R.1 A Night Racing Against Time
The Duke Karsten's residence was located deep within the noble district of the upper city of the capital—at a corner where many particularly magnificent mansions were gathered.
Although this was merely a villa the duke used only when staying in the capital, both its scale and the luxury of its interior decoration were extremely extravagant.
At this moment, under the illumination of magical lamps at the entrance of Karsten's residence, a red-haired beautiful young girl was pacing anxiously back and forth.
"Lady Reinhild, calm down. I've already sent someone to call Felix," said a woman dressed like a military officer.
She had shiny green long hair, tied at the ends with a white butterfly ornament.
Her beautiful yet dignified face stared straight at Reinhild.
She was exactly the same height as her and had a sword hanging at her waist.
Unlike Reinhild's, her sword bore the family crest of a lion baring its fangs.
In short, she was a stunning beauty fitting the description of a handsome man.
"Lady Crush, I deeply apologize for disturbing your rest, and I'm very grateful that you have accepted my private request," Reinhild said hurriedly, kneeling on one knee to express her apologies for the late-night visit as Crush emerged.
"Get up. I haven't gone to rest yet, and since it's you, there must be a reason," she replied.
"Actually..." Reinhild began.
"Here he comes," interrupted Crush.
Just as Reinhild was about to explain something, Felix came running over, holding a suitcase and calling out in his pajamas.
"Geez, staying up late is the enemy of a beautiful girl, meow. So, where's the critically ill patient?"
"I'm very sorry. He is at the main residence in the Astrea territory," Reinhild answered.
Seeing the surprised expressions on Felix's and Crush's faces, Reinhild lowered her head in shame.
In fact, this was also the reason for Reinhild's anxiety.
Although Lady Emilia had said there were three hours left, Reinhild had already spent quite a bit of time bringing Felt and the other two back to the territory mansion in a dragon carriage from the capital, then rushed back alone to the capital to find Felix.
As for why she didn't bring Subaru over for treatment from the start, it could only be said that in Reinhild's heart, the weight of the nation far outweighed that of the boy.
When faced with ensuring Felt's smooth participation in the royal selection and protecting the boy's life, she did not hesitate to choose the former.
Even if Lady Crush, who was also a candidate in the royal selection, had less than a one-in-ten-thousand chance of deduce the position of Lady Felt through her poor guise, Reinhild chose to crush even this faint possibility at the cradle.
As for putting one party in an inn or the knights, Reinhild was not stupid.
How could mercenaries from the northern country set up such an impeccable assassination plot in the capital 'considering her own vacation time, Emilia's solo actions, the thief's choices, and the great spirit Puck's rest time'?
The young lady firmly believed that a powerful force unimaginable was behind the assassination attempt on Lady Emilia, and the side left alone would most likely be killed outright.
Originally, Reinhild planned to take all three to the territory mansion and then bring Subaru back separately, but on the way there, Subaru's wound reopened due to the rough dragon carriage ride.
If she took the boy back to the capital, the boy might bleed to death.
So reluctantly, she chose to have the residence's healer stabilize the injury and hurriedly returned to the capital to seek help.
Thinking about how her choice increased the boy's chance of death, Reinhild felt a rare sting of guilt and pain in her heart.
She failed to keep her promise to protect Subaru, betrayed his trust, and ultimately made the worst choice for him in service of the kingdom.
"Since it's the first time seeing a new expression from Rein-chan, I'll forgive you. But how will we get there? Don't tell me you want to..." Felix's face paled as he seemed to recall some bad memories.
"No, this time you'll ride the dragon carriage," Reinhild shook her head and pointed to the nearby dragon carriage.
"Then I'll lend you the best earth dragon," Crush offered.
"Thank you for your generosity, but the situation isn't optimistic, so I'll pull the carriage myself. Felix, please get on," Reinhild declined Crush's offer and asked about the carriage.
"Yes, Lady Crush, please rest early and don't work too late," Felix said.
"You take care on the road. I will send someone to pick you up," Crush responded.
"Please don't worry, Lady Crush. I guarantee Felix will not be harmed. I'm taking my leave now."
[— — —]
Although Reinhild's protection kept the sounds from emerging, the roaring wind blowing past made Crush's hair stand sideways.
By the time her hair was back upright, the place before her was empty.
"You should come out and see her," someone said.
"Reinhild has troubled you. I don't deserve to see her now, and I doubt she wants to see me either," answered an elderly man who stepped out from behind the door.
His white hair was carefully combed back, and he wore a tailored black suit.
Though aged, his body was clearly well-trained, and his presence naturally made one straighten their posture.
His manner was that of a true gentleman, bowing politely to Crush.
"Wilhelm, you will go to pick up Felix," Crush said, then sighed as she saw the old man's silent expression.
"Wilhelm, do you remember how you once wagered your sword with me, saying your more than ten years of research into the White Whale was accurate?"
"Of course I remember. I'm truly grateful you believed me."
The old man emitted an overwhelming sword aura, then retracted it and gratefully said to Crush:
"If luck is on our side, the final battle with the White Whale—one of the three great beasts—will be in the coming months.
That beast killed the former Sword Saint.
We all understand how extraordinary the Sword Saint was.
Even though I have begun preparations in earnest, I cannot guarantee victory.
We have prepared for total annihilation."
"I know your thoughts.
Winning against the White Whale and apologizing properly afterward would be perfect, but death can be unreasonable.
I'm fortunate to have learned his thoughts before he died, but I have always regretted—if His Highness had been braver, if I had noticed His Highness's intentions sooner—would things have been different?
Did His Highness hear my answer in the end? Wilhelm, you and Reinhild are swordsmen I respect deeply. I don't want either of you to have lifelong regrets."
"Lady Crush... regret has been with me since I spoke those words, but I thank you for opening my eyes. Please let me go pick up Felix," Wilhelm finally said after a moment of silence.
Important Announcement!
I posted a new Fanfiction! A Re:Zero one this time!
Natsuki Subaru is chasing his back
Summuary:
After experiencing a game once, Subaru Natsuki had someone he admired in his heart.
Today as well, Subaru Natsuki is chasing after his close friend, fighting while learning and imitating his friend's fighting style.
Moreover, he now has two cheat-like powers.
One is the "Return by Death" cheat that came from who-knows-where.
The other was sent by the god who organized the game.
As always you can read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on and pa tre on VarieTL
There you can also read 5 other Fanfiction of Oregairu and 2 Fanfiction of Re:Zero