Chapter 56: I Really Am Unfortunate
Since hearing the news from Beatrice, Subaru Natsuki had been running wildly through the village, constantly searching for Rem's whereabouts.
After asking the villagers, the village chief gave the information about Rem.
According to the chief, last night he saw Rem walking alone towards the edge of the village.
At that time, no one could have imagined she would enter the forest by herself.
When Subaru expressed his intention to go into the village, the chief wanted to send someone to help but was refused.
With no other choice, the chief gave Subaru the best sword in the village.
He also promised to help Subaru report his departure.
After that, Subaru entered the forest holding the sword.
Subaru's mood was extremely anxious as he entered the forest.
Although he knew Rem's combat power was very strong, he wasn't sure if she could really hold on after a whole night.
Secondly, why did Rem enter the forest alone? Subaru of course knew the reason — it was for him.
But why would Rem risk such a dangerous thing for him? This was the part Subaru couldn't understand.
After all, in Subaru's understanding, their relationship was nowhere near the level where Rem would take such risks for him.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure it out, so Subaru gave up trying to think and wandered the forest, searching for any sign of Rem.
Stopping to wipe the sweat off his forehead, Subaru felt a headache coming on.
No matter how he thought about it, finding one person in such a large forest would be incredibly difficult.
Moreover, there were monsters in the forest, and perhaps before finding Rem, he might be eaten by the monsters first.
"Hasn't been long since entering the forest, and you bastards have already found me. Truly a dog's nose, huh."
Subaru drew the sword at his waist and assumed a kendo stance, looking somewhat practiced, but Subaru clearly knew he didn't really understand any sword techniques.
Although he had learned kendo for a period of time, it was just what was taught in club activities.
And after failing to place first, he quickly quit the kendo club.
Having not used it for years, Subaru didn't believe he could kill all the monsters in the forest by himself.
But dealing with the two beasts blocking his path was no problem at all.
"If you won't come at me, then I'll come at you!"
With that, Subaru gripped the sword and ran toward the two beasts blocking his path.
By the way, Subaru's butler outfit had already been discarded last night; now he was wearing the clothes of a villager.
He looked just like a villager holding a sword, but his combat power was not at the villager level.
Although Subaru did not have much combat experience and hadn't learned a lot, he was able to stand up against non-human beings.
So facing these monsters was no big deal.
Plus, he had gifts from the gods.
Although most of these gifts enhanced defense, strength and defense were still a little lacking, and the enhancements weren't very obvious — that was because he was comparing himself to those non-human entities.
With Subaru's current combat ability, he could easily kill twenty beasts alone, and thirty wasn't impossible, though his fate wouldn't be any better.
If he died once more, and his defense improved just a bit more, the resulting transformation would allow Subaru to not fear monster attacks at all.
Even their sharp teeth would only leave a slight red mark, but unfortunately, he hadn't died again.
Still, this was enough for Subaru to face two monsters.
With basic sword swings, the sharp long sword killed both monsters.
His face was stained with monster blood, and his clothes were soaked red.
Looking at the sword in his hand, Subaru sighed. If those non-human beings were the ones killing these monsters, they would just walk past them and casually kill them. Cool and powerful.
Shaking off these thoughts, Subaru stepped deeper into the forest.
He didn't need to become stronger; he was just a passerby.
Once he found a way home or if the gods were in a good mood, he would leave this world.
Besides, from the start Subaru never thought about becoming invincible in this world.
He only wanted to find a way back home, to work, search, and wait.
Such a simple thought, yet destined to be impossible.
It wasn't that it couldn't be done, it was just... he didn't know he had already been targeted, and didn't realize that he was already involved when he saved Emilia.
Time had reached noon.
Kneeling on one knee, Subaru pulled the blood-stained sword out of the body in front of him and looked at five corpses around him.
Since the first two monsters were killed, it was as if a signal had been triggered.
He had encountered five waves of attacks along the way.
"If this keeps up, my stamina might not hold... Ah, such a troublesome stupid maid!"
Subaru tore off his sleeve and treated the wound on his left arm simply.
After finishing, he heard the sounds of monsters approaching nearby again.
With a sigh, Subaru stood up and sprinted forward.
Since he couldn't find her, then Rem could come find him.
Thinking this, Subaru ran while searching for a clearing.
Once he reached such a place, it would be harder for monsters to ambush him!
"Let me make a ruckus then! After all, I promised Beatrice I'd survive! You bastards better all come at me and die, because hunting you one by one is really annoying!"
At the same time in the village, Ram finished handling the village's affairs and could finally relax for a moment.
However, she was puzzled — why hadn't she seen Rem all morning? After parting with Subaru in the morning, she hadn't seen him either.
Just as Ram was about to check on Subaru's resting place, she saw Emilia running towards her.
"Lady Emilia?"
"Ram, have you seen where Subaru went? When I woke up, I didn't see him. Puck and I are both looking for him."
Looking at Emilia's anxious expression, Ram spoke.
"Barusu should be wandering around the village. If you can't find him, you can ask the villagers — Barusu is a hero in the village, they should know."
"I already asked. The villagers all say they haven't seen him."
"Lia, have you found Subaru?" Puck, floating down from the sky, frowned as he asked Emilia. His expression looked bad, and he kept glancing toward the forest.
"Puck, I haven't found him. Do you have any clues?"
Hearing this, Puck looked at Emilia's expression, was silent for a moment, then said:
"No. I'll go look some more. Lia, you can go back to the manor to check; maybe Subaru went to get his study materials."
"Okay, then I'll leave it to you, Puck."
After Puck flew off, Ram and Emilia looked at each other. Emilia said:
"Ram, help me look for him. His body hasn't fully recovered yet. He really just does dangerous things without saying a word, and then when he wakes up, nobody knows where he's gone. When we find him, we have to scold him properly."
"I understand, Lady Emilia. I will help look for him."
"Thanks. Then I'll leave it to you."
Ram watched Emilia turn and leave.
Her gaze shifted toward the forest.
Rem hadn't been seen all morning, Subaru disappeared after parting this morning, and coupled with Puck's attitude, she already knew where her sister and Subaru had gone.
Though she didn't understand why it had come to this, based on Rem's behavior yesterday, she probably knew something and that was why she entered the forest.
That matter should have something to do with Subaru.
Thinking about Subaru's personality, he would definitely disappear only after knowing Rem's whereabouts.
With this thought, Ram started running toward the forest.
During their conversation, Subaru, having found a clearing, faced the monsters who had surrounded him.
Sweat appeared in his palm.
He was a little nervous.
Although he had been through a game full of non-human beings, at that time he had companions and close friends by his side.
Now he was alone.
Although he didn't want to admit it, he was still somewhat weak.
"I hope I can hold out until Rem comes. If only I could activate the protagonist aura and wipe you all out. Just thinking about it, I know it's impossible. Ah... I really am unlucky, just kidding."