The cloak was dramatic enough to make any hero jealous. And the casual wear? Spot on. Even the skirt looked… wearable.

"You actually made them?" Subaru said, half in disbelief, half in awe.

"Of course," Ram replied. "A maid of the Mathers household does not fail in her duties." Ram stood there, arms crossed and a smug expression plastered across her face, as if she'd just won a silent, one-sided argument. On the table before her was a mountain of fabric that could rival a small clothing store.

Subaru's mouth fell open as she began sifting through the pile. Her hands first landed on the white overcoat. "Wait… you actually made this?"

"Of course," Ram replied, tossing her pink hair over her shoulder. "Do not underestimate my skills, Honored Guest. You thought your crude little drawing would stump me? Hah."

Subaru picked up the overcoat, holding it up to inspect. It was pristine white, with sharp, clean edges and an inner lining that screamed luxury. She pulled out the jeans next—dark, slim-fit, and somehow just her size.

"Whoa, this is… like, really good," Subaru muttered, genuinely impressed. She then spotted the cloak, all dramatic and flowing, with a clasp that looked like a tiny dragon. "Ram, did you—"

"Hand-stitched," Ram said, cutting her off. "Every last detail."

"Okay, okay, respect!" Subaru exclaimed, tossing the cloak over her shoulders and striking a ridiculous pose. "Do I look like a hero yet?"

Emilia giggled behind her hand, her lilac eyes sparkling with amusement. "You do look mysterious now."

"Mysterious? I was going for badass!" Subaru groaned, then turned back to the pile. She fished out a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. "And these… for casual wear?"

Ram nodded. "As per your… highly questionable design choices."

Subaru's eyes widened, holding up the skirt she'd added to her list almost as a joke. "You even made this, huh? I was joking. You really think I'd wear this?"

Ram raised an eyebrow. "I have no doubts you will. Your shamelessness knows no bounds."

"Touché," Subaru muttered, tossing the skirt back onto the table.

"And before you ask," Ram added, her tone sharp, "I measured you while you were asleep. Don't flatter yourself by thinking you're difficult to tailor for."

"Wait, what?" Subaru froze, her face turning beet red. "You measured me? While I was asleep?! That's… that's so creepy!"

"I assure you, it was purely professional," Ram said, brushing off the accusation like lint from her sleeve.

Subaru squinted at her. "Yeah, but still. That's, like, a thing you tell someone before you do it!"

"Would you have agreed?" Ram shot back.

"…No," Subaru admitted, slumping a little. "But still!"

"Then stop complaining," Ram said coolly.

Emilia, who had been silently enjoying the back-and-forth, chimed in, "I think you should try them on, Subaru. Ram worked very hard on these."

Subaru glanced at Emilia, then at Ram, who looked so smug she could've been mistaken for a cat that had just eaten a canary. "Fine," Subaru grumbled. "But if I end up looking ridiculous, I'm blaming you."

"You will look ridiculous no matter what you wear," Ram said with a sly smile.

"Wow, you're really gunning for Employee of the Month, huh?" Subaru shot back, grabbing the overcoat, jeans, and cloak before stomping off to the dressing room.

A few minutes later, Subaru reappeared in the overcoat and jeans, the cloak billowing dramatically behind her. She struck a heroic pose, hands on her hips. "Behold! Subaru, the Shadow Knight of Justice!"

Emilia clapped her hands together, looking genuinely delighted. "You look amaaazing, Subaru!"

Ram, however, was less enthusiastic. "Your pose is atrocious, and your moniker is worse. But the clothes do fit you well."

Subaru ignored her, twirling around to make the cloak flare out. "You guys better watch out. I'm gonna steal the show from everyone now!"

"And yet," Ram said dryly, "no one will notice."

"Oh, you're hilarious," Subaru said, rolling her eyes. "Rem! Back me up here!"

Rem had just entered the room, carrying a tray of tea. She paused, her blue eyes widening as she took in Subaru's new outfit. "…You look very… dynamic."

"I'll take it!" Subaru said, throwing her fist into the air.

Emilia giggled again, clearly enjoying Subaru's antics. "You really do look like a hero, Subaru."

"Damn right I do," Subaru said, grinning ear to ear. "And with these threads, nothing in this world can stop me!"

Ram smirked, her arms crossed. "Let us hope your confidence lasts longer than your cooking skills."

Subaru gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "That's it. You're officially my nemesis, Ram!"

"Good," Ram replied, her tone cool. "I was getting tired of being your maid."

Subaru laughed, the sound echoing through the manor. Maybe these twins weren't so bad after all.

TBC

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Tik-tac

Subaru stood in the courtyard of the Roswaal estate, her crimson hair flowing like wildfire against the gentle breeze. She adjusted the weight of her dagger in her hand, its silvery sheen catching the sunlight. The blade was no ordinary weapon—it could extend into a sword with a mere thought and retract just as swiftly. Add to that her newfound ability to store and retrieve items from a shadow inventory, and Subaru felt like she was playing in cheat mode.

Her armour glinted, her cape swirled behind her with each step, and her striking blue eyes narrowed as she focused on the dummy she had set up. A swift swing later, her blade extended into a glowing white sword, slicing cleanly through the wooden figure. She smirked at her work.

Puck floated lazily nearby, his little paws tucked under his chin. "Not bad, not bad. You've got some style for someone who, what was it, got isekai'd by accident?"

"Hey!" Subaru pointed her sword at him playfully. "Don't mock me, you lazy furball. I'm getting the hang of this!"

Emilia sat on the stone steps, watching with a warm smile. "You're amazing, Subaru. The way you move—it's so graceful and... strong."

Otto, scrubbing away at the balcony railings above, paused mid-swipe. His poet's heart leapt at the sight. "Such splendour... The Lady Knight in her crimson glory, striking down foes with unmatched elegance!" he muttered to himself, already drafting a new stanza in his mind.

Subaru chuckled, running a hand through her hair. She was still coming to terms with her new female body. It had immense power—enough to send shockwaves with a punch or slice through steel like butter—but it came at a cost. Her metabolism burned through calories like a raging inferno, hence her insatiable appetite.

"Lady Subaru, would you allow me to compose an ode in your honour?" Otto called out.

"Save it for later, Poet-in-Chief," she quipped, flipping her dagger in her hand.

Unbeknownst to her, a certain blonde loli was pretending to read nearby. Beatrice peeked over the top of her book, inching closer and closer with every swing of Subaru's blade.

Subaru, however, was no fool. Her instincts were sharp, and the faintest ripple in the air made her side-eye the sneaky librarian. "Betty," she said without turning, "don't even think about it."

Beatrice froze, her hand halfway extended. "I-I wasn't doing anything, I suppose!"

Before Subaru could respond, Rem walked into the courtyard, her calm demeanour offsetting the hum of activity. "Subaru-sama, lunch is ready."

Subaru's eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store. "Lunch? Finally!" She grinned and focused on her sword, which shimmered and disappeared into her shadow. Her armour followed suit, melting into the ground as she re-emerged in her casual attire—a simple shirt and jeans. Shadow inventory was awesome. She could change clothes faster than a magical girl transformation.

"Time to eat!" Subaru declared, practically skipping toward Rem.

But just as she was about to step away, a small hand darted out and grabbed hers.

"Wait—"

A blinding red light engulfed them both.

When the light dimmed, Subaru blinked, now carrying an unconscious Beatrice bridal-style. She sighed, glancing at Rem and Emilia, who stared in concern.

"Again?" Subaru groaned. "Does this kid ever learn?"

Puck floated over, smirking. "She just can't get enough of your mana, Hero Girl. You're like her favourite flavour now."

"Great. I'm a walking snack bar," Subaru muttered.

Without another word, she hoisted Beatrice securely and marched back to the manor, muttering about lolis and their insatiable needs as Emilia and Rem exchanged bewildered looks.

Ö~Ö

In the opulent training hall of the Astrea estate, the air was thick with tension. Reinhard stood beside Felt, guiding her through the intricacies of noble etiquette. Her frustration was palpable, her rebellious spirit clashing with the rigid formalities. Suddenly, the heavy doors creaked open, and Heinkel Astrea, Reinhard's father, staggered in, the pungent scent of alcohol preceding him.

"Well, isn't this a sight," Heinkel drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The esteemed Sword Saint, reduced to tutoring a slum rat."

Felt bristled, her eyes flashing with anger. "Watch your mouth, old man," she snapped. "Reinhard, get rid of this drunkard."

Heinkel let out a bitter laugh, swaying slightly. "Kill me? Like you killed your own mother?" He took a swig from his flask, his gaze challenging.

Reinhard's expression remained stoic, though a flicker of pain crossed his eyes. "Father, please leave. You're not yourself."

"Not myself?" Heinkel sneered. "I'm exactly who I've always been. Unlike you, parading around with that title, pretending to be a hero."

Felt clenched her fists, stepping forward. "You have no right to talk to him like that!"

Heinkel's gaze shifted to her, a cruel smile curling his lips. "And you, little girl, think you can play princess? You're nothing but a street urchin, a pawn in their games."

"That's enough," Reinhard interjected, his voice firm. "Leave, now."

Heinkel's eyes narrowed, but he turned unsteadily toward the door. "Remember, boy," he slurred, "no matter how high you rise, you'll always be the reason our family fell." With that, he stumbled out, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

Felt exhaled sharply, her anger giving way to a weary sigh. "I really can't stand red-haired, blue-eyed people. First that fake knight girl, now this."

Reinhard's gaze softened as he looked at her. "I'm sorry for my father's behavior. He... harbors many resentments."

Felt waved a hand dismissively. "It's not your fault. Let's just get back to work."

As they resumed the lesson, Reinhard's thoughts lingered on her words. A red-haired, blue-eyed knight girl? Curiosity piqued, he made a mental note to learn more about this mysterious figure.

The encounter with his father had reopened old wounds, but it also strengthened his resolve. He would continue to support Felt, guiding her toward her destiny, while seeking to understand the complexities of his own family's past.

Ö~Ö

The dining hall of the Roswaal Manor was alive with the sounds of cutlery clinking, muffled conversation, and the enthusiastic chomping of one particularly ravenous guest. Subaru was devouring her meal like a beast unleashed, her plate perpetually refilled by a visibly unimpressed Rem.

The food was indeed delicious—succulent roast meats, fragrant rice, freshly baked bread, and a plethora of desserts that made Subaru's blue eyes shine with delight. She barely paused between bites, her fork and knife moving with a determination that rivalled her swordplay.

"Ah, Rem! This stew is amazing! Gimme more!" Subaru exclaimed through a mouthful, grinning ear to ear.

Rem, standing stoic beside her, gave a curt nod, refilling her bowl without a word. However, her eyes briefly darted to Otto, who sat across the table furiously sketching.

"Otto," Rem said flatly, "what are you doing?"

"Capturing a moment of greatness!" Otto declared, flipping his sketchpad to reveal a disturbingly detailed drawing of Subaru mid-bite, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk. "This will make for an epic illustration in my book about Subaru-sama's heroic journey!"

Rem's brow twitched slightly. "It's... unsettling."

Ram, standing near the far wall, crossed her arms and scowled. "Hero? That slob is more like a beast. How disgraceful to eat like that in front of Roswaal-sama."

Subaru, unbothered, continued eating. She leaned back in her chair, patting her stomach. "What can I say? A hero's gotta refuel!"

Emilia giggled softly, enjoying Subaru's cheerful energy. "You're really something, Subaru. I've never seen anyone enjoy food so much."

Meanwhile, Beatrice sat in a corner, curled up with Puck nestled in her lap. She watched Subaru with an intensity that bordered on predatory, her gaze never leaving Subaru's red hair and glowing aura.

Puck, noticing her fixation, teased, "Betty, if you keep staring like that, you'll burn a hole through her."

"Shut up, Bubby, I suppose!" Beatrice snapped, but her gaze didn't waver.

Just as Subaru reached for another slice of pie, the doors to the dining hall opened with a theatrical flourish. Roswaal glided in, his flamboyant robes swaying and his painted smile firmly in place.

"Ah, what a lively scene we have here," he drawled, his mismatched eyes scanning the room. "Subaru-sama, Emilia-sama, I have news from the Capitaaal~."

Subaru sat up straighter, a crumb falling from her mouth. "News? What's up, Ros-chi?"

Roswaal clapped his hands together. "The Great Assembly of the Dragon's Candidates is scheduled for next Tuesday. Emilia-sama, you and Subaru-sama must prepare to attend."

The cheerful atmosphere dimmed slightly as Emilia's smile faltered. She clasped her hands nervously. "The Assembly... already? But... I'm not ready..."

Subaru leaned over, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't sweat it, Emilia. We've got this. You'll knock 'em dead with your charm, and if anyone gives you trouble, I'll knock them dead with my sword!"

Emilia's lips curled into a small smile, reassured by Subaru's confidence. "Thank you, Subaru."

Otto, however, shot up from his seat, his hand raised like an eager student. "I want to come too! Please, Roswaal-sama, let me accompany you to the Capital!"

Roswaal tilted his head, eyeing Otto with mild amusement. "And why, pray tell, should I take you along?"

Otto clasped his hands together, his desperation palpable. "Think of it as a chance for me to document Subaru-sama's legend in the making! A historic moment needs to be recorded!"

Roswaal chuckled, his painted lips curling further. "Your enthusiasm is... admirable. However—"

"Please, please, please!" Otto practically fell to his knees, his voice echoing dramatically through the hall.

Subaru snorted. "Geez, Otto, get a grip. But hey, he's harmless, Roswaal. Let him come. We'll keep an eye on him."

Roswaal tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Very well. If you're so desperate, I suppose I caaan permit it~."

Otto's face lit up with joy, but his relief was short-lived as Roswaal turned to Ram.

"Ram, dear, do ensure that our aspiriiing writer is... useful. Perhaps he can assist you duuuring the journey."

Ram's smile was anything but kind. "Oh, I'll make sure he earns his keep, Roswaal-sama."

Otto gulped audibly.

Emilia, sensing the tension, quickly changed the subject. "Shall we finish dinner? We'll need all the energy we can get for the preparations."

Subaru grinned, raising her fork. "Seconded! Rem, more pie!"

As plates were refilled and plans for the Capital loomed, Subaru's cheerful spirit remained a beacon of energy in the manor, her appetite as legendary as her boldness.

Ö~Ö

Steam rose like ethereal clouds in the massive bathhouse, the kind of luxury Subaru had never dreamed of back in her old world. The pool of crystal-clear water shimmered under the warm lighting, the marble walls glistening with condensation. Stripped of her armour and casual clothes, Subaru sank into the hot water with a groan of pure bliss, letting the soothing heat wash over her muscles.

"Man, this is life," she muttered, leaning back against the edge of the pool. Her red hair clung to her damp shoulders, her blue eyes closed as she savoured the rare moment of peace.

But peace, as Subaru was learning in this world, was often fleeting.

"Good morning, Subaru!"

The familiar voice startled her, her eyes snapping open to see Emilia standing at the doorway of the bathhouse.

"E-EMILIA?!" Subaru's voice cracked as she scrambled to cover herself, though the water did most of the work. Her face turned the colour of her hair as she frantically waved her arms. "W-what are you doing here?!"

Emilia tilted her head, her silver hair falling like a curtain over her shoulder. She looked genuinely puzzled. "Um, taking a bath? Isn't that what you're doing?"

"Yes, but—" Subaru's words caught in her throat as Emilia began untying the ribbon of her nightgown.

Her heart raced. No, no, no, this couldn't be happening. "Wait! Hold on! You can't just—this is—what about privacy?!"

Emilia giggled, a sound so innocent it only made the situation worse. "Oh, Subaru, don't be silly. It's just the two of us. There's no need to be shy!"

The nightgown slipped off her shoulders, pooling around her feet, and Subaru shut her eyes so tightly she saw stars. Don't look, don't look, don't look!

"I also had this wondeeerful idea," Emilia continued, stepping into the pool, her voice light and cheerful.

Subaru kept her eyes squeezed shut, but her imagination was running wild, and not in a way she wanted. "W-w-wonderful idea? What idea? Couldn't it wait until later? Or, you know, not here?!"

The water rippled as Emilia moved closer, her voice practically next to Subaru's ear. "I was thinking we could practice for the Assembly! You know, rehearse how you'll stand by me and protect me in front of everyone."

"That's great and all," Subaru said through gritted teeth, her hands covering her face. "But couldn't we do this when we're fully clothed?!"

"Subaru, are you okay? Your face is really red," Emilia said, concern lacing her tone.

"It's the heat!" Subaru yelped. "This water's, uh, super hot!"

"Oh no, should I cool it down?"

"NO!" Subaru practically shouted, her voice echoing off the marble walls.

There was a moment of silence, and then Subaru felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. "Subaru, why are your eyes closed? You're not going to fall asleep, are you?"

"I'm meditating," Subaru lied.

"In the bath? That's impressive!"

Subaru groaned internally. She could feel the water shifting as Emilia got even closer. The silver-haired half-elf probably had no idea what kind of torture she was putting Subaru through.

"Subaru," Emilia said softly, her tone curious, "why are you acting so strange? You're not embarrassed, are you?"

"N-no! Of course not!" Subaru's voice cracked again.

"Then open your eyes," Emilia said, her voice carrying a hint of a challenge.

Subaru's heart sank. She couldn't think of a valid excuse fast enough. Reluctantly, she cracked one eye open, then the other.

There she was—Emilia, in all her naked glory, sitting right next to her in the pool. The steam clung to her porcelain skin, her long silver hair cascading over her shoulders and barely covering her chest. Her violet eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity, completely oblivious to Subaru's inner turmoil.

Subaru's brain short-circuited. "I-I-I—"

"See? That's not so bad, is it?" Emilia smiled, completely at ease. "Now we can talk properly!"

Subaru desperately tried to keep her eyes on Emilia's face, but her gaze betrayed her, flicking downward for a split second. 'Damn it, Subaru! Eyes up, you idiot!' And her hawk eyes, in that split second, saw everything in ample details.

"So, about the Assembly," Emilia began, leaning closer. "Do you think I should wear something formal, or maybe something simpler to show I'm approachable?"

"Uh-huh," Subaru said weakly, nodding without really hearing her.

Emilia tilted her head, her brows furrowing slightly. "Subaru, are you sure you're okay? You're sweating a lot."

"It's the steam!" Subaru blurted, her voice an octave higher than usual.

"Maybe we should get out if it's too hot for you," Emilia suggested, already starting to stand.

"No!" Subaru grabbed her wrist, panic overtaking her. "Stay in! Please! Don't—uh—don't catch a cold from leaving too soon!"

Emilia blinked, then smiled warmly. "Aw, you're so thoughtful, Subaru."

Thoughtful? More like desperate to avoid a heart attack!

Just then, the door creaked open again. Subaru's head snapped toward the sound, her already frayed nerves threatening to unravel completely.

It was Betty, peeking in with a book in her hands. "There you are, I suppose!" she said, her eyes locking onto Subaru.

"NOT NOW, BETTY!" Subaru screamed, causing the loli to blink in confusion.

Emilia looked between Subaru and Betty, her expression puzzled. "Why are you yelling? Betty's just checking on us."

"No reason! Totally fine! Let's all just stay calm and not make this weirder!"

Betty frowned, then sniffed the air. Her gaze sharpened as she focused on Subaru. "Your mana smells different, I suppose."

"Great observation! Let's discuss it later!" Subaru said, frantically waving her off.

Betty's eyes narrowed, but she didn't press further. She turned and left, muttering something about "idiots in the bath."

As the door clicked shut, Subaru exhaled a breath she didn't realise she was holding.

"Subaru," Emilia said softly, her violet eyes searching her face.

"Y-yeah?" Subaru stammered, bracing for whatever came next.

"Thank you for always being there for me." Emilia's smile was radiant, her sincerity cutting through the awkwardness like a beam of light.

Subaru's shoulders relaxed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Of course, Emilia-tan. Always."

The rest of the bath passed in relative silence, though Subaru tried, and failed to keep a safe distance and her eyes firmly above water.

Being a girl sucks... almost.

Chapter Text

In The Assembly

There's morning sun bathed the Roswaal estate in golden light, a perfect backdrop for the departure of their little entourage. The carriage, an opulent vehicle adorned with the Margrave's crest, stood waiting. The horses neighed softly, their breath visible in the crisp air.

Rem stood by the door, her hands clasped neatly in front of her as she watched the group prepare to leave. "Please travel safely, Subaru-sama, Emilia-sama," she said with a polite bow, her voice calm but tinged with concern.

Emilia, seated inside the carriage, smiled warmly at her loyal maid. "Thank you, Rem. We'll do our best to return with good news."

"Yeah, don't worry about us," Subaru added with a grin, leaning out of the carriage window. Her red hair caught the sunlight, making her look more vibrant than usual. Her blue eyes sparkled with determination. "Just keep things in order here, and don't let Betty cause too much chaos!"

Rem chuckled softly. "I will do my best, Subaru-sama."

Up front, Otto was already settled in the driver's seat, looking more nervous than usual. His knuckles were white as he gripped the reins, and he kept glancing at Ram, who sat beside him with her usual air of disdainful elegance.

"Stop shaking, ground dragon boy," Ram drawled, her pink hair swaying in the breeze. "If you drive us into a ditch, I will not hesitate to shove you into one myself."

"Y-yes, Ram-sama," Otto stammered, his back straightening in terror.

Inside the carriage, Subaru adjusted her red cape, which draped stylishly over her armour. She shifted slightly, trying to find a comfortable position. "Man, they really don't make these carriages for people in full armour. It's like sitting on a pile of rocks."

"Then why are you wearing it now?" Emilia asked, her tone half-amused, half-curious.

"Because, Emilia-tan," Subaru said, giving her a confident smirk, "I'm your pseudo-knight. And knights should always look ready to protect their lady."

Puck, floating lazily beside Emilia, chimed in with a teasing tone. "I think she's just showing off."

"Hey!" Subaru pointed an accusatory finger at the spirit. "I'll have you know this armour is super practical! It even makes me look cooler, doesn't it, Emilia-tan?"

Emilia giggled, her silver hair shimmering as she turned to face Subaru. "You always look confident, Subaru. That's what matters most."

Subaru's grin softened, and she leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. "Speaking of confidence… how are you feeling about the assembly, Emilia-tan?"

The smile on Emilia's face faltered for a moment, and she looked down at her lap. Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her dress. "I'm… a little nervous. This is such a big responsibility. What if I say something wrong? Or what if the other candidates—"

"Whoa, whoa, hold it right there," Subaru interrupted, holding up a hand. She straightened up, her expression turning serious. "First of all, you're gonna crush it, okay? You've got this, Emilia-tan. You're smart, kind, and way more capable than you give yourself credit for."

Emilia glanced up at her, her violet eyes wide with surprise.

"Second," Subaru continued, leaning back with a playful smirk, "if any of those candidates try to mess with you, they'll have to deal with me. I might not be a real knight, but I've got the attitude down, and trust me, that's half the battle."

Puck snickered. "More like a quarter of the battle, but sure."

"Not helping, fluffball," Subaru shot back before turning her attention back to Emilia. "Seriously, Emilia-tan. You're not alone in this. You've got Puck, Roswaal, me, and even that grumpy Ram up front. We're all here to support you."

Emilia's lips curved into a small but genuine smile. "Thank you, Subaru. That means a lot to me."

"Anytime, boss lady," Subaru said with a wink.

From outside, Roswaal's distinctive voice broke the moment. "Ahem, if we're all ready, let us be off! The capital awaits, and we wouldn't want to be late for such an important occasion."

Subaru rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we're coming, clown man."

The carriage lurched forward as Otto urged the horses into motion. Rem waved from the estate gates, her figure growing smaller with each passing moment. Inside, the atmosphere was a mix of anticipation and nervous energy.

As the countryside rolled by outside the window, Subaru leaned back and crossed her arms, a determined glint in her eyes. She was ready for whatever challenges awaited them in the capital. For Emilia's sake, she would face them head-on, no matter what.

Ö~Ö

The grand carriage rolled to a stop in the bustling capital streets, its polished exterior gleaming under the midday sun. A soft murmur rippled through the crowd as onlookers caught sight of the passengers stepping out.

Subaru was the first to disembark, her striking red hair cascading like fire down her back. Her blue eyes scanned the crowd with an air of confidence, though her heart was beating a little faster than usual. Dressed in her gleaming armour, her crimson cape billowing slightly in the breeze, she cut an impressive figure.

"Who's that?" someone whispered.

"Is she a knight? Look at her armour!"

"Red hair and blue eyes? She's practically glowing!"

Subaru smirked to herself, adjusting her cape for dramatic effect. "Man, this hero thing is easier than I thought," she muttered under her breath.

Emilia followed, her silver hair and serene presence drawing her own share of admiring gazes. She stepped lightly, her violet eyes sparkling with determination despite the nerves simmering beneath her calm exterior.

Roswaal exited last, his flamboyant attire and painted face instantly drawing attention. He waved dramatically at the gathered crowd, who whispered in hushed tones about the eccentric lord accompanying the half-elf candidate.

At the palace gates, the guards stiffened at the sight of the group, their eyes narrowing slightly when they spotted Emilia. However, Roswaal's painted face leaned forward with a flourish, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"Roswaal L. Mathers, here to escort my candidate to the assembly," he announced, his voice lilting like a song.

The guards exchanged glances before nodding and stepping aside. "You may enter, Lord Mathers."

The group proceeded through the ornate palace halls, their footsteps echoing on the polished marble floors. Every detail of the palace spoke of grandeur and authority, from the towering ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes to the gold-trimmed banners lining the walls.

Outside the assembly hall, Ram and Otto were instructed to wait. Ram accepted the order with her usual air of indifference, but Otto's face fell.

"Please, Lord Roswaal," Otto pleaded, clasping his hands together. "I've never seen such an important assembly before. It would be an honour to witness history in the making!"

Roswaal tilted his head, his mismatched eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Hmm… you make a compelling case, Otto. Very well. But only if you promise to stay out of trouble."

"Of course!" Otto said, beaming with gratitude.

Before they entered, Subaru turned to Emilia, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, Emilia-tan," she said softly. "Remember what I told you. You're not alone in this. You've got us, and more importantly, you've got yourself. You're going to show everyone why you deserve that throne."

Emilia nodded, her lips curving into a small but determined smile. "Thank you, Subaru. I'll do my best."

The enormous double doors to the Sage Council creaked open, revealing a vast chamber filled with towering statues and an air of undeniable gravitas.

"The first candidate of the throne, Emilia the Half-elf, accompanied by her sponsor Roswaal L. Mathers and her companion Natsuki Subaru, is here!" the doorkeeper announced, his voice echoing through the chamber.

As Emilia stepped into the grand hall, whispers erupted among the gathered spectators.

"Is that the half-elf?"

"She looks just like her… The Witch of Envy…"

"Why would anyone support someone with that bloodline?"

The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on Emilia, and she instinctively shrank under the scrutiny. Her violet eyes flickered nervously across the room, each judgmental gaze cutting into her confidence like a blade.

Subaru, however, was oblivious. She had no knowledge of the Witch of Envy or the prejudice Emilia had endured her entire life. Instead, she strolled into the hall like she owned the place, her striking red hair catching the light as she flipped her bangs out of her face.

"Man, it's weird here," Subaru muttered, her sapphire eyes scanning the vast chamber. "Like the air is heavy or something. Did they forget to open the windows?"

The room froze.

Every single spectator turned their gaze from Emilia to Subaru, their whispers silenced in an instant. For a moment, the grand hall became eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of Subaru's voice and the faint rustle of Otto's notebook as he hastily began scribbling.

It wasn't just her casual attitude that captivated them—it was her presence.

Subaru stood there, completely unaware, radiating an aura so striking it practically demanded attention. Her fiery red hair glowed like embers in the dim light of the chamber, her cerulean eyes gleamed with confidence, and her posture—relaxed yet commanding—exuded an unshakable charisma.

The murmurs resumed, but now they weren't about Emilia.

"Who is she?"

"Her hair… her eyes… is she royalty?"

"Even her casual stance looks noble!"

"She doesn't even seem fazed by this room! Who is she?"

Otto took the opportunity to scribble furiously, the 13th page of his manuscript nearly complete. His quill scratched furiously across the paper as he whispered to himself, "The fearless hero steps into the heart of power, her aura eclipsing the sun itself—"

Emilia blinked, her nerves momentarily forgotten as she turned to Subaru. Even she was stunned by how Subaru seemed to draw everyone's attention without even trying.

"Subaru…" Emilia whispered.

"Hmm?" Subaru glanced back at her, completely unaware of the spectacle she had become.

Rosewall, standing at the edge of the scene, chuckled softly, his painted lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Oh my, oh my, what an… unexpected turn of events. Our dear Subaru certainly has a way of commanding the stage, don't you think?"

Before anyone could comment further, the grand doors creaked open once again.

A tall, regal woman with long, flowing purple hair strode into the hall. She was flanked by a knight clad in shining armour, his matching purple hair and sharp gaze cutting a striking figure.

The crowd's attention shifted, the spell that Subaru had unknowingly cast finally breaking.

As the focus returned to the assembly, Subaru tilted her head. "Huh. Guess the air's not so heavy anymore. Weird."

Emilia exhaled slowly, the tension in her chest easing just a bit. She stepped forward, her determination renewed. Subaru's unshakable confidence had given her just enough strength to face the judgmental stares head-on.

And so, the assembly was set to begin.

Ö~Ö

The doorkeeper yelled out the names, his voice reverberating through the vast hall, commanding the attention of everyone present. "The second candidate for the Royal Selection, Priscilla Barielle, accompanied by her knight, Al!"

Before the tension could hit its peak, the grand doors swung open with dramatic flair. Priscilla entered as if the universe itself had inconvenienced her by not placing her at the center of existence. Her golden hair shimmered under the dazzling chandeliers, each strand catching the light like molten gold. Her crimson dress sparkled with the ferocity of a blazing fire, and her smirk—oh, her smirk—dripped with an unparalleled disdain for everything and everyone in the room.

Al trailed behind her, his expression a mix of exasperation and resignation, like a man who knew exactly how out of place he looked but had long since stopped caring.

Not long after, the doors opened once again. "The third candidate for the Royal Selection, Crusch Karsten, accompanied by her knight, Ferris Argyle!"

Crusch strode in, her every step echoing with purpose and unshakable authority. Her presence alone was enough to silence the room, her emerald-green gaze cutting through the whispers like a blade. Behind her, Ferris sauntered with a catlike grace, his playful smile contrasting sharply with his lady's stern demeanor. When his gaze landed on Subaru, he gave her a wink so exaggerated and cheeky that Subaru turned away so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash.

"The fourth candidate, Anastasia Hoshin, accompanied by her knight, Julius Juukulius!"

Anastasia stepped in with a sharp smile that made Subaru's skin crawl. Her fox-like cunning was evident in her calculating gaze and confident stride. She looked like someone who could sell water to a drowning man and make him thank her for the deal. Behind her was Julius, the epitome of a picture-perfect knight. His every move was precise, his polished demeanor radiating a calm that Subaru found annoyingly perfect.

Finally, the last announcement shook the room. "The fifth candidate, Felt, accompanied by Reinhard van Astrea!"

The doors flung open, and Felt stormed in like a whirlwind. Her uncontained energy was palpable, her defiant smirk challenging the very structure of the assembly. Behind her, Reinhard walked with a regal calmness that matched Crusch's authority, his blue eyes scanning the room with an unshakable resolve.

Subaru observed the newcomers with a mix of curiosity and confusion. She had never met them before, yet here they stood—opponents to Emilia. Her resolve hardened. Protecting Emilia was her job, after all. Easy enough. But her focus faltered when her gaze landed on Felt.

Wasn't she the thief Subaru had met in the slums? How on earth was she a candidate for the throne? Both Subaru and Emilia shared a brief, bewildered look but wisely said nothing.

The other candidates and their knights assessed Emilia with varied expressions—curiosity, skepticism, and outright disdain. Felt, however, huffed in frustration, glaring not at Emilia but at Subaru, her sharp eyes narrowing.

Meanwhile, the knights who accompanied their respective candidates had their gazes fixed firmly on Subaru. Reinhard's eyes, in particular, widened in what could only be described as impossible recognition.

"Grandmother…" he uttered, his voice trembling with awe.

The room collectively blinked.

"Huh?" Subaru barely had time to process the bizarre declaration before Reinhard was suddenly in front of her, his piercing blue eyes boring into hers.

"Grandmother!" he repeated, his voice full of reverence.

Time seemed to slow down for Subaru. Every instinct in her body screamed confusion and panic. Before she even registered her actions, her foot shot out, connecting with Reinhard's chest. The force was so great that the Sword Saint was launched backward, landing unceremoniously in a decorative pool in the corner of the hall.

"That's a no-go, dude!" Subaru snapped, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and irritation. "Is this how you treat cute girls, bro?!"

Silence enveloped the hall.

Reinhard emerged from the pool, water dripping from his red hair and pristine armour, yet his gaze remained unwavering. "Grandmother… Theresia van Astrea…" he said with absolute certainty, his voice echoing through the stunned hall.

The court collectively gasped, their whispers quickly escalating into an uproar.

"The Legendary Sword Saint is not dead?!"

"Theresia van Astrea has returned?!"

"The previous Sword Saint has been reincarnated!"

The grand hall erupted like a fish market, with nobles, knights, and spectators yelling over each other in disbelief. Otto, on the sidelines, wrote at a speed that seemed physically impossible, his quill scratching furiously as if his life depended on recording every word. Rosewall, ever the opportunist, grinned so wide it seemed his face might split in two. Emilia shifted nervously, glancing between Subaru and Reinhard, her unease growing by the second.

Subaru, however, was utterly flabbergasted. Her hands shot up in an attempt to calm the chaos. "Oi, oi, settle down already!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the din. "I don't know what you're all talking about, but I'm not whoever this 'Theresia' is!"

Her declaration did little to quell the commotion. Reinhard stepped forward, his expression as serene as ever despite being completely soaked. "Grandmother," he said gently, as though trying to comfort a confused child. "There's no mistake. You're Theresia van Astrea, the Legendary Sword Saint. I can feel it. My Divine Protection of Grandmother Sensing has never failed me."

Subaru's jaw dropped. "Your what?!"

"The Divine Protection of Grandmother Sensing," Reinhard repeated earnestly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Subaru pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering under her breath. "This has got to be a joke. A really bad joke." She looked up, exasperated. "Listen, I don't care what kind of divine protection you've got, but I'm an 18-year-old virgin. Not a mother, and definitely not a grandmother!"

Reinhard's calm, determined gaze didn't waver. "Grandmother, I—"

Subaru cut him off with a sharp gesture. "Don't call me that! I'm not your grandmother!"

"Nonsense!"

"No you are without senses!" She yelled before leaning closer to him and whispering. "I am a virgin for crying out loud!"

He gasped. "Impossible! If you are a virgin then how was dad conceived?"

Subaru facepalmed. Emilia was about to ask something about kissing but Ram nudged her to stay quiet.

"This is getting interesting, Emilia-sama." She said. "Barusu-sama is a walking talking drama theatre."

"Listen buddy, I look like I could be your kid—" Subaru said but was cut in by the freak.

"You cannot be my child, Grandmother, you are my grandmother, after all. He said, clutching his chest. "Not to mention I am a virgin too!"

Subaru stared at him before sighing. "Listen and listen well, kid, it looks like your mom had dropped you when you were a kid—"

"It was actully my father." Reinhard said.

"—which is why you think that every cute redhead girl is your granny. Which is nice— and romantic to some creepy lengths but YOU HAVE TAKEN THIS TOO FAR!"

"I did not!" He retorted. "Please forgive me, grandma! I did not mean to kill you."

Subaru was on the verge of summoning her blade now.

The court, still buzzing with excitement and disbelief, didn't seem inclined to let the matter rest. Whispers of Theresia's legendary deeds and the implications of her apparent return filled the air.

Finally, one of the Sage Council members cleared their throat, their voice commanding attention. "This… revelation, if true, is monumental. However, this matter can be discussed at a later time. For now, we must proceed with the Royal Selection assembly."

Subaru sighed, her shoulders slumping in relief. "Finally, some sense around here."

Reinhard, however, remained resolute. His piercing blue eyes followed Subaru as she moved to stand beside Emilia, his unwavering belief clear.

Subaru muttered to herself, "Great. Just great. First, I'm a 'hero girl,' now I'm someone's grandmother. What's next?!"

The assembly proceeded smoothly, the candidates presenting their goals with varying levels of passion and arrogance. Surprisingly, no one dared to ill-speak of Emilia this time, their attention entirely consumed by Subaru, the enigmatic red-haired knight who may or may not be the "Ex-Sword Saint."

Throughout the discussions, Reinhard sat stiffly, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Subaru with an intensity that bordered on unsettling. Subaru, trying to focus on the proceedings, couldn't help but feel the weight of his gaze burning a hole through her very soul.

With the assembly concluded, the candidates began to disperse, their entourages bustling around them. Subaru was just beginning to breathe a sigh of relief when Reinhard suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her path.

"Grandmother," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "I need answers. Where were you all this time? Why do you look so young? And… why didn't you come back? Are you still mad at me for… for killing you?"

Subaru blinked, her jaw dropping. "What? Killing me?! Dude, I think you've got the wrong person!"

Reinhard, however, was deaf to reason. His earnest expression remained unwavering as he took a step closer. "I know it's you. There's no mistake. Please, Grandmother, tell me—why didn't you return to us?!"

Subaru raised her hands in exasperation. "Look, buddy, I don't know what you're smoking, but I'm not your grandmother! I'm just a—"

Before she could finish, Reinhard grabbed her hand, his grip firm. His blue eyes bore into hers, desperation evident.

"Theresia," he said softly, almost pleading.

Subaru sighed heavily. "Okay, that's it. I've had enough of this!" With a swift motion, she grabbed his wrist, twisted it, and sent him flying into a nearby ornamental fish pond with a loud splash. The decorative koi scattered in panic as Reinhard resurfaced, water dripping from his soaked hair.

Subaru pointed at him, her face red with irritation. "Get a doctor, Reinhard! Seriously, go see someone about this!"

Reinhard blinked, confused. "Are you… worried about my health, Grandmother? Rest assured, my divine protection of—"

Subaru clenched her fists, barely resisting the urge to scream. "Not for you, idiot! For the poor therapist who's going to have to deal with all your issues!"

Before the situation could escalate further, Felt appeared, grabbing Reinhard by the collar and yanking him out of the pond. "C'mon, you crazy knight. You're embarrassing me," she muttered, dragging him away like a scolding older sibling.

The Councillors wanted to talk about Subaru but Rosewall managed to make them postponed it.

As they disappeared into the distance, Emilia approached Subaru, her face a mixture of concern and confusion. "Subaru… are you okay? What was that all about?"

Subaru opened her mouth to respond but faltered, unsure of how to even begin explaining the chaos that had just unfolded. "Uh… long story," she finally muttered.

Before Emilia could press further, Ram appeared, her usual sharp tone cutting through the tension. "If Subaru-sama has caused trouble again, I—"

"Shut up," Subaru snapped, rubbing her temples.

Ram huffed but said nothing more, clearly deciding this wasn't a battle worth fighting.

Rosewall, standing a few paces away, watched the scene with a Cheshire-like grin, his amusement barely concealed. Otto, meanwhile, was furiously scribbling notes into his ever-growing book. He didn't even look up as he muttered to himself, "Three pages! This'll be a masterpiece!"

Subaru sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Why is my life like this?" she muttered under her breath.

Subaru stomped through the halls, her boots echoing against the marble floor as she dragged Emilia and Ram behind her. "Alright, Ros-chi, you've got some explaining to do! Why in the ever-loving hell was that moron calling me his grandmother?! And don't say 'divine protection of grandmother sensing' again because I might actually scream!"

Rosewall, leaning casually against a pillar with his usual smug grin, tilted his head. "Ohhh, Subaru-sama, you looked exactly like Theresia van Astrea—Reinhard's dearly departed grandmother and the previous Sword Saint. How could he not be confused, hmmm?"

Subaru froze mid-step, her face a mixture of shock and horror. "Wait. What?"

Rosewall twirled his cane, seemingly oblivious to Subaru's rising panic. "It's true! Same red hair, same striking blue eyes, even the same aura. Why, it's almost uncanny."

Subaru's jaw dropped as she spun to face him fully. "And you never thought to mention this to me before?!"

Rosewall shrugged, his tone light. "Becaaause you neeeever assssked?"

Subaru's eye twitched. "You—you're unbelievable, Ros-chi!"

Now Emilia was looking at her with wide, curious eyes, her brows furrowed in concern. "Subaru… are you sure you don't have amnesia or something? I mean, if you really are the Sword Saint…"

"I am not the Sword Saint!" Subaru groaned, running her fingers through her hair in frustration. "I'm 18 years old, for crying out loud! I don't even like swords that much!"

Ram, ever the voice of sarcasm, crossed her arms. "Barusu-sama is far too idiotic to be the legendary Sword Saint."

"Hey!" Subaru snapped, glaring at her. "You don't have to be smart to be legendary!"

Before the argument could escalate, a figure appeared at the end of the hallway, gracefully approaching them with feline-like ease. Subaru tensed, recognising the playful smirk even before he bowed dramatically.

"Greetings, Subaru-sama!" the man purred, his voice dripping with amusement. "I am Felix Argyle, Crusch-sama's loyal knight, nyh!"

Subaru blinked, momentarily thrown off by the man's overly cheerful demeanor and catlike mannerisms. "…Okay?"

Felix's eyes gleamed as he straightened, pulling an ornate envelope from his sleeve. "I come bearing an invitation, nyh! Crusch-sama cordially invites you to visit her camp."

Subaru narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Why?"

Felix's smirk widened. "Oh, nyh… you'll find out when you get there."

"That's not suspicious at all," Subaru muttered under her breath.

With a playful wink, Felix turned on his heel and began to walk away, leaving behind more questions than answers. Subaru stared at the letter in her hand, her gut telling her this was going to be nothing but trouble.

"Well, that was weird," she muttered, turning back to Rosewall. "Okay, Ros-chi, what's the deal with—"

She stopped mid-sentence, realising that Rosewall was no longer there. "Wait… where the hell is the clown?!"

Emilia blinked in confusion. "He was just here a minute ago…"

Subaru groaned, slapping a hand to her forehead. "Of course. Typical Ros-chi."

Ram, unimpressed, sighed. "If Barusu-sama didn't have the attention span of a walnut, perhaps you would have noticed him leaving."

Subaru threw her hands in the air. "Oh, come on! Cut me some slack here!"

Emilia giggled softly, patting Subaru's shoulder. "Don't worry, Subaru. I'm sure we'll find him."

Subaru let out a long sigh, crumpling the invitation slightly in her grip. "Yeah, sure. But first, let's figure out what this is about. Because if I have to deal with one more person thinking I'm some reincarnated sword grandma, I might lose it."

TBC

Chapter Text

Get Help

Reinhard observed from the shadows, his piercing blue eyes following Subaru's every move. His heart ached as he watched her shake her head in exasperation, the sunlight making her fiery red hair almost glow. She looked regal—just as a legendary Sword Saint should.

When Subaru sighed and muttered something, Reinhard's sharp ears caught it.

"Maaan, that idiot is still stalking me!"

His heart skipped a beat. She noticed me! Of course, she would. She was his grandmother, after all. No doubt her legendary intuition and keen senses were still as sharp as ever. He almost felt proud. Almost.

Felix, standing beside her, tilted his head. "Who?"

"That red-haired boy!" Subaru said, rubbing her temple like she was fighting off a headache.

Felix blinked in understanding. "Oh, you mean Reinhard, nyh!"

Subaru shot him an annoyed glare. "Whoever that Reinhard-nyh is, he seriously needs mental help!"

Reinhard winced at the harsh words, clutching his chest dramatically as if she'd just run him through with the Dragon Sword.

Felix gave Subaru a bemused glance, his catlike ears twitching slightly. "Well, nyh, it's not every day someone mistakes you for their grandmother. Maybe you should cut him some slack?"

"Slack?!" Subaru's exasperation reached new heights. "He's been following me all day! What's next, is he gonna show up at my bedside with a warm glass of milk and a bedtime story?!"

Reinhard, still at a safe distance, frowned thoughtfully. Would that make her happy? Perhaps I should consider it…

Subaru groaned, shaking her head as Felix led her toward the mansion gates. "Seriously, why do I attract all the weirdos? First Ros-chi, now Reinhardnyh…"

Felix chuckled softly. "Well, you're certainly not boring, nyh!"

As Subaru disappeared into the mansion, Reinhard remained outside, a mix of longing and guilt in his eyes.

Grandmother… he thought, clenching his fists. I'll make it up to you somehow. I swear it.

Inside the Crusch Camp, Subaru paused in the grand foyer, glancing over her shoulder as if sensing Reinhard's continued presence. She sighed heavily.

"Maaan, I really hope he didn't follow me in here. I don't need more drama right now."

Felix smirked, crossing his arms. "Drama follows you like a stray cat, Subaru-sama. Nyh!"

"Ha-ha," Subaru deadpanned. "Let's just get this over with before the universe throws another weirdo at me."

Ö~Ö

Wilhelm stood beside Crusch-sama in the lavish office, his posture straight but his mind uneasy. Crusch, usually the embodiment of composure, was fidgeting—something entirely out of character. She glanced at the door repeatedly, her fingers drumming on the desk.

"Is everything all right, Crusch-sama?" Wilhelm asked, his voice calm despite his growing curiosity.

Crusch gave him a faint smile, one that didn't reach her eyes. "Everything is fine, Wilhelm. Just… waiting for Felix to return. I think you'll find this meeting rather interesting."

Wilhelm frowned but didn't press further. There was a strange glint in her eyes—anticipation, perhaps?

A knock at the door shattered the tense silence.

"Come in," Crusch said briskly, her voice betraying a hint of excitement.

The door swung open, and Felix entered with a bounce in his step, his usual catlike smirk plastered across his face. But it wasn't Felix who drew Wilhelm's attention. It was the person who followed him in.

Wilhelm's eyes widened.

The young woman who entered the room was a vision of familiarity—a ghost from his past, impossibly alive. She had fiery red hair that framed her youthful, innocent face and piercing sapphire eyes that seemed to shine with determination. She wore gleaming white armour, a matching cape draped over her shoulders.

Wilhelm's heart stopped.

Theresia…?

"It cannot be," he whispered, his voice trembling. He stepped forward, his expression one of disbelief and overwhelming emotion. "Theresia, my love!"

Without hesitation, Wilhelm moved to embrace her, his arms outstretched.

The girl's reaction was swift and merciless.

Her boot connected with his face in a perfectly executed kick, sending Wilhelm flying across the room. He crashed into a bookshelf with a thunderous thud, books tumbling to the floor in a chaotic heap.

"Ah-huh!" the girl exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at Felix, who was watching the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and shock. "I was ready this time!"

The girl turned her fiery glare on Felix, her sapphire eyes blazing. "What is wrong with you people? First, it was Reinhardnyh, and now this old man!"

Felix scratched the back of his head, suppressing a laugh. "Nyh, you really do attract the dramatic ones, Subaru-sama."

Subaru—if that was her name—huffed in frustration, throwing her hands in the air. "That's it! I'm done. I am leaving!"

"Wait, Theresia—" Subaru groaned as the man called her like that. "You have returned to me! This is extraodinary, it's a miracle! Let me embrace you!"

Sunbaru shuddered as if a cold breeze passed by her. "Ew, old man, that's creepy as fuck! Are you somehow related to Reinhardnyh?"

The old man blinked. "Who?"

Felix leaned closer to Weilhelm and whispered. "She is talking about the Sword Saint,"

"Reinhard... unfortunately, yes. As much as I loathe him, he is our grandson—"

"Woah, woah! Hold your horses there, man!" Subaru yelled and Crusch frowned— the way she talked suggested that Subaru was from Karagiri— with her accent. But her looks clearly indicated her connection with the Asterea bloodline. "I am not a grandmother! I wasn't even a girl since a few days ago!"

Silence. Weilhelm tried to stand up but couldn't gather strength to do so. "Theresia, my love—"

"Cut it out!"

"—perhaps you have lost your memories?" Weilhelm finished.

Subaru pointed a finger at him. "First of all: I am a virgin—"

"No you aren't—"

"—SECOND of all: I am not even from here! I lived my past 18 years with my parents so how can I be your wife?!"

"That can't be true," Weilhelm said. "I know that it is you. My heart aches seeing you—"

"BECAUSE YOU ARE OLD! AND YOU MIGHT HAVE A HEART DIESEASE!"

Crusch sipped her tea, Felix passed some cookies to her. This is getting more entertaining.

"No matter what you say, I am your husband and you are my wife—"

"Get help from a doctor! You need to check your head and your heart!" She yelled.

Subaru spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, her cape swishing dramatically behind her.

Left in her wake was a stunned Wilhelm, sprawled amidst the mess of fallen books; a smirking Felix, clearly enjoying the chaos; and a calculating Crusch, her sharp gaze following the fiery redhead as she disappeared from view.

"Well," Felix finally said, breaking the silence. "That went better than expected, nyh."

Wilhelm slowly peeled himself out of the wreckage of the bookshelf, brushing off splinters and books with a dazed look on his face. He blinked several times as if trying to convince himself that what he had just seen wasn't some bizarre hallucination.

"Theresia..." he muttered, his voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and longing.

Felix crouched next to him, offering a hand to help him up. "Nyh, Wilhelm-sama, are you okay? That boot to the face looked pretty intense."

Wilhelm didn't respond. His eyes remained fixed on the door where the red-haired girl had just stormed out.

Meanwhile, Crusch leaned back in her chair, her calculating gaze following the same direction. "Interesting," she murmured, her tone cool and thoughtful. "Felix, did we perhaps forget to inform Weilhem that the legendary Sword Saint has apparently been reincarnated as a... very temperamental young lady?"

Felix scratched his cheek sheepishly. "Nyh, we didn't know she'd be so... uh... feisty." He shrugged. "But, nyh, can you blame her? Everyone keeps mistaking her for someone else. It's gotta be exhausting."

Wilhelm finally snapped out of his stupor, his hand clutching Felix's arm tightly. "Felix," he said, his voice deadly serious. "Who was that girl? Where did you find her? Why does she—why does she look exactly like Theresia? And what's this reincarnation about?"

Felix raised an eyebrow. "Relax, Wilhelm-sama. She's not some imposter or anything, nyh. That's Natsuki Subaru, Emilia-sama's knight. And, she may not be your late wife. She's... uh... something else entirely."

Wilhelm's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, 'something else'?"

Felix sighed, scratching his head again. "Nyh, I don't really know the details, but Subaru-sama is... unique. She's got the looks of the legendary Sword Saint, but the personality of, well... not her, nyh. She kicked you in the face, didn't she?"

Wilhelm flinched, rubbing his nose. "Yes. Quite forcefully."

Crusch tapped her fingers on the desk, her lips curving into a faint smile. "She's intriguing. If she truly isn't Theresia, then why does she resemble her so closely? And why does Reinhard believe she is his grandmother?"

Felix shrugged again. "Beats me, nyh. But one thing's for sure—Subaru-sama isn't gonna stick around if everyone keeps throwing themselves at her like this. She was not happy, nyh!"

Crusch leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Then we'll have to approach her more carefully next time. She's clearly someone of great importance, whether she likes it or not."

Wilhelm stood abruptly, his fists clenched. "I need to speak with her. I need answers."

Felix grabbed his arm before he could storm out. "Nyh, hold your horses, Wilhelm-sama. She's already mad enough. Let her cool off first, or you'll just end up in another bookshelf."

Crusch chuckled softly, her sharp eyes glinting with amusement. "Felix is right. Let her be for now. We have plenty of time to unravel this mystery. Besides, she'll be back."

Wilhelm hesitated, his gaze lingering on the door. "You're certain?"

Crusch's smile widened. "Oh, I'm certain. People like her always come back, whether they intend to or not."

Outside, Subaru stomped through the gardens of the Crusch Camp, muttering angrily under her breath.

"First that Reinhard-nyh guy, now some old dude who thinks I'm his wife? What is wrong with these people?!" She kicked a stray pebble, sending it skittering across the path. "I swear, if one more person calls me Theresia, I'm gonna lose it!"

She paused, glancing at her reflection in a nearby fountain. The red hair, the sapphire eyes, the delicate features... It really did look like the face of someone who didn't belong to her.

"Theresia, huh?" she muttered, frowning. "Who the hell were you, and why do I look exactly like you?"

She shook her head, slapping her cheeks lightly. "Focus, Subaru. You've got bigger things to worry about than some dead Sword Saint."

But deep down, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this whole situation was only going to get weirder.

TBC

Chapter Text

Excalibur

Subaru paced the cramped inn room, her red hair bouncing with every exaggerated step. She'd been stewing ever since Rosewall had taken off with Emilia, leaving her behind like some spare part.

"Ugh! Why couldn't they at least wait for me?" Subaru grumbled, throwing her arms up dramatically. "I'm supposed to be Emilia's knight! Her protector! Her—her everything!"

Ram, seated elegantly at the small table, didn't bother looking up from her cup of tea. "Rosewall-sama is more than capable of protecting Emilia-sama," she said matter-of-factly. "Subaru-sama, on the other hand, would only be a liability in such urgent matters."

"A liability?!" Subaru spun to face her, hands on her hips. "I'll have you know I've saved Emilia like, a million times!"

Ram arched a brow. "Two times. And both were barely your doing."

Subaru pointed a finger at her. "That's it! I challenge you to a duel of words! Winner gets—uh, the title of best employee!"

Ram sipped her tea calmly. "You're already losing, Barusu-sama."

"Ugh!" Subaru flopped onto the bed dramatically, her white armour clinking against the mattress. "Why am I stuck with you and Otto of all people?"

As if summoned, Otto poked his head through the door, his usually pale face looking even paler. "Did someone call my name?"

"Yeah, to remind me how useless you are," Subaru muttered.

Otto frowned. "I am not useless! I was a respected merchant before—"

"And now you're a glorified errand boy," Subaru interrupted.

Otto stepped fully into the room, clutching a stack of papers. "For your information, I've been compiling useful data for our trip back to the Mathers Domain!"

Subaru squinted at the papers in his hands. "Oh yeah? What's that, a terrible draft for your autobiography?"

Ram coughed into her hand, her version of a stifled laugh.

Otto sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "If you must know, I've been mapping out the safest and quickest routes back to the domain. With Emilia-sama and Rosewall-sama ahead of us, we need to make haste."

Subaru sat up straight, her expression shifting to determination. "Exactly! We need to get there ASAP. Emilia needs me by her side, not here wasting time with you two!"

"Barusu-sama," Ram interjected, setting her teacup down with a clink. "Perhaps if you stopped whining and started preparing, we'd already be halfway there."

Subaru jumped to her feet, jabbing a finger at Ram. "Fine! Let's do this! But if we get attacked by bandits or—heaven forbid—some other crazy knight claiming I'm their grandmother, I'm blaming you."

Ram shrugged. "If we are attacked, Barusu-sama can act as bait. Otto and I will ensure we escape unscathed."

"What?!"

Otto raised a hand nervously. "I'd rather not leave anyone behind, thank you very much!"

Subaru grabbed her travelling pack and slung it over her shoulder. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's hit the road! Emilia needs me, and I refuse to let her down!"

Ram and Otto exchanged glances before following her out of the inn.

"Why do I feel like this trip is going to be more trouble than it's worth?" Otto muttered.

"Because it will be," Ram replied with a faint smirk.

The carriage creaked along the bumpy road as Otto reluctantly gripped the reins, his knuckles white against the leather straps. The trees of the Elior Forest loomed tall and foreboding, their gnarled branches casting eerie shadows across the path. Inside the carriage, Subaru leaned back with her arms crossed, a triumphant smirk plastered on her face.

"This is going to save us so much time," Subaru declared, peering out the window at the dense forest. "I mean, why go the long way when you can cut through here? Brilliant, right?"

"Brilliantly stupid, perhaps," Ram deadpanned, her arms folded elegantly across her lap. She didn't even look at Subaru, her disdain evident in her tone.

Subaru waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, come on, Ram. Where's your sense of adventure? Live a little!"

Ram's gaze shifted to Subaru, her eyes narrowing. "Adventure is one thing, Barusu-sama. Marching into a forest infamous for the White Whale is another. It's not adventure—it's suicide."

"Oh, please," Subaru scoffed. "Do you really think we'll run into that thing? What are the odds?"

Outside, Otto was muttering under his breath, his eyes darting nervously to the shadowy depths of the forest. "The odds are too high, that's what they are," he grumbled, flicking the reins lightly to keep the carriage moving.

Subaru leaned her head out of the window. "Otto! Relax! You're gonna give yourself a heart attack before we even see so much as a squirrel!"

Otto glared over his shoulder, his face pale. "Squirrels don't devour carriages whole, ma'am! The White Whale does! And we're heading straight into its territory!"

"Which is exactly why we're not going to see it," Subaru retorted confidently. "It's probably out terrorising some other unlucky schmucks. The forest is huge; it's not like it's sitting here waiting for us."

Ram sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "And what exactly is your plan, Barusu-sama, if we do encounter the beast? Will you charm it with your idiocy?"

Subaru grinned, leaning back again. "Don't underestimate the power of charisma, Ram. Besides, with you and Otto by my side, what's there to worry about?"

"Everything," Otto muttered under his breath.

As the carriage rolled deeper into the forest, the atmosphere grew heavier. The air seemed to thrum with an unnatural chill, and the faint calls of birds and rustling leaves fell eerily silent.

Ram's eyes flicked to the window, her fingers tightening around her lap. "Barusu-sama, if we die here, I'll haunt you for eternity."

"You're already haunting me," Subaru quipped, but even her tone betrayed a hint of unease.

"Maybe we should turn back," Otto called nervously from the driver's seat.

Subaru popped her head out of the window again. "And waste all this progress? No way! Come on, Otto, keep going. We'll be fine!"

The carriage hit a bump, jolting everyone inside. Ram barely blinked, but Subaru let out a startled yelp, clutching at her seat.

"Fine," Ram echoed dryly, staring at Subaru with her usual unimpressed expression.

Subaru coughed, brushing herself off. "Totally fine! No big deal!"

The road grew narrower, the trees pressing closer, their branches forming a canopy that blocked out most of the light. Otto's nervous muttering had grown into a steady stream of panicked whispers, and even Subaru had stopped making jokes, her eyes darting to the windows.

Finally, Otto pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a halt. "This is insane," he said, his voice trembling. "We need to turn around. Right now."

Subaru leaned out of the window again, this time looking genuinely annoyed. "Otto! Stop being such a wuss! Just a little further, and we're through the worst of it!"

"Barusu-sama," Ram said, her tone unusually sharp. Subaru turned to her, surprised. "Enough. This shortcut is a mistake."

Subaru blinked, looking between Ram and Otto. For a moment, doubt flickered across her face, but she quickly shoved it aside.

"No way," she said firmly. "We've already come this far. Turning back now would be the real mistake. Trust me—"

A distant, bone-chilling roar cut through the air, silencing her mid-sentence.

Subaru froze, her wide sapphire eyes meeting Ram's narrowed ones.

"Barusu-sama," Ram said slowly, her voice icy, "if that was what I think it was..."

"Uh... probably just... wind?" Subaru offered weakly.

Another roar, louder this time, made the trees tremble. Otto screamed.

"I told you this was a bad idea!" he wailed, frantically trying to turn the carriage around.

Subaru grabbed onto the window frame as the carriage lurched. "Okay, okay, maybe I underestimated the odds a little—"

"A little?!" Ram snapped, glaring at her. "Barusu-sama, you've doomed us all!"

The roar came again, impossibly close now, followed by the sound of something massive crashing through the trees.

Subaru's confidence crumbled as she stared into the forest. "Uh... any chance we can outrun it?"

Ram didn't answer, instead reaching for a weapon hidden beneath her cloak.

"Otto! Move!" Subaru shouted.

The carriage jolted forward, Otto's panicked cries blending with the sound of snapping branches and the ground shaking beneath them.

"Barusu-sama," Ram hissed, "if we survive this, I'm going to kill you myself."

"Fair!" Subaru shouted, clutching onto her seat for dear life. "Totally fair!"

The world spun violently as the carriage was struck, its wooden frame shattering under the impact. Subaru barely had time to react, her instincts sharper than any human's, propelling her into action. With one arm, she grabbed Ram by her waist, and with the other, she hauled Otto from the driver's seat. In a single leap, she launched them away from the wreckage, landing heavily but safely on the dirt road.

The thunderous sound of flapping wings filled the air.

Subaru's breath hitched as she looked up.

The creature was immense, its sheer size blotting out the sky. A whale, floating impossibly through the air, a spectral halo shimmering above its grotesque form. Its massive body glided with an eerie grace, its shadow stretching endlessly over the forest.

Ram stood, her expression as cold and resolute as ever, though her hands trembled faintly as she retrieved her wand. "The White Whale," she whispered. "So, this is where it lurks..."

Otto, meanwhile, was on his knees, clutching his chest and hyperventilating. "We're dead," he muttered. "We're so, so dead. I knew it. I said it, and now it's happening!"

But Subaru barely heard them. Her eyes were locked on the beast, her body frozen in awe and terror. The White Whale, an embodiment of devastation, hung overhead like a nightmare given form. And yet...

Something stirred inside her.

Her hand moved on its own, reaching for the dagger at her hip. As her fingers wrapped around the hilt, a surge of energy coursed through her. The dagger glowed faintly, then elongated, its shape shifting and expanding until a magnificent sword rested in her grip.

The blade was gleaming, impossibly perfect, as though forged with divine power. The name resonated in her mind like a memory she had never made: Excalibur.

She stepped forward, the weight of the sword oddly natural in her hand. The White Whale turned, its massive head angling down as it spotted them. A guttural roar echoed across the forest, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Ram glanced at Subaru. "What are you doing?" she hissed.

Subaru didn't answer. Her gaze remained fixed on the creature as she raised the blade high. The golden light of Excalibur reflected in her sapphire eyes.

And then, without hesitation, she whispered: "Whoso weildth this sword and anvil, is rightwise king born of this landth."

The White Whale dived.

It moved with terrifying speed, its enormous body hurtling through the air like a meteor. The ground quaked under the force of its descent.

Subaru didn't flinch.

She swung the blade.

The air screamed as the sword cut through it, a shockwave erupting from the force of her strike.

The White Whale's charge was halted mid-air. A deep, jagged wound appeared across its face as its massive body was hurled back, crashing through the forest with an earth-shattering impact. Trees splintered and toppled as the beast was flung kilometres away, disappearing into the distance like a fallen star.

Silence.

Subaru stood motionless, her chest heaving, Excalibur still glowing faintly in her hand.

Ram stared, her usually composed expression shattered, her mouth slightly agape. Otto had almost fainted on the spot.

Subaru looked down at her hands, at the shimmering armour that adorned her body, at the sword that felt like an extension of herself.

Then, she turned her gaze to the horizon, where the White Whale was slowly rising, its guttural roars shaking the air once more.

A grin spread across Subaru's face, wild and unrestrained. She tightened her grip on Excalibur, the blade humming in response.

"To victory!" she declared, her voice ringing with newfound power.

The White Whale loomed in the distance, its guttural roar a symphony of rage and pain. Subaru's grin widened as she stepped forward, each movement deliberate, her armour gleaming in the moonlight. Otto's quill scratched furiously against his notebook, capturing every detail: the ethereal glow of her sword, the way her red hair whipped behind her, and the unyielding determination in her sapphire eyes.

Ram stood to the side, watching with a mix of disbelief and quiet awe. "Barusu-sama... What madness is this?" she muttered under her breath, clutching her wand tightly as though it could shield her from the impossibility unfolding before her.

Subaru didn't respond. She stepped into the clearing, her grip on Excalibur tightening as the blade seemed to hum in anticipation. The White Whale reared back, its massive, grotesque body twisting as it prepared to charge again.

The ground trembled beneath her feet as the beast lunged.

Subaru leapt, her movements impossibly swift and graceful, as if the sword itself was guiding her. She swung Excalibur in a wide arc, the blade glowing with a radiant golden light. A shockwave erupted from the strike, carving through the air and slamming into the White Whale's side.

"Micro Ex—!" Subaru roared, her voice cutting through the chaos.

The creature shrieked as the golden light sliced into its flesh, leaving a glowing scar that sizzled with energy. It staggered but quickly recovered, its glowing red eyes locking onto her with unrelenting fury.

Subaru landed gracefully, her feet skidding across the dirt. She raised Excalibur once more, its light intensifying.

"Caliburn: Golden Blade of the Victorious!" she shouted, and with a single swing, a crescent-shaped wave of energy surged forth. It collided with the White Whale's face, sending it reeling backward.

The beast thrashed, its massive tail smashing into the earth and sending debris flying. Subaru darted through the chaos, dodging chunks of rock and splintered trees with uncanny precision.

The White Whale inhaled deeply, its gaping mouth glowing with an eerie, cold light. Subaru's instincts screamed as she realised what was coming. She planted her feet firmly, Excalibur glowing brighter than ever.

"Clarent Blood Arthur!" she cried, swinging the sword downward. A crimson wave of energy erupted from the blade, colliding head-on with the creature's ice beam. The two forces clashed violently, the resulting shockwave flattening the surrounding forest.

The air burned with tension, and Subaru pushed forward, her sword cutting through the icy blast. The energy surged and expanded, forcing the White Whale to retreat momentarily.

"You're not getting away that easily!" Subaru roared, leaping into the air. She soared higher than she thought possible, the world below her a blur.

As she descended, Excalibur shone with a divine brilliance. Subaru channelled every ounce of energy into the blade, her voice ringing out across the battlefield.

"Strike Air!" she yelled, releasing a compressed torrent of wind that wrapped around her sword. The spiral of air cut into the White Whale, tearing through its blubbery hide and scattering droplets of ichor across the ground.

The White Whale roared in agony, its body twisting and contorting as it tried to recover. Subaru landed on its massive back, her feet planting firmly on the slippery surface.

"Let's finish this dance!" she declared, raising Excalibur high. The blade responded, glowing so brightly it turned night into day.

From below, Otto's jaw hung open, his quill frozen mid-word. Ram's wand trembled in her hand as she stared at the impossible spectacle above her.

And Subaru, bathed in golden light, prepared to unleash her next strike.

The mist grew denser, a suffocating veil swallowing the battlefield. Subaru's golden blade gleamed defiantly in the haze, its light piercing through the murk. Yet, her confident grin faltered as she saw not one, but three White Whales emerge from the mist, each identical except for the faint, almost imperceptible halo hovering above one of their heads.

"Cloning? Really? What is this, a bad Saturday morning cartoon?" Subaru muttered, gripping Excalibur tighter. "Alright, fish-breath, let's see how fake you really are!"

From the sidelines, Ram stood with her wand at the ready, though her usual sharp tongue was muted by awe. Otto, meanwhile, clung to his notebook as if it were a lifeline, his quill moving with the speed of a hummingbird. "She's insane… absolutely insane," he whispered, yet his eyes stayed glued to the scene before him.

The first White Whale lunged, its massive jaws wide enough to swallow a house. Subaru didn't flinch. With a sharp twist of her foot, she launched herself into the air, Excalibur glowing with golden energy.

"Clarent Blood Arthur!" she roared, swinging the blade downward. A red crescent of energy erupted from the sword, slamming into the creature's face. The impact was devastating, carving through flesh and leaving a molten scar across its side. The beast howled, rearing back as ichor sprayed from the wound.

Subaru landed gracefully, the ground cracking beneath her as she looked up at the remaining two clones. "One down, two to go," she said, her voice carrying a blend of determination and exhaustion.

The second clone came from her left, its bulk crashing through the forest like an avalanche. Subaru barely had time to react as its massive tail swung toward her, threatening to crush her into the dirt.

"Strike Air!" she shouted, releasing a compressed torrent of wind from her sword. The spiraling force met the tail mid-swing, cutting through it like a blade through parchment. The severed appendage crashed to the ground, and Subaru didn't hesitate.

She sprinted toward the beast, her steps light and precise despite the uneven terrain. The White Whale bellowed in pain, turning its massive head to face her. It opened its mouth, preparing to unleash another freezing breath.

"Not this time!" Subaru yelled, leaping onto the creature's back. She ran along its spine, Excalibur glowing with divine light. With a mighty swing, she brought the blade down.

"Micro Ex—Calibur!"

The golden beam erupted from the sword, slicing the beast clean in half. Its two halves collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash, the mist swirling around them like mourning shrouds.

"Two down," Subaru said, panting. Sweat dripped down her brow, but her grip on Excalibur never wavered.

The final clone remained, its halo faint but undeniable. It hovered above her, watching with an intelligence that sent shivers down her spine.

"You're the real deal, aren't you?" she said, raising her sword.

The White Whale answered with a deafening roar, charging at her with a speed that belied its size. Subaru braced herself, holding Excalibur aloft.

"Clarent Blood Arthur!" she cried again, the crimson wave slamming into the beast. But this time, the creature endured, pushing through the attack as if it were nothing.

"Damn it!" Subaru cursed, rolling to the side as the creature's jaws snapped shut where she'd just been. "Alright, big guy, you want to play rough? Let's play rough!"

She darted forward, Excalibur trailing golden light. The White Whale turned to face her, its tail whipping around. Subaru jumped over it, landing on the creature's head.

"You think a halo makes you special? I'll show you what special looks like!"

She raised Excalibur high, the sword glowing brighter than ever.

"Excalibur Morgana!" she shouted, unleashing a torrent of dark, spiraling energy. The attack struck the White Whale's halo, shattering it with a sound like breaking glass. The beast roared in agony, its movements growing erratic.

On the ground, Ram and Otto watched in stunned silence.

"She's… she's winning," Otto whispered, his quill shaking in his hand.

"Barusu-sama is… less pathetic than usual," Ram admitted, though her tone betrayed a hint of awe.

The mist began to dissipate as Subaru drove Excalibur into the creature's skull. Light exploded from the blade, illuminating the battlefield in a radiant glow. The White Whale let out one final, mournful cry before collapsing.

The ground shook as its massive body fell, sending debris flying in all directions. Subaru stood atop its corpse, her armour battered but shining, her red hair a fiery halo around her determined face.

She raised Excalibur high, the blade gleaming with a victorious light.

"To victory!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the battlefield.

The mist cleared entirely, revealing a sky painted with the first hints of dawn. Below her, Otto collapsed to his knees, scribbling furiously even as tears streamed down his face.

Ram crossed her arms, a rare smile tugging at her lips. "Barusu-sama… not bad."

The White Whale was dead, its massive form a testament to Subaru's strength and resolve. And atop it, the clueless pseudo-knight stood victorious, her blade raised high as if she truly were a hero of legend.

Ö~Ö

Reinhard stood on a distant hilltop, his azure eyes locked onto the battlefield miles away. The Divine Protection of Telescopic Vision made it feel as though he were right there, watching every detail unfold with crystalline clarity. His breath hitched as he witnessed the whirlwind of destruction unleashed by the figure wielding the radiant sword.

Her red hair blazed like a banner of war, her white cape and shining armour catching the light of the clearing mist. Each swing of her sword was precise, calculated, and devastating. The White Whale, a terror that had plagued the world for centuries, fell to her attacks like a wounded beast before a lioness.

"This… is this the power of Theresia van Astrea?" Reinhard murmured, his voice a mixture of awe and disbelief.

He had heard tales of his grandmother's unparalleled skill as the Sword Saint, stories passed down like legends, whispered among knights and commoners alike. But to see it in action—no, to witness it reborn in someone who was undeniably her, yet also not—left him reeling.

"She hasn't aged a day," he whispered, watching her strike down another clone with ruthless efficiency. "Her movements… it's as if time never touched her. And that sword..."

Excalibur gleamed with divine energy, a blade of unmatched power that seemed to resonate with her very soul. It was a weapon fit for a king—or a queen, as the case may be.

He watched as she leapt onto the final White Whale, her blade glowing with an otherworldly light. The beast writhed and roared, its massive body crashing through the forest like a hurricane. Yet she remained undeterred, her attacks relentless, her resolve unshakable.

Reinhard's hands clenched into fists. "Grandmother... why now? Why return only to fight such a battle alone?"

When the final blow was struck, and the White Whale fell with a deafening crash, Reinhard's heart pounded in his chest. She stood atop its corpse, her blade raised high, her triumphant cry echoing through the now-clear skies.

"To victory!"

Reinhard's lips tightened into a thin line. Was this truly his grandmother? The same woman who had once been the embodiment of grace and kindness? Or was she someone else entirely, a warrior reborn with the same face but a different soul?

He shook his head, his thoughts a whirlwind. "If that's her… why hasn't she acknowledged me? Why does she deny who she is?"

He took a deep breath, his gaze never leaving the figure standing on the fallen beast. His Divine Protection of Judgement flickered, whispering truths he wasn't ready to hear.

"I must know," he muttered, his voice resolute. "I must understand why she has returned… and why she looks at me as if I'm a stranger."

Far away, Subaru raised Excalibur to the sky, utterly oblivious to the emotional storm brewing within her so-called grandson. She was too busy basking in the thrill of her victory, entirely unaware of the questions her actions had stirred in the Sword Saint's heart.

Ö~Ö

The Dragon Tablet, an ancient relic gleaming with ethereal light, radiated a powerful glow in the hallowed halls of the Sage Council. Its surface shimmered as words, carved in the ancient script of the Anglo-Saxons, emerged:

"The Light of the World, Natsuki Subaru, hath struck down the Great White Whale and freed the skies of its cursed mist."

The councillors, gathered around the ornate table, froze in stunned silence. Each word from the Dragon Tablet carried the weight of prophecy, its proclamations rarely so direct or pointed.

Belfegan, an elderly sage with a beard as white as snowfall, adjusted his spectacles. "Natsuki Subaru? Surely this be an error of translation? The Great Dragon cannot mean the greenhorn who travels with the Half-Elf lass."

Wybert, a heavyset man with a booming voice, scratched his balding head. "Might it be Reinhard? Light of the World fits him snug as a gauntlet, does it not? Perhaps the tablet made a scribbling error."

Eldris, the youngest of the council, raised a hand hesitantly. "I—I don't think the Great Dragon makes scribbling errors, Lord Wybert. The name is clear: Natsuki Subaru."

There was a pause.

"Who?" Wybert repeated, his tone thick with disbelief.

"Perhaps it's a jest?" Belfegan mused, though his tone was uncertain.

"Hardly," Eldris countered. "This Natsuki Subaru is the spitting image of Theresia van Astrea, is she not? The one Rosewall assured us was merely a coincidence."

Another long pause followed, and then Wybert bellowed, "Oh, come now! This can't be the same girl! The one who looks like the previous Sword Saint? That Natsuki Subaru? Light of the World?!"

Before they could argue further, the heavy wooden doors creaked open. In stepped Reinhard van Astrea, the Sword Saint himself, his armour gleaming and his expression as unreadable as the Dragon's own riddles. He stopped before the council, bowed respectfully, and then spoke in his calm, measured tone.

"Honoured councillors, I come with urgent news. Natsuki Subaru, companion to Lady Emilia and…" He hesitated, glancing at the glowing Dragon Tablet before continuing, "…and the one the Dragon has now proclaimed as the Light of the World, has slain the White Whale."

The room erupted into chaos.

Wybert nearly overturned his chair as he shouted, "Her? Again?!"

Eldris clutched his chest in what looked like shock. "By the Great Dragon's scales! What is this woman? A sword-wielding—?!"

Belfegan raised a trembling hand. "Calm yourselves, my lords, calm yourselves! Sir Reinhard, can you confirm this? Did you witness it with your own eyes?"

Reinhard nodded solemnly. "Indeed, I did. She wielded a sword unlike any I've ever seen—a blade of divine light. Her movements were swift, her strikes true. The White Whale was felled with grace and power befitting the greatest of warriors."

The council stared at him, their expressions ranging from incredulity to awe.

Wybert grumbled, "If she's so powerful, why does she skitter about like a farm girl who stumbled upon a blade? Light of the World? Bah!"

Belfegan sighed. "Regardless of her demeanour, the Great Dragon's word is law. If the Dragon sees her as the Light, then we cannot afford to treat her as an enemy."

Eldris nodded. "We must ensure she is protected. And, Reinhard, you are to ensure that neither your grandfather Wilhelm nor your father Heinkel disturb her."

Reinhard frowned slightly. "Why would they seek to disturb her?"

Wybert leaned forward, his voice low and conspiratorial. "Because they will believe her to be Theresia. And whether she is or isn't… well, the Astrea family's passions are well-known."

Belfegan waved a hand. "The Dragon has spoken. She is no threat to us. Let the girl be. Whatever her true nature, she has proven her worth, and that is enough."

Reinhard bowed again, though a glimmer of concern flickered in his eyes. "As you wish. I will ensure her peace is maintained."

As the council settled back into their chairs, Wybert leaned towards Belfegan and muttered, "If she's the Light of the World, then the world's humour is darker than I thought."

And somewhere far away, Natsuki Subaru, oblivious to the grandiose titles and divine proclamations surrounding her name, was likely arguing with Otto about the best way to navigate back to the Mathers domain.

Ö~Ö

The Sin Archbishop of Sloth, Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti, was not one to be easily fazed. Despite his erratic demeanour and peculiar interpretation of devotion, he prided himself on his cunning. He had led the Witch Cult for years, orchestrating their plans with an odd mix of chaotic brilliance and unrelenting zeal. Yet, as his procession of followers moved stealthily through the dense forest on their way to the Mathers Domain, he felt it.

An aura.

It wasn't just unnatural—it was oppressive. Deep and radiant, it pulsed through the trees like a beacon. His senses screamed warnings he hadn't felt in decades. His breath hitched, and he froze mid-step, his clawed hands twitching nervously.

"This… aura…" Petelgeuse muttered, his wide, bloodshot eyes darting around. "It cannot be! Pandora-sama? No, no, no… it is not her. Too bright, too... mortal. Then who—"

His thoughts halted as he saw her.

Riding in a carriage drawn by powerful horses was a young woman. Her crimson hair cascaded behind her, catching the sunlight like a halo of fire. Her sapphire eyes glinted coldly, their sharpness piercing even from a distance. She radiated authority, her presence suffocating.

But that face... That appearance...

"Theresia van Astrea?" he whispered, his voice trembling. "No… no, no, no! Impossible! She is gone, long gone!"

And yet, this was not her. The differences were subtle but clear. She was younger, her armour less refined. Still, the resemblance was uncanny.

"Then who?"

His cultists crouched low in the undergrowth, their breaths shallow, their movements silent. The forest trembled as the carriage approached, the horses' hooves pounding against the earth like drums of war.

"Stay hidden," he hissed to his followers, pressing himself into the shadows of the trees. "We are outmatched. We cannot—must not—engage."

But even as the carriage sped past, Petelgeuse felt it. A chill ran down his spine as the woman's sapphire eyes turned toward him. For a fraction of a second, their gazes locked. Her expression was unreadable—cold, calculating, as if she had dissected his very soul in that brief moment.

"Those eyes…" he murmured. "Eyes of a monster. Or a saint. A Sword Saint..."

He swallowed thickly, his usually manic composure crumbling into nervous silence. He dared not speak, dared not breathe too loudly. The carriage rolled onward, its passengers seemingly oblivious to the cultists hiding mere metres away. Relief began to wash over him.

And then it halted.

A voice, sharp and commanding, shattered the tense silence.

"You, come out!"

Petelgeuse's body stiffened. His followers exchanged panicked glances, their fear palpable.

The voice came again, calm but unwavering. "I won't ask twice."

The Archbishop hesitated. Defiance warred with self-preservation in his mind, but ultimately, he chose the latter. Slowly, deliberately, he stepped out from the shadows, his dishevelled form bathed in the carriage's light.

Before him stood not just the red-haired woman but also her companions—a pink-haired maid with a steely glare and a man with nervous energy radiating off him.

"What are you doing here?" the maid demanded, her tone as sharp as the wand in her hand.

Petelgeuse's lips twisted into a shaky grin. "Oh, my, my, my… just a traveller, yes, a humble traveller wandering these woods, searching for truth, for meaning, for—"

"Witch Cultists!" the maid snapped, her crimson eyes narrowing as she spotted the shadowy figures lurking in the bushes.

Petelgeuse's grin faltered. The woman's wand twitched, and with a swift motion, she unleashed a gust of wind aimed directly at him.

"Faithful hands! Defend your bishop!" Petelgeuse cried, his voice rising to a manic pitch.

Invisible hands, writhing and grotesque, burst forth from the air around him, intercepting the maid's attack and scattering leaves and branches in a violent swirl.

The battle had begun.

In the dim glow of the forest clearing, an oppressive silence followed the sudden burst of action. Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti trembled as the golden radiance of the knight's blade illuminated the scene. His grotesque invisible hands—once a symbol of his twisted power and devotion—lay severed, dissipating into wisps of nothingness under the sheer brilliance of her attack.

"How...?" His voice cracked, manic eyes darting toward the red-haired knight standing before him. "How can you see them?! My unseen hands—my beautiful, faithful hands!" His tone shifted from despair to panic.

The knight, clad in white armour that shimmered under the faint moonlight, tilted her head with an almost childlike curiosity. Her sapphire eyes narrowed slightly as she examined the pitiful man before her.

"What's an Archbishop?" she asked, her voice as casual as if she were inquiring about a recipe.

Petelgeuse's followers froze. Even the forest seemed to hold its breath. The sheer absurdity of the question—delivered so nonchalantly—left everyone momentarily speechless.

The pink-haired maid sighed audibly, resting her wand against her shoulder. "Bad guys, Barusu-sama," she replied, her voice laced with exasperation.

The knight's lips curled into a grin. "Ah, bad guys. Got it."

Petelgeuse's invisible hands charged and—

A blinding golden light later, they were cut down like butter by the redhead knight who now wielded an… otherworldly sword.

Petelgeuse's mind raced. He knew he was outmatched; the red-haired woman's power was beyond anything he'd ever faced. Still, he wasn't alone. His cultists were many, loyal, and fanatical. With a wide, unsettling grin spreading across his face, he raised his voice.

"Faithful children of the Witch!" he bellowed, his tone filled with manic zeal. "Your bishop calls upon you! Arise and show your devotion!"

From the shadows, dozens of hooded figures emerged, their faces obscured by grotesque masks. Each one brandished a weapon or chanted incantations, their voices creating a discordant symphony of malice. The clearing filled with a palpable sense of dread as the cultists encircled the knight, the maid, and the trembling carriage driver—an ash-haired boy clutching the reins tightly.

"Ram! Protect Otto!" the knight commanded, pointing toward the boy.

The maid, Ram, nodded curtly. "Understood, Barusu-sama." She moved swiftly, positioning herself between Otto and the advancing cultists, her wand glowing with a faint green light.

Meanwhile, the knight stepped forward, raising her blade. The golden sword shimmered with an ethereal light, its edge humming with restrained power.

"Well then," she said, her grin widening, "let's see how broken I really am!"

The cultists charged.

The first attacker, a large man wielding a jagged axe, lunged at her with a guttural roar. Subaru sidestepped effortlessly, her movements fluid and precise. With a single swing of her sword, the axe was cleaved in two, its metal fragments scattering into the air. The man stumbled, and Subaru's gauntleted fist met his face, sending him sprawling into the dirt.

Another cultist came from behind, brandishing twin daggers. Subaru spun, her blade arcing in a perfect crescent. The daggers shattered upon contact, and the cultist was thrown back by the sheer force of her swing.

"All this for little ol' me?" Subaru quipped, ducking under a spear thrust and disarming the attacker with a well-placed kick. "I must be pretty special, huh?"

Ram, meanwhile, fought with calculated precision. Her wind magic whipped through the clearing, creating barriers to shield Otto while sending cultists flying with bursts of compressed air.

"Otto," she said without looking back, "stay low and don't move."

Otto nodded shakily, his knuckles white as he gripped the reins. "R-right!"

Petelgeuse watched the chaos unfold, his grin faltering. "No, no, no! This is not how it's supposed to be!" he shrieked, clawing at his face. "Faithful children! Do not falter! For the Witch! For our gospel!"

Subaru's eyes flicked toward him, her grin turning almost predatory. "You sure like to yell a lot, huh?" she said, dodging another attack. "Why don't you come down here and back up all that talk?"

Petelgeuse snarled but remained rooted in place.

One by one, the cultists fell. Subaru moved like a whirlwind, her blade a blur of gold that seemed to anticipate every attack. She avoided using the sword's full power, relying instead on her sheer skill and strength to overwhelm her enemies.

A group of three cultists charged her simultaneously, their weapons aimed for her unguarded sides. Subaru parried the first strike, deflecting the blade with a sharp clang. She spun, her cape billowing, and delivered a powerful upward slash that sent two of them flying. The third hesitated, only to be met with a swift punch that knocked him unconscious.

"Haha! Now this is what I call protagonist buff!" Subaru laughed, planting her foot on the chest of a fallen cultist. "I'm so broken! Ha-ha!"

Ram paused mid-spell to roll her eyes. "Barusu-sama, please focus."

"Right, right," Subaru said, brushing a strand of red hair from her face. "Time to clean up the rest of these guys."

The remaining cultists hesitated, their confidence shaken. Subaru pointed her sword at them, its golden glow intensifying. "You've got two options," she said, her voice dripping with confidence. "Run away now, or... Well, you've seen what happens if you don't."

Most of them fled, disappearing into the forest without a second thought.

Petelgeuse, now alone and visibly trembling, stared at the knight in disbelief. His mind refused to process what he had just witnessed.

"W-who… are you? Who… are you? Who… are you?" he stammered, his voice rising with each repetition.

Subaru sheathed her sword with a dramatic flourish, striking a pose that could only be described as absurdly theatrical. One hand pointed to the sky, her other hand resting confidently on her hip.

"I am Natsuki Subaru!" she declared, her voice ringing through the clearing. "The clueless, overpowered protagonist of this world!"

Before Petelgeuse could respond, Ram stepped forward and delivered a swift, unceremonious kick to his head.

The Archbishop crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Subaru blinked, lowering her pose. "Well, that was anticlimactic."

Ram dusted off her skirt. "You're welcome, Barusu-sama."

Otto peeked out from behind the carriage, his face pale but relieved. "Is… is it over?"

Subaru grinned, slinging her sword over her shoulder. "For now. But don't worry, Otto. With me around, nothing's gonna stop us!"

The ash-haired boy sighed. "I really hope you're right…"

TBC

Chapter Text

Relentless: I

The tension in the air was palpable as Emilia paced near the edge of the village, her silver hair shimmering under the faint sunlight breaking through the overcast sky. Worry gnawed at her, thoughts of Subaru, Ram, and Otto filling her mind. She knew it had been dangerous for them to leave, especially with the looming threat of the Great Rabbit. Every sound in the distance made her freeze, her heart pounding in hope and dread.

“They should’ve been back by now,” she murmured softly, clutching her hands to her chest.  

Rem stood nearby, her morningstar clutched tightly. Though she remained outwardly calm, the concern in her eyes betrayed her. She didn’t need to say it aloud—she was worried for her sister.  

“Rem,” Emilia began, hesitating. “Do you think…”  

“They’ll be fine, Emilia-sama,” Rem said, her voice firm yet gentle. “Nee-sama is strong. And Bar— I mean, Subaru-sama… she’s proven herself before.”  

Emilia nodded, though her heart remained restless. She glanced at Rosewall, who stood a short distance away, his serene expression infuriatingly unchanged. The man had insisted this was the best plan, but his indifference to the risks was unsettling.  

“The Great Rabbit will be here soon,” Rosewall said, his voice light but carrying a weighty undertone. “We must make our way to the Sanctuary.”  

“And what about Nee-sama and the others?” Rem asked sharply, stepping closer.  

Rosewall’s smile remained fixed, his eyes glinting with that usual air of mystery. “I trust they’ll return in time. Now, we must—”  

A distant sound interrupted him—the unmistakable rumble of wheels on the dirt road. Everyone froze, their gazes snapping toward the source of the noise. The sound grew louder, accompanied by the steady clatter of hooves.  

As the carriage came into view, a cheer erupted from the gathered villagers. Relief spread among them as they recognised Otto at the reins, guiding the vehicle with determination despite his weariness.  

The carriage slowed and finally came to a halt just a few metres from Emilia. Otto climbed down, his exhaustion evident but his spirit unbroken. The villagers parted, their eyes fixed on the carriage door as a figure emerged.  

Natsuki Subaru stepped down, her red hair catching the light, her gleaming white armour and fluttering cape making her seem larger than life. Her sapphire eyes sparkled with pride, and her grin was as wide as ever.  

“Emilia!” Subaru called out, her voice cheerful despite the weight of the moment. “Look what I’ve caught!”  

Ram stepped out behind her, as composed as ever. She gave a slight nod to Emilia before gesturing to the back of the carriage, where a green-skinned man was bound and unconscious, tied with thick ropes.  

“A Witch Cultist!” someone in the crowd gasped.  

The villagers recoiled, murmurs of fear spreading like wildfire.  

Rem’s eyes darkened as she pushed her way forward, her morningstar already in hand. “Witch Cultist! Kill him!” she shouted, her voice ringing with righteous fury.  

"Rem, wait!” Subaru said sharply, stepping between her and the unconscious man.  

Rem didn’t falter. Her morningstar swung down with deadly intent, but Ram intercepted, her wand glowing faintly as she redirected the blow with a burst of wind magic.  

“Calm yourself, Rem,” Ram said firmly, her tone brooking no argument. “He’s a prisoner, not your personal target practice.”  

Rem glared at her sister, her grip on her weapon tightening. “Nee-sama, he’s a Witch Cultist! He doesn’t deserve to live!”  

Rosewall stepped closer, his ever-present smile widening. “Oh my, Rem. Such fire in your words. But perhaps Subaru-sama has her reasons for sparing this one?”  

All eyes turned to Subaru, who crossed her arms and puffed out her chest dramatically. “Damn right I do! This guy has invisible hands. Do you know how annoying that is to fight? Ugh!” She made exaggerated gestures, as if miming an epic struggle.  

“Invisible hands?” Emilia asked, concern colouring her voice.  

“Yup,” Subaru said, nodding emphatically. “But don’t worry. I handled it. Oh, and by the way…” She paused, milking the moment. “I killed the White Whale!”  

A stunned silence fell over the crowd.  

“What?!” Emilia and Rem exclaimed in unison.  

“The White Whale?” Rosewall asked, his tone suddenly intrigued. “The very same creature that has haunted these lands for centuries?”  

“Yeah, that one,” Subaru said, waving a hand nonchalantly. “No big deal. Anyway, back to the Witch Cultist—”  

Puck appeared out of thin air, floating beside Emilia with his usual mischievous grin. But his expression darkened as he looked at the bound man. He studied the unconscious figure for a long moment, his tiny features uncharacteristically grave.  

“Hero Girl,” he said, addressing Subaru, “you’ve brought back quite the catch. Poor guy, though.”  

“Poor guy?!” Subaru repeated, incredulous. “Puck, he’s literally the bad guy!”  

“Even bad guys have stories,” Puck said cryptically.  

Rosewall clapped his hands lightly, drawing everyone’s attention back to him. “As fascinating as this all is,” he said, his sing-song tone returning, “we have a more pressing concern. The Great Rabbit is coming.”  

Subaru tilted her head, raising her hand like a student in class. “What’s the Great Rabbit?”  

Rosewall’s smile remained, though his eyes darkened. “Ah, Subaru-sama, that is a tale for another time. For now, we must hurry to the Sanctuary.”  

Subaru straightened, her grin returning. “Alright then! Team Subaru, let’s move out!”  

The villagers cheered, their spirits lifted by the return of their heroes. Emilia stayed close to Subaru, her worry momentarily eased by her presence.  

But as the group prepared to depart, the unconscious Witch Cultist shifted slightly, his bound hands twitching. Subaru glanced back at him, her sapphire eyes narrowing.  

“Don’t try anything funny,” she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.  

Unbeknownst to her, a far more sinister force was already beginning to stir, and the journey to the Sanctuary was only the beginning.

Ö~Ö

Subaru, clad in her shining white armour and with her signature red hair flowing behind her, stood at the entrance of the Sanctuary, sizing up the young, scrappy-looking guard blocking her path. Garfiel Tinsel, with his wild golden hair and sharp, glinting teeth, looked every bit the territorial beast he was known to be. His muscled frame and intense gaze gave off a clear message: 'No one was leaving without his say-so.'

Garfiel jabbed a thumb toward himself, his confidence practically oozing from his cocky smirk. “Ain’t no one leavin’ this Sanctuary without my permission. That’s a policy, ya get me?”  

Subaru tilted her head, placing one hand on her hip and the other on the hilt of her sword. “Huh. A ‘no exit’ policy? What is this, some weird hotel?”  

Garfiel blinked at her for a moment, then burst into laughter, his sharp teeth flashing. “Yer a funny one, Red. But jokes ain’t gettin’ ya through.”  

“I don’t have time for this,” Subaru said, exasperation creeping into her voice. “Listen, I’m just here to get my people and head back. You can keep your weird tiger policies to yourself.”  

But Garfiel didn’t budge, folding his arms over his chest. “Yer people ain’t goin’ nowhere. Not without me makin’ sure it’s safe.”  

Subaru narrowed her eyes, but before she could respond, Rem stepped forward, her tone sharp. “Fredricca is at the manor, Barusu-sama. She could assist us, but we must also retrieve Beatrice-sama.”  

“Fredricca?!” Subaru repeated, turning toward Rem. “What’s she doing there?”  

Rem’s expression softened slightly, though her voice remained firm. “She was left behind to assist Beatrice-sama, who refused to leave the library.”  

Subaru groaned, rubbing her temples. “Of course she didn’t want to leave the library. Classic Beako. She probably glued herself to the bookshelf or something.”  

“And the new junior maid too!” Emilia chirped in, her tone light despite the tension.  

“New maid?” Subaru asked, raising an eyebrow.  

“Petra,” Emilia said cheerfully.  

Subaru froze, blinking rapidly. “Petra?! When did Rosewall hire her? And why didn’t anyone tell me? Sure, fine, whatever. She’s coming too!”  

Garfiel let out a low growl, stepping closer. “Yer not listenin’, Red. No one’s leavin’. Not Fred, not Beako, not this Petra kid. They’re all stayin’ right where they are!”  

Subaru sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Listen, Garfield—”  

“It’s Garfiel,” he corrected with a snarl.  

“Whatever,” Subaru shot back. “I don’t have time to argue. The Great Rabbit is on its way, and I’m not leaving anyone behind to deal with that nightmare. So, unless you’ve got a better plan, step aside and let me do my thing.”  

Garfiel’s sharp teeth glinted as his grin widened. “Ya don’t get it, do ya? I ain’t steppin’ aside. And if ya wanna get through, yer gonna have to prove ya got the strength to back up all that knightly talk!”  

His muscles rippled, his voice dropping to a low growl. “I won’t!”  

Before Subaru could retort, Garfiel’s body began to shift, his already impressive frame bulking up even further. His golden hair bristled, claws extended from his hands, and his face twisted into a feral snarl as he transformed into a hulking, bipedal tiger.  

Subaru sighed, drawing her sword with a dramatic flair. “Oh, great. Another overconfident musclehead. Just what I needed today.”  

“Barusu-sama,” Ram interjected, her voice calm but with a hint of exasperation. “Perhaps you should avoid antagonising the tiger boy.”  

“Too late,” Subaru muttered, readying herself as Garfiel let out a deafening roar.

Garfiel charged at Subaru like a wild beast unleashed, his claws slashing through the air with deadly precision. His hulking bipedal tiger form loomed over her, radiating pure feral energy. Yet, Subaru didn’t so much as unsheath her dagger.

Instead, she sidestepped his first strike, her white cape fluttering in the breeze. When his claws came dangerously close to her face, she tilted her head back, avoiding the blow by a hair’s breadth. A low growl of frustration escaped Garfiel’s throat as he lunged again, swinging with both hands this time.

Subaru’s arm snapped up, her gauntleted hand catching his wrist mid-swing. The force of the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, but Subaru didn’t even flinch. With an almost casual flick of her wrist, she pushed his arm aside and stepped back, watching him with an air of calm amusement.

“You’re going to tire yourself out at this rate, Garfield,” she said, deliberately mangling his name.

“It’s Garfiel, damn it!” he roared, his claws slashing downward in a furious arc.

Subaru leaned to the side, her movements fluid and almost lazy. His claws met empty air once again. “You’re awfully sensitive for a guy built like a brick wall, huh?”

“You’re mockin’ me!” he snarled, his strikes growing faster and more erratic. But no matter how quick or forceful his attacks became, Subaru was always one step ahead. She parried his blows with precise movements of her hands and arms, never once reaching for her weapon.

“Mocking you? Nah,” Subaru replied, dodging another swing with a graceful spin. “I’m just wondering how long it’ll take for you to realise this isn’t going to work.”

Garfiel’s growl deepened, his frustration boiling over. “Ya don’t get it! Outside this Sanctuary, you’re all dead! The Great Rabbit’ll tear ya apart! Just like my mom!”

Subaru froze mid-step, her sapphire eyes narrowing as she locked her gaze on him. For the first time since the fight began, her playful tone vanished. “What did you say?”

"She went out there! She thought she could make it back to us, but she didn’t!” Garfiel’s voice cracked, his claws trembling. “She died out there, leavin’ us behind! And now ya wanna do the same thing?!”

Subaru sighed deeply, lowering her arms. “So, that’s what this is about,” she murmured. “You think you’re protecting people by keeping them locked in here, huh? You think if you can just control everything, you won’t lose anyone else.”

Garfiel’s chest heaved, his golden eyes blazing with anger and pain. “Yer damn right I do! I ain’t gonna let anyone else suffer like that! Not while I’m here!”

Subaru stepped closer, her voice firm but not unkind. “Garfiel, you’re not protecting anyone. You’re just running from your own fear. You’re so scared of what’s out there that you’ve convinced yourself the Sanctuary is the only safe place. But life doesn’t work like that.”

“You don’t know nothin’ about it!” he snapped, though his voice wavered.

“Oh, I know plenty,” Subaru shot back, her tone cutting through his protest like a blade. “I know what it’s like to lose people. I know what it’s like to feel helpless, to think you could’ve done something—anything—to stop it. But shutting everyone away isn’t the answer.”

She took another step forward, her sapphire eyes softening. “Your mom didn’t leave you because she didn’t care, Garfiel. She left because she loved you. She believed in you, in your strength, in your ability to live and grow without her. And she wouldn’t want you to chain yourself to this place because of her.”

Garfiel’s claws dropped to his sides, his golden eyes wide and unblinking. For a moment, he simply stared at her, his breath hitching. Then, as if a dam had broken inside him, tears began streaming down his face. His hulking tiger form shrank back into his human self, his knees buckling as he fell to the ground.

“I... I just... didn’t wanna lose anyone else,” he choked out between sobs.

Subaru knelt beside him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “I get it. But keeping people trapped here isn’t going to stop the world from being dangerous. If anything, it’ll make them weaker. You want to protect them? Then help them grow stronger. Stand by their side when they face those dangers.”

Garfiel nodded weakly, his tears soaking into the dirt. “Yer... yer right. I’ve been such a fool...”

Subaru offered him a small, wry smile. “Takes one to know one, Garf. Don’t beat yourself up too much about it.”

As she stood and turned to leave, Garfiel looked up at her, his eyes filled with a mix of awe and gratitude. For a fleeting moment, he saw his mother in her—the same strength, the same wisdom, the same unwavering determination.

Subaru glanced back at him over her shoulder, her cape billowing in the wind. “Stay here and take care of the Sanctuary, okay? I’ll handle the rest.”

Garfiel wiped his tears and nodded. “Got it... Subaru-sama.”

With that, Subaru strode away, her destination clear in her mind. She was going to the manor, and nothing—not even a hulking tiger boy—was going to stop her.

Subaru had barely taken five steps along the path when the ground began to tremble beneath her feet. The trees rustled violently, their branches swaying as if warning of an impending storm. And then she saw it—a massive, grotesque MaBeast barreling toward her, its claws tearing through the earth like it was paper.  

Perched atop the beast was a young girl, no older than ten, with wild eyes and an unsettling grin. Her small frame was clad in tattered robes, and her hair was a tangle of unkempt strands that framed her childlike face. Despite her size, the aura of malice radiating from her was palpable.  

The girl pointed at Subaru, her voice high-pitched and eerily cheerful. “Big sis over there! You’re in the way! I’m here to wipe out everyone in the manor—down to the last bug!”  

Subaru raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Oh, really? All by yourself, huh? With those overgrown pets of yours?”  

The girl’s grin widened as more MaBeasts emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing with predatory hunger. There were wolves with jagged fangs, feline monstrosities with barbed tails, and serpentine creatures that slithered with alarming speed. They formed a semicircle around Subaru, growling and hissing in unison.  

Subaru didn’t flinch. Instead, she sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her hip. “You know, I was hoping to save my energy for the actual threats in the manor. But if you insist on wasting my time...”  

In a flash, she vanished.  

The MaBeasts barely had time to react as Subaru reappeared amidst their ranks, her movements a blur. The first wolf lunged at her, its jaws snapping for her throat. Subaru sidestepped gracefully, her gauntleted hand catching the beast by its snout. With a single fluid motion, she slammed it into the ground, the impact sending a shockwave through the earth.  

Two feline MaBeasts leapt at her from opposite sides, their barbed tails whipping through the air. Subaru ducked low, her cape swirling around her as the tails whizzed harmlessly overhead. Before the beasts could recover, she sprang upward, delivering a spinning kick that sent them flying into a nearby tree.  

A serpentine MaBeast coiled around her legs, its scales glistening like polished steel. Subaru didn’t panic. She grabbed the creature by its head, her sapphire eyes glowing with a cold determination. “Bad move, noodle boy.” With a swift twist, she hurled the serpent into the pack of remaining beasts, the collision scattering them like bowling pins.  

The MaBeasts regrouped, snarling and circling her warily. But Subaru was already a step ahead. She dashed through their ranks, her movements too fast for the eye to follow. Each step was precise, each strike devastating. Claws were shattered, fangs broken, and tails severed as she systematically dismantled the pack.  

In less than a minute, the once-terrifying horde lay in a heap around her, motionless and defeated. Subaru dusted off her gloves, her expression one of mild annoyance. “That’s it? I was expecting a challenge.”  

The little girl, who had been watching the carnage from atop her now-terrified MaBeast, was speechless. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, her earlier confidence replaced by sheer disbelief.  

Subaru walked up to her, brushing a strand of red hair out of her face. “So, kid, got a name?”  

The girl hesitated, her grip tightening on her MaBeast’s fur. “Mili...”  

Subaru nodded, crossing her arms. “Mili, huh? Nice name. But, uh, you might want to rethink your career choices. Killing people isn’t exactly a sustainable profession. Have you tried... I don’t know, art? Baking? Something that doesn’t involve MaBeasts?”  

Mili blinked, her grip loosening slightly.  

“Well, whatever. Get some proper career counselling, kid. You’ve got potential, but this?” Subaru gestured to the defeated MaBeasts with a sweeping motion. “Not your best look.”  

With that, Subaru turned on her heel and ran toward the manor, her white cape billowing behind her. Mili watched her go, still frozen in place. For the first time in her life, the little girl felt something unfamiliar—a strange mix of awe and regret.

TBC

Chapter Text

Relentless: II

Fredricca growled low, her claws extended, her golden fur bristling with every passing second. She had already pushed her tigress form to its limits, her powerful swipes barely keeping Elsa at bay. The Bowl Hunter's dark figure danced around her attacks with an unsettling ease, her curved kukri blades gleaming with menace. Every slash aimed at Fredricca was precise, calculated to inflict maximum pain and suffering.

Petra clung to the far wall, her tiny frame trembling as she watched Fredricca fight desperately to protect her. The young maid clutched a silver candlestick, her knuckles white with the strength of her grip. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she didn't dare cry out.

Fredricca lunged, her massive claws slicing through the air. But Elsa, with her predator's grin, twisted her body unnaturally to dodge the blow. She retaliated with a swift counterattack, her blade cutting through Fredricca's flank. Blood splattered onto the wooden floor, and Fredricca roared in pain, stumbling back.

"You're tenacious," Elsa purred, licking the blood off her blade with a grotesque delight. "But you'll bleed out soon. How unfortunate for the little one—losing her protector so quickly."

Fredricca's amber eyes narrowed, a mix of pain and fury burning within them. She stood tall despite her injuries, shielding Petra with her body. "I won't let you harm her!"

Elsa laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the manor. "Admirable. But pointless." She moved in for the kill, her blades raised high.

Just as the deadly arc of steel was about to descend, a flash of white and red tore through the space between them. Elsa's attack stopped mid-air, her blades meeting a resounding clang as they clashed against another weapon.

The air stilled.

"Oh, it's you," Elsa said, leaping back with feline grace, her sharp grin widening. Her eyes glittered with dangerous excitement. "The Redhead Knight, Natsuki Subaru."

"In the flesh," Subaru replied, standing tall with her white cape fluttering and her glowing sapphire eyes fixed on Elsa. In her right hand was an elegant longsword, its silver blade shimmering with an otherworldly light. She glanced at Fredricca and Petra, taking in the scene with a quick sweep of her gaze.

"You are the maids?" Subaru asked, her tone calm despite the tension in the room.

Fredricca nodded, panting heavily.

"Well, I'm Emilia's knight," Subaru said, flashing a confident grin.

"I know you!" Petra suddenly exclaimed, her voice filled with awe despite the danger. "You're the hero!"

Subaru's grin widened, a playful spark in her eyes. "True," she said, before her gaze shifted to Fredricca. Her expression turned slightly bemused as she noticed the torn remnants of Fredricca's clothing from her transformation. "Though, uh, maybe get some clothes on and head to the Sanctuary. Leave Elsa to me."

Fredricca's eyes widened. "But, Subaru-sama—"

"No arguments," Subaru said firmly, her voice leaving no room for debate. "You're hurt, and Petra needs you safe. I've got this."

Fredricca hesitated, her pride and sense of duty warring within her. But Subaru's unwavering gaze made her relent. She nodded reluctantly, gathering Petra into her arms.

"Be careful," Fredricca said, her voice soft but filled with concern.

"Always," Subaru replied, her grin returning as she stepped forward, placing herself between them and Elsa.

With that, Fredricca and Petra hurried out of the room, leaving Subaru and Elsa alone.

Elsa tilted her head, her grin never faltering. "Sending them away? How noble. Though I was looking forward to carving her open."

Subaru's eyes narrowed, her grip on the sword tightening. "Sorry, Elsa, but your hunting trip ends here."

Elsa chuckled, taking a step closer. "Ho? You're confident, aren't you?"

Subaru smirked. "Let's just say, I've been breaking records in overconfidence lately."

With a sudden burst of speed, Elsa lunged, her blades aimed directly at Subaru's throat. But Subaru was ready. She raised her sword in a swift motion, meeting Elsa's strike with a clash of steel that sent sparks flying.

Elsa grinned wider, her movements fluid and relentless as she unleashed a flurry of attacks. But Subaru didn't falter. She didn't even move to counterattack—every slash, every stab, was met with a perfect parry. Her sword danced with precision, each movement calculated to neutralise Elsa's strikes.

As the two clashed, Elsa's grin twisted into something darker. "You're good," she admitted, her voice tinged with a rare hint of frustration. "But how long can you keep this up?"

"As long as it takes," Subaru replied, her tone light yet unyielding.

They stepped back momentarily, both eyeing each other with intense focus. Elsa licked her lips, her excitement reigniting. "This might actually be fun."

"Glad you're entertained," Subaru quipped, readying herself for the next round.

The air inside the manor was tense, thick with the acrid scent of blood and the faint musk of oil. Subaru stood tall amidst the chaos, her red hair flowing like a banner of defiance. The Excalibur in her hand glimmered with a subtle golden light, its presence filling the room with an otherworldly weight. Across from her, Elsa Granhiert, the infamous Bowel Hunter, crouched like a feral beast, her curved kukri blades glinting menacingly.

Elsa tilted her head, her predatory grin wide. "You're better than I expected. That sword of yours… it doesn't just cut, does it? It sings destruction."

Subaru's sapphire eyes were cold, unyielding. "You've got no idea, Elsa. But trust me, I'm not in the mood to give a demonstration—unless you insist."

With a shrill laugh, Elsa lunged, her movements unnervingly fluid. The air hissed as her blades sliced through it, aiming for Subaru's vitals. Subaru, however, was more than ready. She stepped to the side, her sword flashing in a precise arc that deflected the incoming strike. The sheer force of the parry sent Elsa stumbling back, her grin faltering for just a second.

Subaru advanced, her footwork graceful yet deadly. Her strikes were precise, each swing of Excalibur calculated to dismantle Elsa's defences. The Bowel Hunter retaliated with a whirlwind of slashes, her agility unmatched by most. But no matter how crafty Elsa was, Subaru was always one step ahead, her blade meeting every attack with unwavering precision.

"You're quick," Elsa admitted, her tone laced with grudging admiration. "But speed means nothing if you can't keep up with my craftiness."

Subaru's brow furrowed. "Crafty, huh? Let's see how far that gets you."

Suddenly, Elsa darted forward, her hand latching onto Subaru's long red hair. With a vicious yank, she pulled, intending to throw Subaru off balance. But instead of a scream of pain, Elsa was met with the chilling hum of Excalibur.

"Bad move," Subaru said, her voice low and dangerous.

With a single stroke, Excalibur severed Elsa's hand cleanly. The severed limb fell to the ground with a wet thud, blood splattering across the floor. Elsa staggered back, clutching the bleeding stump. Yet her twisted smile never left her face.

"You're ruthless," Elsa hissed, her voice tinged with pain but also amusement. "I like that."

To Subaru's dismay, Elsa's hand began to regenerate, the flesh knitting itself back together unnaturally fast. Subaru narrowed her eyes, gripping Excalibur tighter. "So you're not just fast and crafty. You're resilient, too. But tell me something, Elsa—are you planning to run again, like you did back at the Loot House?"

For the first time, Elsa hesitated, her smile faltering ever so slightly. But then, with a dark chuckle, she shook her head. "Run? No, I think I'll simply try my hardest… to see your bowels this time."

Subaru exhaled sharply, her expression hardening. "You're sick. But if that's your idea of a goal, then it's time I put you down."

She raised Excalibur, the blade glowing with a divine brilliance. Elsa, ever the predator, wasn't about to give up easily. She scraped her kukri blade against the stone walls of the manor, sparks flying from the impact. In an instant, the tiny flicker of flame ignited the oil that had been coating the walls, and the fire roared to life.

Subaru's eyes widened as the flames began to spread. The air grew hotter by the second, the smell of burning oil filling the room. "Betty!" she shouted, her voice laced with urgency.

Elsa, sensing an opportunity, moved to block Subaru's path. "You're not going anywhere, Red Knight."

Subaru's patience snapped. Her sapphire eyes glowed with an intense resolve as she raised Excalibur high. "I've had enough of your games, Elsa."

The golden light of Excalibur intensified, bathing the room in its radiant glow. Subaru's voice was steady, filled with unshakable determination. "You want to see destruction? Fine. Let me show you what real power looks like."

With a swift motion, Subaru unleashed a powerful strike—'Invisible Air'. A massive torrent of compressed wind erupted from Excalibur, extinguishing the flames in an instant. The sheer force of the blast shook the entire manor, leaving the room eerily silent as the last embers died out.

Elsa stumbled back, her eyes wide with awe. "You… you're not human," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Subaru didn't waste a second. She surged forward, grabbing Elsa by the shoulders with a strength that belied her slender frame. With a powerful heave, she hurled Elsa into the stone wall. The impact was devastating, the sound of cracking stone and breaking bones echoing through the room. Elsa crumpled to the ground, half-conscious and bleeding, yet still managing to maintain her smug grin.

Subaru loomed over her, Excalibur resting against her shoulder. "Who sent you?" she demanded, her voice cold and commanding.

Elsa coughed weakly, a trickle of blood escaping her lips. "You'll… never know," she rasped, her grin widening as she bit down on something in her mouth.

"Damn it!" Subaru cursed, realising too late what Elsa had done. The assassin's body convulsed briefly before going still. A faint, bitter smell filled the air—a suicide pill.

Subaru let out a frustrated sigh, stepping back from Elsa's lifeless body. "Great. Just great," she muttered. "Another lead dead, literally."

But she couldn't dwell on it. She turned on her heel, her focus shifting to the manor. There was no telling what other dangers might be lurking. And more importantly, she had to find Beatrice.

Gripping Excalibur tightly, Subaru moved with purpose, her steps echoing in the now-silent hallways. The battle with Elsa was over, but the war was far from won.

The Forbidden Library was cloaked in an eerie stillness, its air filled with the faint smell of parchment and old wood. Shelves stretched endlessly, lined with ancient tomes whose spines glimmered faintly under the soft, magical glow of the room. Subaru had made her way here through a random door guess—typical—but her instincts had been spot-on. At the centre of it all was Beatrice, seated in a high-backed chair, her small form almost swallowed by it. She was engrossed in a thick book, her expression unreadable as her slender fingers flipped the pages with meticulous precision.

Subaru sighed, catching her breath as she stood in the doorway. "Betty," she called, her voice echoing faintly in the vast expanse.

Beatrice's blue eyes flicked up, meeting Subaru's with a flicker of surprise that quickly turned into mild annoyance. "It's the noisy one," she said, snapping her book shut with a dull thud. "Why are you here, I suppose?"

"To save your butt and get you out of here. What else?" Subaru strode into the room, her red hair swaying behind her. Excalibur rested on her back, the blade humming faintly as if sensing her resolve.

Beatrice tilted her head, her pigtails bouncing slightly. "Save me? That's absurd. This is my home, I suppose. I have no need for saving."

"Yeah, well, your 'home' is about to turn into a barbecue pit," Subaru shot back, gesturing toward the door. "The whole manor's covered in oil. One spark and—poof! No more library, no more Betty."

Beatrice narrowed her eyes, her expression hardening. "Even if that's true, it's not your place to decide my fate. Are you… that person?"

Subaru blinked, caught off guard by the question. "That person? What the hell does that even mean?"

Beatrice rose from her chair, her small figure radiating an unexpected intensity. "The one meant to end my contract, I suppose. The one who will finally bring me… closure."

"Betty," Subaru began, her voice softening. "I don't know what kind of mess you've been tangled in, but I'm not here to play therapist. I'm here to save you. You can figure out the rest later."

Beatrice studied her for a long moment, her gaze searching. "So you are that person," she murmured, almost to herself.

"Huh? Sure, let's go with that." Subaru rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Look, are you coming or not?"

Beatrice's expression shifted, a hint of vulnerability seeping through her usual haughtiness. "If you truly mean to save me… then you'll need to make a contract with me, I suppose."

Subaru groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "A contract? Seriously? I don't have time for this, Betty. The house is literally about to go up in flames!"

"Then stop wasting time and agree, I suppose!" Beatrice snapped, stepping closer and holding out her hand. "Do it, or leave me be."

With a sigh of exasperation, Subaru grabbed Beatrice's hand. "Fine. Whatever. Let's do this contract thing."

The moment their hands touched, a surge of energy shot through Subaru, pulling at her mana like a relentless tide. A blinding light filled the room, forcing her to shield her eyes with her free hand. When the glow finally subsided, Beatrice slumped forward into Subaru's arms, her face pale but serene. A faint line of saliva dripped from the corner of her mouth as she muttered, "So much mana… bottomless… delicious…"

Subaru stared at her, dumbfounded. "Great. Now you're officially a mana vampire. Just what I needed."

Beatrice didn't respond, her small form limp but peaceful in Subaru's arms. Adjusting her grip, Subaru hoisted the diminutive spirit like a sack of potatoes. "Alright, Sleeping Beauty. Let's get out of here before we both become toast."

As she sprinted through the manor, her steps quick and deliberate, Subaru couldn't help but notice something unsettling. The spot where Elsa's body had fallen earlier was empty—completely devoid of blood or any sign of the Bowel Hunter's demise. A shiver ran down her spine, but she shook it off.

"No time for creepy mysteries," she muttered under her breath. "One disaster is already too much."

Clutching Beatrice tightly, Subaru burst out of the manor's entrance and into the cold night air. She didn't stop to catch her breath, her focus entirely on reaching the sanctuary. Whatever else was out there, she wasn't going to let it stop her. Not now.

Her determination burned brighter than the flames that had threatened to consume the manor, and with every step, she felt the weight of her responsibility pressing down on her. But she carried it willingly, her resolve unshaken. After all, she had a promise to keep.

TBC

Chapter Text

Relentless: III

The cool night air bit at Subaru’s skin as she stood at the edge of the Sanctuary, her red hair clinging to her damp forehead. The villagers huddled behind the protective walls, their anxious murmurs giving way to sporadic cheers as their eyes fell on her. Subaru could feel the weight of their gazes, each one heavy with hope and desperation. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Pride? Maybe. But that feeling was fleeting, snuffed out by the grim reality that this wasn’t over.

Nearby, Frederica stood with her arms wrapped protectively around a trembling Petra. The little girl buried her face in Frederica’s chest, her soft sobs muffled by the maid’s embrace. Frederica’s golden hair was a tangled mess, her usually composed demeanour replaced by a raw, weary determination.

“Petra, you’re safe now,” Subaru muttered, her voice low but firm. “You’re both safe. That’s what matters.”

Frederica nodded slightly, though her grip on Petra didn’t loosen. “Thank you, Lady Subaru,” she murmured. Her words carried an undercurrent of hesitation, as if she wanted to say more but held herself back.

Before Subaru could respond, a petite figure stepped forward from the crowd. The girl was small, almost childlike, with pink hair and pointed ears. She wore an antiquated dress that seemed almost too pristine for the chaos around them. Her serene expression was unflinching, but her piercing gaze hinted at a deep well of knowledge and curiosity.

“I am Ryuzu Bilma,” the girl said, her voice calm and measured, carrying a strange gravity that didn’t match her youthful appearance. “Welcome to the Sanctuary. Or what remains of it, I suppose.”

Subaru raised an eyebrow, scanning Ryuzu briefly. She looked no older than twelve, but there was something undeniably ancient about her aura, as if she were a relic of an era long past. “Ryuzu, huh? Thanks for the warm welcome, but let’s skip the small talk. Where’s Emilia? And where the hell is Roswaal?”

Garfiel, who had been lingering nearby, cracked his knuckles loudly, his boyish grin flashing sharp teeth. “I’ll check on Roswaal, Cap’n,” he said, already turning to sprint off. “That slimy bastard’s been actin’ mighty strange lately.”

“Good,” Subaru nodded curtly before turning her attention back to Ryuzu. “What about Emilia? Is she okay?”

Ryuzu clasped her hands in front of her, her posture as steady as her voice. “The half-elf is in the tomb, undergoing the trials. If she succeeds, the Sanctuary will be liberated.”

“Trials?” Subaru’s brow furrowed. “What kind of trials are we talking about?”

Ryuzu tilted her head slightly, her tone taking on a somber edge. “The tomb tests those who enter by forcing them to confront their past, their fears, and the limits of their resolve. Only by overcoming these trials can they prove themselves worthy of liberation. It is not a task to be taken lightly.”

Subaru’s jaw tightened. "Of course. Nothing’s ever easy, is it?" Her eyes darted toward the tomb’s direction, a determined fire igniting in her gaze. “And she’s in there now?”

Ryuzu nodded. “Indeed. However, I must caution you—interfering with the trials could have grave consequences. The tomb—”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Subaru interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. “Danger, blah blah, yada yada. I’ll figure it out.” She pivoted to head toward the tomb, but a sudden chill ran down her spine, freezing her in place. Her instincts screamed at her, a sharp, primal warning. Something was coming.

No, not something—many things.

Behind her, Beatrice stirred, wiping the trail of saliva from her mouth with the back of her hand. Her usual sleepy expression was replaced with sharp alertness. “It’s here, I suppose.”

“What’s here?” Rem asked, her voice trembling slightly as she tightened her grip on her morning star.

Beatrice turned to her, her small form rigid with tension. “The Great Rabbit.”

The name hung in the air like a death sentence. Frederica gasped audibly, her hands tightening around Petra. “Already? But it’s too soon!”

Before anyone could react further, Garfiel came sprinting back, his face pale and his breathing ragged. “Cap’n! That bastard Roswaal’s gone! He’s missin’!”

Subaru clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as fury flared in her chest. “That coward,” she hissed through gritted teeth. Her sharp gaze fell on Ram and Beatrice. “You two. Go after him. If he’s behind this, stop him.”

Ram stiffened, her lips curling into a disapproving frown. “Are you seriously suggesting we fight Roswaal-sama?”

“If you have to,” Subaru said firmly, her tone brooking no argument.

“This demon maid has hardly any mana to—” Beatrice started, only to cut herself off as Subaru stepped forward and lightly tapped Ram’s head. A golden light flared briefly as a surge of mana flowed into the maid, revitalising her.

“There. That should do it,” Subaru said, stepping back.

Ram staggered for a moment, her body glowing faintly as she straightened. Her eyes gleamed with a wild energy, and to everyone’s shock, a horn began to sprout from her forehead. It was bright and radiant, pulsing with power.

Ram’s lips stretched into a grin, her voice taking on a singsong tone. “Oh my, how nostalgic. Perhaps I’ll let myself enjoy this for once.”

“Don’t get carried away,” Subaru snapped, though her voice carried a hint of unease. “Just find Roswaal and stop him.”

Ram giggled, her tone eerily playful. “If you insist, Lady Subaru~” She grabbed Beatrice’s hand with surprising force, practically dragging her along. The two disappeared into the night, their figures swallowed by the darkness.

The remaining crowd stood in stunned silence, the reality of what they had just witnessed sinking in. Subaru turned to Garfiel, her expression sharp as a blade. “Look after everyone. That’s an order. Rem, you too.”

Garfiel hesitated for a moment before nodding, his respect for Subaru outweighing his usual defiance. “Aye, Cap’n.”

Subaru spared one last glance at the gathered villagers before sprinting toward the outskirts of the Sanctuary. The faint tremors in the ground and the rustling of leaves warned her that the Great Rabbit was close. She tightened her grip on Excalibur, its golden blade humming faintly, ready to face whatever came next.

Snow stretched as far as Subaru could see, blanketing the forest in a thick, suffocating silence. It was eerily beautiful, an untouched expanse of white under the pale moonlight. But the serenity shattered as tiny pairs of glowing red eyes began appearing—first a few, then dozens, then hundreds, until they stretched to the horizon.  

The Great Rabbit had arrived.  

The ground trembled beneath her feet, a low rumble that steadily grew into a cacophony of thundering vibrations. Subaru tightened her grip on Excalibur, the golden blade glinting in the dim light. A cold sweat ran down her back, but her expression remained steadfast, determination etched into her features.  

Thousands, no, tens of thousands of the creatures surged toward her like a tidal wave of death. Each one was a predator, unrelenting and insatiable, their tiny forms deceptively deadly.  

“Alright,” Subaru muttered under her breath, her voice steady despite the storm of adrenaline coursing through her veins. “Let’s do this.”  

Her white cape fluttered behind her as she lunged forward, red hair streaming like a fiery halo. The first wave of rabbits leapt toward her, their razor-sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. Excalibur sang through the air, slicing through their ranks with precision. Golden arcs of light followed the sword’s path, severing the beasts mid-air and turning them to nothingness.  

The rabbits came at her in an unending swarm, their numbers seemingly infinite. Yet Subaru didn’t falter. Her movements were fluid and relentless, each swing of Excalibur carving through dozens at once. The blade seemed to hum with her resolve, its golden glow intensifying with every strike.  

Inside the Sanctuary, the villagers watched in tense silence. Petra clung to Frederica, her wide eyes reflecting fear and awe as they caught glimpses of Subaru through the barrier. Garfiel stood rigid, fists clenched, his usual bravado replaced by a deep, simmering concern. Even Ryuzu, with her calm demeanor, allowed a flicker of unease to cross her face.  

“She’s fighting them all by herself,” Frederica whispered, her voice trembling.  

Ryuzu’s gaze remained fixed on Subaru. She spoke softly, but her words carried weight. “They cannot be killed in flesh. Kill the main one first to prevent the infinite multiplication and kill the others.”  

Subaru heard her, even from far away. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she cut through another wave of rabbits. “Find the main one?” she muttered, dodging a particularly large beast that lunged for her throat. “That’s easier said than done, isn’t it?”  

Another surge of the creatures charged toward her, their numbers doubling, then tripling. For every one she felled, more seemed to materialize, their glowing red eyes a sea of malice. Her stamina seemed endless, her body moving with an almost mechanical efficiency, but the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming.  

Subaru’s frustration mounted as she cut down another wave. “Forget this,” she growled, her voice carrying over the chaos. “Why not kill them all in one go?”  

Planting her feet firmly on the snow-covered ground, Subaru raised Excalibur high above her head. The blade pulsed with golden light, the air around her crackling with raw energy. A low hum resonated from the sword, growing louder and louder until it was a deafening roar. 

“EX—!” Subaru’s voice boomed, carrying over the battlefield like a divine proclamation. The golden light from Excalibur intensified, illuminating the entire forest.  

“—CALIBUR!”  

A massive wave of energy erupted from the blade, a radiant arc of pure destruction that tore through the swarm of rabbits. The golden light expanded outward, consuming everything in its path. The rabbits screeched, their cries of anguish drowned out by the blinding brilliance. One by one, they disintegrated into particles of light, their forms erased from existence.  

The wave of energy continued, vaporizing the snow and slicing through the dark night. It was as if the heavens themselves had opened, pouring down divine judgement. The cold, oppressive night gave way to a warm, golden dawn as the light consumed the darkness.  

Inside the Sanctuary, the villagers shielded their eyes from the overwhelming brightness. When the light finally subsided, they hesitantly lowered their arms, their eyes widening at the sight before them.  

The forest was silent, the snow entirely gone, leaving the ground steaming and bare. Not a single rabbit remained.  

And there, standing amidst the fading light, was Subaru. Her white cape billowed gently in the warm breeze, her red hair glowing like embers in the dawn. Excalibur rested at her side, its blade still shimmering faintly.  

The villagers stared in awe, their disbelief slowly turning to reverence. Whispers spread among them, voices trembling with emotion.  

“She did it…”  

“She killed them all…”  

“She’s… a hero…”  

Ryuzu stepped forward, her gaze unwavering as she addressed the crowd. “There stands the hero. Natsuki Subaru. The redheaded knight in white armour and cape—the slayer of the White Whale and the Great Rabbit, defeater of the Sin Archbishop of Sloth.”  

Her words hung in the air, met with a resounding cheer from the villagers. Subaru turned to face them, her expression calm but resolute. She didn’t bask in their praise, but for the first time, she allowed herself a small, weary smile.  

The night had ended, and with it, the terror of the Great Rabbit.

Ö~Ö

Emilia stepped out of the tomb, her legs trembling, her silver hair clinging to her damp skin. Her violet eyes were wide with emotion—confusion, sadness, and a bittersweet sense of clarity. Puck was gone, his absence like a missing piece of her soul, but in return, memories she hadn’t dared to touch came rushing back. Fortuna. Geuse. Pandora. The pain was fresh, yet it felt like a wound that needed to bleed to begin healing.

But as she blinked against the cool night air, she stopped in her tracks. A blinding light erupted from the horizon, so brilliant it turned the dark night into day. Emilia shielded her eyes, her heart pounding as she saw golden energy rip through the forest. The snow melted, steam rising in twisting wisps, and then... silence.

From the Sanctuary’s entrance, the villagers’ cheers echoed, their voices rising in jubilation. And there, standing amidst the dissipating light, was Subaru. The redhead strode forward, Excalibur resting against her shoulder, her white cape slightly singed but still flowing like a banner of victory.

Emilia gasped, her confusion and awe mingling into one. “Subaru…” she whispered.

When Subaru reached the Sanctuary, the villagers surged around her and Emilia, their gratitude and joy overflowing. Petra clung to Frederica, laughing and crying, while Garfiel punched the air, yelling, “That’s our Cap’n! She wiped ‘em out like it was nothin’!”

Emilia turned to Subaru, her eyes brimming with tears. “Subaru… you… you did this?”

Subaru grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. “Yeah, well… someone had to deal with those fluffballs. Figured I might as well be the one to do it.”

Before Emilia could respond, the crowd parted as a new commotion erupted. Ram emerged, her horn still glowing faintly, dragging a battered and bruised Roswaal by the scruff of his elaborate robe. Behind her, Beatrice stumbled, panting heavily.

“This maid has gone completely crazy, I suppose!” Beatrice cried, her voice a mix of exasperation and awe. “She nearly killed Roswaal, I suppose!”

Roswaal groaned, his face pale and slick with sweat, as he tried to crawl away from Ram’s iron grip. His multicoloured eyes were wide with trauma, his usual smirk completely gone. “R-Ram… my dearest… you must understand—”

“Understand?” Ram’s voice was deceptively sweet, a singsong melody that sent chills down everyone’s spine. Her glowing horn pulsed ominously as she leaned closer to Roswaal, her grin unhinged. “Oh, Roswaal-sama, you will explain yourself. Won’t you? Or do I need to rearrange your limbs to jog your memory?”

“Ram!” Rem cried out, clutching her hands nervously. “Please! Calm down! You’re scaring him!”

“Good,” Ram replied without missing a beat, her grin widening.

Roswaal tried to slither away, his fingers digging into the dirt. “S-surely you wouldn’t—”

"Oh, I would,” Ram interrupted cheerfully, cracking her knuckles with terrifying enthusiasm. “Wouldn’t you agree, Beatrice-sama?”

Beatrice took a step back, raising her hands in surrender. “Don’t drag me into this madness, I suppose!”

Subaru couldn’t hold back her laughter as she watched the absurd scene unfold. Even the villagers, still high on their recent victory, chuckled nervously.

Eventually, Subaru stepped forward, waving a hand to calm Ram. “Alright, alright. Let the clown talk. We’ve got questions.”

Ram pouted, her horn dimming slightly as she let go of Roswaal. He collapsed onto the ground with a wheeze, coughing and trembling.

Subaru crouched in front of him, her piercing gaze locking onto his mismatched eyes. “Were you behind this?”

Roswaal flinched, avoiding her gaze. “I-I… I only wished to see—”

“Answer her,” Ram growled, her foot pressing lightly—but not gently—on his back.

“I wanted my master back!” Roswaal burst out, his voice desperate. “I did everything for her!”

The revelation hung in the air like a storm cloud. Beatrice’s eyes widened, her small hands trembling at her sides. “Master…?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Roswaal glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable, but he said nothing more. Beatrice’s lips pressed into a thin line, her usual sharpness muted by the weight of his words.

Subaru stood, exhaling sharply. “We’ll deal with you later,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Turning away from Roswaal, Subaru raised Excalibur high into the sky. The golden blade shimmered, and a burst of radiant light shot upward, piercing the heavens. The energy exploded into a brilliant cascade of colours, lighting up the sky like the grandest of fireworks. Reds, blues, and golds painted the horizon, each burst met with gasps of wonder from the crowd.

The villagers erupted into cheers once more, their voices rising in celebration. The fear and despair that had gripped the Sanctuary for so long finally gave way to hope and joy.

Emilia looked up at the dazzling display, her heart swelling as she glanced at Subaru. “You really are amazing, Subaru,” she murmured.

Subaru grinned, her red hair catching the light like a crown of fire. “It’s not just me,” she said, glancing at Emilia and the others. “We all made it through this. Together.”

And there, under the radiant sky, stood the hero.

Natsuki Subaru. The redheaded knight in white armour and cape—the slayer of the White Whale and the Great Rabbit, defeater of the Sin Archbishop of Sloth.

Ö~Ö

The grand hall of the mansion was alive with laughter, music, and the clinking of plates. Banners hung from the high ceilings, embroidered with golden laurels celebrating the hero of the hour—Natsuki Subaru, the Redhead Knight whose name now echoed across kingdoms. Nobles and commoners alike gathered, sharing tales of her impossible feats: the defeat of the White Whale, the obliteration of the Great Rabbit, and countless other victories that bordered on the legendary.

And at the centre of it all, Subaru sat like a queen—or rather, a ravenous monarch.

Plates upon plates of delicacies surrounded her, towering like a fortress of indulgence. Roasted meats glistening with juices, steaming loaves of bread, trays of pastries dusted with sugar, and mountains of fruit that could have filled a small orchard—all slowly vanished into her bottomless stomach.

Subaru’s cheeks puffed out as she stuffed another piece of roasted chicken into her mouth, barely taking a breath before reaching for a platter of dumplings. Her legendary appetite had become part of her mythos, and tonight, she seemed determined to live up to it.

“Subaru, are you sure your stomach isn’t enchanted or something?” Emilia asked from her seat beside her. Her wide violet eyes were fixed on Subaru’s ballooning belly, which looked unnervingly like she was ready to give birth to twins.

Subaru paused, her cheeks still stuffed like a squirrel’s, and patted her bloated stomach with pride. “Hero’s work takes hero’s fuel!” she declared, though the words came out muffled and garbled.

Petra scurried around her, passing more plates with an efficiency that would have impressed the most seasoned waitstaff. “Here you go, Lady Subaru! More stew! And some apple pie!”

“Thanks, Petra!” Subaru replied, her grin full of gratitude—and gravy.

Fredrica emerged from the kitchen with another tray, her sharp features softening with amusement. “Subaru, you’ve outdone yourself tonight. I’m not sure even the Great Rabbit could keep up with you.”

“Don’t jinx it!” Subaru shot back, though she was already reaching for another plate.

Rem followed closely behind Fredrica, her steps light and her expression calm. She gracefully placed a platter of freshly baked rolls on the table. “Please, take your time, Subaru. We’ll keep the food coming as long as you need.”

Otto, seated a little away from the chaos, let out a deep sigh, his face a mix of exasperation and contentment. “You know, this celebration could bankrupt a smaller kingdom. But I suppose our hero deserves it.”

His gaze dropped to the freshly bound manuscript in his lap. Otto had been working tirelessly on his masterpiece: The Princess Beyond The Great Waterfall: A Hero’s Saga. The title alone filled him with pride.

“Arc One to Four is finally done,” he murmured, running his fingers over the cover. “And Arc Five and beyond will be even better!”

“Otto, stop talking to yourself and eat something,” Subaru called out, her voice muffled by another mouthful.

“Unlike you, I actually need to pace myself,” Otto retorted, though he couldn’t help but smile.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the room, chaos brewed in a more subdued form. Rosewall lounged on a cushioned chaise, his usual flamboyance tempered by a certain... restlessness. The reason? Ram, who stood over him like a stern but slightly manic guardian.

Still recovering from the mana overload she’d absorbed during the battle, Ram’s eyes had a faintly crazed glint. She held a wooden spoon in one hand, which she occasionally used to prod her “naughty bad master” into behaving.

“Rosewall-sama,” she said sweetly, though the edge in her tone was unmistakable, “if you so much as think about causing trouble tonight, I’ll ensure you regret it.”

Rosewall chuckled nervously, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Dearest Ram, your dedication to my wellbeing is truly touching.”

“Don’t test me,” she snapped, brandishing the spoon.

Nearby, Beatrice lay sprawled on a plush armchair, her tiny form slumped like a ragdoll. The mana she’d siphoned from Subaru earlier had left her in a blissful stupor. Drool dripped from the corner of her mouth as she snored softly, her usual prickly demeanor replaced by an almost childlike innocence.

“Beako, you’re a mess,” Subaru said with a laugh, tossing a roll in her direction. It bounced off the armrest and landed in Beatrice’s lap, unnoticed.

As the night wore on, the celebration showed no signs of slowing. Subaru’s appetite remained insatiable, much to the astonishment of everyone present.

“How is she still eating?” Emilia asked, her voice a mix of awe and concern.

“She’s an enigma,” Otto replied with a shrug. “A very hungry enigma.”

Petra giggled, handing Subaru another slice of cake. “Lady Subaru, you really are amazing!”

“Darn right I am!” Subaru said, raising her fork triumphantly.

In that moment, surrounded by friends and food, Subaru felt a warmth that no amount of feasting could replicate. It wasn’t just the celebration or the accolades—it was the people who had stood by her, through every challenge and danger.

For all her legendary feats, this was the real reward.

And yet, as she reached for another platter, one thought lingered in the back of her mind.

I’m gonna need a really long nap after this.

TBC

Chapter Text

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The silence in the room felt thick enough to chew on, broken only by the crisp rustle of paper as Crusch read from the report. Wilhelm stood ramrod straight, his hands clamped tight at his sides. He stared at her with a look of pure worship, his eyes glinting like a man who'd just found a long-lost treasure map. Ferris, meanwhile, was sprawled out in a chair, a picture of total boredom. But the way his cat ears kept twitching gave him away. He was listening to every single word.

"She killed the White Whale," Crusch said, her voice a low hum of disbelief. "Just... gone. In a minute. All by herself."

Wilhelm’s breath caught in his throat. He snapped his head up, his gaze locking on Crusch’s face as if she were a ghost telling him a family secret. He hadn’t heard that part right, had he? It sounded too big, too impossible.

Crusch didn't stop. "She also beat the Sin Archbishop of Sloth. Nobody, and I mean nobody, has ever done that before."

That finally got Ferris's attention. He shot up in his chair, his eyes narrowed into slits. "Hold on, Crusch-sama. Are we seriously talking about the same person? The redhead knight, Subaru Natsuki? The guy with the weird cape and the flashy sword?"

Crusch just nodded, her face grim. "She also took down Elsa Granhiert, the Bowel Hunter. And she stopped her accomplice, Mii."

Wilhelm’s eyes went wide. His hands started shaking. "Elsa…?" he muttered, a tremor in his voice.

Crusch's voice dropped even lower, like she was telling them a ghost story. The next words she said sounded too crazy to be real. "And… she defeated the Great Rabbit. In a single minute. Alone. All in one day. With no injuries. Not a single person got hurt."

The room went dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. Then, a gasp. It came from Wilhelm. His voice was a raw, hoarse whisper, full of wonder and a kind of desperate hope.

"It's her," he said, more to himself than anyone else. "It has to be."

Crusch frowned, her calm expression cracking. "Wilhelm—"

"It's her!" he yelled, the sound of his palms smacking the table like a gunshot. He was a different person now. His eyes blazed with a conviction so powerful it was scary. "Theresia van Astrea! No one else could do that. No one else has that kind of strength, that kind of grace! Maybe she lost her memories, maybe she's using a different name, but I know it's her. I feel it in my heart!"

Ferris scoffed, leaning back in his chair like he was watching a comedy show. "Old man, you're sounding a little nuts. Subaru Natsuki doesn't exactly scream 'Saint of Swords,' meow."

"She's dangerous," Crusch cut in, her voice sharp as a knife. She was a different kind of serious now, cold and calculating. "And she's powerful. Too powerful. Subaru Natsuki might have done great things, but her presence is unsettling. Anyone with that much strength… we have to be careful."

Wilhelm shook his head so hard it looked like his neck might snap. "Caution is a waste of time. She's not a danger to us. She's Theresia, my wife! I know it!"

Crusch sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose like she had a headache the size of a mountain. "Wilhelm, you're jumping to conclusions. Subaru Natsuki is unlike anyone we've ever met. We can't afford to make assumptions."

But Wilhelm wasn't listening to a word she said. He was already lost in his own world. His brain was spinning, not with battle plans or strategies, but with poetry. He was mentally composing the perfect sonnet, a tear-jerking haiku, anything to make her remember. He mumbled a few lines under his breath.

"Oh, my love, my rose, my eternal spring," he whispered, a dreamy look in his eyes. "The sword that sleeps, the heart that sings..."

"Snap out of it, old man!" Ferris yelled, kicking his foot against the leg of Wilhelm's chair. "You're a mess! We're talking about a potential threat here, not a love story!"

But Wilhelm was a man in mad love. He wasn't even aware of Ferris's voice. His heart was pounding a drumbeat of hope he hadn't felt in decades. His mind was a flurry of romantic ideas.

He was already picturing it. A quiet date, maybe under the moonlight. No, a dinner. Something with candles. And wine. He’d get her favorite flowers. What were her favorites? He couldn’t remember. That was a small problem, but it was nothing he couldn’t solve. He’d ask around, figure it out. He would book a carriage. A fancy one, with two white horses. He would wear his best suit, the one he hadn’t touched in years. He would propose all over again.

He would tell her all the things he hadn't been able to say before. He would tell her about their life together. He would remind her of the small moments, the laughter, the quiet evenings, the warmth of her hand in his. He would tell her how much he missed her, how every day had been a gray, empty shell without her. How he never gave up hope, how he always knew she would come back to him.

He was oblivious to the looks Crusch and Ferris were giving him. To them, he was a crazy old man who had lost his mind. To him, he was a man about to be reunited with the love of his life. He was ready to fight an army for her, to challenge a god for her. But first, he needed to remember the exact phrasing of that one poem he wrote for her back when they were young. He needed to find the perfect verse to remind her of who she truly was: the one and only Theresia van Astrea. And he needed to make sure they served her favorite dessert. It was something with berries. Definitely something with berries.

Ö~Ö

The bar was a hole in the wall, the kind of place where the light was so bad the shadows seemed to have their own shadows. A faint, greasy glow from a few sputtering lanterns was all that kept the whole joint from being swallowed by the dark. Heinkel Astrea sat hunched over a scarred wooden counter. The glass in his hand was half-full of something that burned going down but didn't come close to putting out the fire inside him. He was slouched, his shoulders slumped, and his face was set in a permanent scowl. The low buzz of conversations around him was just background noise, a meaningless hum until a hand landed hard on his shoulder.

"Hey, Astrea," a voice slurred. It was thick with cheap drink and a confidence that had no business being there. "You hear the gossip?"

Heinkel turned his head slow, his eyes narrowing to slits. "What gossip?"

The guy grinned, his breath smelling like a swamp full of bad booze. "Your dead mother's back. Theresia van Astrea. They say she's alive and kicking!"

The whole bar went silent. A man halfway through a laugh just stopped, his mouth hanging open. A woman setting a mug on a table froze. Every single eye in the room, from the barmaid to the gruff old regulars, was suddenly fixed on the two of them.

The glass in Heinkel's hand made a sound like a tiny explosion. It shattered. Shards of glass dug into his palm, but he didn't feel it. He stood up so fast his chair screeched across the floor.

"You've got some nerve," he growled, his voice a low and nasty whisper. "What kind of sick joke is this?"

Before the man could even think about answering, Heinkel's fist was already moving. It hit the man's jaw with a sickening crack. The drunk stumbled back, a look of pure shock on his face, before he crashed into a nearby table. Glasses and mugs went flying.

"Don't you dare say her name like that," Heinkel snarled, standing over the groaning man on the floor. His pale blue eyes were burning with a cold fury. "You think this is funny? Spreading lies about my mother?"

The man clutched his face, whimpering, but he managed to force out a few words. "I-it's not a lie! Everyone's talking about it! This girl, Subaru Natsuki! She killed the White Whale! Beat the Great Rabbit! All by herself!"

Heinkel's jaw tightened. "Shut your mouth!" he barked, kicking a stool out of his way so it skidded across the floor. "I don't care about the nonsense you've been hearing!"

The man didn't dare say another word. He just curled up on the floor, shaking.

Heinkel turned and stormed out of the bar. His heavy boots pounded against the wooden floorboards, the sound echoing through the sudden silence. Outside, the night air was cold, but it did nothing to cool the fire of rage in his veins. The pain in his hand was starting to register, a throbbing sting, but it was nothing compared to the bitterness twisting in his gut.

"Subaru Natsuki," he muttered under his breath, the name like a curse. "Killed the White Whale? The Great Rabbit? Sounds like a bunch of overblown garbage."

But even as he said it, a knot of unease twisted tight in his stomach. The rumors sounded ridiculous, but they were also a perfect, polished lie. The kind of lie designed to steal a spotlight. The kind of lie that seemed to follow his family around like a shadow. He could practically hear the whispers already. "Theresia's back! Look at her, just as good as ever!"

His blood ran cold at the thought. His mother was dead. She had to be. He'd seen her fall. He'd seen the way she looked after the fight, a lifeless doll. But the stories... They were so big, so impossible, that they were almost believable. Like something out of a fairy tale. And the world loved fairy tales.

Heinkel walked faster, his boots crunching on the gravel of the street. His hands were clenched into fists, the broken glass in his palm forgotten. He wasn't angry at the drunk. Not really. He was furious at the world, at the way it was so ready to forget the past and embrace a new hero. This girl, this Subaru Natsuki, was some kind of freakish anomaly, a lightning bolt of power that came out of nowhere. And the world was already lining up to cheer for her.

The thought of someone else taking his mother's legacy, even a fake one, made him want to smash every window he passed. His mother was the Saint of Swords. Her legend was hers alone. It was a brutal, sad story, not some flashy fairy tale with a happy ending. And who was this Subaru to suddenly show up and steal the show? He imagined the headlines: "The New Theresia van Astrea! She's back, and she's more powerful than ever!" It was a betrayal. A slap in the face. His mother’s memory was being cheapened and sold for a new story.

He stopped walking, leaning against a rough brick wall. He closed his eyes, the image of his mother flashing behind his eyelids. She was gone. She was dead. The weight of that truth was a constant ache in his chest. And yet, this ridiculous rumor, this whisper of "Theresia's back," felt like a thousand tiny needles poking at that wound. It wasn't just a lie; it was a mockery. A twisted hope offered up just to be crushed.

"Just a load of rubbish," he said again, his voice a low hiss. But his hands were still trembling, and the unease in his gut was a cold, hard stone. Because deep down, in the darkest, most insecure part of his soul, a part of him was terrified. Terrified that the rumor was true. And what would that mean? That she was back, not for him, not for her family, but to be a hero again. To prove that she was everything he could never be. And the idea of that was a poison that burned far worse than any drink.

The next day, Heinkel got a letter. It wasn't just any letter, either. This one had a wax seal pressed with the crest of the Sword Saint himself.

Reinhard.

Heinkel sneered, the edges of his lips curling down as he read the official language of the summons. Reinhard hadn't written this as a son talking to his father. No, this was the Sword Saint flexing his power, ordering a nobody around like a lapdog. The words were all business, cold and formal.

"Thinks he can order me around like a servant," Heinkel muttered, his grip tightening. He crumpled the letter into a ball in his fist, the sound a crisp crackle.

He hated the whole thing. He hated that he was being summoned. He hated that it was from Reinhard. And he hated that, despite all of that, a tiny bit of him was curious. What kind of ridiculous nonsense had the boy gotten himself into this time? Just to see that, he'd go. He'd go just so he could laugh in his face later.

When he arrived at the Astrea estate, his mood somehow managed to get even worse. The place was too big, too grand, too full of things that reminded him of how little he had anymore. Wilhelm was already there, standing stiffly in the middle of the giant hall.

"Great," Heinkel said under his breath, the words a low hiss. "Just what I needed, a family reunion."

Wilhelm's head snapped over to him. The old man's glare could have cut through steel. "You're late," he said, his voice flat and full of disapproval.

"And you're as cheerful as ever," Heinkel shot back, flashing a mocking smile that didn't reach his eyes. He walked past Wilhelm and stood with his hands on his hips, an impatient look on his face. He wanted to get this over with.

Then Reinhard walked in. He came into the room with that silent, effortless power. His presence just commanded attention. Heinkel hated how easy it was for the boy to look so strong, so serious, so important. He hated that he had to look up to his own son.

"I called you both here because there's something you need to know," Reinhard began, his voice clipped and all business. "A girl named Subaru Natsuki has shown up. She looks a lot like Grandmother."

Heinkel snorted, a short, ugly sound. He couldn't help it. "That's it? You dragged me all the way here for some nonsense about a lookalike? You really have too much time on your hands, Reinhard." He shook his head, a dismissive smirk on his face. This was exactly the kind of stupid drama he had expected.

Wilhelm stepped forward, his usual calm gone. He was almost frantic. "It's not just a resemblance," he said, his voice trembling with a strange mix of hope and urgency. "It is Theresia. I know it."

Heinkel raised an eyebrow, a cold, empty look on his face. "You've lost your mind, old man. Theresia's dead. I was the one who buried her, remember?" He wanted to add, I was the one who had to go on living after she was gone.

Wilhelm's fists clenched. "You buried her body, yes. But this girl. Her skill, her power. It's unmistakable! She killed the White Whale with a single hit. She wiped out the Great Rabbit. No one else could do things like that."

Heinkel just rolled his eyes. "Sounds like somebody's been reading too many fairy tales." The whole thing was ridiculous. He couldn't believe they were even having this conversation. It was just another way for them to ignore the reality of what happened.

"Enough," Reinhard interrupted, his voice sharp and firm. "This isn't up for a debate. The Sage Council has issued an order. Neither of you are to approach Subaru Natsuki or provoke her in any way."

Heinkel's expression turned dark. The sarcasm was gone, replaced by a deep anger. "The Sage Council? Since when does some random girl warrant their attention? What's she, the next royal heir or something?"

"That's not your concern," Reinhard said, his voice as cold as ice. "What matters is that you follow their order. This isn't a request."

Heinkel took a step forward, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, so now you're the big man, giving orders to your dear old dad? What's next, are you going to ask me to shine your boots?"

Wilhelm's patience finally snapped. "For once in your miserable life, listen to him, Heinkel! This isn't a game!"

Heinkel turned his mocking grin on Wilhelm. "You're awfully worked up, aren't you? What's the matter? Scared your fantasy might get shattered?" He knew the words were cruel, but he couldn't stop them. The thought of this woman coming back and bringing hope to his father, a hope that was nothing but a lie, made him sick.

Wilhelm's face hardened, but Reinhard stepped between them, his expression tired.

"This isn't about personal grudges," Reinhard said, his voice tight with frustration. "Subaru Natsuki is dangerous. Her power is beyond anything we've seen. If she really is connected to Grandmother, we need to be careful."

"Dangerous, huh?" Heinkel said, his voice thick with disbelief. "And yet the Sage Council's brilliant plan is to... do nothing? That's a great strategy." He laughed, a short, bitter sound.

Reinhard pinched the bridge of his nose, a clear sign he was struggling to keep his cool. "This isn't up for discussion. You are both to stay away from her. That's final."

Heinkel smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Fine. But don't think for a second that I'm buying into this ridiculous story."

"It's not a story," Reinhard said, his eyes on Heinkel's. "My Divine Protection of Grandmother Sensing knows it's her."

The words hung in the air, heavier than anything else said that day. Heinkel's smirk vanished. His jaw went slack for a moment, then it set hard. "You mean one of your countless, damn Divine Protections that you used to kill her?" The words were spat out like poison.

Reinhard didn't answer. He just stood there, his eyes on Heinkel, a silent wall of a person. It was an unspoken statement: Grandmother is alive, so I didn't kill her. I don't need to answer you.

Wilhelm shot Heinkel a look that could have melted a glacier, but Heinkel ignored it. He was done.

As the meeting ended, Heinkel's thoughts were a tangled mess. If this Subaru Natsuki was really connected to his mother—or if she was just some fraud trying to steal her place—he was going to find out. The entire thing was a farce. And no orders from the Sage Council or his pompous son were going to stop him. He would find out the truth, and then he would crush it, just like he had crushed that letter. He would protect his mother's legacy from all of them, from the liars and the fools who were trying to rewrite her story. He would make sure they all knew the truth.

Ö~Ö

The stillness of the night hung over the watchtower, its empty corridors echoing with the sad creak of old wood. Shaula, the ever-dutiful scorpion guardian, leaned against the tower's balcony railing. Her scorpion tail swayed back and forth lazily behind her. The stars stretched out forever across the horizon, a huge field of glittering lights. She let out a long yawn, her golden eyes half-closed with pure boredom.

"Master, how much longer? Where are you?" she muttered to herself, using a clawed finger to draw a circle in the dust on the stone railing.

It was the same question she had asked for centuries. Four hundred years since the Great Sage had left her behind, telling her to guard the tower until he returned. Four hundred years of being all alone, of waiting, of hoping he would come back.

And then, it happened.

A flash of light so bright it was blinding exploded on the distant horizon. For a second, the night turned into day. Shaula winced, holding her arm up to shield her eyes. Her heart leaped into her throat.

"What the hell?" she whispered, blinking a bunch of times to clear her vision. Her tail shot straight up, the little spikes on it standing up with excitement.

She sprinted to the telescope on the balcony and adjusted its lens as fast as she could. The light came from way far away, deep inside the Lugnica Kingdom. The image in the telescope was blurry from the distance and the leftover glow, but Shaula could still see a crazy scene. A huge crowd of Great Rabbits were scattering like leaves in a powerful wind.

And then she saw it.

A person stood right in the middle of all the chaos. They were surrounded by a bright light that seemed to push the darkness away. The rabbits just fell apart in waves, like some invisible hand was erasing them from the world. The person moved with a calm, unstoppable grace. A feeling of magic so powerful she could feel it even through the telescope, a heavy weight that made her chest feel tight.

Her breath caught in her throat. That magic. That feeling. It was the same one.

"Master," she whispered, her eyes wide with shock. The telescope clattered to the floor as she took a shaky step back. Her tail was curling and uncurling like crazy. "Master... you're back."

A giddy laugh bubbled out of her mouth, a sound she couldn't stop. "Ooh! He's back! After all this time!" She spun around in a circle, her claws clapping together in pure joy.

Then her thoughts went to the tower, her home for the last four hundred years, and she gasped. "I have to get ready! The place is a mess! Oh no, what if he's disappointed?" She ran back inside, her voice echoing through the huge hallways. "Whiskey! Yes, the good stuff! No, the best stuff! And snacks! I need so many snacks!"

Shaula moved with a frantic energy, zipping from room to room. She was dusting off old objects, moving furniture, and talking to herself the whole time. "Does he like flowers? I should pick some flowers. Or maybe... oh, I know! A huge feast! A feast fit for the Great Sage!"

Her mind was racing with all the things she could do. Her heart was pounding with a mix of happiness and nervous excitement. Four hundred years of waiting, of asking, of hoping. And now, finally, her master had returned.

As she glanced out the window one more time, her eyes fixed on the distant light on the horizon, she whispered, "Welcome back, Master."

Ö~Ö

The Vast Dreamland.

The dreamland was super peaceful, almost creepily so. The huge fields and endless skies were painted in twilight colors. The witches were gathered for their tea party at a long black table. The usual quiet calm was gone, replaced by a tense energy. Everyone was staring at one witch, Echidna, the Witch of Greed.

Echidna sat stiffly in her chair. Her white teacup was shaking a little in her pale hands. "I can e-explain!" she stammered, her usual confident look cracking under their stares.

Sekhmet, the Witch of Sloth, let out a long, loud sigh. Her head was lazily propped on her hand. "Echidna, babe… You've really outdone yourself this time. I can't even be bothered to get mad, but seriously, what were you thinking?"

"Thinking? That's generous," Carmilla, the Witch of Lust, whispered softly. Her voice was trembling with anger she was trying to hide. "She always… thinks of herself first… and now this."

"Silence!" Typhon, the Witch of Pride, stood up on her chair. Her tiny body was shaking with anger. "Bad girl, Echidna! Very bad! What you did is not okay!"

"You… you dare mess with my creations?" Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony, growled from her coffin. Her glare was scary. "The White Whale, the Great Rabbit… gone! All because of you!"

Minerva, the Witch of Wrath, was the loudest. She was pacing back and forth, her golden hair swirling like fire around her. "Are you even listening to yourself, Echidna? Do you know what you've done? A monster from another world! How do you even say that was a good idea?! She broke the barrier of your sanctuary with her pure magic! You had used my teeth to make that place from my body! You have insulted me! How did she break it so easily?! I'm going to punch your teeth out!"

Echidna tried to cut in, her voice shaking. "It was an experiment! You were already dead, so I, um, just pulled out a few teeth and… the barrier… Um, it was a mistake! Nothing more! I didn't think it would happen…"

"Didn't think?!" Minerva roared. Her fist slammed into the table, making cracks spread across its surface like a spiderweb. "You let chaos loose! This is why nobody trusts you!"

The air got heavier, darker, and harder to breathe. The witches' shouting stopped as a terrifying feeling of something else much bigger came over the gathering.

The Witch of Envy, Satella, appeared. Her body was wrapped in shadows that moved like living ink. Her violet eyes glowed with a scary mix of sadness and fury. They were fixed right on Echidna.

"Echidna…" Satella's voice was soft and shaky, but it cut through the air like a knife. "Why… Why is my beloved… a girl?"

Echidna's mouth opened, but no words came out.

"Um…" She shifted around nervously. Her earlier calm was replaced by a stuttering mess. "It… It was a little mistake…"

Satella took a step forward. Her movements were slow, careful, and terrifying. "You… you…" Her voice cracked. Her shoulders were shaking. "Do you have… any idea… what you've done?"

The other witches backed away a little as Satella's massive power pressed down on them. But no one dared to say a word.

"I can't…" Satella's voice broke. Her hands went to her chest. "I can't even… touch him… And now… he's… a girl?!" Her shadowy body started to twist and move with her pure rage.

Echidna shrank back. Her tea was forgotten as she held up her hands, trying to calm the furious Witch of Envy. "I-I can fix this! I just need time—"

"Can. You. Fix. This?" Satella's voice was a whisper, but it was as loud as thunder. "Bring back Subaru Jr.?"

Echidna's face went even paler. "…No?"

Satella's scream of frustration echoed through the dreamland. It shook the ground beneath them. Shadows lashed out, coiling around the table and ripping it to pieces as the Witch of Envy's fury took over.

"I… I…!" Satella's voice was a mix of a sob and a snarl. Her rage and pain were twisted together. And then, without another word, she disappeared. Her body dissolved into a wave of shadows that left the dreamland eerily quiet.

The rest of the witches turned their attention back to Echidna.

"This… is your fault," Typhon said, her small hands clenched into fists.

Daphne growled. Her huge, scary mouth snapped shut with a loud finality. "You're lucky she left. Otherwise, you'd be rabbit food by now."

Sekhmet yawned, stretching like the whole thing had just tired her out. "Honestly… dealing with you is so tiring…" She waved a hand and then slumped back in her chair.

Minerva glared at Echidna, her fists still shaking with anger she was holding in. "I should punch you into next week, but you're not worth it."

One by one, the witches started to leave. Their dislike for Echidna was thick in the air they left behind.

Echidna slumped in her chair, her hands shaking as she held the broken pieces of her teacup. She muttered under her breath, her voice full of annoyance and defiance.

"It wasn't that big of a mistake…" She wiped a tear. "I had finally gotten my hands on an exquisite Fate book..."

TBC