It was obvious that at this moment, Ren had no intention of approaching the other party.
When someone was in the middle of a chūnibyō moment, even if they didn't feel awkward, he certainly would.
A golden-haired girl darted across the rooftops, while Subaru Natsuki wandered into the alley out of curiosity.
"Lord Ren, you seem quite interested. Should I catch her?" Ram glanced at him, ready to act the moment he gave the order.
"This time, let's not interrupt that clown's little performance." Ren smiled faintly and continued strolling with the twins.
In truth, Ren was curious as well. He knew Subaru possessed Return by Death. But did Subaru retain his memories of him after each death?
Confirming this was reason enough for Ren to avoid interfering directly.
Not long after, Ren spotted a man standing nervously in front of an apple stall, his face filled with panic.
"Oh? So he really doesn't remember." Ren frowned. An infinite restart ability… if Subaru decided to target him, that would be quite troublesome.
Soon after, the boy wandered into the alley again and sat down on the steps. Ren approached with Ram and Rem at his side.
The twins, accustomed to the witch's aura clinging to Ren, weren't as sensitive when they sensed a similar presence from Subaru.
Still, a flash of anger briefly crossed their expressions.
"Who are you people?" Subaru asked.
"You look rather lost, boy." Ren didn't answer directly.
"Hah… it's nothing." Subaru forced a strained smile. To him, a white-haired man accompanied by twin maids seemed unlikely allies. Worse, he didn't want to drag others into danger.
Meanwhile, the little thief had already escaped across the rooftops. Before long, a silver-haired girl entered the alley, a small spirit floating by her side.
"So it's you two. I didn't expect to see you in the capital." Puck greeted them first. The aura around Ren and Ram had been concealed, which was why he hadn't noticed them right away.
Emilia, however, looked apologetically at Ren. He had spoken so much to her before, encouraging her… yet in the end, she chose Roswaal.
"The candidate I support has arrived. Of course, I had to see for myself. So, you've decided to participate in the Royal Selection."
"Wait—what? You all know each other?" Subaru jumped in surprise.
"Although I want to catch up, I have something very important to do right now. Have you seen a little girl with blonde hair? She stole something very important from me." Emilia said, a hint of urgency in her voice.
"That girl? She ran toward the slums." Ren pointed in a direction.
"That Satella…"
At his words, the air around Subaru froze. Rem and Ram also understood the weight of that name. The way the boy said it made the meaning obvious without explanation.
"I don't know you. Also, it's really rude to call someone by that name especially if you're a stranger." Emilia said, and with Puck, she quickly left.
"Wait…" Subaru's shout didn't make Emilia stop.
Ren was also planning to leave; staying here seemed pointless.
"Well… you know her, and the place she's going is dangerous. Can you help her?" Subaru shouted toward Ren, as if grabbing at a lifeline.
"Dangerous? How do you know? I remember you. You appeared in the royal capital, but it takes time to get to the slums. How do you know?" Ren stepped closer to the boy, his tone pressing and intense.
"I…I…" Subaru couldn't get a word out.
"Let's go." Ren led the twins toward the slums.
"Wait for me." Subaru hurried to follow.
At the same time, the red-haired boy saw Ren. His sunny smile slowly faded, and he followed as well.
In the slums, Ren sensed Emilia's location and walked toward her.
"Yo, it's… nice to see you again." Subaru greeted Emilia.
"Do we know each other? You're kind of strange." Emilia looked at Subaru with a puzzled expression.
"Wow… that hurts my feelings." Subaru looked genuinely heartbroken.
"So… do you know where that little girl is? I can't find her." Emilia's expression showed confusion.
At that moment, Subaru's face went pale. He clutched his stomach, knelt on the ground, and stared fearfully at a woman.
The woman smiled gently, but her presence made the temperature drop, releasing a terrifying aura of killing intent.
"This is truly chilling." Puck broke the silence, trying to lighten the mood.
"That woman… ugh—" Subaru Natsuki couldn't help feeling nauseous.
"Her destination is exactly the place you're looking for." Ren looked at Emilia.
"Phew, Puck, let's go. We need to help that girl." Emilia sensed danger and quickly moved inside.
"Lord Ren." Ram also grew serious.
"I'll leave the next part to Ram." Ren, along with the twins, headed in the same direction.
Subaru Natsuki thought for a moment, then decided to follow.
The house was very quiet. Both the little girl and the giant man were there. Seeing Emilia and the others, the little girl looked panicked.
"Um, can you return my things? Otherwise, I'll be troubled." Emilia reached out her hand.
"No." As expected, a thief never returns what they steal; the girl wouldn't give them back.
"What it brings you may not be wealth, but your deaths." Ren spoke from the shadows.
"Oh? When did you notice me?" A woman stepped out, holding a curved blade, her gaze fierce.
"Your murderous aura gave you away."
"Impossible." The little girl turned pale. She didn't want to believe that this request would lead her to the abyss.
The giant man lifted a wooden club and walked toward the woman. "Leave. You're not welcome here, or don't blame me for being rude."
The woman lunged at the giant, two curved blades aiming for his stomach.
"Watch the stomach! She'll attack there." Subaru quickly warned.
The giant hurriedly placed the wooden club in front of him. The woman's blade sliced through it like cutting tofu. The giant escaped by a hair, bleeding but intact.
"Old Man Rom…" Felt regretted deeply. If she had known, she wouldn't have taken this mission.
"Stop, villain." Emilia and Puck blocked Elsa.
"I really want to rip out your guts." Elsa glared at Subaru, but his warning had foiled her attack.
Elsa paid no mind to the attacks from Emilia and Puck. Their strength was impressive, but they had no idea how to use it. She dodged every attack effortlessly.
"This can't be real." Subaru Natsuki was terrified. Would this kind of pain happen again? His gaze shifted to Ren and the others. They were the variables this time. Judging from the results, at least no one had died so far.
"Lia, it's time." Puck looked deeply at Ren before disappearing from sight.
"Phew." Emilia took a deep breath, intending to take down the Bowel Hunter Elsa on her own.
"Ram."
"Understood, Lord Ren." The pink-haired girl stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Elsa.
"You're strong." Elsa's gaze on Ram grew serious. She could sense the threat of death emanating from her.
"Ram is in a hurry." As soon as Ram spoke, a gust of wind lifted the house into the air. Elsa was thrown along with it, blood staining her body. But soon, she recovered as if nothing had happened.
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