Chapter 1. Subaru's Decision
With Subaru's help, Reinhild successfully entered the meeting hall.
Their entrance caused a hush to fall over the room—everyone fell silent, secretly observing Reinhild. He, in turn, quietly observed everyone's expressions. Obviously, even Wilhelm couldn't see any trace of Theresia in Reinhild's face, which was slightly altered by the Divine Protection. Not even the incredibly perceptive Ferris noticed Reinhild's true strength, which had been concealed by the Divine Protection.
'The Divine Protection sure is useful!'
"Let me introduce him—this is Reinhild. She's a knight," Subaru said, pointing at Reinhild. Having made up his mind, he did not mention Reinhild's identity or her connections to those present. Because of this extremely simple introduction, the room fell into confusion.
"Thank you very much for protecting my subordinates. Please forgive our rudeness," Crusch said, turning to Wilhelm.
"It is indeed my beloved wife's sword, the [Dragon Sword] Reid." Wilhelm nodded and affirmed.
"Could it be that you are—!"
"I have no relation to the Astrea family," Reinhild slowly shook her head. "This sword is only temporarily in my care. It's time to return it to you."
Reinhild said this as he handed the [Dragon Sword] back to Wilhelm.
"No, although it was my beloved wife's sword..."
"Mr. Wilhelm, you said it yourself—it was once your beloved wife's sword. If even you refuse it, who else is qualified to accept it? Moreover, blood ties cannot be severed."
"I understand. Then, I shall temporarily keep it," Wilhelm solemnly received the sword with both hands.
"Take this opportunity of returning the sword to have a proper father-son talk!"
"I'll seriously consider it," Wilhelm nodded at Subaru's whispered reminder.
"Since she's a knight... then, does she have some connection to us?"
"Seems that way," Julius, noticing Reinhild's changing expression, nodded as Ferris finally couldn't hold back his question.
"From what I can see... she—Reinhild is a very strong knight. Probably stronger than me."
"Stronger than Julius?! Really?!" Ferris stood up in surprise.
"Yes. So she must be someone we know. If the connection is closer, maybe even a friend."
"...At the very least, I think of you all as my friends."
Being called a friend by someone they didn't remember made Julius and Ferris show gloomy expressions.
.
.
.
"Damn it," Subaru slammed his right hand into the wall with a dull thud. "Sorry... I made such big promises, but it turned out like this."
Yes, in the end, the meeting concluded in an awkward atmosphere. Of course, Subaru wasn't angry at Ferris or the others. He understood that the memories of Reinhild had already been erased from their minds, and their distress was probably no less than his own.
Subaru was angry at himself—for having the "awakened sleeper" as evidence, yet still failing to lay the necessary groundwork.
"This isn't your fault, Subaru. Rather, it's thanks to you that I could return the [Dragon Sword], and Lord Wilhelm and Lord Henkel could have a proper conversation."
Reinhild said this while taking out a handkerchief and wiping the blood from Subaru's hand.
"Also... without your intervention, Lord Wilhelm would never have taken the [Dragon Sword]. That's just the kind of stubborn person he is."
"And as long as we kill Gluttony, the people affected by his Authority will recover, right?" Reinhild's tone was full of confidence. "Yeah, I'll be with you, though I can't help much in the actual battle."
"Just having you with me is already a huge relief. It looks like a lot of people are worried about this Subaru. And since the Great Spirit is here, I'll take a step back for now."
Reinhild stopped bandaging and looked at the maid and the Great Spirit who were emitting hostility, suspicion, and concern.
"...Sorry."
"Is this really okay?" Reinhild asked, as the broken cries of the two girls intermittently reached their ears.
"I'm only 18 now, so you could say I'm young and might live for a few more decades. But Beatrice is a Great Spirit whose lifespan is counted in centuries. I can only be a passerby in her long life—a friend, a contractor. Our relationship must end here. She must have her own life, not live as Natsuki Subaru's Spirit. So I feel this is a kind of opportunity, too."
Subaru said seriously to Reinhild, clearly never intending to make Beatrice his possession.
"I believe in Lady Crusch, Julius, Otto—they'll help Beatrice find her true life. Of course, if she ends up shrinking away and isolating herself, then even if I have to use force, I'll drag her out of it." Subaru said firmly.
"And what about Rem? Are you really okay with this? Honestly, I don't mind."
"Rem... she's a good girl. One of the most important reasons I've made it this far. To say I
wasn't swayed at all would be a lie. What's wrong?"
"Subaru, you're surprisingly honest about this."
"Well, I want you to understand the real me. If I had met her earlier, I definitely would've fallen in love with her. But my heart already belongs to you. To keep that good girl by my side now would be too greedy."
Subaru recalled what had just happened. Yes—he had solemnly told Reinhild that he liked her. He had firmly rejected Rem's long-hidden feelings. He had even turned down her plea to be his mistress.
"Honestly, I don't mind."
"Reinhild, do you really understand what it means to like someone?"
Reinhild froze for a moment.
She thought of Wilhelm, who abandoned his entire family for his wife.
She also thought of Henkel, who changed so much for the sake of his mother.
"...I don't understand," Reinhild said. She couldn't understand—couldn't comprehend why they would do such things.
"Then... if one day you come to understand what it means to like someone, what it means to love—if you still have those feelings, then I might go after Rem again."
"Subaru, you're really confident, huh?" Reinhild teased.
"Of course. For your sake, I'll overcome any flaws. I'll do anything you like."
"Subaru, were you always like this?"
"I don't want to become a loser because of hesitation. Do you hate me like this?"
Subaru stared straight at Reinhild. Reinhild instinctively averted her eyes and murmured,
"No... I don't hate the real Subaru."
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