Chapter Text
Chapter 4: Reinhard van Astrea
Moving through the streets of Lugunica, Subaru fell into deep thought about his current situation.
The most important thing he needed to do right now was find Reinhard.
Luckily for Subaru, he knew exactly how to do it.
He remembered a conversation he'd had with Reinhard back when they were facing Regulus together.
A blessing Reinhard rarely used.
[Blessing of Pleading Voices]
It was a powerful and effective blessing.
So effective, in fact, that Reinhard had chosen to restrict it.
Remembering his own thoughts from back then embarrassed Subaru a little.
Because at the time, he hadn't understood why Reinhard would limit such a thing.
Hearing someone cry for help was a good thing, wasn't it? Wasn't it Reinhard's job as a hero to help whoever called out for him?
After all, Reinhard was powerful enough to save those people — unlike Subaru.
If even someone as powerful and inhuman as Reinhard couldn't save everyone when he heard their pleas, then who would?
Subaru's thoughts had been simple back then.
His mind had believed that.
Was he wrong?
No.
Reinhard could save everyone he reached.
His strength had never been the problem.
His heart was.
It was a simple blessing. An effective blessing.
But a cruel blessing for anyone who possessed it.
Subaru understood better than anyone how a person's prayer — their desperate plea — could go unanswered.
He understood it better than anyone.
That was why he agreed with Reinhard's decision.
Limiting this blessing was the best choice. There was nothing wrong with it.
Because in the end, hearing people plead — and being unable to save them — was far more cruel.
It was far more cruel than anyone could imagine.
And Subaru could understand that now.
That was why Subaru regretted his old thoughts.
Before going to save Emilia from Regulus, he had apologized to Reinhard for the way he used to think.
Thinking back...Reinhard's reaction back then was enough to make Subaru smile.
It had been strange — seeing Reinhard get emotional.
But it was a good memory.
Snapping himself from his thoughts, Subaru looked at a familiar sight.
A narrow alley.
The same alley where he had met the trio.
Gaston, Rachins, Camberley.
Or as Subaru called them: Ton-Chin-Kan.
'Will they show up again?'
Subaru was curious if his old enemies — and future comrades — would appear.
They had shown up in every loop Subaru had experienced.
"Vega. I bet they'll show up in five minutes."
Subaru smiled and spoke to his spirit.
[…It is possible. But I advise you to summon Reinhard and not face them. Do not waste too much time with them, Father.]
Subaru's brow twitched a little after hearing Vega call him that.
"My little daughter of mine… I appreciate you calling me Father. But that title is still a little heavy for my heart. Subaru will be fine."
Being a father figure in the eyes of others was fine.
But being called Father like that? It was embarrassing.
[…Father is Father.]
Vega's answer was simple. Yet devastatingly effective.
Just like that, Subaru's argument was shattered.
"…Alright. You win."
After finishing his little conversation with Vega, he decided to take her advice.
Meeting Ton-Chin-Kan would be funny and all, but he needed to move quickly before Elsa made her move.
So with his deepest and most earnest thoughts, he shouted in his mind:
'Reinhard! I need your help…!'
And then—
Whoosh—
He appeared.
It was instant.
From the moment Subaru asked for help to his appearance — it took less than five seconds.
Even Subaru was a little surprised.
Before him stood the world's favorite.
The strongest knight in history.
The knight among knights.
Reinhard van Astrea.
Looking at him now, Subaru wanted to punch his past self for ever doubting this man's ability.
He should have brought him when he fought Elsa the first time.
Instead of getting destroyed by her in five minutes flat before Reinhard swooped in to save them.
Man, Looking back at his old behavior really gave Subaru secondhand embarrassment.
Looking at his old friend, Subaru couldn't hold back the quiet sadness creeping into his heart.
None of his friends remembered him now.
Getting the Gluttony treatment without Gluttony's power was an experience, for sure.
Subaru quickly adjusted his emotions, sliding them behind his usual mask.
And then he spoke to one of his best friends:
"Are you the Sword Saint, Reinhard van Astrea?"
———————————————
It was strange.
Reinhard looked at the man in front of him
Everything about him screamed familiarity.
Not the familiarity of strangers meeting again.
But of old friends.
The way he walked toward him.
The way he had called for him.
The way his eyes looked at him.
It screamed.
Screamed that this man knew him.
…Knew him better than any acquaintance Reinhard had.
…Knew him better than his own family.
The latter was not a difficult thing to achieve.
Although Reinhard's heart told him he could be friends with this man —
His mind sounded the sharpest alert when the stranger asked:
"Are you the Sword Saint, Reinhard van Astrea?"
Without realizing it, Reinhard activated his blessing.
[Blessing of Accelerated Thoughts]
He's asking for my name?
That was an instant red flag.
Someone who had called for his help — someone who likely knew about his blessing — was asking him that question?
It was far too suspicious.
But what made Reinhard's spine shiver was something different.
His sword was reacting.
Without the need to unsheathe it.
Impossible.
Reid...
was warning him?
That had almost never happened.
...
Who...
was this man?
He could feel the will of the sword stirring.
The Dragon Sword Reid was alerting him.
The person before you is a threat.
A worthy existence that must be eliminated for the sake of the kingdom.
An anomaly that must not exist.
If this man walked the wrong path —
The world would be in danger.
The sword made it clear.
Do not make him your enemy.
The same words Od Laguna had spoken to him.
The Holy Dragon Sword agreed with them.
For the first time, Reinhard felt dread.
And yet —
Although this man was dangerous —
Although Reinhard could kill him instantly —
He posed no immediate threat.
He had no strong mana.
No bloodlust that indicated evil.
No madness similar to the Witch Cultists.
If there was something different about him compared to a normal human —
It was the thick miasma of the Witch surrounding him.
But even that meant nothing on its own.
After all, one of the Dragon Maidens' knight carried the same scent.
And he was no cultist, as far as Reinhard could tell.
Most likely, this man was favored by the Witch for some reason.
But Reinhard couldn't jump to conclusions without evidence.
The sword remained silent — as if agreeing with Reinhard's decision.
It was a deep thought process. The kind that should have taken minutes to deduce.
But it had taken less than a second for Reinhard to reach this conclusion.
Thanks to his blessing, once again.
Steeling himself — and confronting the man, no, the anomaly in front of him — Reinhard responded:
"Reinhard van Astrea, at your service. I heard your plea for help, and I will do my duty as a knight. If you need anything, please feel free to ask."
The moment Reinhard finished his introduction, a blue screen flickered to life before Subaru's eyes.
It caught him off guard.
[Bond Forming!]
Reinhard van Astrea
True Hero
Bond: I — Stranger
"Blocked by the Blessing of Privacy Protection"
+3 Bronze Orbs
Holy hell!
Subaru stared at the screen, genuinely shocked.
Just a Level I Bond — and it had already given him three orbs? That was the equivalent of a Level II Bond with a normal person.
As expected of Reinhard.
Even without helping him directly, he was helping him indirectly.
Subaru quickly shook off his surprise. He struck his usual pose and launched into his introduction:
"My name is Natsuki Subaru! Not just totally clueless, but I am broke beyond compare! Nice to meet you, Reinhard!"
The anomaly — no, Subaru — struck a bizarre pose and began introducing himself in a way Reinhard had never seen before.
Strangely, all the doubt and suspicion clouding Reinhard's mind began to vanish.
Reinhard responded with a warm smile:
"Haha! That's a unique way to introduce yourself."
Reinhard's instincts told him to trust this man.
So he would believe in them.
Subaru grinned back and said:
"That's the Natsuki family special introduction for ya!"
Reinhard looked at him with a curious expression and asked:
"By the way, Subaru… you don't look like a citizen of Lugunica. Are you from another country, by any chance? Those are unusual clothes you're wearing. I've never seen anything like them in Lugunica."
Subaru thought for a moment before deciding to tell the truth.
It was stupid to lie anyway — Reinhard could probably detect lies with one of his countless blessings.
"You could say I'm a special case. I'm from beyond the Great Waterfall, if I might add."
Reinhard looked at him with the most surprised expression Subaru had ever seen on his face.
He didn't blame him. Even in his past loops, he hadn't told many people about it.
The only ones who knew were the Emilia Camp, and Priscilla, and Al.
It was better to build trust now.
"That's a bold statement, Subaru. But it seems your words carry no lies within them."
Reinhard's gaze was piercing.
Not sharp.
Just the kind of look someone gives when they're examining a strange puzzle.
Just as Subaru was about to answer, he heard footsteps.
Both he and Reinhard turned toward the sound.
And he saw her.
A silver-haired half-elf. Purple eyes that darted across her surroundings with caution — and a hint of panic.
And then —
Their eyes met.
She looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Then her gaze shifted toward Reinhard.
The moment she recognized the knight, she looked nervous.
Subaru knew why.
She didn't want Reinhard to know about her stolen insignia.
He hadn't expected to meet her so soon.
It was a surprise.
A happy surprise, for sure.
Before him stood none other than the Dragon Maiden — the one he served.
Emilia.
Just Emilia