bookbashuk #214 - I am a candidate for the King's election, is this true?!
#214 - I am a candidate for the King's election, is this true?!
“Elsa Granhiert, black hair, black clothes, wielding a curved blade unique to the northern lands. Due to her penchant for slicing open the abdomens of her assassination targets, she has earned the alias 'Bowels Hunter.' Not only is she a dangerous individual, but she is also a well-known figure even in the royal capital.”
“I-is that so? I didn't realize she had such a big reputation. More than that, those cherries just now…”
“The reason she can constantly self-heal is probably related to her being a cursed doll. It's a curse where the user inscribes the information of the target they want to kill, along with the curse itself, onto a person. Once activated, the cursed person won't die until they kill the target.”
“I see, so those cherries just now…”
“I thought I could suppress the damage to the threshold, but it seems I was a bit presumptuous. Under normal circumstances, one should maintain it below the threshold for a period of time, constantly depleting her recovery energy, making it impossible for her to recover.”
“No, no, no, those cherries just now…”
“Subaru, did you say something just now?”
“…Never mind, it's nothing.”
Natsuki Subaru was completely helpless against Zun-zun, who was clearly changing the subject to avoid talking about it. But he couldn't help but look at the pair of vibrant red cherries tied to the back of her head, holding her hair.
At first, he didn't pay any attention.
But the more he thought about it, the more strange it seemed.
The cherries collided with the swords, producing a crisp sound, their hardness was evident. Biting them might even shatter his own teeth instead.
More importantly, they could repel Elsa, even in her weakened state, which he couldn't even touch. In other words, these cherries might be stronger than him.
He can't even beat a fruit?
No, no, no, that's impossible.
Natsuki Subaru supported Zun-zun, and the two of them staggered to the hillside, where they saw Emilia and Felt taking care of Old Man Rom who had been accidentally injured. And besides them, there was another person standing by their side, subtly guarding the surroundings.
This person had bright fiery red hair and clear blue eyes, with a slender figure. His upright appearance made even his standing posture look like a painting.
It was unknown whether it was Emilia or if he was naturally loved by spirits, but the specks of starlight around him made him look exceptionally handsome. And at his waist was a knight's longsword engraved with three claw marks.
With such a conspicuous image, his identity was obvious.
“—Reinhardt!?”
Natsuki Subaru's eyes lit up when he saw him, and he shouted, “Why are you here? Speaking of which, you could have shown up a little earlier; we almost got wiped out just now!”
“I'm sorry, Subaru.”
Reinhardt, inexplicably subjected to complaints, scratched his face in distress and said apologetically, “I also noticed the explosion here and rushed over, but it seems everything was already over when I arrived.”
The guards who arrive late, the elements were too complete.
Natsuki Subaru also knew that he was just throwing a tantrum for no reason, so he apologized to the upright Sword Saint and asked why he was here.
In fact, he had encountered him when he and Emilia were heading to the loot warehouse. Although he didn't know the reason, Emilia refused the Sword Saint's offer of help—actually, it was because she had lost her insignia and was afraid of being caught, so they had to say goodbye to him.
It's just that Reinhardt was inexplicably worried about Natsuki Subaru, so he lingered in the slums until evening.
“It's a pity that I couldn't help in the end.”
“No, Reinhardt, with you here, I already feel at ease. Seriously, I've never felt this sense of security before.”
Natsuki Subaru, completely carefree, became glib again.
Reinhardt shook his head helplessly.
“I also feel sorry that you encountered the Bowels Hunter, Subaru. She is a notorious assassin. Although the Knights have dispatched people to constantly search, but…”
“She's hiding very well, and they haven't found any trace of her, right?”
“That's right.”
Natsuki Subaru also showed a strange expression as if to say, ‘I knew it, the same setting as in the novels,’ causing the people looking at him to sweat slightly.
“In any case, it's great that she was driven away this time.”
Reinhardt seemed to have already inquired about the course of events from Emilia, so he didn't ask too many questions. At this time, Old Man Rom's treatment also came to an end.
He took the opportunity to say, “I will not inquire too much into the details, but please take care and pay attention to your surroundings. I will dispatch knights to escort you on your return journey. Please let them accompany you.”
“Even if you say to take care, I think it's all the same at this point, so I'll trouble you.”
Emilia accepted the knight's kindness.
Reinhardt then looked at Felt, who was kneeling beside Old Man Rom, and couldn't help but ask, “May I ask, what is your relationship with her…”
“Reinhardt, this is my matter. I am very grateful for your concern, but I hope you will not interfere with what follows.”
Emilia demanded in a firm tone.
She seemed to be planning to protect Felt.
Thus, the conversation between the two came to an end. After that, knights were dispatched to escort Emilia safely back to the mansion, and the aftermath of the scene had to be dealt with.
Reinhardt looked at the flattened hilltop, wanting to say something but remembering Emilia's warning, so he closed his mouth.
Emilia asked, “How should this be handled?”
“The surrounding area will be temporarily closed to others, and a wanted order for the Bowels Hunter will be issued, but she was originally like an extremely cunning poisonous snake hiding in the shadows, so it will probably be in vain.”
“What about that girl and the old man?”
“Although I don't know the whole story, from my duty's perspective, what she and that old man did is unforgivable…”
Reinhardt drawled out his tone.
Natsuki Subaru quickly approached, stuck out his butt, and pleaded loudly, “Reinhardt, I know it's shameless to say this, but for my sake!”
“But I'm off duty today. By the way, if there is no accusation from the victim, it is difficult to establish a case in the absence of sufficient evidence.”
The knight chose to turn a blind eye.
“Thank you, Reinhardt!”
Natsuki Subaru thanked him and patted Felt's thin shoulder, saying, “Rest assured, Felt, Reinhardt is a good person!”
Emilia also walked towards the blonde girl taking care of the old man. She bent down to make her line of sight level with the squatting Felt.
“This old man, is he your family?”
Felt looked blank.
It was probably because Emilia's words were different from what she had expected. Even Reinhardt, who didn't understand the two of them, could see that there was no accumulation of friendly exchanges between them.
Felt lowered her head again.
“Y-yes, he's like family…”
“But it seems like there will be new family members soon.”
Natsuki Subaru looked at Zun-zun, who was recovering her strength on the side.
Everyone looked at him.
Zun-zun twitched the corner of her mouth, both helpless and angry, “Here we go again, aren't you done yet.”
Everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Felt looked up at Emilia, and a faint light lit up in her red eyes.
“I thought you would scold me.”
“Yes. If it were before, I might have done that. Perhaps I was frightened, so although it's only a little, I'll let it go for that person's sake.”
Emilia looked at Natsuki Subaru, receiving a big smile from him.
Her attitude made Felt lower her head for a long time, then apologize softly, “I'm sorry. You saved my life, I won't do anything ungrateful. I'll return what I stole.”
“Yes, that would be a great help.”
“Here. Since it's important, you should hide it next time so it won't be stolen.”
Felt stretched out her right hand.
In her palm was the dragon insignia that Emilia had lost.
“It feels really strange to be lectured by you. If possible, not only this time, I hope you won't do such things again in the future.”
“That's impossible. Let me say this first, I'm only returning it to you this time because you're my savior, but I don't think I've done anything wrong, and I don't plan to stop.”
The slum girl was stubbornly terrifying.
In order to leave this place and live a life of wearing yellow robes and eating big fish and meat for three meals a day, she had to work even harder.
“You really are…”
“Spare me the lectures. If food would come out on its own without doing anything, then I might quit. Okay, here you go.”
Felt handed over the insignia.
In an instant, a red light flashed across Reinhardt's pupils. Having an impression of that halo, he narrowed his eyes in an instant, searching his memory.
Then he found a matching memory.
The girl's hand holding the insignia was grabbed by him from the side.
“…Eh?”
“Reinhardt!?”
Emilia and Natsuki Subaru revealed surprise. They couldn't speak in front of Reinhardt's serious expression.
The two seemed to have some vague guesses. And Felt shook her head noisily, resisting with weak movements.
“It, it hurts, let go of me…”
However, Reinhardt's grip did not loosen, and trembling murmurs came from his mouth as he stared intently at the red-eyed, blonde-haired, thin girl.
“To think there was such a thing…”
“Wait a minute, Reinhardt. I know it's difficult not to pursue this matter, but this girl doesn't know the value of the insignia.”
“That's right, that's right, I don't know what this insignia is used for either, but if the owner doesn't pursue it, just pretend you didn't see it and let her go.”
Emilia and Natsuki Subaru pleaded quickly.
“No, I think the problem isn't that aspect.”
Reinhardt shook his head.
Probably because Felt was shaking so much, the insignia in her hand fell to the ground. Knowing that it was his turn to appear, Zun-zun intervened, bent down to pick up the insignia on the ground, preparing to sell a favor and demonstrate his contribution.
“Okay, okay, Reinhardt must have his reasons for doing this, so listen to his explanation… Eh?”
Suddenly, this insignia burst out with a strong light.
Not only that.
Just as they were stunned, the light of the insignia became increasingly strong, constantly extending upwards and piercing the sky, as if telling everyone, ‘I'm right here.’
“…Eh?” X5
This time, not only Reinhardt, but even Emilia and the others were dumbfounded.