Chapter R7. The Girl Is Not Alone
Suddenly, footsteps came from behind.
Most of the Reinhild's attention was on the camp, so she was startled by the footsteps.
She hurriedly turned around to see a black-haired boy looking at her with an excited expression.
"?"
She instinctively called out the boy's name, and only then did Reinhild realize something was wrong.
If Subaru started shouting loudly, she might be forced into a situation where she had to fight against Wilhelm and the others.
"Ah, um, I didn't mean anything bad…"
Reinhild hurriedly tried to explain, but Subaru was already rushing towards her.
What confused Reinhild was that his movements showed no hint of hostility.
Knock him out! —Look what Subaru wants to do! Both the voice of reason and emotion rang simultaneously in her mind.
While Reinhild hesitated, Subaru reached her and suddenly hugged her tightly.
"So good... really... really good, I... thought, I even thought you... were already..."
Subaru's words were choked with sobs, broken and halting.
But precisely because of this, Reinhild clearly felt the fear, joy, and worry mixed in Subaru's voice.
Letting her clothes get wet from the boy's tears, Reinhild gently reached out with her right hand to stroke Subaru's back, just like last time.
"Ah! You saw me in an embarrassing moment again." Finally calming down, Subaru looked awkwardly at Reinhild's wet clothes.
"It's alright." Reinhild shook her head and whispered softly, "And I don't feel embarrassed at all."
Recalling Subaru's embrace just now—the embrace full of concern and care she suddenly received when forgotten by the whole world.
—It really was a very warm embrace.
"Ah, what did you just say? Sorry, I didn't hear you clearly."
Seeing Subaru seriously ask her again, Reinhild suddenly realized she had just thought something strange.
For some reason, her head felt a little hot and her thoughts were a mess.
"Um, Subaru, do you still remember me?" Trying to change the topic, Reinhild said what she had always wanted to confirm.
"Of course. Even if the whole world forgets, I can never forget about Reinhild. But it seems I'm the only one left who remembers you." "Is that so?" Hearing Subaru's words, Reinhild finally calmed down. She looked towards the camp, then at the direction where Crush was coming, and finally towards the Astrea territory.
—They've all forgotten me!
Noticing Subaru looking at her worriedly, Reinhild quickly suppressed her sadness.
—It's okay, there are still people who remember me.
"Really, thank you for remembering me." Reinhild sincerely expressed her gratitude.
"What exactly happened? To be honest, I'm totally confused." "Actually, after we separated..."
.
.
. "I see, so you changed to secretly protect them. But even though you were in such a conspicuous position, no one noticed." After listening to Reinhild's explanation, Subaru nodded and looked out at the camp with a sigh.
"Because if I was noticed, a conflict might break out. So I activated the 'Divine Protection of Presence Reduction.' I was really startled when Subaru found me." "After all, I remember your abilities, and I know you wouldn't just run away." "Is that so?"
"Um, Reinhild, what do you plan to do next?" Subaru's question broke the awkward atmosphere.
Reinhild, lost in thought, paused and instinctively answered,
"Of course..." Reinhild stopped herself, suddenly realizing that no one in the world remembers that she was the Sword Saint anymore.
No one was waiting for her to fight as the Sword Saint.
"Subaru, do you want me to keep being the Sword Saint?" "Do you want to be the Sword Saint, Reinhild?" —Do I want to be the Sword Saint?
Reinhild suddenly found that she had never really thought about this.
Since age five, she had received the Sword Saint's Divine Protection and had been given the mission to become the Sword Saint by everyone in the kingdom.
She had accepted that mission gladly to atone for the sins that caused the death of the previous Sword Saint. But now, the White Whale was gone, and no one awaited her as the Sword Saint anymore.
If I don't become the Sword Saint... "What should I do?" For the first time, the girl, now given unprecedented freedom, felt lost about the future.
"Don't you want to reunite with everyone at the camp?"
Hearing Subaru's question, Reinhild looked towards the camp and her expression darkened a little.
"If you don't want to go, that's fine." Sensing this subtle change, Subaru quickly said.
"No, it's not that I don't want to go.
I should reunite with them.
It's just… I don't know how to face them.
I was entrusted with protecting the wounded, the mission my grandfather asked of me for the first time in 14 years.
But I messed it up. Two brave warriors died on the way, and the other five victims…"
Reinhild clenched her fists.
That afternoon, she had secretly infiltrated the camp to confirm the casualties.
Because of this, she didn't have the courage to join Crush and the others when they arrived.
"You didn't mess up. Whether it's Gluttony or Greed, both have the power to annihilate the wounded squad entirely.
That only a few casualties occurred is thanks to your efforts, Reinhild.
You did very well, and no one can deny that. If you explain well, they will understand." "But Crush and the others have already forgotten me, right?" "Yeah, but I remember. I remember everything about you, so I will patiently explain it to them
with you." "Subaru is really kind." Seeing Subaru's serious eyes, Reinhild unconsciously said.
"That's not kindness." Reinhild looked at Subaru with confusion, and Subaru looked at Reinhild with a resolute expression.
"I just want to help you, Reinhild. If you want to reclaim what you lost, want to be the Sword Saint once again, I will do everything I can to explain that to the people in the camp, the knights, and the people of Astrea. If you want to save those victims and atone for your mistakes, I'm willing to give up everything and fight Gluttony and Greed with you. Subaru, the way you say that sounds like… Yeah, that's right." Subaru interrupted Reinhild with firm, serious words.
"That's right. Whatever future you want to walk towards, I will support you with all my strength. But this isn't kindness—it's because I like you."
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