The Man Full of Mysteries
There are two types of people around Reinhild: those who see her as a benefactor, and those who see her as the Sword Saint.
Otto, who had once escaped a noisy hell thanks to Reinhild's help when he manifested the Divine Protection of Language, was rescued at age fifteen from assassins sent by the nobility.
He should have become someone like Eileen or Bernie, who devoted their lives to the girl out of gratitude.
—The strongest hero, the true saint, the absolutely righteous knight.
Otto, who followed Reinhild, had witnessed firsthand the version of her that people spoke of. But at the same time, a thought began to grow in his heart.
"—Is it really living if a 14-year-old girl lives so 'righteously'?"
Having gone through the hell brought by Divine Protections and gained four years of business experience, Otto was the first to notice the twisted nature of the Astrea household.
And so, he chose a completely different path.
Unknowingly, five years passed.
The faction that Otto led, which wished for Reinhild to live more like a normal girl, had grown into the third major faction.
Otto himself had become a friend Reinhild could confide in. Yet, Otto also acutely realized his own limits—like everyone else, he could not reach the sealed heart of the girl who was still the absolutely righteous Sword Saint.
However, that day brought a turning point.
A gravely injured boy was brought back to the mansion by Reinhild.
Not only was he seriously hurt while under Reinhild's protection, Reinhild had also abandoned her duties as a knight for the sake of what was "right" on a national level.
Seeing her so full of guilt, Otto couldn't help but feel a sense of joy. He sharply recognized that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
—There would never be a second one.
A second person who, while protected by Reinhild, suffered such injuries and was left untreated because of her obligations.
But Otto was, after all, Astrea's internal affairs officer.
Having seen countless shadows in politics, he was not so easily blinded by sudden joy. Especially after hearing Reinhild's account of what happened in the capital, Otto became even more convinced: This might be a trap.
Even so, Otto did not want to lose this sliver of hope.
So he decided to personally observe the boy's every move.
For four days, Otto watched him from the shadows—guiding him through sky corridors, arranging for trusted people to instruct him, even lending him the mercenaries he controlled. The result was watching this self-important boy put on a ridiculous farce.
—Well, that might be fine too.
Otto looked at Subaru Natsuki, who was sleeping while holding Reinhild's hand in the room.
What he expected to be feelings of jealousy never came.
Instead, he felt only joy that Reinhild was slowly opening her heart.
Perhaps because of Reinhild, Otto also felt quite fond of the sleeping boy.
"...I'm just a substitute for that girl, you know?"
Otto gave a slight smile.
From his perspective, it was obvious what Subaru felt.
But he had no intention of pointing it out to Reinhild.
If the girl became aware of it now, given her way of life, she'd likely sever the fragile bond without hesitation.
Nearly two months passed without notice.
The ever-busy Otto stopped his work, a little surprised when Reinhild, with a hint of subtlety, asked if he would accompany Subaru to the Mathers Domain.
Otto had already noticed that Roswaal was behind Subaru's trip to the Mathers territory.
From that perspective, having Reinhild accompany him might have been the best option. But Otto hesitated.
Reinhild, who previously would never have had such an irrational thought, now showed that sign—and it made Otto happy.
If she hadn't been standing right in front of him, he might have danced around in joy like a lunatic.
Yet, Subaru's mysteries also gave Otto a massive headache.
It was like a parent who desperately hoped their daughter would find a boyfriend—only to start picking him apart once she actually brought one home.
Otto had been observing Subaru closely, and from the bottom of his heart, acknowledged his efforts.
But there were too many aspects of Subaru he couldn't grasp.
For example, his seemingly omniscient behavior in critical moments, the fabric of his clothes, that strange magic device, his connection to the Witch Cult, why Roswaal would go to war for Subaru, and even why Reinhild had such misconceptions...
Thinking about the many mysteries surrounding Subaru, Otto made a quiet decision.
The Royal Selection had only just begun.
Otto easily persuaded Reinhild—of course, he had no intention of dying.
He brought with him enough combat power and arranged to contact Reinhild every five days.
Yes, Otto chose to go with Subaru to the Mathers Domain.
He wanted to get that answer himself.
To confirm Subaru's source of information, and at the same time, to protect him.
Otto intentionally had Brian guide Subaru.
Day by day passed, and just as Otto thought he had been wrong, Subaru suddenly exuded that aura—the one that rises from hell in times of crisis.
But Otto had not expected that their opponent this time would be the Witch Cult's most active Sin Archbishop of Sloth.
Watching Subaru reveal shocking information again, and Brian shake his head at him, Otto felt a shocking possibility take root in his heart.
He stood up from the ground, searching for Subaru's figure.
Seeing Subaru about to take his own life, Otto understood everything.
What he felt now was only respect—overwhelming respect. But still, he rushed forward to stop him.
Otto didn't know how many times Subaru had gone through this. But he knew Subaru's mind was nearing its limit.
Time wasn't on their side.
Subaru had said that Petelgeuse would come for them, and Otto, as a merchant, confirmed that Subaru was in no state for negotiation.
What relieved him was that there was still a fire of anger in Subaru's eyes.
Although not in his nature, Otto clenched his fists. A man should use fists to vent.
"The second trial is 'to see the impossible present'…"
After talking with Subaru for a long time—although Subaru's words were fragmented—Otto understood the situation and noticed the fear of the ground dragon.
He finally made up his mind.
Fortunately, after that discussion, Subaru finally faced the second trial head-on.
Otto instantly understood why Subaru's heart had collapsed.
"But, that's a simulated memory, right?" "Because in 'reality,' I saw a sword wound from the Astrea War on the Witch of Envy's hand…"
"I see… She proved the existence of a Reinhild from a parallel timeline. But Subaru, did it ever occur to you—did you ever think it might also mean there's only one Witch of Envy?"
"Huh?! Wait, are you saying—!"
"To be honest, I don't know either. Looks like time's up! Subaru, remember what I said! And—trust me!"
Otto reached out again.
This time, Subaru finally grabbed his hand.
The two of them looked at the oncoming Great Rabbit—and suddenly, they both laughed.