Chapter 14. Love (6)
The moment Reinhild calmed down, Subaru felt a slight sense of relief, and the tension that had been straining him finally snapped. In that instant, he felt as though he had lost control of his body.
"Eh!"
Subaru realized he had accidentally pinned Reinhild down. He desperately tried to check her condition, but his body refused to obey. This was natural—after over 100 continuous hours of exertion, aided only by the survival rations that had a stimulating effect, Subaru had long surpassed his limits.
"…Subaru! Hang on!"
He seemed to hear Reinhild's panicked, fearful voice.
Then came the sensation of burning fire; the once ultra-clear visuals suddenly pixelated. In a daze, he felt a familiar magical hand swat a small red bird away.
—Am I dreaming?
"Subaru… wait! Don't… you still… haven't… taken me to… I haven't… told you I… love you… please… don't die…"
He vaguely heard her anxious voice, but his eyes wouldn't move, and even his thoughts began to freeze.
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"Aha, you're awake! Surgery was successful—you're officially a girl now, meow!" "What did you do?"
Subaru shot upright and instinctively looked at his own body.
"Meow hahaha."
He looked around the unfamiliar luxurious room and saw Felix laughing almost to the point of breaking.
—What déjà vu. Looks like she saved me again.
What's happening now? Where's Reinhild?
"Boring meow." "After all, if such surgery really existed, you'd do it yourself, right?" "Taking care of it is troublesome, meow."
"Forget it, meow, let's get to the main point, meow. Today is the night of the 27th. The nationwide shocking Blood Sea Battle ended two days ago, meow. Let me explain in detail, meow. On August 19, Knight Subaru accepted a request from the lord to exterminate the sea mabeasts, meow. While Subaru's Earth Dragon fought the sea mabeasts, it ran amok in the marketplace, meow."
—Probably went to seek Reinhild's help.
"But actually, the Earth Dragon realized the enemy was too strong and went to call Subaru's assistant, meow. Of course, to the bystanders at the time, it looked like a crazed dragon injuring and abducting a red-haired girl and two children, meow. So, enthusiastic passersby and the guards pursued, meow, eventually reaching Subaru's battle zone with the mabeasts."
"The incident alarmed the city lord. Panic spread among the people, and the lord decisively issued an announcement, meow. He called upon hero Natsuki Subaru, who had previously defeated the Sin Arcbishop and the Great Rabbit, to deal with the sea mabeasts."
"Hahaha, and then Subaru became a hero, meow. Understand now?" "Thanks, Felix."
"No problem. We're friends, meow. By the way, Subaru, Reinhild used to be the [Sword Saint], right?" "Felix asking that practically confirms it, doesn't it?"
"The sea is still red, meow. Over a hundred thousand mabeasts' corpses, spectacular, meow. Red hair, blue eyes, her Royal Knight identity, the dragon sword she had at first, the banquet where you strengthened the bond between Lord Wilhelm and her, meow… lots of clues. And of course, your recent incredibly active behavior, meow."
"Yes." "Indeed. Subaru chose the hardest path, meow. But if Lord Crush was king, you know she wouldn't rely on irrational powers, meow. I see… Subaru really likes her. Suddenly, many unsolved mysteries make sense, meow."
"Unsolved mysteries?" "Like why so many in the Royal Knights are afraid of heights. You know, she carried me on a bungee jump above the clouds, meow!"
Felix shivered as he spoke.
"Anyway, I should be leaving, meow. Reinhild has been outside the whole time. Her emotions are unstable, and being inside would interfere with my treatment.
Honestly, this time was really dangerous. If it weren't for me, Subaru, you probably would have met the Dragon God, meow. The first time we met was similar. Subaru isn't the type to die easily it seems, hahaha…"
Felix saw Subaru's somber expression and gradually fell silent.
"Anyway, the biggest problem is the residual fire power in your body. Honestly, it's tricky. You'll probably need to stay in the royal city for a while. I'll slowly extract it from your body, meow."
"Thanks. I'll definitely repay you." "Hmm. How about a day in cross-dress?" "You're really persistent, huh?" "Because Subaru suits it. Trust me, meow. Anyway, I'll leave. Comfort your little girlfriend properly, meow. I'll prepare incense and offerings for you."
Felix left the room. Reinhild silently appeared.
The atmosphere turned oppressive. Reinhild silently cooled the porridge and brought it to Subaru's lips.
"Um…, I think I'm about full." "Eat." "Yes… Reinhild."
Her cold tone made Subaru sit upright, realizing the trouble he had caused this time.
"Um…"
He looked at the new blue bracelet on his wrist.
"I couldn't give you a Divine Protection, so I used a Metia instead. It can mutually reveal each other's location, range: half the kingdom."
Reinhild shook the pink bracelet on her left hand.
"How's your body feeling?"
She set the bowl down and examined Subaru from head to toe.
"I'll need rest for a while… That's it. I'm truly sorry this time." "It's fine. As long as you're okay. Subaru, I'm really sorry, whether I neglected you because of my own reasons or…"
"Reinhild!"
Subaru's voice had a hint of anger.
"No matter what happened, it was my own fault." "But if I hadn't—" "That's because you wanted to save me, Reinhild. You were even willing to give me the strongest Phoenix Divine Protection. That's my problem."
Exactly. Multiple clues allowed Subaru to deduce the true identity of the Phoenix.
"Hundreds of thousands of mabeasts, six days of bloodshed, and the Phoenix Divine Protection… Reinhild, thank you for working so hard to save me. If it weren't for you, I'd be dead long ago."
Silence fell again. The quiet was so intense Subaru could feel cold sweat on his body.
"Rest well, Subaru. Call me if anything happens."
Reinhild lifted the bowl and stood.
"Reinhild, does this mean you accepted my confession?"
Looking at her, Subaru instantly became fully alert.
"Ahaha, sorry, well…"
The cool touch of her lips stunned him.
"This is my answer. Call me if you need anything."
At some point, Reinhild left the room, looked back, and closed the door.