＜side:F＞ Feeling the wind carry her body as she sprinted through the battlefield,
Behind her, in a world where there was no room to even look back, the battle still raged on.
The dry sound of the atmosphere freezing, the sound of chunks shattering against steel, the sound of a bludgeon cleaving through the air, and occasionally, clumsy evasion cries like «Whoa!» or «Huh!» echoed around.
The battle was continuing.
Even though Felt had fled, leaving everything and everyone behind.
«...What am I even thinking? Getting away lucky is a good thing, right?»
If she had stayed, it was clear she would have lost her life.
Against the woman who had felled even Old Man
And Subaru was even more obviously hopeless.
He looked completely like an amateur, with not a shred of experience in such situations. His fingers were clean, as if he’d never held a weapon before, and his neat black hair and skin showed no signs of ever being scarred.
In other words, he was sheltered. Someone whose status didn’t require him to even think about going into battle.
Thinking of it that way, it even made sense why he’d brought along that ridiculously expensive magical tool.
She could laugh it off as good riddance. That naive boy, acting out of a misplaced sense of chivalry, doing something far beyond his station—she could scoff at his recklessness.
«That’s right, let’s flee. I can’t stay in this town anymore. With someone that scary around, I need to get away before she puts her sights on me and I can’t escape...»
Even within the slum’s alleys, she just needed to take routes only those who made this area their base knew. Narrow, small, practically animal trails—but perfect as an escape path.
With her small, agile frame, there was no one here who could catch her. If she valued her own life above all else, this was the best course of action.
Even Subaru, who might be dead by now, had acted cool and let her escape. She’d be better off if she could get away to honor his sacrifice.
That’s how it should be, yet— «—Is there nobody, nobody at all?!»
Her brain was screaming at her to choose the narrow path, but Felt’s legs were carrying her down the main drag of the slums that connected to the broad avenue. With a frantic look on her face, gasping for breath, her gaze darted wildly around.
She glared at the shabby houses, scrambled up a wall, stood atop a fence, and spat on the ground.
It couldn’t just be «anybody.»
It had to be someone with the power to stand up to that killer—Elsa.
If it truly could be anyone, then there had been figures along the path she’d just sprinted through. But Felt was not a well-liked presence in this area.
Moreover, there was no one here besides Old Man Rom who would take in someone burdened with her kind of trouble.
And that Old Man Rom would be killed if left alone like this.
Subaru, who had tried to let her escape, was also likely in mortal danger right now.
It was a strange feeling. Not understanding why, Felt desperately rubbed her eyelids that were threatening to well up with tears.
Old Man Rom was one thing, but what was wrong with a boy she’d only just met dying? With his nice clothes, his endless stupid comments, and his complete lack of foresight.
But, when Elsa’s words had nearly brought her to tears, he had gotten angry in her place. And now, he was even playing the part of a sacrifice to keep her alive.
It was a feeling she couldn’t grasp. But Felt’s heart was demanding that she run because of it.
Because of something she’d felt in the boy’s actions. Because that feeling burned within her, demanding to be felt, she ran with a surge of passionate emotion welling up inside her.
And after sprinting through several more streets, she found— «—Please, help me.»
«Understood. I’ll help you.»
She met a young man with hair like crimson flame, and shook the foundations of fate.
※※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ «…Reinhard, is it?»
«That’s right, Subaru. It’s been a while. Sorry I’m late.»
The tall figure—Reinhard—turned only his head to look back at Subaru, who was still slumped on the ground, offering a slightly apologetic smile.
Despite having pierced through the roof and fallen nearly five meters, he showed no signs of impact as he lightly stepped forward. Even the simple motion of brushing off dust was refined, and Subaru felt he was touching a different aspect of the man’s essence compared to the clown he’d encountered in the alley.
Reinhard narrowed his gaze slightly, as if recalling something, as he looked at the black-clad beauty directing her killing intent his way. His blue eyes, which Subaru could see clearly even from a distance, held a calm, almost gentle quality as he spoke.
«Black hair, black attire. And a northern-style sword broken at a sharp angle—those features are enough to prevent any mix-up. You’re ‘The Bowel Hunter,’ aren’t you?»
«That’s a ridiculously alarming nickname…»
«It’s based on the distinctive nature of your killings. You’re a well-known figure, even in the royal capital, listed as a dangerous individual. Though you’re said to be merely a mercenary.»
Politely responding to Subaru’s murmur, Reinhard fixed his clear blue gaze on Elsa. She shifted slightly under that stare.
«Reinhard… Ah, yes. The knight among knights. The ‘Sword Saint’ lineage, correct? How wonderful—so many entertaining opponents. I must thank my employer.»
«There are several things I’d like to ask you. I recommend you surrender.»
«Could a starving carnivore possibly hold back before the most exquisite, blood-dripping steak?»
Licking her thin lips sensuously with her red tongue, Elsa looked at Reinhard with an expression of ecstasy.
He received her gaze and, scratching his cheek with a somewhat troubled look, replied, «Is that so?» then sighed.
«I have no choice. Subaru, please keep your distance. If possible, take that old man to safety. It would help if you could stay on her side after that.»
«You got it. …She’s a monster of a woman, so don’t let your guard down, okay?»
«Fortunately, hunting monsters happens to be my specialty too.»
With those reassuring words, Reinhard walked forward, showing no sign of nervousness.
He didn’t even touch the sword at his waist, advancing unarmed.
His utterly composed attitude made Subaru catch his breath, but what truly left him dumbfounded came immediately after the battle began.
«—Shh.»
With a sharp exhalation, Elsa flashed the kukri knife in her hand towards his throat.
The running silver line, no longer holding back as it had against Subaru, seemed to kill even the air as it lunged for Reinhard’s slender neck. Reinhard, in response, was completely undefended. He made no move to draw his sword for defense, nor did he even attempt to dodge.
The blade was about to sweep through, and Subaru saw a phantom of Reinhard’s head flying off. Blood spurting, his head falling late like in a manga.
That was the vision he saw. But— «I’d prefer not to be too rough with a lady…»
With a tone that seemed somewhat lower than before, Reinhard gave this gentlemanly preface, then— «Pardon me.»
A stomp cracked the floor, and a kick so powerful it generated a shockwave sent Elsa flying.
The shockwave’s aftershocks even reached Subaru, leaving him speechless as the wind whipped at him.
What had seemed like an ordinary front kick had, from the sheer force of its aftershock alone, created a wind that shook the buildings. Elsa’s body, struck head-on, flew like a leaf, using the wall to bleed off momentum and tumbling to the ground. Even her face bore a look of astonishment.
«Whoa, whoa, whoa, seriously… What the hell was that?»
He’d used the phrase «beyond normal standards» many times before, but here, now, Subaru became absolutely convinced that those definitions had been completely wrong.
The term «beyond normal standards» existed precisely for this handsome man before him.
Compared to him, even running as fast as the wind, swinging a club like a twig, possessing battle sense far beyond the ordinary, or boasting overwhelming magical power—all of it paled in significance.
«You live up to the rumors… No, you exceed them, don’t you, you?»
«I hope I can meet your expectations.»
«Will you not use that sword at your waist? I’d love to taste its legendary sharpness.»
Elsa boldly pointed at Reinhard’s sword, hoping to face him at full strength.
But Reinhard shook his head at her request.
«This sword is designed not to be drawn except at the proper moment. If the blade hasn’t left its sheath, then that moment has not yet arrived.»
«I’ve been underestimated, haven’t I?»
«Personally, I find that decision troublesome. So—»
Glancing aside, Reinhard surveyed the interior of the treasure vault. From among the piles of loot scattered on the floor, he dug out an old, battered two-handed sword that had been propped against the wall.
With a flick of his foot, he sent the hilt spinning up, caught it effortlessly, and gave it a light, testing swing.
«Will this suffice for our exchange? Do you have any objections?»
«—No. Ah, how delightful. How splendid. Entertain me, won’t you!?»
With the prey now in Reinhard’s hand, it was Elsa who moved first, darting to the side.
Immediately after, throwing knives shot from her spinning body. There were four of them at once! She’d been holding back when targeting Felt with them too.
The blades, varying in height, were slightly slower than the pseudo-
Like a spring-loaded doll, Elsa’s body leaped high. Using the ceiling as a foothold, she flipped upside down, then kicked off with extended knees, launching herself at Reinhard.
Even if he deflected the knives, he had to deal with the follow-up Elsa. It was a two-pronged attack.
Coordinating the timing between the four knives and her own lunge, Reinhard faced it head-on, holding his sword vertically before him.
«I’m sorry, but—projectiles won’t reach me.»
Just after this murmur, Subaru’s eyes truly witnessed the laws of physics being violated.
The throwing knives that had been on a direct course towards Reinhard’s body suddenly changed trajectory, missing him entirely and aiming instead at the empty wall.
It didn’t look like he’d used any special magic, nor was it plausible he’d swung his sword at speeds the eye couldn’t follow. It was the same inexplicable sight as when he’d seemingly taken Elsa’s first attack defenselessly—a scene that defied reason.
«The Divine Protection of Arrow Avoidance!»
«Something I was born with… Please don’t think it’s unfair.»
The knives failed to serve even as a feint, and the subsequent clash turned into a straightforward duel.
Elsa added the speed of her leap to her slash, while Reinhard braced himself to receive it, adopting a stance where he would swing his sword upwards from straight below.
Even though it was an exchange that lasted only an instant, Subaru could perceive the scene in slow motion.
Perhaps it was because every movement of Reinhard’s was refined, adding a divine quality to the sequence of actions, revealing a skill bordering on sorcery.
In his hands, even the crude, stolen blade from a back-alley vault seemed to radiate the brilliance of a legendary sword passed down through tales.
Truly, it was swordsmanship that drew out every ounce of the weapon’s inherent potential.
His blade struck true at the base of Elsa’s kukri—and despite the collision of steel, that impossible cutting power swept the blade from her hands as if licking it away.
Bracing herself with one hand on the ground, Elsa turned and stared, wordless, at the fate of her weapon in his grip.
Only the severed blade of the now-weaponless knife remained, and that severed blade— «If you’ve lost your weapon, I recommend surrender.»
Reinhard, having swept his own blade downward and turned, held it caught in his free hand.
With a twist of the wrist, he hurled the captured blade, which embedded itself in the wall with a sharp sound. Reinhard didn’t even watch it. Elsa’s throat could be heard gulping, even by Subaru.
«…Not normal. At all. I don’t even have the energy to joke about it.»
Muttering his strained assessment, Subaru carefully put distance between himself and the battlefield.
He then approached the still-fallen Old Man Rom, dragging the man’s large body over to the wall.
«Old Man Rom! Old Man Rom! Hey, baldy, you alive in there?!»
«Ugh… who… called me… baldy…»
«Who else would it be? Are there any other candidates? My only life goal is not to become bald or fat. You’re my number one cautionary tale.»
Tapping the man’s forehead, which offered a weak response despite everything, Subaru let out a sigh of relief.
Aside from the serious blow to his head, the old man should be fine. His memory might be a bit unfortunate, but as long as he was alive, it was a minor issue.
«Is he going to be okay?»
As Subaru relaxed his shoulders, the fake Satella rushed over to ask.
She let her long silver hair flow down her back, checked Old Man Rom’s injuries, murmured, «I need to treat this,» and began to envelop her palm in a faint blue light.
«Hey, hey, let me just say, old man. He’s one of the crew that stole your emblem, you know?»
«That’s exactly why. Once he’s safely healed, I’ll use that favor to extract information. When his savior asks, he certainly won’t lie to me. This is also an act for my own sake.»
Did she have to make such roundabout excuses to justify her actions every time?
Giving a wry smile at her convoluted reasoning, Subaru shifted his gaze to the battle.
He couldn’t see Elsa’s expression with her still kneeling, but Reinhard must have judged her will to fight gone. He lowered the hand holding the battered sword and approached her undefended.
It was an action born of confidence in his superior skill, but complacency always breeds the worst outcomes. As some alarm bell rang within Subaru, and just before Elsa’s body sprang into motion— «There’s a second one, Reinhard!»
The second kukri knife, drawn from her waist, grazed the tips of Reinhard’s red forelock as he leaned back.
Having dodged the surprise attack, Elsa turned her black eyes on Subaru.
«You figured it out quickly.»
«I’ve got firsthand experience!»
Flipping her off with his middle finger in a boast that wasn’t really a boast, Elsa seemed to dismiss it as nonsense— «However, my fangs don’t just come in a pair. …Would you indulge me in a fresh start?»
«If I cut away all your weapons, would that satisfy you?»
«If I lose my fangs, I have my claws. If I lose my claws, my teeth. If I lose my teeth, my bones. If I lose my bones, my life. —That’s what a battle maniac is.»
«Then I’ll have to break that reputation of yours.»
Drawing a third knife from her waist and taking a two-bladed stance, Elsa leaped once more.
Blade clashed with blade, sparks flying from the collision of steel. Using the contact point as a pivot, the other blade swung from Elsa’s other arm.
The whiplike blade aimed for Reinhard’s neck, but it was blocked by his long, raised leg kicking her arm away. Elsa retreated with the momentum. She used that very force to extend her foot to the wall, propelling herself back towards the ceiling with the rebound. Then she kicked off the ceiling, heading for yet another wall.
Just as Subaru had cursed her as a spider woman, she used movements that ignored gravity in the room to prevent Reinhard from focusing his attacks.
Reinhard withstood the relentless hit-and-run tactics by holding his ground and defending, never moving a step from his position. But there was no end to it.
«Don’t tell me even Reinhard is lacking a finishing blow…»
Elsa’s skill was now on an entirely different level from when she’d only had a single knife.
Like a boss character entering its second form. A change on the scale of a different species.
Facing her, Reinhard was also clearly in the realm of the extraordinary, thanks to the overwhelming power of the blessing he’d shown (though Subaru still didn’t quite get what it was) and his combat prowess.
It was truly a clash of transcendent beings. And yet, Subaru still held onto an optimistic notion that Reinhard, perhaps, still held the upper hand in actual ability.
«…He’s being considerate towards us, you know.»
As if responding to Subaru’s thought, the fake Satella, still treating Old Man Rom, murmured.
«Huh?» The sound of Subaru’s confusion was met with her sidelong glance as she bit her lip awkwardly.
«Because I’m using spirit arts, he can’t use his full power. At least, until I finish treating this man…»
«What kind of cause and effect is that?»
«If Reinhard truly intended to fight seriously, the mana in the atmosphere would all turn towards me. —I’m almost done with the treatment. When I give the signal, call out to him.»
«Ah, yeah.»
It was an explanation he didn’t fully grasp, but Subaru agreed, albeit confused.
The blue light continued to heal the bruise on Old Man Rom’s head and a small bleeding wound. Gradually, the traces of blood and the wound itself faded away, and before Subaru’s amazed eyes, the fake Satella let out a deep breath.
After wiping the area clean with a cloth, there was no trace left of the blow that had knocked Old Man Rom unconscious.
«Huh,» Subaru exhaled, impressed. The girl tapped his shoulder.
«Please.»
«Consider it done. —Reinhard! I don’t really get it, but take her down!»
Subaru threw the report of the treatment’s completion to Reinhard, who was currently on the defensive.
Reinhard turned his head with just a glance. He looked over at Subaru, met his eyes, and gave a slight, acknowledging nod.
«—What will you show me?» called out the leaping Elsa.
«The swordsmanship of the Astrea family—»
Reinhard responded shortly and solemnly to her question.
—Immediately after, Subaru felt a sensation as if the space within the treasure vault was being warped and twisted.