"So that's how it is… Then she's the one who stole Emilia-sama's badge?"
After hearing the account, Reinhard's gaze fell on Felt, who was standing with the hulking old man.
"It was me… I'm sorry," Felt said, bowing her head without pretense.
"Um, I've already gotten my badge back—could you not punish the child?" Emilia spoke up for Felt. Reinhard was a knight; he certainly could arrest her.
"If Emilia-sama asks it… Shichen, thank you for dealing with the Bowel Hunter. Had you not been here, I might truly have been too late," Reinhard said, bowing his head to Shichen.
"No need to thank me. I only did what I should," Shichen replied with a smile toward Emilia.
"Shichen…" Emilia looked at him, moved—she understood his meaning. He'd done it for her.
"What you should, hmm? I understand."
"By the way—let me share one thing," Shichen added.
"What is it?"
"That Felt is an orphan—around fifteen…"
"What? Is that true?" Reinhard's face hardened as he stared at Felt.
"You can ask her."
"I will." He walked toward Felt.
"Eh? W-what do you want?" Felt's inborn wariness made her step back as he approached.
But Reinhard seized her wrist and stared, murmuring, "So it is true…"
"H-hey, that hurts!"
"My apologies… Are you an orphan? How old are you? Do you have a family name?"
"I'm an orphan—no surname—just Felt… I don't know my birthday—maybe fifteen? Now let me go!"
"Reinhard?" Emilia walked over.
"Emilia-sama, I won't be able to keep our promise. Leave her to me," he said.
"May I ask why? You're not punishing her for the theft, are you?"
"No. It's not a trivial offense, but compared to what matters now, it's insignificant."
"Is that so?" Emilia looked to Shichen—she knew it was what he had said that sparked this reaction.
"Don't worry. It'll be fine—in fact, it's a good thing," Shichen said, patting her shoulder.
"I believe you," she said, glancing at his hand. She noticed Shichen seemed more and more at ease with her.
"Thank you for understanding. In that case, I'll be going," Reinhard said—and pulled Felt along.
"Wait! What are you doing? Let me go!" Felt naturally struggled.
"Forgive me. You'll have to come with me—and you don't have the right to refuse."
"You've got to be kidding. So what if you're a knight and I'm a thief? I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"I said—you don't have the right to refuse," Reinhard said, unexpectedly overbearing.
"I'm not going!"
"Hold on," Shichen cut in.
"Shichen?" Reinhard looked over, puzzled. Felt also stopped struggling at his word.
"Reinhard, can I talk to her? I promise she'll go with you willingly."
"Very well—I'll leave it to you," Reinhard said, trusting Shichen readily and releasing Felt.
"You alright?" Shichen crouched in front of Felt and asked gently.
"Mm…" Felt nodded softly.
"Will you trust me?" he asked, placing a hand on her head. Though she lived in the slums, her dark-blond bob wasn't rough at all—surprisingly soft.
"Trust you…"
She blinked at him, taking in his calm eyes, feeling a sudden, inexplicable trust. There was no reason not to. He had saved her—and he was strong. There was no need for him to lie. Also… he'd seen everything earlier. The thought brought heat to her cheeks.
"I… I'll trust you."
"Good girl," he said, smiling, ruffling her hair.
"In that case, go with Reinhard. It won't do you any harm."
"Can you tell me why?"
"Well… leave a little suspense. You'll find out when you go. It concerns your true identity. It can free you from this life—and give you the power to help the people here."
"R-really?" Felt brightened.
"Didn't you say you trusted me?" Shichen countered with a smile.
"I get it—I trust you!"
She nodded hard, then looked to Reinhard. "I'll go with you!"
"Good. Thank you, Shichen," Reinhard said with a nod.
"No need. If you can, do me a favor."
"A favor?"
"Mm. Take him with you. He can help," Shichen said, patting Subaru.
"Eh—!" Subaru squeaked.
"Natsuki Subaru… Why?" Reinhard asked.
"No special reason. I can't help him—but you can. And he can help you."
"He can help me… I'll take your word for it," Reinhard said.
"Uh… Aniki? I…" Subaru hesitated.
"Trust me. You won't go wrong with him—and only with him can you bring out your strengths," Shichen said encouragingly.
"I… Alright. Since you say so, I'll trust you!" Subaru took a deep breath and steeled himself.
"Good. Work hard."
"I will! I'll make you proud, Aniki!" Subaru said, brimming with confidence.
"Good."
"Then we'll be off," Reinhard said, leading the way. This time he didn't drag Felt.
Felt followed him, glanced back at Shichen—and at the old giant.
"Old Man Rom… A-Aniki, I'm going!"
"Aniki! Emilia! See you!"
Once they left, the storehouse fell quiet—only Shichen and Emilia remained… plus the taciturn old giant.
"Shichen…" Emilia looked at him, words catching.
"What is it? Just say it—no need to be polite."
"Um… what are you going to do next?"
"What indeed~ I don't know," Shichen said, shaking his head.
"You don't…"
"I just got here. I don't know the lay of the land."
"Don't know the… then!" Emilia perked up.
"Then?"
"Um… would you like to stay where I'm staying?" she asked, head down, voice small.
"Where you're staying? Isn't that your home?"
"Sorry… I'm staying as a guest too. He's a little odd, but he's a good person—I'm sure he'll let you stay," Emilia said.
"Is that so? Then I'll impose."
"Great!" Emilia said, delighted.
Shichen followed her to her residence—on the kingdom's frontier. It wasn't long after everything was resolved; the sky had only just darkened—it wasn't late to head straight back.
On the way, he asked about the place she stayed, and learned what he already knew: a pair of twin maids, a margrave who dressed like a clown, and a reclusive great spirit—Puck's sister.
At the mention of that great spirit, the crest on Shichen's hand—Est—reacted. Est knew the ones he knew, though she didn't get along with everyone. If she reacted, the two had likely once been close—once being the key word.
The road back was a bit dark, but just Shichen and Emilia—nothing happened. Emilia wasn't a girl afraid of the night.
Entrusting Subaru to Reinhard wasn't just to separate him—it was truly for his sake. There was no point in Subaru following Shichen; following Reinhard was a different story. With the world's favorite son, nothing bad would happen—and he wouldn't have to fear a sudden death and a "Return by Death." Shichen didn't even know what would happen to him if Subaru reset. Better to avoid the risk.
And with Subaru's personality, he'd surely thrive.
At Roswaal's mansion, Shichen saw with his own eyes how grand and intricate it was. It was a bit late; no servants came to greet them, and Shichen didn't pry for a certain spirit. Under Emilia's arrangements, he took a guest room and would greet the master in the morning. The lord of the manor wasn't home nights, anyway.
Quelling the restless stir in his heart, Shichen summoned Est, held the soft, fragrant girl in his arms, and drifted off to sleep.