Chapter Text
Here a new story of Re: Zero, here Subaru is abandoned by his parents and raised by the Gods, he'll be cocky and prideful, but not arrogant and he'll act stupid sometimes.
With that said let's begin.
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In a middle of the forest with no human civilization, a bady crying sound can be heard in the death of nigh, the baby was abandoned by his parents out in the forest, with only a blanket keeping him warm his tender body warm.
Then the bushes rustled from the shadows as a pack of wolves emerged from the forest.
Drawn by the sound of helpless prey, the pack slowly approached, to them a lone infant should have been an easy meal.
The alpha took a step forward, as it then stopped it ears flattened as it's s body froze as it instinct told him one step closer and it meet an demise.
The wolf could not understand why the baby carried no weapon, no scent of hunters lingered nearby.
And yet every fiber of its being warned it that crossing the final distance between them would bring absolute destruction.
The alpha raised its head toward the moon and released a long howl.
A signal.
Retreat.
Without hesitation, the pack turned and vanished into the darkness from which they came, when the wolves leave, the forest become quite as the numerous light appear on the spot.
One.
Ten.
Hundreds.
Thousands.
They danced through the darkness like stars descending from the heavens, their radiance pushing back the night itself, flowers began to bloomed, withered grass turned green, trees swayed despite the absence of wind.
The very forest seemed to awaken, as though nature itself welcomed their arrival.
The lights gathered around the crying child.
As if fate had guided them here.
As if destiny itself had called them.
The spheres of light expanded and stretched, taking countless forms, some were small, others colossal, some possessed wings, others horns, some appeared human, while others existed beyond mortal understanding. Yet despite their differences, all shared one thing.
They all are Gods and Divine spirits.
Ancient beings worshipped across countless ages and civilizations.
Rulers of forgotten myths.
Creators of legends.
Objects of humanity's faith.
And every one of them had gathered for a single purpose, slowly, they approached the crying infant.
The baby opened his tear-filled eyes.
For the first time that night, he was no longer alone a warm hand gently touched his forehead.
The crying stopped.
The child looked upon the countless divine figures surrounding him and smiled. And for the first time that night, the gods smiled as well, for after searching across heaven and earth for countless eons.
They had finally found their champion.
Amaterasu, the radiant Sun Goddess and leader of the Shinto pantheon, gazed upon the abandoned infant resting within the blanket.
The child had finally stopped crying, his small body warmed by the divine light surrounding him.
A look of pity crossed her face.
Amaterasu: Such an unfortunate child, abandoned in this wilderness, our champion deserved far better than this.
The gathered gods remained silent as they looked upon the infant. Then a regal woman adorned in divine splendor stepped forward.
It was Hera, Queen of the Olympian Gods.
Hera: I will raise this child, no child deserves such a fate, much less our champion.
Several gods nodded in approval, but Amaterasu gently shook her head.
Amaterasu: I'm afraid not, this child was found within the lands of my nation. Therefore, he falls under the protection of the Shinto pantheon, we will raise him.
Hera frowned as Zeus, King of the Olympian Gods and husband to Hera, stepped forward.
Zeus: And why should the Shinto pantheon alone have that privilege?.
Many of the gathered deities voiced their agreement before the discussion could continue, a powerful voice interrupted.
It was Nüwa, the Mother Goddess of the Chinese pantheon.
Nüwa: It is reasonable, since this child belongs to this land.
Then other gods quickly voiced their opinions.
Odin: The Shinto pantheon discovered the child first.
Ra: It is only fair.
Durga: Their claim is the strongest.
Nabu: I see no issue with such an arrangement.
Despite Hera's objections, the majority of the gods sided with Amaterasu eventually, Hera sighed in defeat.
Hera: Very well. But I expect visitation rights.
A few gods laughed with the matter settled, another question arose, a deity clothed in ancient Mesoamerica stepped forward.
He is Itzamna the Mayan God of the Heavens, day, and night.
Itzamna: And what should the child's name be?.
The gathering fell silent, as many ponder the question names carries weight and power, and less was expected for the champion of the gods.
Then Astraeus, Titan of Stars and Twilight, looked toward the heavens above, the stars glittered brilliantly in the night sky.
Astraeus: Since he shall be raised in Japan, a name from that land would be fitting.
Amaterasu: Do you have a suggestion?
Astraeus smiled.
Astraeus: How about Subaru?
The gods turned toward him.
Astraeus: Subaru is the name of a cluster of stars that shine together as one, a fitting name for a child being champion of countless Gods.
Durga: A beautiful meaning.
Susanoo: Strong and simple, i like it.
Thor: A name worthy of remembrance.
Nüwa: The stars united as one, quite fitting.
Hera: It has a pleasant sound.
Amaterasu looked down at the infant.
Amaterasu: Subaru...
As if responding to the name, the baby let out a cheerful laugh.
The gods smiled.
Astraeus: It appears the child approves.
Laughter spread throughout the divine gathering.
Thus, beneath the stars and surrounded by countless deities, the abandoned infant received his name.
Subaru.
The beloved champion of the gods.
Then the atmosphere shifted a tremendous divine presence spread throughout the forest.
Shiva, the Destroyer and Creator, stepped forward, his calm gaze settling upon the infant.
Shiva: Let us each grant him our blessings.
The proposal was immediately met with approval.
Shiva: Let us each grant him our blessings.
The proposal was immediately met with approval.
Shiva: And let us each watch over him as he grows.
Amaterasu: Gladly.
Hera: He shall have my protection as the Queen of the Olympian Gods
Nabu: He shall have my knowledge.
Odin: He shall have mastery over the mystic arts.
Ra: May the sun illuminate his future.
Nüwa: May creation itself favor his path.
Susanoo: May no storm ever break his spirit.
One by one, gods from every corner of existence stepped forward
Gods of war.
Gods of wisdom.
Gods of life.
Gods of death.
Gods of stars, oceans, mountains, storms, and creation.
Each bestowed a blessing upon the child, light filled the forest.
Divine power gathered around the infant like a cocoon, enough blessings to shake heaven and earth themselves.
Yet Subaru merely yawned.
The sight caused the assembled gods to burst into laughter.
Unaware of the countless blessings settling into his soul, the baby closed his eyes and peacefully drifted to sleep beneath the watchful gaze of the heavens themselves.
Years passed, and the abandoned infant raised by the gods grew into a healthy and extraordinary young boy.
Blessed by countless deities and raised beneath the watchful eyes of heaven itself, his childhood was far from ordinary.
Athena taught him wisdom and strategy.
Nabu taught him knowledge and science.
Odin revealed the secrets of runes and mystic arts.
Micheal taught him compassion and responsibility.
Under such guidance, Subaru quickly became a prodigy in countless fields.
His intellect surpassed that of many scholars before he even reached adolescence.
Yet knowledge alone was not enough.
The gods wished for their champion to be strong.
Durga instructed him in martial arts.
Ares taught him swordsmanship.
The Valkyries trained him in countless weapons.
Even Chaos occasionally tested his courage through impossible challenges.
By the age of ten, he could defeat trained martial artists, by twelve, he could wield weapons with masterful precision, and by the time he'd reached fifteen, there were few beings on Earth capable of matching him
As Subaru grew older, he began undertaking missions throughout the hidden supernatural world.
Evil organizations that sought forbidden power.
Corrupt mages who sacrificed innocent lives.
Monsters born from hatred and darkness.
Creatures that slipped through cracks between worlds.
Even beings from other dimensions that threatened Earth itself.
Again and again, Subaru stood against them, not because he sought glory, not he desired fame, but because he wished to protect the world that had become his home.
With every victory, stories of the mysterious young hero spread further one by one, tales of the boy became legends within the supernatural world.
The Child of Heaven.
The Blessed One.
The Divine Son.
The Champion of the Gods.
Many names were given to him.
Subaru ignored all of them.
His greatest joy came from meeting the countless spirits that inhabited the world unlike most ordinary humans, he could freely see and communicate with them.
And wherever he went, spirits seemed drawn to him.
Perhaps it was the blessings.
Perhaps it was his kindness.
Or perhaps they simply sensed the love of the gods within him.
Among those who became closest to him were the Four Divine Beasts.
The Azure Dragon of the East, sovereign of storms and the endless sky.
The Vermilion Bird of the South, master of sacred flames and rebirth.
The White Tiger of the West, guardian of battle and righteous judgment.
The Black Tortoise of the North, ancient protector of endurance and wisdom.
Feared and revered by spirits across the world, these legendary guardians rarely acknowledged mortals. Yet with Subaru, things were different.
The Divine Beasts found themselves drawn to the young champion.
From that day onward, Subaru affectionately called them by names of his own choosing.
Ryuusei, the Azure Dragon.
Akane, the Vermilion Bird.
Byakuya, the White Tiger.
Genji, the Black Tortoise.
What began as friendship became trust, and what became trust soon evolved into something even greater.
The Four Divine Beasts chose Subaru as their companion, a decision that many utterly speechless.
_____________________________________________
Tokyo, Japan Time: 8:30 PM
Subaru: What a stressful week it's been.
Now seventeen years old and having recently finished junior high school, Subaru walked through the quiet streets of Tokyo with a plastic shopping bag in hand.
Inside were several cups of instant ramen, a bottle of soda, potato chips, and enough ketchup to concern any nutritionist.
Subaru: I'm really tired, maybe I should go on vacation to Hokkaido. I heard the hot springs are good this time of year.
Beside him, Four Divine Beast float near him invisible to naked human eyes.
Despite being legendary guardian beasts capable of shaking the heavens, they currently resembled adorable children.
Byakuya: A vacation?.
Subaru: Yeah, no monsters, no cultists, no interdimensional invasions. Just me relaxing in a hot spring.
Ryuusei: i doubt that.
Subaru: why?.
Akane: Somehow I doubt that.
Subaru: Why?
Genji: Because trouble follows you.
Subaru: That's not true.
Byakuya: Last month you went camping and discovered an ancient dragon sleeping beneath Mount Fuji.
Subaru: That wasn't my fault.
Akane: The month before that you accidentally exposed a secret society of Outer-Gods worshipers.
Subaru: They were sacrificing people in a public park.
Ryuusei: You only found them because you got lost looking for a vending machine.
Subaru: Details, Details.
Genji: Three months ago, you defeated an evil organisation that wanted Earth to connect a hostile dimension.
Subaru: I was taking a shortcut.
Byakuya: There wasn't a road.
Subaru: There is now.
The four Divine Beasts collectively sighed.
Subaru: You're all exaggerating.
Akane: Am I?
Akane suddenly transformed a tiny wing into a flaming projection.
A magical screen appeared.
It displayed a list.
"Subaru-Related Incidents This Year"
Subaru: Why is there a list?
Genji: Because there were too many incidents to remember.
Subaru: there too many, which is concerning.
He said as he stared at the number of incidents that happens, with in this year's there are far too many.
Subaru: Fine, maybe weird things happen around me occasionally.
The Four Divine Beasts stared at him blankly.
Subaru: Frequently.
The Four Divine Beasts continued staring at him.
Subaru: Constantly.
Byakuya: There it is.
Subaru sighed.
Subaru: Even then, a vacation should be safe.
The Four Divine Beasts exchanged glances.
Byakuya: No.
Ryuusei: Impossible.
Akane: Not happening.
Genji: Statistically unlikely.
Subaru: You guys have no faith in me.
He let a dry laugh, his spirit laugh at him, he then made his way home however, as he suddenly stopped walking.
The Four Divine Beasts noticed immediately.
Ryuusei: Subaru?
The smile vanished from his face, years of combat experience sharpened his senses.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
The air itself seemed to distort, as otherworldly energy cover the area.
Subaru: Do you feel that?
The Divine Beasts instantly became serious, then an invisible force grabbed hold of Subaru and began pulling him toward an unknown destination, whatever was pulling him had bypassed most defense arts place by him.
Subaru: What the hell is this?!
The Four Divine Beasts immediately moved around him.
Byakuya: Subaru!
Ryuusei: Something's wrong!
Akane: I can't identify the energy!
Genji: Neither can I!
The force grew stronger, as then reality itself change as Subaru cover his eyes, as a familiar warm creep his body was that from the sun? Hadn't it just been evening?.
Subaru snapped his eyes open, only to be met with a shocking sight. The quiet streets of modern Japan had vanished, replaced by the feel of cobblestones beneath him and buildings that echoed a medieval past.
The silence was overtaken by a cacophony of chatter and noise, as the once-empty streets buzzed with life, filled with people dressed in attire from a bygone era.
Some were humans, much like those in Japan, while others resembled walking, talking animals of various sizes and characteristics. It was a scene that seemed to leap straight from the pages of a fantasy novel.
Amidst all this stood a stunned Subaru, his mouth agape in disbelief. Anyone glancing beneath his glasses would see the astonishment etched on his face.
He blinked, pinched himself hard, and when nothing changed, he placed his hand on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart.
Subaru: Ow, this is real i have been Summoned to another world.
The Four Divine Beasts still invisible stared at him, blankly.
Byakuya: Why are you surprised?
Subaru: Huh?
Byakuya: We've traveled to other dimensions before.
Ryuusei: The Spirit World.
Akane: The Demon Realm.
Genji: Even several branches of Yggdrasil.
Byakuya: This isn't exactly new.
Subaru immediately shook his head.
Subaru: No, no, no, you don't understand!. Those were dimensions connected to Earth, the Spirit World is still part of Earth's cosmology. The Demon Realm is connected through the lower planes, even Yggdrasil's worlds exist within the same greater structure!
His excitement only continued to grow.
Subaru: But this is completely different!.
The Four Divine Beasts looked around and noticed that it wasn't like those realm.
Subaru: Different stars, different laws, different magical atmosphere, this is a very different reality!
Even Genji began to look concerned.
Genji: Now that you mention it.
Ryuusei closed his eyes and expanded his senses.
Moments later, the dragon's eyes snapped open.
Ryuusei: I can't feel Earth.
The smile disappeared from everyone's face.
Akane's flames flickered.
Akane: Neither can I.
Byakuya's ears flattened.
Byakuya: That's impossible.
Genji: No way.
For the first time since arriving, the Four Divine Beasts realized the situation, they were somewhere else entirely.
A completely different world.
Subaru, however, looked like a child on Christmas morning.
Subaru: This is amazing.
Byakuya: Subaru, I don't think you're grasping the severity of the situation.
Subaru: Were in a fantasy world.
Ryuusei: We're stranded.
Subaru: In a fantasy world.
Akane: We have no idea where we are.
Subaru: oh don't worry i figure a way.
Genji: We don't even know if we can contact the gods.
Subaru: Fantasy world.
The Four Divine Beasts collectively sighed.
Byakuya: He's not listening.
Subaru: THERE ARE ACTUAL FANTASY ADVENTURES NOW!.
He shouted at the top of his lungs as he posted in 🕺🕺🕺🕺🕺.
Akane immediately covered her face with her wings.
Akane: Could you stop acting like a child? You're embarrassing us.
Several nearby pedestrians stared.
A little girl tugged on her mother's sleeve.
Girl: Mommy, is that man okay?
Mother: Don't look, dear.
Girl: But he's dancing wierly.
Mother: that will happen to you if you become a bad girl and don't listen to mommy.
Subaru paid them no attention, Instead, he continued strolling through the bustling city streets while observing everything around him with barely contained excitement.
Subaru: Based on the architecture and attire, I can safely assume I've landed in a medieval-like world.
Byakuya: That seems reasonable.
Subaru: The streets are relatively clean, there appears to be organized commerce, and the construction quality is surprisingly high, which suggests either a prosperous kingdom or a major trade city.
Years of studying history immediately began paying off, in his spare time, Subaru had immersed himself in the history of medieval Europe, learning everything from warfare and economics to politics and governance.
As a result, he could already make rough observations about the world around him.
Subaru: Although calling this "medieval" may be inaccurate.
Byakuya: Why?
Subaru: Too many variables.
Subaru gestured toward a passing demi-human.
Subaru: For starters, Europe didn't have cat people.
A cat person carrying several crates glanced at him.
???: Rude.
Subaru: Sorry.
The Demihuman continued his works, as subaru continued, examining the crowd.
Subaru: Walking animals. Half-humans. Half-beasts.
Subaru: Demi-humans, I guess?
Akane: They kind of look like yokai.
Subaru: Yeah, but without any demonic or spiritual power.
Fox ears.
Wolf tails.
Lizard scales.
Features that would have been impossible on natural side of Earth appeared to be completely normal here.
Subaru: Fascinating.
Ryuusei: You're taking this surprisingly well.
Subaru: Why wouldn't I?
Genji: Because we've been transported to an entirely different reality.
Subaru: Exactly.
Byakuya: Most people would be terrified.
Subaru grinned.
Subaru: Most people weren't raised by gods.
The Four Divine Beasts couldn't argue with that, as Byakuya utter some words.
Byakuya: i wonder, what Lady Ametarasu feeling now.
_____________________________________________
Takamagahara Realm of the Shinto Pantheon.
Ametarasu: ......
The entire Shinto Pantheon was in chaos, as Amaterasu sat frozen upon her throne. A blank expression covered her face.
The atmosphere was terrifying.
Finally, Susanoo cautiously stepped forward.
Susanoo: Sister?
No response as Tsukuyomi no Mikoto God of the moon stepped forward.
Tsukuyomi: Sister?
Nothing.
Susanoo slowly waved a hand in front of her face.
Susanoo: Hello?
Amaterasu suddenly blinked.
Amaterasu: My son is gone.
Susanoo immediately stepped back.
Amaterasu: My son is gone.
Susanoo and Tsukuyomi immediately stepped back.
Amaterasu: My son is gone.
The room trembled as the sun outside flickered.
Several minor gods immediately hid behind pillars.
Ame-no-Uzume: Lady Amaterasu, please calm down-
Amaterasu: HE WAS GONE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
The heavens shook.
Several clouds exploded.
Amaterasu: FIVE MINUTES, I TURNED MY ATTENTION AWAY FOR FIVE MINUTES.
Susanoo: To be fair, that's a personal best for Subaru.
Amaterasu slowly turned toward him.
Tsukuyomi: you're not helping.
Nearby, Inari was desperately trying to calm the situation.
Inari: At least he's alive.
Amaterasu: We don't know that.
Inari: We literally have a soul connection with him.
Amaterasu: DETAILS.
At the far end of the hall, a lesser god suddenly burst through the doors.
Lesser God: We've finished searching Earth!.
Amaterasu: And?!
Lesser God: He's not on Earth.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then every god in the room began panicking.
God #1: HE'S NOT ON EARTH?!
God #2: CHECK THE SPIRIT WORLD!
God #3: CHECK THE DEMON REALM!
God #4: CHECK THE MOON!
God #5: WHY THE MOON?!
God #4: I DON'T KNOW!.
Amaterasu slowly rose from her throne golden divine flames erupted around her.
Amaterasu: Assemble every god.
Inari: Every god?
Amaterasu: Every Gods.
The room fell silent.
Amaterasu: Nobody kidnaps my son.
Susanoo: There she is.
At that exact moment, another Lesser God burst into the hall.
Lesser God: we have received message from the Greek.
Tsukuyomi: and what the message.
Lesser God: they say Hera, is coming here and she's is furious.
The hall room fell silent again as a Hera furious voice call from distance.
Hera: AMETARASU, YOU WILL HAVE A VERY GOOD EXPLANATION, ON WHY I COULDN'T FEEL MY ADOPTED SON.
_____________________________________________
With Subaru and the gang, as Subaru wandered through the bustling streets, he suddenly noticed something strange.
Subaru: Come to think of it.
Akane: What?
Subaru: Why can I understand everyone?
The Four Divine Beasts blinked.
Subaru: This is clearly a different world so obviously they use different language, yet I can understand every word.
Ryuusei: Now that you mention it....
Genji: it is strange that we can understand them.
Genji: Yet you couldn't read that sign earlier.
Subaru scratched his chin.
Subaru: Maybe one of the gods gave me a translation blessing?
Byakuya: Sounds plausible.
Akane: Either that or the local language somehow sounds identical to Japanese.
Subaru: That would be incredibly convenient.
Genji: Too convenient.
"Watch out!"
A loud voice echoed through the marketplace, Subaru turned and saw an anthropomorphic lizard was pointing frantically toward the road.
His eyes widened.
A small child had fallen onto the street, and the lizard was charging straight towards him with a massive carriage it carried in its back.
Without hesitation, Subaru moved.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
His body blurred one moment he stood in the crowd the next, he was beside the child he have scooped the boy into his arms and vanished from the road just as the carriage thundered past.
A split second later and the child would have been crushed.
Subaru gently set the boy down.
Subaru: Are you okay?
The child blinked then nodded shakily as Subaru smiled.
Subaru: Good.
The surrounding crowd erupted.
"He saved him!"
"Incredible!"
"Did you see that?!"
Cheers and applause spread throughout the street.
Subaru: Ah!.
Byakuya: There it is.
Akane: Took less than an hour.
Genji: New world record.
Subaru rubbed the back of his head.
Subaru: Just be careful when crossing the road, okay?
The child nodded enthusiastically before running off.
Meanwhile, Subaru found himself trapped within a crowd of grateful strangers.
Subaru: I already miss being anonymous.
Eventually escaping the crowd, Subaru wandered deeper into the marketplace.
Subaru sighed, as he saw the sun was dropping fast.
Subaru: I can't keep wandering like this. I need to figure out where I am.
With no local money, no home, and no idea how this world worked, his situation was less than ideal.
Subaru: Maybe I can gather some information.
His eyes landed on a fruit stall.
Red apples.
Green apples.
Apples everywhere.
Subaru stared at the unfamiliar writing.
Subaru: Seriously? If you're gonna speak Japanese, why the hell use a different writing system?
Akane: Maybe because this isn't Japan.
Subaru: Details.
"Hey! I ain't running a gallery here!"
Subaru looked up.
A large man with green hair and scars on his head glared at him from behind the stall.
Vendor: I'm a busy guy. If you want to buy something, say it, otherwise, scram.
Subaru pointed at the fruit.
Subaru: What are these?
Vendor: Appas, finest one's you get in the capital.
Subaru's shoulders slumped.
Subaru: Even the apples have different names...
Vendor: You buying or not?
Subaru: Actually, I'm a little lost, could you tell me where I am?
Vendor: Sure.
The merchant grinned.
Vendor: Buy an appa first.
Subaru sighed as he Reach into his spatial storage, he pulled out a shining golden coin.
A Golden Drachma.
Currency commonly used among Greek demigods and various non-human beings back on Earth.
Subaru: Would this work?.
The vendor stared.
Then blinked.
Then stared again.
Vendor: Kid.
Subaru: Yes?
Vendor: Are you a foreigner?
Subaru: Something like that.
Vendor held up the coin real close.
Vendor: Because I've never seen money like this before, this has to be pure gold.
The large man bit the coin, then scratched it and then bit it again.
Vendor: Yep, definitely gold.
The vendor slowly raised his head and stared at Subaru.
Vendor: Kid, this much could buy a house.
Subaru: A house?
Vendor: A very decent one at that, are you by any chance a noble?
Subaru scratched his cheek awkwardly.
Subaru: Something like that.
Technically speaking, being personally raised by gods, various divine beings has probably placed him above most nobles or king.
The vendor nodded as if everything suddenly made sense.
Vendor: Ahh, that explains it.
Subaru: Explains what?
Vendor: You have no idea how money works.
Akane: He's got you there.
Byakuya: We warned you.
Genji: Repeatedly.
Ryuusei: For years.
Subaru chose to ignore them.
Vendor: Boy, I don't think I even have enough change for this.
Subaru: Really?
Vendor: Really.
Subaru looked at the coin and then look at the stall.
Subaru: How many appas could this buy?
Vendor: Yes.
Subaru: That's not a number.
Vendor: It's all of them.
Subaru: Oh.
The vendor pointed at the dozens of appas stacked behind him.
Vendor: Every single one.
Subaru sighed.
Subaru: This is why I hated economics lessons.
Byakuya: Lady Amaterasu is crying somewhere.
Akane: She spent three months teaching you finances.
Genji: Three very painful months.
Ryuusei: We suffered too.
The vendor handed the coin back.
Vendor: Keep it before somebody sees it.
Subaru accepted it.
Vendor: Flashing around that much gold is a good way to get robbed.
Subaru: Fair point.
Vendor: Besides, if you're really lost, I'd rather answer a few questions than watch some rich noble kid get stabbed in an alley.
Subaru: That's surprisingly kind of you.
Vendor: Don't get used to it.
Subaru grinned.
Subaru: Thanks ah-
Vendor: Kadomon.
Vendor: My name is Kadomon and remember that kid.
Subaru smiled.
Subaru: Nice to meet you, Kadomon, I'm Subaru.
Kadomon: Weird name.
Subaru: Everyone keeps saying that.
Kadomon: Because it is.
Subaru: Fair.
Kadomon grabbed a red appa from the stall and tossed it toward him as
Subaru caught it.
Kadomon: Consider it a welcome gift.
Subaru took a bite.
Crunch.
His eyes widened.
Subaru: It's an apple.
Kadomon stared at confusion.
Kadomon: ah what?.
Subaru: nothing, i better get going.
After failing to gather any truly useful information, Subaru once again found himself wandering through the capital's streets at some point, his aimless exploration led him into a narrow alleyway.
Subaru immediately noticed three presences his senses had detected them long before he entered the alley.
And judging by the way they were blocking the exit, they clearly weren't there to make friends.
The tallest of the three smirked as he look at him.
???: With those clothes, he looks like a noble, we could fetch a good price for him.
The group consisted of a lanky thug carrying knives, a short round-headed man, and a large muscular brute.
Subaru sighed.
Subaru: Hey, Skinny, Shorty, and Ogre.
The three froze.
Subaru: Are you really sure you want to do this?
A vein appeared on the smaller thug's forehead.
Shorty: What did you just call us?!
Ogre: Don't look down on us!
Skinny One: It's three against one!
The lanky thug pulled several knives from his belt.
Skinny One: We were just going to rough you up a little.
His grin widened.
Skinny One: Now we'll kill you and dump your body in a ditch.
The large thug cracked his knuckles.
Ogre: Nobody's gonna find you.
Subaru: Ooh, I'm so terrified.
His voice dripped with sarcasm.
Subaru: I'm shaking in my boots.
The Four Divine Beasts floated nearby.
Akane: He's doing the thing again.
Genji: He's doing the thing again.
Byakuya: He's definitely doing the thing again.
Ryuusei: I give them ten seconds.
Subaru casually stretched his shoulders.
Subaru: Anything else?.
The large thug finally snapped.
Ogre: THAT'S IT!
He charged forward-
Only for a blur to suddenly streak between them.
???: Move it! You guys are in my way!
A petite girl with medium-length golden hair and striking red eyes sprinted through the alley, wearing tattered clothes, in her hands was some kind of jewel which grow red.
Before anyone could react, she used a nearby crate as a foothold and launched herself onto a rooftop and a second later she was gone.
Silence.
The muggers blinked.
Subaru blinked.
The Four Divine Beasts blinked.
Subaru: Did anyone catch that?
Genji: Nope.
Akane: She was fast.
Byakuya: Definitely not normal.
The muggers finally shook themselves out of their confusion.
Skinny One: Forget her!
Shorty: Yeah!
Ogre: We're still robbing you!
Subaru looked back toward them.
Subaru: Ah right.
He cracked his knuckles.
Subaru: Where were we?
Shorty: We're gonna beat the crap out of you!
Skinny One: Absolutely!
Ogre: She ruined our mood and made things worse for you!
Subaru slowly walked toward them as the three muggers immediately tensed.
Akane: Three seconds.
Ryuusei: Two.
Byakuya: One.
???: Hold it right there villains!.
A voice suddenly echoed through the alley.
Everyone turned.
Standing at the entrance was a young woman with a long silver hair flowed down to her waist, amethyst eyes shone with determination and white flower ornament rested within her hair, and long ears wearing a white-and-purple outfit looked both elegant and practical.
Subaru: "an elf, so they exist on this world too."
He thought as he remembered meeting and befriending some elves in Alfheim.
Shorty: What the heck are you talking about?!
The short thug shouted as he turned toward the silver-haired girl.
Silver Hair Girl: Give back what you took from me right now! It's reeeeally important!
She pointed accusingly at the group.
Silver Hair Girl: Return it and I'll overlook everything else. But that item is something I absolutely can't lose.
Subaru and the three thugs exchanged confused looks. Nobody had any idea what she was talking about.
Ogre: So you're looking for something you lost?
The large thug scratched his head.
Ogre: You're not here to help him?
He pointed at Subaru.
Subaru immediately snorted.
Subaru: Pretty bold of you to think I need saving from a walking stick.
Skinny One: A walking stick?!
Subaru: Sorry.
Subaru looked him up and down.
Subaru: I mean to say a malnourished walking stick.
A vein bulged on the thug's forehead.
Meanwhile, the silver-haired girl looked Subaru over.
Silver Hair Girl: If you're asking whether I know him, the answer is no, although he is wearing unique clothes.
Subaru clutched his chest dramatically.
Subaru: Ouch.
Byakuya: Deserved.
Akane: Completely deserved.
Subaru: We just met and she's already hurting my feelings.
Silver Hair Girl: .....
Subaru: I mean, I know we're strangers, but couldn't you at least pretend to care?
Silver Hair Girl: i mean should i.
She said unsure how to respond.
Subaru: "for an elf she sure is dumb!"
Skinny One: Then you have nothing to do with us!.
Skinny One: It was probably that brat who ran past us!
Silver Hair Girl: Ah!
Her eyes widened.
Silver Hair Girl: Right! I need to catch her before she escapes!
Without another word, she sprinted past Subaru as he watched her disappear.
Subaru: Well, that happened.
Subaru looked at the muggers, the muggers looked at Subaru.
As he then cracked his knuckles.
Subaru: Anyway, let's make this quick.
The three immediately tensed.
Then-
Silver Hair Girl: But I can't just leave and ignore this.
Everyone turned.
The girl had stopped.
She sighed before turning around.
Silver Hair Girl: Honestly.....
She raised her hand.
Three sharp icicles instantly formed around her.
Subaru: "Intresting, so this is magic of this world."
He thought as it was different from the use he's use to.
Ogre laughed loudly.
Ogre: Hahaha!
Ogre: Just because you can cast spells doesn't mean we're scared!, it's still one against three!
Subaru immediately raised his hand.
Subaru: Actually, it's two against three.
Everyone looked at him.
Subaru: I'm standing right here, you know.
The silver-haired girl blinked.
Silver Hair Girl: You're helping?
Subaru: Well yeah, they're trying to mug me, so this feels personal.
Before anyone could say anything-
???: How about we make it three against three?.
A cheerful voice suddenly echoed through the alley, from the Silver hair girl necklace suddenly glowed and then moments later and then.
POOF.
A small grey-and-white cat emerged from the light. The cat, with its grey and white fur and striking blue eyes, sported a tiny purple handbag slung over its shoulder.
To anyone this creature look harmless but to Subaru and his Divine Beast, they can tell this was no ordinary creature.
Byakuya: "Subaru, you feel that!."
The white monarch said telepathy to him.
Subaru: "yes, that creature is strong."
Akane: "Very strong."
Ryuusei: "Comparable to us."
Genji: "intresting that means there could be other strong being like him."
The Four Divine Beasts looked interested as aside from God's and powerful Dragon there aren't many being that can rival them.
Subaru: "yeah, this creature is strong as you guys, which means this girl is a very capable spirit art user."
The muggers reacted far differently.
Shorty: Y-You're a spirit arts user?!
Skinny One: A spirit?!
Ogre: Crap!
The cat spirit puffed out his chest proudly, as the girl brought her right hand, and he landed on it, while pointing at the muggers.
???: if you do anything to her, I'll will haunt you and your kind forever.
The muggers looked terrified.
Skinny One: T-This isn't over!
Shorty: You'll regret this!
Ogre: Let's go!
The three bolted from the alley as fast as they could as silence returned to the alley as the girl look at subaru who was smiling and wave her.
Subaru: Yo, thanks for the assist.
Silver Hair Girl: Don't move.
Subaru froze.
Subaru: Uh.
The girl's eyes narrowed.
Silver Hair Girl: Don't move.
Subaru: I'm not.
He said while smiling at her.
Silver hair girl: aha you smiled; you can't hold a straight face, which means you have a guilty conscience, so you know who took my insignia, don't you?.
Subaru raised an eyebrow at her logic.
???: I think you're wrong this time. I don't sense any guilt or ill intentions behind that smile.
The cat spirit said as he's floated closer to him, circling him narrowing his eyes at him.
???: intresting, you can come out now I know you can are there and can heard me.
The spirit said, as the girl got confused while Subaru sighed as he knew with that kind of power he's been able to detect them.
Subaru: well the jiges up guys, you can all come out.
The Four Divine Beasts slowly became visible.
A white tiger cub.
A small azure dragon.
A tiny vermilion bird.
A miniature black tortoise.
Divine energy filled the alley.
The spirit cat's eyes widened at the sight of the beast.
Spirit Cat: Those spirits...
while the silver-haired girl's jaw nearly hit the ground.
Silver Hair Girl: You're a spirit arts user?!
Subaru scratched his cheek.
Subaru: Technically, speaking yes I would be a spirit art user.
Silver Hair Girl: Then you know who stole my insignia, don't you? Please, can you tell me?
The girl stepped forward hopefully while the spirit continued staring suspiciously at Subaru and the Divine Beasts.
Subaru: Nope, Sorry, miss i have absolutely no idea who stole your insignia.
Silver Hair Girl: Oh...
Her shoulders immediately drooped.
Silver Hair Girl: If you're telling the truth, then oh no i've already lost her!. Did I take a wrong turn? What should I do, what should I do? Puck.
The girl asked her spirit whose named 'Puck' while continued worrying, Subaru found himself in a difficult position, technically speaking, this wasn't his problem.
He still didn't know where he was and which country he was in.
He had no money and no place to stay.
And no idea how to get home.
Walking away would be the logical choice, yet seeing her desperately searching for something so important bothered him.
Byakuya: You're thinking about helping.
Subaru: Maybe.
Akane: You're definitely helping.
Genji: We all know it.
Ryuusei: It's inevitable.
Subaru sighed.
Subaru: What should I do? I can't just run around chasing some thief when I don't even know where I am.
Then an idea appeared.
Subaru's eyes lit up.
Subaru: Or, i could solve both problems at once.
Byakuya: There it is.
Subaru looked toward girl while her spirit console her.
Subaru: Is the insignia you're talking about a small round object with a jewel in the center?.
Silver Hair Girl: Y-Yes!
Her eyes widened.
Silver Hair Girl: That's exactly it, but how do you know that?
The hope on her face quickly turned into suspicion as her spirit float near her.
Silver Hair Girl: I thought you said you didn't recognize it.
Subaru immediately raised both hands.
Subaru: Easy there, I never said I had it.
Puck narrowed his eyes.
Puck: Then explain.
Subaru pointed toward the rooftops.
Subaru: The blonde girl who ran through here.
Silver Hair Girl: The thief!
Subaru nodded.
Subaru: She was carrying some glowing object, I only got a quick look at it, round shape with a Jewel in the center, it's seemed important.
Silver Hair Girl: That's it!
Puck stared at him for several seconds.
Then nodded.
Puck: he's telling the truth.
Silver Hair Girl: Thank goodness.
Then her expression immediately collapsed again.
Silver Hair Girl: Wait, that means she's getting farther away.
Subaru pointed toward the city.
Subaru: Then let's go find her.
Silver Hair Girl: Huh?
Subaru: You need your insignia back, need information.
Subaru: Seems like a fair trade.
Silver Hair Girl: You'd help me?
Subaru laughed.
Subaru: Well, I'm completely lost. I don't know where I am. I don't know the local currency, you can say I'm lost far away from home.
Puck: Truly a tragedy.
Subaru: Exactly.
The girl stared at them with confuse face.
Subaru: let's us introduced ourselves first, my name is Subaru no last name and these are my contact Spirit.
Subaru: Byakuya.
Byakuya: Hello.
Subaru: Ryuusei.
Ryuusei nodded.
Subaru: Akane.
Akane waved her wings.
Subaru: Genji.
Genji raised a paw.
Silver hair girl: amazing those spirit are incredibly powerful
Puck: That's what worries me.
Subaru: Anyway.
Subaru pointed at her.
Subaru: Your turn.
The silver-haired girl hesitated, for a brief moment, it looked as though she might refuse to answer.
Her hand paused halfway to her chest, her violet eyes shifted away from Subaru.
After several seconds of hesitation, she finally spoke.
Satella: M-My name is Satella.
She looked downward.
Satella: Just Satella. No last name.
Silence followed.
Puck stared at her.
Puck: You have terrible taste in name.
Satella: Puck!
Puck: What? You do.
The spirit floated upward before disappearing into her silver hair, as Satella pouted.
Subaru, meanwhile, quietly observed her, his expression remained unchanged.
He might act like an idiot sometime, he might get excited over fantasy worlds, he might dance in public without shame.
But he wasn't stupid.
The hesitation.
The nervousness.
The way she avoided eye contact.
Everything about her response screamed that she was lying.
Byakuya: That's not her real name.
Akane: Definitely not.
Genji: Not even close.
Ryuusei: She practically announced it.
Subaru: Yeah.
He could tell.
But he could also tell something else.
She wasn't lying for malicious reasons.
She looked afraid.
Subaru: She probably has her reasons.
Byakuya nodded.
Byakuya: Agreed.
Rather than press the issue, Subaru simply smiled.
Subaru: Satella, huh?
The girl stiffened, almost as though she was preparing herself for something.
Disgust.
Fear.
Anger.
Perhaps even hatred.
Instead Subaru smiled brightly.
Subaru: That's a lovely name.
Satella froze.
Subaru: Especially for a cute girl like you.
The silver-haired girl's eyes widened.
Satella: H-Huh?
She whipped her head toward him in complete shock.
Subaru looked confused.
Subaru: What?.
Satella simply stared.
Subaru: Did I say something weird?
Akane: Yes.
Byakuya: Extremely.
Genji: Very much so.
Ryuusei: Painfully so.
Subaru ignored them.
Satella continued staring at him.
As though she couldn't quite process what she'd just heard.
Eventually, Subaru shrugged.
Subaru: Well.
He turned toward the alley entrance.
Subaru: We should probably get moving. The sun's starting to set, and the longer we wait, the farther away your thief gets.
That finally snapped her out of her thoughts.
Satella: Ah!
Satella: Right!
Subaru stepped out of the alley.
Satella hurried after him.
The Four Divine Beasts followed closely behind.
Puck peeked out from her hair.
Puck: Subaru.
Subaru: Yeah?
Puck: You're either incredibly brave, or incredibly stupid.
Subaru thought about it.
Subaru: Why not both?
Puck completely disappeared back into Satella's hair.
Puck: Definitely both.
Satella covered her mouth, trying and failing not to laugh, for the first time since meeting her, Subaru saw a genuine smile appear on her face.
And together, the strange group headed deeper into the capital in search of the stolen insignia.
As Subaru and Satella left the alley behind, they began walking through the bustling streets of the capital.
Along the way, he took the opportunity to gather information about this world.
The results were... mixed.
Satella: N-No! It's just...
She looked genuinely baffled.
Satella: We're in the capital of Lugunica, and you didn't know that.
Subaru: When you put it like that, it does sound strange.
Satella stared at him.
Puck stared at him.
The Four Divine Beasts stared at him.
Subaru: What?
Byakuya: You somehow didn't know the name of the country.
Akane: That's impressive.
Genji: In a worrying way.
Ryuusei: Honestly, I'm kind of proud.
Subaru: 'why you guys!.'
Ignoring them, Subaru focused on what Satella had told him.
The Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica.
Interesting.
The title alone revealed several things.
First, dragons existed.
Second, Lugunica was apparently important enough to associate itself with them.
And third...
Subaru: Dragon Kingdom.
His eyes sparkled.
Subaru: So dragons exist here?
Satella blinked.
Satella: Of course they exist.
Subaru: Amazing.
As they continued walking, Subaru kept asking questions.
Subaru: So what other countries are there?
Satella: There are three major nations surrounding Lugunica.
She began counting on her fingers.
Satella: Kararagi to the west, Gusteko to the north and the Vollachian Empire to the south.
Subaru nodded thoughtfully, This world was already sounding much larger than he'd expected.
Subaru: Good to know.
Satella: You're taking notes in your head, aren't you?
Subaru: Absolutely.
Satella: Why?
Subaru: Because if I end up stranded here forever, I'd rather not be ignorant.
Satella paused.
Satella: That's surprisingly responsible.
Byakuya: Don't encourage him.
Akane: It'll go to his head.
Subaru: Too late.
A few minutes later, the topic shifted again.
Subaru: Alright, let's talk about money.
Puck groaned.
Puck: How exciting.
Subaru: It actually is.
Satella laughed softly.
Satella: We use four main currencies.
She raised a finger.
Satella: We use four main currencies.
She raised a finger.
Satella: Copper.
A second finger.
Satella: Silver.
A third.
Satella: Gold.
Then a fourth.
Satella: And Holy Dragon Coins.
Subaru immediately began calculating in his head.
Subaru: Exchange rates?
Satella: Ten copper equals one silver. Ten silver equals one gold and Twenty gold equals one Holy Dragon Coin thought they do fluctuate regularly.
Subaru nodded simple enough.
Though the mention of fluctuating values immediately caught his attention.
Subaru: The rates are changing?
Satella: They've been unstable lately in this kingdom.
Subaru hummed.
That sounded like economic trouble.
Puck: You really don't know much, do you?
Subaru: Correct.
Puck: That's honestly impressive.
Subaru: Thank you.
Puck: That wasn't a compliment.
Subaru: I'll take it anyway.
Satella shook her head before glancing toward him.
Satella: Where exactly are you from, Subaru?
Subaru and he's companions froze as they come up with an answer.
Satella: your speech is strange and your clothes is strange ive have never seen anything like them.
Puck narrowed his eyes.
Puck: Neither have I.
Subaru considered his options.
Lying would be risky because Puck seemed unusually perceptive, and telling the full truth was even riskier.
Eventually he settled on something in between.
Subaru: I'm someone who came from very far away.
Satella blinked.
Subaru: That's all I can really say.
Silence followed.
Puck stared.
Satella stared.
Subaru stared back.
Puck: Mysterious.
Subaru: Thank you.
Puck: Again, not a compliment.
Subaru: I'll take it anyway.
The conversation died after that.
The group continued through the city in relative silence until Subaru began noticing something strange.
People were staring.
Some glared openly.
Others whispered.
Children hid behind their parents.
Subaru frowned.
Subaru: What's with those looks?
At first he assumed they were directed at him, then he noticed something.
The hostility wasn't aimed at him.
It was aimed at Satella.
The silver-haired girl visibly shrank under the attention.
Her shoulders tensed and her eyes remained fixed on the ground.
Subaru frowned.
He almost asked immediately, then stopped himself the topic clearly bothered her.
So he chose his words carefully.
Subaru: Hey.
Satella looked up.
Subaru: I hope this doesn't come across as rude and if it's something you don't want to talk about, that's fine.
Satella blinked.
Subaru: But why are people looking at you like that?.
The question made her freeze, for several seconds she didn't answer when she finally spoke, her voice was quiet.
Satella: It's because... I'm a silver-haired half-elf.
She looked away.
Satella: That's all.
Subaru blinked.
Subaru: That's it?
Satella looked surprised.
Satella: Huh?
Subaru: You're getting treated like this because you're a half-elf?
Satella lowered her gaze.
Satella: People don't really like half-elves.
Subaru looked around.
Demi-humans were everywhere.
Cat people.
Wolf people.
Yet none of them were receiving the same treatment.
Subaru frowned.
Subaru: So it's prejudice?
Satella remained silent.
Subaru: Against elves?
Satella shook her head.
Subaru: Against half-elves?
That silence told him everything he needed to know.
Satella kept her eyes fixed on the ground, almost as though she was waiting.
Waiting for the disgust.
The fear.
The hatred.
The same reaction she'd probably received countless times before.
Instead Subaru sighed.
Subaru: People are stupid.
Satella froze.
Subaru: Seriously.
Subaru pointed toward a passing cat demi-human.
Subaru: There's a walking cat buying vegetables.
Then toward a lizard merchant.
Subaru: A giant lizard is selling fruit.
Then toward Puck.
Subaru: And my new acquaintance has a flying cat spirit.
Puck: Excellent taste.
Subaru: Yet somehow you're the weird one?
Satella stared at him.
Subaru shook his head.
Subaru: Makes no sense.
For a moment, Satella simply stood there.
Then slowly a small smile appeared on her face, one that seemed brighter than any she'd shown so far.
And for some reason, Subaru felt that smile was worth more than all the information he'd learned that day.
As they continued searching for the thief, Subaru suddenly noticed a small girl standing near the side of the road with tears flowing from her eyes, as she kept looking around anxiously, clearly searching for someone.
Subaru immediately pointed toward her.
Subaru: Satella, we should help her.
Satella nodded without hesitation.
Satella: Yes, I agree.
The two approached the girl as Satella knelt down in front of her and offered a gentle smile.
Satella: Hey there, I'm sorry if I'm not who you're looking for but are you lost?
The moment the girl saw Satella her crying somehow got worse.
Girl: W-Waaaahhhh!
She immediately stumbled backward in fear as Satella froze.
Satella: Eh?
Girl: Waaaaahhhh!
Satella began panicking.
Satella: Wait!
Satella: Please don't cry! I promise I won't hurt you!
She waved her hands frantically as the girl cries intensify.
Satella: Why are you crying more?!
The girl continued crying.
Satella looked moments away from crying herself.
Subaru sighed before kneeling beside her.
Subaru: Hey kid do you wanna see a magic trick.
The crying immediately slowed.
Girl: Magic?
Subaru smiled.
Subaru: Yep.
He held the coin up for everyone to see.
Subaru: Observe carefully.
With a flick of his wrist, the coin vanished.
The girl's eyes widened.
Girl: Eh?!
Satella blinked.
Satella: Where did it go?
Subaru showed both hands as they were empty, then Subaru reached behind the girl's ear.
Subaru: Found it.
Girl: Amazing.
The coin suddenly appeared between his fingers.
Girl: WOOOOOW!
The tears from her eyes vanished completely, but Subaru wasn't finished.
He tossed the coin into the air.
The coin split into two.
Then four.
Then eight.
A small shower of coins spun around the girl like tiny stars.
Girl: Amazing!
Satella stared.
Satella: Is that spirit magic?
Subaru: Nope.
Puck narrowed his eyes.
Puck: Then it's Yin Magic?
Subaru: Nope.
The coins suddenly transformed into tiny glowing butterflies.
The butterflies fluttered around the little girl before exploding into harmless sparkles.
Girl: Again! Again! Again!
Subaru laughed.
Subaru: Alright, one last trick.
He snapped his fingers as a small glowing flower appeared in his palm.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds dozens of glowing flowers floated through the air around the little girl.
The child giggled as she tried catching them.
Satella watched the scene with surprise.
Satella: Subaru...
Subaru: Hm?
Satella: That's actually incredible.
Subaru scratched his cheek.
Subaru: Honestly, this is one of the first magic i was taught.
Byakuya snorted.
Byakuya: You're leaving out the part where you spent weeks failing.
Akane: And accidentally set a house on fire.
Subaru: We don't talk about that.
Girl: You're really cool mister!
Subaru pointed at himself proudly.
Subaru: Finally someone around here appreciates my talents.
Satella immediately rolled her eyes.
Satella: Your ego recovered quickly.
Subaru: It never left.
The little girl giggled and just like that, she completely forgot she had been crying.
They walked for a little while until Subaru spotted the familiar stall, and the girl did too.
Girl: Daddy!.
She exclaimed, breaking free from Subaru's hand and racing toward her father, who turned at the sound of her voice.
Kodaman: Plum there you are!
He immediately scooped her into his arms.
Kodaman: How's my little princess doing? You're not hurt, are you?
Plum giggled.
Plum: Nope! This nice mister and lady helped me!
She pointed toward Subaru and Satella.
Kodaman followed her finger.
Then froze.
Kodaman: Wait, It's you.
Subaru waved.
Subaru: Hey there.
Kodaman pointed accusingly.
Kodaman: The broke kid!
Subaru nearly choked.
Subaru: I'm not broken kid and stop calling me a kid, I'm eighteen years old, I'm a legally an adult!
Kodaman scratched his beard.
Kodaman: yeah right, you don't look like it.
Satella covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
Subaru: Betrayed already...
Kodaman gently placed Plum back on the ground before crossing his arms.
Kodaman: Anyway, whether you're a broke kid or not you found my daughter, i owe you so name your reward.
Satella immediately shook her head.
Satella: No, sir, we don't-
Subaru pointed dramatically.
Subaru: We'll take it.
Satella: Eh?!
Subaru pointed toward Satella.
Subaru: This girl had something stolen from a thief with blonde hair, red eyes wearing short and looks like a troublemaker.
Kodaman's eye twitched.
Kodaman: Felt.
Subaru blinked.
Subaru: You know her?
Kodaman immediately looked offended.
Kodaman: Know her? Half the merchants in the capital know her, that brat's have stolen enough appas to start her own business.
Satella perked up.
Satella: You know where she is?
Kodaman nodded.
Kodaman: The slums, that's where she usually hides.
Subaru folded his arms.
Subaru: Makes sense.
Kodaman: We reported her to the guards they never do anything lazy bastards.
Puck laughed.
Puck: Sounds about right.
Subaru turned toward Satella.
Subaru: Looks like we have our lead.
Satella nodded.
Satella: Then let's go.
Before they could leave plum tugged on Satella's sleeve.
Satella stopped.
Satella: Hmm?
Plum held out a small flower.
Plum: Thank you for helping me.
Satella's eyes widened slightly.
Then she smiled.
Satella: Thank you.
She carefully accepted the flower.
Plum grinned.
Kodaman waved them away.
Kodaman: Good luck, you're gonna need it.
Subaru saluted dramatically.
Subaru: Adventure awaits.
Akane groaned.
Akane: Why do I feel like that's a bad sign?
Not long afterward, they arrived at the slums, they then stopped at the sight at it.
Subaru: Wow, what a lovely place Eight out of ten.
He said sarcasticly as Satella turn towards him.
Satella: Eight?
Subaru pointed around them.
Subaru: Minus two points for the overwhelming despair.
The slums were exactly what he expected, and somehow worse. Gone were the clean stone streets and the beautiful buildings.
Everything here looked broken.
The roads were uneven dirt, the houses were rotting shacks, many lacked windows, others lacked doors.
Some looked ready to collapse.
People watched them from every direction.
Thin people.
Hungry people.
Tired people.
Men and women wearing torn clothes, children with hollow faces.
Eyes filled with exhaustion.
Eyes filled with fear.
Akane looked around quietly.
Akane: This place feels awful.
Genji nodded.
Genji: Poverty.
Ryuusei frowned.
Ryuusei: Severe poverty.
Byakuya's ears twitched.
Byakuya: And fear.
Satella lowered her gaze.
Satella: It's very horrible.
Several residents immediately looked away from her.
Others glared.
Subaru noticed.
Subaru: They're afraid.
Satella blinked.
Satella: Afraid?
Subaru nodded.
Subaru: Or suspicious.
Subaru pointed at himself.
Subaru: Weird clothes.
Then at Satella.
Subaru: Beautiful girl.
Satella immediately froze.
Satella: W-What?!
Subaru continued.
Subaru: Expensive clothes, clean appearance with Healthy and smooth skin, to them we probably look like nobles.
Realization dawned on Satella.
Several nearby people quickly looked away, with others stared with resentment.
Puck: Subaru might actually be right.
Satella looked saddened.
Satella: I wish there was something I could do.
Subaru quietly examined the slums.
The crumbling homes.
The starving children.
The hopeless atmosphere.
Then he remembered Earth.
Or rather the stories where Gods the world.
Subaru: Huh.
Satella looked at him.
Satella: What?
Subaru scratched his cheek.
Subaru: This is actually the first time I've seen poverty like this. Back at home, our ruler would smith the people in charge for allowing such things to happens.
The Four Divine Beasts immediately nodded.
Akane: Accurate.
Genji: Lord Shiva destroyed an entire kingdom once.
Ryuusei: Corrupt rulers.
Byakuya: Very educational.
Satella stared at him with confusion look.
Satella: Your homeland sounds terrifying.
Subaru considered it.
Subaru: Fair.
A moment later he cracked his knuckles and a grin appeared on his face.
Subaru: Anyway.
Subaru pointed deeper into the slums.
Subaru: We know Felt lives here, which means all we have to do is find one blonde thief in a giant slum.
Silence.
Satella stared.
Puck stared.
The Four Divine Beasts stared.
Satella: Subaru.
Subaru: Yeah?
Satella: That's not reassuring.
Subaru grinned.
Subaru: It'll be fine.
Immediately afterward a bottle shattered nearby.
Someone screamed.
A fight broke out two streets away.
A stray dog ran past carrying stolen bread.
Subaru paused.
Subaru: Mostly fine.
Akane buried her face in her wings.
Akane: This is going to be a very long evening.
Byakuya sighed.
Byakuya: Definitely.
Just then, a loud yawn interrupted the conversation.
Puck: Yaaawn, well whatever you decide to do, you should hurry. My time is running out
The small spirit was perched on Satella's shoulder, looking noticeably sleepier than before.
Subaru tilted his head.
Subaru: Your time is running out? What does that mean?
The Four Divine Beasts also looked over curiously.
Puck stretched lazily.
Puck: I'm a spirit bound to Satella through a contract, maintaining a physical form consumes mana lots of mana.
Another yawn escaped him.
Puck: I'm nearly out, at night, I return to my crystal and recharge. My working hours are usually nine to five.
Subaru blinked.
Subaru: You're basically a magical office worker.
Puck nodded.
Puck: Exactly, work-life balance is important you know.
Satella sighed.
Satella: Anyway, we'll be fine, Puck You don't need to worry.
Puck smiled.
Puck: I know, but I still worry.
His body slowly began fading, tiny particles of light drifted from his fur
Puck floated off Satella's shoulder and hovered before her.
Puck: Just don't do anything reckless, if something happens, use the Od and summon me.
Satella nodded.
Satella: I will.
Puck then turned toward Subaru.
Puck: Subaru.
Subaru: Yeah?
Puck pointed a tiny paw at him.
Puck: Take care of my Satella, I'm counting on you.
Subaru grinned.
Subaru: Leave it to me.
Satella immediately turned red.
Satella: W-Why are you answering so confidently?!
Puck laughed.
Then his body completely dissolved into countless green particles before returning to the crystal around Satella's neck.
The crystal glowed softly.
Silence followed.
Subaru stared at it.
Subaru: It's fascinating.
Byakuya nodded.
Byakuya: I noticed that too.
Genji looked thoughtful.
Genji: An efficient energy conversion system.
Ryuusei: Spirit magic here is interesting.
Akane: You're all nerds.
Subaru ignored her.
Satella stared at the group.
Satella: Anyway, we need to keep moving, we're running out of time.
Subaru snapped out of his thoughts.
Subaru: Actually, Satella.
Satella: Hmm?
Subaru lifted his plastic shopping bag.
Subaru: I think I know how to find Felt.
Satella's eyes brightened.
Satella: Really?
Satella: What's the plan?
Subaru shook the bag.
Subaru: We ask people.
Satella tilted her head.
Satella: Didn't you say they wouldn't betray one of their own?
Subaru grinned.
Subaru: Normally.
Subaru pulled out a bag of chips.
Subaru: But what if we bribe them?
Satella froze.
Satella: Bribe them?
Subaru nodded.
Satella: Isn't that wrong?
Subaru thought for a moment.
Subaru: Usually, but we're trying to recover stolen property.
Satella considered it as Subaru held up the chips.
Subaru: Besides, who said the bribe had to be money?
He looked around.
The slums were filled with hungry faces.
Subaru: Food works too.
Satella slowly realized where he was going with this.
Satella: That's actually pretty smart.
Subaru pointed at himself.
Subaru: Thank you, i am occasionally brilliant.
Akane coughed.
Akane: Occasionally.
A few minutes later they spotted a man sitting beside one of the buildings.
His clothes were worn and his face looked exhausted.
Subaru immediately approached.
Subaru: Good evening, sir.
The man barely looked at him.
Subaru: This lovely lady and I are looking for someone named Felt.
At the word lovely Satella squeaked.
Satella: E-Eh?!
The man ignored her.
Man: Never heard of her, go bother someone else.
Subaru nodded.
Subaru: Fair enough.
Then he slowly opened the chips and
Crunch.
Eat one of the chips as the man's eyes immediately moved.
Subaru noticed as he smiled.
Subaru: Chicken flavored.
The man's eyes narrowed.
Subaru took another one.
Crunch.
Subaru: Pretty good.
The man's stomach growled.
Subaru heard it as the man looked embarrassed as Subaru offered him the bag.
Subaru: One chip.
The man hesitated.
Then took it.
Crunch.
His eyes widened.
Subaru immediately knew he had won.
Subaru: Good?
The man quickly grabbed another.
Subaru: Very good?
Man: Shut up.
Subaru grinned.
Subaru: Tell me where Felt is and the whole bag is yours.
The man looked at the chips, then at Subaru, then back at the chips. His loyalty lasted approximately three seconds.
Man: Second left, keep going straight. You'll find a run-down tavern the Old Man Rom's place, Felt usually hangs around there.
Subaru immediately handed over the entire bag.
Man: Pleasure doing business.
Subaru turned around as Satella stared at him.
Satella: That actually worked.
Subaru shrugged.
Subaru: Never underestimate the power of snacks.
Byakuya nodded.
Byakuya: Wise words.
Genji nodded.
Genji: Truly profound.
Akane sighed.
Akane: I hate that he's right.
Subaru pointed deeper into the slums.
A confident grin spread across his face.
Subaru: Well then, looks like we found our thief.
Satella tightened her grip on the flower Plum had given her.
Satella: Let's go.
And together, they headed toward Old Man Rom's hideout.
Before them stood a two-story building. Unlike the decaying structures surrounding it, this one was surprisingly well-maintained.
The entire building was made of wood. With a faded sign hung above the entrance.
It looked like a tavern.
Satella examined it carefully.
Satella: So this is the place.
Subaru nodded.
Subaru: Looks like it.
He glanced toward the entrance.
Subaru: So what's the plan?
Satella: Hmm?
Subaru cracked his knuckles.
Subaru: We kick down the door, beat up the criminals, recover the insignia, and leave.
Satella immediately turned toward him.
Satella: Absolutely not.
Subaru: Worth a shot.
Satella sighed.
Satella: We should try talking first.
Subaru looked unconvinced.
Subaru: You do realize thieves usually don't return stolen property when asked nicely.
Satella opened her mouth, then closed it because unfortunately, he had a point.
Subaru rubbed his chin when an idea appeared.
Subaru: Ah.
Satella: What?
Subaru reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden drachma. The coin gleamed beneath the setting sun.
Subaru: Old Man Rom is probably a fence. If money is what Felt wants, then we can simply buy the insignia.
Satella's eyes widened.
Satella: What?!
Subaru: What?
Satella: You don't need to do that!
Subaru blinked.
Subaru: Why not?
Satella looked frustrated.
Satella: Because you've already helped me all day, you gave away your food and have spent hours helping me search, i don't want you sacrificing more things for my sake.
Subaru stared at her.
Then laughed.
Subaru: Satella.
Satella: Yes?
Subaru: It's just food.
Subaru: I can buy more later.
He lifted the plastic bag.
Subaru: Honestly, it'd probably be healthier if I did.
Akane immediately nodded.
Akane: Agreed.
Genji: Extremely agreed.
Subaru ignored them.
Then he held up the coin.
Subaru: And this? I have millions of these.
Satella blinked.
Satella: Millions?
Subaru: Long story.
Satella suddenly became quiet.
For a moment she simply stared at him, no one had ever gone this far for her before. Not without expecting something in return, not without ulterior motives.
The feeling was strange.
Uncomfortable.
Yet warm.
Satella looked away.
Satella: Then...
Subaru tilted his head.
Satella: If you insist...
Satella hesitated.
Satella: Then at least let me repay you someday.
Subaru smiled.
Subaru: Sure.
Satella: And...
Subaru: And?
Satella lowered her gaze.
Satella: I owe you an apology too.
Subaru looked surprised, but before he could ask Satella marched toward the door.
Satella: Let's focus on the insignia first.
Subaru scratched his head.
Subaru: Mysterious.
Byakuya: Very mysterious.
Ryuusei: Extremely suspicious.
Akane: She definitely lied about something.
Satella immediately stiffened as Subaru laughed nervously.
Subaru: Alright, let's not interrogate my companion.
The group approached the entrance.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Silence.
Then heavy footsteps and a rough voice echoed from behind the door.
???: What's the password?
Subaru didn't hesitate.
Subaru: The password is "open the door before we call the authorities."
Silence.
Even Satella looked embarrassed.
Satella: Subaru...
Subaru: What?
Satella: That wasn't a password.
Subaru: It worked, didn't it?
A moment later the locks clicked, the door opened and standing there was a gigantic man, with dark skin, massive muscles, filled with Countless scars and a bald head.
And a face that looked like it had lost an argument with several clubs.
The giant stepped aside.
???: Come in.
Subaru immediately walked inside.
Satella followed.
The interior resembled a tavern but there was very little alcohol, instead the room was filled with strange valuables.
Jewelry.
Artifacts.
Weapons.
Random trinkets.
Stolen goods.
Subaru immediately understood.
Subaru: Yep, definitely a fence.
The giant grunted.
Rom: Aye, Felt. Are these the clients you mentioned?
A young voice answered from another room.
Felt: Clients?
Felt stepped into view, then the blonde thief froze.
Felt: You?!
Her red eyes widened.
Felt: How the hell did you find me?!
She immediately drew a dagger.
Old Man Rom sighed and grabbed an enormous club as Satella stepped forward.
Satella: Please return my insignia, i don't want to fight. But I will if necessary.
Felt's expression hardened.
Felt: Not happening, that insignia is my ticket out of this dump and I'm not giving it back for free.
Rom crossed his arms.
Rom: You heard the kid, why don't you two turn around and leave?
The atmosphere immediately became tense.
Felt gripped her dagger.
Satella prepared a spell.
Old Man Rom lifted his club.
The room felt moments away from exploding.
Then Subaru stepped between everyone.
Subaru: WHOA WHOA WHOA!
Everyone paused.
Subaru raised both hands.
Subaru: Can we not skip directly to attempted murder?
Subaru pointed between both sides.
Subaru: We're civilized people.
Akane coughed.
Akane: Debatable.
Subaru ignored her.
Subaru reached into his pocket and pulled out his a Dramacas coin.
Subaru: We aren't here to fight, we're here to negotiate.
He placed the coin onto the counter.
Subaru: We would like to purchase the insignia, and we're willing to trade this.
The room fell silent.
Felt stared.
Rom stared.
Neither had any idea what they were looking at, but they could immediately tell one thing.
It was valuable.
Very valuable.
Felt slowly lowered her dagger as Rom scratched his beard.
Rom: Alright, now you've got my attention.
Rom turned the coin over several times and bit it before holding it on his hands.
Rom: I've never seen a mint mark like this before.
Subaru: That's because it's from very far away.
Rom narrowed his eyes.
Rom: How far?
Subaru: Extremely far.
Rom: Helpful.
Subaru: Thank you.
Rom sighed.
Felt: Old man, how much is it worth?
Rom looked at her.
Rom: enough to buy a decent house and probably more.
Felt: More?
Rom: A lot more.
Subaru: See?
Subaru folded his arms.
Subaru: Nobody gets stabbed, frozen or clubbed, everybody wins.
Akane: That's surprisingly reasonable.
Byakuya: I'm suspicious.
Genji: Same.
Ryuusei: Definitely a trap.
Subaru: Why does nobody trust me?
The Divine Beasts stared at him.
Subaru: Fair.
Felt looked at the coin again.
Then at Subaru, then at the coin then back at him.
Felt: You'd really trade this thing for that insignia?.
Subaru: Yep.
Felt: Why?
Subaru pointed at Satella.
Subaru: Because she looks like she's been stressed enough for one lifetime.
Satella immediately looked away as her face turned red.
Subaru remained completely oblivious.
Rom rubbed his forehead.
Rom: Kid.
Subaru: Yeah?
Rom: You're either the nicest idiot I've ever met...
Rom held up the coin.
Rom: Or the richest.
Subaru thought for a moment.
Subaru: Why not both?.
The room went silent again.
Felt groaned.
Rom groaned.
The Divine Beasts groaned.
Satella covered her face.
Subaru: What?
Meanwhile, Satella felt her guilt increase twofold, here Subaru was, offering up an incredible gold coin for a girl who couldn't even safeguard her own belongings.
She had lied to him.
Dragged him into her problems.
Made him spend his food and now his money and despite all of that, he was still helping her.
Satella lowered her head.
She would definitely have to apologize later.
Properly.
Subaru, meanwhile, remained completely unaware of her thoughts.
Subaru shrugged.
Subaru: I don't care what it is or what it can do i just want to know the price.
Felt: Suddenly this thing doesn't seem nearly as valuable.
Subaru smiled as he turned to his beast.
Subaru: See? Negotiation works.
Akane: I'm honestly surprised.
Byakuya: Don't jinx it.
Genji: Something always goes wrong.
Ryuusei: Always.
Subaru rolled his eyes.
Subaru: You all worry too much.
Then his instincts exploded.
WHOOSH.
A knife cut through the air, straight toward Satella.
Subaru moved before anyone could react and caught it before it even hit her eyes.
Subaru: Well that's rude.
Felt: WHAT THE HELL?!
Rom: Since when could you do that?!
Satella looked completely stunned.
A slow clap echoed through the room.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
A woman's voice followed.
???: Ara ara~.
Everyone looked upward.
Perched atop one of the wooden ceiling beams sat a beautiful woman dressed entirely in black with long dark hair, pale skin, purple eyes, with a flowers clip on her hair with a veil draped across her outfit.
A playful smile rested on her lips.
???: You managed to catch it, impressive.
Subaru narrowed his eyes.
The Four Divine Beasts immediately became alert.
Felt: who the hell are you.
???: I'm your client.
The woman smiled as she gracefully landed on the floor.
???: Or rather, your former client since we can hardly negotiate with the original owner standing right here.
Felt's face twisted with rage.
???: Honestly, I'm not sure why I entrusted such an important task to a gutter rat like you.
Felt: YOU BITCH!
Felt immediately moved but Rom hand landed on her shoulder.
Rom: Felt.
Felt: Let me go!
Rom: Calm down.
The woman simply smiled.
Completely unconcerned.
???: Since you've failed your mission...
She reached behind her back.
Two wicked-looking kukri blades appeared in her hands.
???: I'll simply have to kill everyone here.
Silence filled the room.
Satella's eyes widened.
Felt froze.
Rom tightened his grip on his club.
The Four Divine Beasts immediately stepped forward.
Byakuya: Here we go.
Akane: Knew it.
Genji: Negotiations lasted longer than expected.
Ryuusei: New record.
Then a chuckle echoed through the room, everyone turned as Subaru stood beside the table.
Throwing the knives he rested his hands casually in his pockets.
A grin stretched across his face.
Subaru: Kill everyone?
The woman looked at him.
Subaru: What makes you think you can pull that off?.
The woman's smile widened.
???: Ara, are you provoking me?
Subaru: Maybe.
Satella immediately realized what he was doing.
Satella: Subaru-
Subaru raised a hand.
Subaru: Don't worry about me.
Satella: But-
Subaru: I'll handle this.
Subaru looked toward Rom and Felt and then his contractor beast.
Subaru: Rom, Felt stay out of this and you four protected them.
Byakuya: okey dokey.
Akane: you got it.
Genji: as long I'm here no one will hurts them.
Ryuusei: don't worry we'll take care of this.
Rom frowned.
Rom: Kid-
Subaru: This fight is mine.
Felt: Are you insane?!.
Subaru ignored them.
Satella stepped forward.
Satella: Subaru, you don't have-
Subaru: Satella trust me.
Something about the confidence in his voice stopped her.
Slowly she stepped back as Subaru smiled.
Subaru: Thanks.
He began walking forward.
One step.
Then another.
The mysterious woman watched him with growing interest.
???: Well, well to think you'd challenge me alone.
Subaru stopped several meters away.
Subaru: Is that supposed to be impressive?
???: Most people would be terrified.
Subaru: well, most people aren't me.
The woman blinked then laughed.
???: I like you.
Subaru: That's unfortunate.
???: Why?
Subaru pointed at her blades.
Subaru: Usually when women like me they don't try to stab me.
Akane immediately burst out laughing.
Byakuya covered his face.
Genji sighed.
Ryuusei groaned.
Satella's face became slightly red.
Felt looked physically pained.
Rom muttered something about children.
The woman covered her mouth as she laughed.
???: Oh my, you're amusing.
Subaru's grin widened.
Subaru: Glad you're having fun, now, Before you get completely obliterated, may I know your name?
Elsa: How bold of you, I'm Elsa Granhiert, known as the gut hunter.
Felt: the guy hunter.
While Rom and Felt, know who the Elsa was, Satella was clueless as Subaru just yawned before approaching her.
Subaru: Never heard of you.
Felt nearly fell over.
Felt: HOW HAVE YOU NEVER HEARD OF HER?!
Elsa's smile twitched slightly, being ignored apparently annoyed her more than insults.
Elsa lowered her stance the atmosphere instantly changed.
Killing intent flooded the room.
Elsa: Then allow me to introduce myself properly.
The woman smile disappeared as she held her kukri and then appear infront of him, aiming for his guts.
Elsa: Let's see how your insides look-
BOOM.
Elsa's eyes widened.
Pain exploded through her stomach as subaru's fist had already buried itself into her abdomen.
She hadn't even seen him move.
The floor beneath her shattered as the air exploded outward, her body folded around the punch.
Elsa: GAH-?!
Shock appeared on her face for the first time.
Subaru looked almost bored.
Subaru: Slow.
Before Elsa could recover subaru left hand grabbed her shoulder.
Firmly.
Elsa's eyes widened further.
Subaru: Up you go.
CRASH!
A devastating kick connected with her jaw, the impact sounded like a cannon blast.
The roof exploded apart.
Wooden planks flew everywhere.
Elsa's body shot upward like a rocket.
She smashed through the ceiling before falling down as her body was bloodied by the sharp sharpnel of the woods.
Blood splattered everywhere.
Yet before everyone's eyes, her wounds rapidly regenerated.
Satella: how?!
Felt: What the hell?!
Rom: Regeneration?!
Elsa slowly stood, her smile remained.
Boom
However a hard kick on the head sent her flying to the floor.
Subaru: Was that really all you've got?
Satella watched in amazement, she could barely follow Elsa's movements.
Yet Subaru wasn't merely reacting he was completely overwhelming her.
Felt and Rom looked equally stunned.
Eventually Elsa slowly rose, with her face regenerated but her smile still widened
Elsa: Ah~ that stung, you really can back up your words, i really underestimated you let's see if you can handle this.
She threw her kukri flashed toward Subaru's face, who simply leaned backward.
The blade sliced through empty air as it's miss.
Elsa immediately followed with a kick aimed at his ribs subaru jumped backward.
Elsa's smile widened, this is what's she's waiting for. In one smooth motion, several throwing needles appeared between her fingers.
Fwish!
The needles shot toward Subaru while Elsa rushed forward behind them.
Her plan was simple.
Force him to dodge.
Attack while he was distracted.
Unfortunately-
Subaru didn't dodge.
Catch.
Catch.
Catch.
Catch.
Every single needle landed neatly between his fingers.
Elsa's eyes widened.
Subaru looked down at the needles.
Subaru: You dropped these.
He flicked his wrist.
The needles shot back.
Far faster than Elsa's original throw.
Elsa barely managed to twist her body.
Several needles pierced her shoulders, others ripped through her sleeves and side.
Blood splattered across the street.
Elsa: Ah-!
Subaru suddenly appeared in front of her, his fist rocketed toward her face.
Elsa instantly raised a kukri the blade shattered.
The punch continued forward.
BOOM!
Elsa's head snapped backward.
Before she could recover subaru spun.
WHAM!
And devastating roundhouse kick slammed into her side.
The impact sounded like an explosion.
Elsa's body flew across the street.
CRASH!
She smashed through a wall and disappeared into a nearby building.
Dust erupted everywhere.
Subaru: This space is a bit small. Let's move outside.
He extended a hand.
Elsa: What are you-
An invisible force seized her body.
Elsa's eyes widened.
Elsa: W-What?!
CRASH!
Subaru Telekinesis launched her straight through the wall as the entire building shook violently.
Felt: WHAT WAS THAT?!
Rom: He threw her without touching her?!
Satella simply stared.
Subaru turned toward them.
Subaru: Stay inside.
Satella: Subaru-
Subaru: I'll handle it.
He vanished, a second later he arrived outside in a ruined house stood before him.
Dust filled the air.
Silence.
No Elsa.
Subaru scratched his cheek.
Subaru: That's odd.
He looked left.
Nothing.
Right.
Nothing.
Subaru: Wow, you're quite the sneaky one. You must be an assassin or something.
A smile appeared behind him as Elsa was behind him, with her kukri aimed directly for his throat.
Elsa: Found you.
The blade descended but the ground exploded. Elsa slammed face-first into the earth.
A gigantic crater appeared instantly.
Elsa: GAHH?!.
She split out blood as she tried to move, nothing happened. It felt as though an entire mountain had fallen onto her back.
Subaru stood calmly above her.
One hand raised.
Subaru: Gravity Magic.
CRACK.
The crater deepened.
Elsa's eyes widened.
CRACK.
The pressure increased.
The ground around her shattered.
Elsa's bones groaned.
Elsa: H-How...?!.
Subaru: Honestly? I have absolutely no idea what's considered normal in this world yet.
Elsa stared at him.
Then suddenly she laughed.
Subaru: Huh?
Elsa: Ahh, ahhh ahhhh. You're amazing.
Subaru: What?.
Elsa's face turned red.
Despite being pinned beneath enough force to flatten a wagon, she looked strangely happy.
She had failed.
The insignia was lost.
The mission was ruined.
Yet her eyes remained fixed entirely on Subaru.
Elsa: You had every opportunity to kill me. But you didn't.
Subaru crouched beside her.
Subaru: And why should I kill someone as beautiful as you?.
Elsa froze, her brain stopped working.
Her face somehow became even redder. Steam might as well have been coming from her ears.
Elsa: Ah, is this what love feels like?
Subaru stared.
Subaru: You're crazy, you know that?
Elsa smiled dreamily.
Elsa: Perhaps.
Subaru: Definitely.
Elsa: But-
BONK.
Subaru casually chopped her on the forehead.
Elsa's eyes rolled upward.
Elsa: Ah.
THUD, she collapsed unconscious.
Subaru: That problem solved itself surprisingly quickly.
Several minutes later Elsa was tied up like a gift package.
Arms bound.
Legs bound.
Additional ropes for safety.
Subaru examined his handiwork.
Subaru: Perfect.
Subaru hoisted Elsa onto his shoulder.
Subaru: Alright, time to head back.
And thus, Elsa Granhiert, the Gut Hunter, suffered her first defeat.
Unfortunately for Subaru it also happened to be the day she developed a crush on him.
_____________________________________________
To be continued.