COTE X Re: Zero: A Demon's Isekai

Royal madness

Ayanokouji's POV:

They took forever to calm down. 

After a lot of deliberation, a lot of whispering and some glares thrown at the royal emblem in my hand, Ryuuen and I were permitted to be knights as well. And now, here we were, us knights of our royal candidates in one room, sitting together. 

"That was quite the stunt you pulled, Ayanokouji." Reinhard patted me on the shoulder. "A royal emblem, that's a surprise."

"Can't reveal all my tricks, can I?" I asked him. He smirked. 

"You certainly can't." He responded. He turned to Ryuuen. "Oh, right your eyebrow was on fire earlier. Doesn't seem like there was any damage." 

"Of course not. I'm as good as ever." Ryuuen shrugged. 

"Oh, want me to take a look, nya?" Felix bounced from one foot to another. And never, have I seen Ryuuen get paler. He was probably not as scared of even me when we fought. 

"You better get the fuck away from me right now." Ryuuen glared at Felix, sweat trickling down the back of his neck. 

"Oh, your ear is on fire now." Reinhard observed. "Good control."

"Oh I'll show you control you knockoff Hirata looking-"

"Apologies for interrupting." We all turned around, as the lilac haired knight entered the room, the one who had insulted Subaru earlier. Julius, was his name. 

"What the hell are you doing here?" Subaru glared at him.

"I wish you wouldn't make such an unpleasant face." He responded. "However, there is something I need from you. All three of you."

"I'm out." I said, shaking my head. "I have better things to do."

"One of your fellow knights insulted us in front of the candidates for the future ruler." Julius said, turning to look at me. "I cannot let this slide-"

"I personally can't tell you what to do." I said, as I appeared behind him. "But, I would rather you leave me alone. I'm a busy man after all. You can test Ryuuen and Subaru out in my stead." 

I could sense Julius move, turning towards me. However, Reinhard placed a hand on Julius' shoulder, stopping him. Taking it as my signal to leave, I opened the door, walking away into the corridor.

Ryuuen POV, some time later:

"Man fuck this shit." I looked around, noticing the hundreds of knights staring down at me in this knockoff gladiator arena. This whole world was practically an existential crisis with a sprinkling of magic and furries. Fucking furries.  

"Julius, are you sure you want to do this?" Reinhard asked him. "This isn't like you."

"They insulted our honor." Julius simply replied. 

"I admit, that they did go a little far." Reinhard said. "But such things don't need this kind of resolution. A warning would suffice."

"Subaru, sit this out." I said, holding the wooden sword. "I've got some moves I want to try on his bitch ass." 

"But I can't just..."

"Bitch does it look like I'm asking?" 

"Oh, okay. Totally fine." 

"Very well then." Julius said. "First I shall defeat you, and then the other one. Let us begin." 

"Whatever you say, dumbass." I rushed in, as his eyes widened. No doubt he had underestimated me. I brought the wooden sword down, as Julius quickly rushed up to block it. As he did, I moved sideways, kicking him in the chest. He brought his sword down to block it, however he was still pushed back a great distance.