Conversation (Part Two)
"Is it really okay for you to take me in just like that?"
The fact he was told made Subaru deeply realize just how much of a hot potato he was. Faced with this situation, his first concern was for Reinhild, who had taken him in.
"Don't worry about your safety. Lady Emilia has already said there will be no pursuit."
However, it was obvious the girl didn't understand Subaru's true concern.
"But there is something you need to promise not to reveal—about the insignia."
"—Isn't this that insignia?"
Subaru looked at the insignia Reinhild had placed on a white cloth, shining brightly.
It was an insignia with a dragon as its totem, with a red jewel embedded in its center.
The jewel sparkled and its deep, clear color filled Subaru with reverence once again upon seeing it.
It had been stolen by a girl named Felt, who had dirty hands and feet.
It was the trigger for many events yesterday, and Subaru assumed it had already been returned to its original owner, Lady Emilia.
"This isn't the insignia stolen from Lady Emilia, but the meaning of the insignia is the same.
Subaru, the dragon is the symbol of Lugunica.
Our country places such importance on it that it calls itself the 'Dragon Kingdom Lugunica.'
Dragons are depicted everywhere on walls and weapons, and among them, this insignia is the most important."
Reinhild closed her eyes and paused for a moment as she spoke, then opened them with a slight tremor in her voice.
"This insignia is used to verify the qualifications of candidates in the Royal Selection. It is a touchstone to determine whether the holder is suitable to sit on the throne of the Lugunica Kingdom."
The tense voice revealed an astonishing fact, making Subaru's eyes almost pop out.
The insignia on the table was designed as a dragon with spread wings, and the light from the jewel confirmed Reinhild's words were true.
"Ho-how could… the insignia that grants eligibility for the Royal Selection be lost!?"
"Yes. The so-called king is the person who bears the burden of the kingdom.
If the person who must shoulder this great responsibility can't even protect a small insignia, it makes people question why the country should be entrusted to them.
It also calls into question the nation's highest decision-making.
If the loss of the insignia became public, it would be a huge problem.
Currently, only Lady Emilia's side, my core members here, and the few involved know about this."
"Although Elsa was the one commissioned, she is a mercenary from the northern country, and..."
Reinhild fell silent for a moment, then continued.
"Forget it. In short, someone wanted to interfere with the Royal Selection or destabilize this country. Thanks to Subaru, that plan failed. This is your first favor to the country."
With Reinhild's explanation, the commotion in the royal capital, the possible impact surrounding the stolen insignia, and the reception they were having all started to connect in Subaru's mind.
"Wait, then this insignia... does that mean Reinhild is also a candidate for the Royal Selection!?"
"I don't have that qualification. This insignia is the last one entrusted to me by the country for safekeeping, and its owner is Lady Felt."
"Felt!? The Felt I know?"
"Yes. Just yesterday, when Lady Emilia took back the insignia from Lady Felt, I discovered that Lady Felt was the last Royal Selection candidate that our knight order had been desperately searching for over six months without success.
This is your second favor to the country. Thanks to you, the Royal Selection can finally begin."
"No, Felt comes from the slums and even stole the insignia.
How could she compete with others under those circumstances? Did she agree to this? Are you planning to force her to participate? Are you making her do this for the country..."
Subaru looked at Reinhild's expression but stopped before finishing.
Reinhild understood Subaru's meaning.
She hesitated, then, as a gentle voice echoed in her mind again 'Offer your loyalty to this country', her eyes became firm once more.
"Subaru, the country cannot continue like this. The Royal Selection also takes time. We don't have time to search through 50 million people for a possible sixth candidate who may or may
not exist. But as the sinner who dragged her into this whirlpool, I promise I will defend her with my life."
The two fell silent for a long time—so long that a knock sounded on the door, and then Otto and the old butler entered.
"Lady Reinhild, Lady Felt wishes to see you."
"I see. In any case, Subaru, you are a great benefactor to me.
You can think about your reward at your leisure. I will do whatever is within my power—or rather, I will accomplish it.
If you don't want to get involved in the Royal Selection, you can take your reward and leave.
But Lord Roswaal, a supporter of Lady Emilia, will come to see you in a couple of days, so you might have to wait a bit."
Looking at Reinhild, who placed her hand on her chest and seriously looked at him, Subaru was at a loss for words.
His facial muscles stiffened.
Even Subaru, who was not very good at reading the mood, felt the tension.
The girl's serious gaze was fixed tightly on him, making him flustered. As a result:
"My approach is to squeeze out everything I can from any opportunity I find."
Subaru could only use a cheeky remark to ease the tension, but his words caused the expressions of the two who had just entered the room to change.
"I understand. So, what do you want? Given the current situation—to cover up Lady Emilia's injury and the loss of the insignia, and Lady Felt's theft—I will not refuse any of your requests. I am willing to pay for anything. So—what do you want?"
"Heh, heh, heh. As expected of a noble, very reasonable. The reward will be just as I wish, and Reinhild can't refuse it. A knight shouldn't go back on their word, right!"
Standing from his chair, Subaru struck a victorious pose, pointing to the sky.
"I swear on my sword, I will never go back on my word."
Subaru's attitude was like a little rascal.
The butler behind Reinhild gave him a cold stare as if looking at a corpse, and Otto's expression was a mixed reaction of disappointment and relief.
Only Reinhild kept her serious expression the whole time.
But all of this was to lead Reinhild to make a promise to him.
Subaru gave a knowing smile.
"My wish is simple: hire me to work in this mansion."
Unlike the long-winded introduction earlier, Subaru's request was concise and straightforward.
"Subaru, are you sure? Although it feels a bit strange to say so, I should be able to arrange most things for you."
"Maybe if I calm down and think it over, I'd want lots of things—but I don't lie to myself. Right now, I'm completely broke. Sure, I could blow a lot of money all at once, but having a steady income to cover basic living expenses sounds pretty good too, right?"
"...Then you don't have to be a servant. Why not just be a guest here?"
"Indeed. Given Subaru's favor, I can guarantee to support you with the best treatment for life."
Otto suddenly spoke, and Reinhild nodded in agreement.
"That's another option! But I still want the original request because a man of honor—never breaks his word."
Whether it was truly due to manly pride or because Subaru didn't want to be a kept man, only Subaru himself knew.
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Important Announcement!
I posted a new Fanfiction!
The Exorcism Story of Hikigaya Hachiman
Introduction:
Ever since the car accident, a strange system has appeared in Hikigaya's mind.
Not only that, he has often been able to see hideous things that the system refers to as "evil spirits."
He originally thought he was the only one who could see them.
That is, until one day three months later, a girl named Miko Yotsuya appeared within his field of vision—and she looked terrified while staring at the evil spirit behind him...
From that moment on, the truth of the world began to reveal itself to him!
As always you canRead ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on pa treon.com/ VarieTL
There you can also read 5 other Novels and other 6 Fanfiction of Oregairu and 1 of Re:zero