Wish Upon a Sin

Arc 2 - Chapter 9

The throne room had been overtaken by a flurry of activity. The Council of Elders consulted with advisers, the knights had broken into groups which started leaving the room, and the nobles mostly stood shell-shocked. Subaru could understand how they felt. It was as if the floor had been pulled out from underneath him, with only endless darkness beneath.

His four spirits had vanished into the air, having sensed the tension, conserving their strength in case of an emergency.

Subaru looked over to the front of the room.

Reinhard was long gone, but Roswaal was still in the room. Subaru supposed he would be faster than Reinhard anyway, considering that he could fly. Though truthfully that might not mean as much, since Reinhard apparently had the Divine Protection of Swiftness, which allowed any mount he rode on to travel at incredible speed.

The margrave had taken Marcos aside and was leaning in to discuss something. Emilia stood near them, fidgeting uncomfortably, as if she wanted to say something, but couldn't bring herself to.

"Bro, come on." Felt snapped her fingers in front of his face, dragging his attention to her. "We'll get in the way here. And anyway, I want to make sure Old Man Rom and the others are safe. That jerk said they'd be sent up soon, but they won't be allowed in here."

"Ah, right." Subaru spared one last look to the half-elf, then followed her to the exit. Will they really be okay? I know Sir Marcos will be with her, but wasn't he in the palace last time? Or wait...

He cast his mind back to that fateful day, trying to remember the exact details of the attack, which was now two months ago, from his perspective. Alexander said the Captain of the Knights wasn't in the city last time. And everyone says he's the strongest knight aside from Reinhard.

A glimmer of hope ignited in his chest. That means we have one more trump card here than last time, even with Reinhard and Roswaal leaving!

The outside of the throne room was just as busy, if not busier. Uniformed officials filled the corridors, and contingents of guards were moving towards the entrance.

"We'll wait here," Felt decided, standing up against a column on the main path to the entrance. The corridor was so wide that even with the constant bustle, they were far out of the way. The only potential problem was that they might not be able to spot their companions, but considering Old Man Rom's size, that was unlikely to be a problem.

"Ah, Subaaaru Natsuki." Roswaal's lilting voice startled him out of his pondering. The eccentric margrave walked up to them, with an armoured guard at his side.

"You," Felt said, with a hint of suspicion. "Shouldn't you be flying out to stop the great calamities?"

"It would dooo no good to leave without preparing those who remain as much as possible, no? As a representative of the kingdom, I'm assigning a bodyguard to you, Subaru. He shall carry out your orders, so that you'll have adequate support during this trying time. I believe you are acquainted with him?"

"Eh?" Subaru glanced at the guard at Roswaal's side. "I don't think I've met any—"

His breath caught as the guard lifted his visor, revealing a familiar face.

"Ah, no, Lord Margrave. I have not had the chance to introduce myself to Sir Subaru until now." The guard bowed his head to Subaru, crossing one hand over his chest. "Lady Felt, Sir Subaru, I am a Patrol Captain of the city guards, recently reassigned to the palace guards. My name is Alexander. I offer my greetings to you."

"Um, likewise."

Felt didn't respond, but she looked him over, and apparently decided the guard was harmless, and went back to staring at Roswaal.