Subaru's Mistake
"So that's how it is, not bad. Rom-ji, how much could this 'Meteor' sell for?"
After pulling her usual scam-like routine, Felt turned to Old Man Rom and asked.
Rom thought for a moment before replying:
"If this old man were to appraise it… fifteen… no, at the very least, twenty holy gold coins. This 'Meteor' is truly worth that much."
'That vixen...'
Receiving authentication from a shady professional who lived off fencing stolen goods confirmed just how badly Subaru had been tricked in the previous loop.
Still, the unexpectedly high price made Subaru puff out his chest in pride as he looked at Felt.
"How about that? My trump card's that good. Like he said, it's a top-tier item worth more than twenty holy coins. I want to barter with it and trade for the Insigna you've got."
"That smug look on your face—God, it's irritating."
Things didn't go the way Subaru expected.
Felt looked displeased.
Even so, Subaru felt warm inside.
"Hmph. I'm glad at least that it can be exchanged for money. Twenty holy coins, no doubt about that. I get the value of your hand."
"Right!? So the negotiation's settled. Selling goods is your job now—good luck with that! Since it's done, let's have a drink and celebrate this deal!"
Subaru quickly approached Felt, reaching out his hand to receive the Insigna.
After all, with each passing night, the chances of Reinhild vs. Elsa increased.
But Felt lightly pushed his hand back down.
"Wait a sec, why're you in such a rush?"
"Life is short. Every second counts. I just want to minimize waste and…"
"Ah—enough with that, it doesn't matter. I mean…"
Felt narrowed her red eyes and suddenly cut straight to the point.
"Say, why do you want this Insigna so badly?"
Subaru's breath caught.
Seeing her reaction, he realized his mistake.
He should've played it off with some light banter—but no words came out.
Subaru's silence made one corner of Felt's mouth curve up.
"The lady who hired me wouldn't say either, and now you're the same?
… Stealing is shady business.
Everyone has reasons they'd rather keep in the dark.
But your reason seems especially shady.
Geez, think about it—trying to snatch away someone else's request item sounds super suspicious."
She was toying with him like a cat with a mouse—cruelly and relentlessly.
"What is this Insigna I stole, anyway? It must be way more valuable than it looks if so many people are after it. Which means… it's worth even more than the 'Meteor'!"
"Hold it, Felt. That's a dangerous line of thought.
I can tell where this is going—just think it through. Look, I'm serious. Stop thinking about that."
Seeing Felt's greed meter skyrocketing, Subaru broke into a cold sweat trying to rein her in.
If the negotiations dragged out, they were all heading for a BAD END.
"Even if it's worth more than twenty holy coins, let's settle on this deal. Don't get greedy! That woman you're negotiating with—she's incredibly dangerous. More like a complete lunatic."
"Why do you know the client's a woman?"
"Uh…"
"You slipped. You're involved too."
'It's just because of my 'Return by Death'... If only I could say that.'
But even if he tried explaining that, there was no way to prove it.
Felt's suspicious gaze deepened.
Without proof, Subaru's words had lost all credibility in her eyes.
At this point, he could snatch the Insigna by force—but he didn't want to ask Reinhild for help. Having Reinhild rob someone… just no.
"Calm down, both of you. Felt, there's another customer waiting for you."
"She's your mentor, right? Scary enough to make me cry. Felt, I'm begging you…"
"Begging won't work.
I acknowledge you as a negotiation partner, but selling off the item without consulting the client isn't fair.
If you tell me the Insigna's true value and offer a reward to match, that's a different story."
There was no sympathy or kindness in her eyes—only cold interrogation. The girl was trying to dig the truth out of Subaru's behavior.
Subaru held his breath, then said: "I want the Insigna… because I want to return it to its rightful owner."
"—Huh?"
Subaru voiced his purest intention.
"I want to return it to the person who lost it. That's all."
Facing Felt's wide eyes, Subaru lifted his head and repeated himself.
Her red eyes flared with hostility and intimidation.
Subaru accepted the pressure in silence.
There was no trickery—just earnest sincerity.
"…Felt, the kid doesn't look like he's lying."
"Rom-ji, don't get fooled too!
This has to be a joke, right? Returning it to the owner?
You'd pay a fortune to buy back something from a thief?
That's beyond idiotic. You might as well bring a guard and have me arrested. Problem solved."
Subaru awkwardly glanced at Reinhild, who gave him a small smile—but she didn't look entirely pleased.
"If you're going to lie, at least make it sound convincing. Even with that serious face, I'm not buying it. I mean… yeah, I'm not going to be fooled."
"—Who's there?"
Just then, Rom-ji's expression changed. He glared at the entrance of the stolen goods warehouse—and the negotiation abruptly ended.
"Don't open it, you'll get slashed."
—I haven't fulfilled a single condition to change the world yet.
Subaru tried to stop her, but it was too late. Felt pushed open the door forcefully. Moonlight spilled into the warehouse, slightly illuminating the darkness. And then—
"—I wouldn't go slashing people out of nowhere."
Pouting with a stern face, Emilia stepped into the warehouse.
"Thank goodness, you're here. Wait—Reinhild!!! Why are you here? Don't tell me this was all your plan!?"
"Reinhild?!?!" ×2
Felt and Rom-ji's faces turned into the screaming painting.
Under their stunned gazes, the girl who had been sitting quietly in a corner transformed into a red-haired beauty exuding overwhelming presence.
She swiftly approached the shocked Emilia, knelt at her feet, and lowered her head. Every movement was elegant and precise.
"Lady Emilia, I swear on my honor as a knight—I knew nothing about the Insigna.
But because of my own immaturity, such an incident occurred in the royal capital, causing you great distress.
For this failure, I accept any punishment. But if I may, please allow me to say a few words."
With her sword placed before her raised knee, Reinhild apologized for her blunder in the most solemn way possible—a knight's deepest gesture of remorse.
She was prepared to accept whatever punishment might follow.