Chapter 6: The Mountain Arc
August 17th. Yesterday, Reinhild and Subaru had left their 15th city—the Mountain City. For now, they were staying in a village at the foot of the mountain.
"Camping?" Reinhild repeated the word Subaru had spoken, somewhat puzzled.
"That's right. When it comes to traveling, camping outdoors is an essential part of the experience, isn't it? I've heard that the sunrise from the mountain peak is absolutely beautiful this time of year."
"Does camping really make a difference?" Reinhild asked, tilting her head in slight confusion.
"It takes more than three hours to climb from here to the top."
To be honest, Subaru had been shocked when he first heard that. After all, climbing Mount Fuji only takes around 4–7 hours, and this mountain clearly wasn't as tall as that. But after trying it himself, Subaru understood—it wasn't like a tourist attraction with a carefully developed path. This was a wild, undeveloped mountain, a completely different challenge.
"So if we wait until morning, we won't make it in time. And climbing such a mountain in the dark would be far too dangerous. I thought about it, and I figure we should start in the afternoon. Isn't it common to say people climb mountains at four in the summer? We can catch the sunset, spend the night up there, then wake up and watch the sunrise before coming down."
"In that case, wouldn't it be faster if I just take you up there tomorrow morning?" Reinhild asked innocently.
"No, no, no. The beauty of watching the sunrise from a mountaintop comes in large part from the hardships you go through to see it. If you just flew me up there, Reinhild, it wouldn't carry the same sense of achievement."
"Hardship, I see… I understand. Then let's prepare."
Note: Their earth dragon and luggage were left in the village.
"Do you need to rest a bit?" Reinhild asked, pausing in her climb and glancing back at Subaru, who was panting heavily. Subaru pulled out his water bottle, drank a few gulps, then wiped the sweat off his forehead with a smile.
"We're almost there. I'm nowhere near your level, but I still exercise every day. I can push through the little bit that's left."
He bounced lightly on his feet to show his determination. But unlike the well-maintained paths of a tourist mountain, this mountain had no safe trails. When Subaru came down, his foot landed on an oval-shaped rock hidden beneath leaves. His body immediately tilted
backward at a dangerous angle. Already exhausted, and burdened with camping gear strapped to his back, Subaru couldn't recover his balance.
—Crap.
That was the only thought in his mind.
"Subaru!!!"
In an instant, Reinhild reacted. She leapt across the distance and appeared behind Subaru. Planting one foot deep into the ground to stabilize herself, she caught hold of his pack with one hand and braced his back with the other.
Rip—!
Before she could even sigh in relief, the sound of tearing reached her ears. Suddenly, she felt the weight on her lighten dramatically. During her ultra-high-speed movement, the sheer force on the straps tore them apart. The camping tools inside exploded outward, ricocheting through the forest like bullets.
"Subaru, are you all right?" Reinhild asked, her tone tinged with concern. lzoxk
"Looks like I twisted my ankle… and…"
Subaru looked out at the forest, now in complete disarray, then picked up a shard from what had once been a bottle.
"Seems this camping trip ends here. Still, it was an interesting experience, wasn't it?"
Reinhild gazed at Subaru, who smiled while rubbing the back of his head. Anyone who knew Subaru well could tell it was a forced smile.
Reinhild understood. She knew Subaru revised their travel plans late at night every day, all so that her "vanished self" could be happy. She also knew they wouldn't return to this place again anytime soon.
In her heart, she knew: if they gave up here, Subaru would blame himself for a long time.
"Subaru, let me check your injury."
Reinhild crouched down, pressing gently around his ankle. She breathed a sigh of relief.
—Just a mild sprain. With some massage, he'd probably be able to walk down the mountain himself tomorrow. As for the rest…
Reinhild checked over what tools remained.
—Looks like there's no real problem.
At last, she relaxed completely.
"Subaru, we've come this far—how could we quit halfway? Come on, I'll carry you."
Reinhild said this as she crouched down in front of him.
"But—"
"Just like how you always come to help me right away when I'm in trouble, I want to help you when you're in trouble too. And besides—I'm Reinhild. Let's go."
"Sorry… for troubling you."
Standing up with Subaru on her back, Reinhild smiled.
"This is when you just say thank you."
To accommodate Subaru, she walked steadily and slowly. As they went, they chatted—Reinhild introduced the strange plants and animals of this world that Subaru didn't know, and reminisced about fun memories from their travels. Subaru, in turn, began sharing about his life in Japan.
"…And that's it. A pretty lame past, huh?" Subaru muttered.
"No. I think it's a beautiful past. Sorry, what I mean is, your parents loved you so dearly."
Reinhild spoke from the heart.
"And knowing the Subaru of the past makes me appreciate the Subaru of now even more. You really are amazing."
"No need to comfort me."
"It's not comfort. Even during your low points, you kept exercising, didn't you? Your body doesn't lie. And despite living in such a safe and easy environment, you achieved something incredible. If our roles were reversed, I don't think I could've done the same."
Reinhild said seriously.
"Really? Well, Reinhild, you're even more amazing—because the reason I became who I am now was falling in love with you."
"!!!"
—Ow.
Reinhild stumbled a few steps, nearly twisting her ankle herself.
Come to think of it… if Subaru hadn't twisted his ankle… maybe I could have had him carry me, like this, just clinging to—!!!
"What's wrong?"
"No, just thinking… that would truly be my honor."
—What am I thinking?!
Reinhild lowered her head, suddenly noticing that the spirits in the air had already healed her minor injury.
"Subaru… what do you think of me? I mean, do you ever feel I'm too strong?"
"Well, yeah. Your cooking is perfect, your feminine charm is off the charts, your fighting strength could destroy the heavens… Reinhild, you're so perfect it can make someone feel inferior."
—So it really is like that.
"But that's exactly why I like you. Like I said before, I'll become a man worthy of Reinhild. In fact, it's because you're so perfect that I could become a hero—Natsuki Subaru."
"!!!"
Reinhild nearly twisted her ankle again.
"Um… am I heavy?" Subaru asked nervously, seeing Reinhild sweating.
"Not heavy. Besides, we've arrived."
Reinhild answered with a smile.
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