Chapter 157: You Possess Power, Yet Did Nothing
"Uncle, give me some apples."
"Sure thing. Haven't seen you around these past few days. Off doing something big?"
"Yeah, ran into a few things, but it's all handled now. Say, uncle…"
"Hmm?"
"No, it's nothing…"
Natsuki Subaru forced a smile but ultimately didn't say what he wanted to.
Under the fruit vendor's puzzled gaze, he accepted the apples that had been picked out and, while fishing out his coin pouch, said:
"By the way, uncle, I'll be heading back soon. I've stayed in the capital long enough, and my break's over. I won't be able to stop by and help your business for a while."
"Is that so? Then work hard, and I'll give you a discount next time you come back."
"Deal, then."
Waving goodbye to the fruit vendor, Subaru took out an apple from his pocket, began eating it, and walked toward the mansion.
Since Anastasia had promised to share intelligence, there was no more reason for him to remain in the capital.
It was time to prepare to return to Roswaal's mansion.
"Oh it's you, Subaru."
Subaru stopped in his tracks and turned around to see a knight walking up from behind, smiling warmly.
With fiery red hair and striking armor, he stood out easily in the crowd.
"It's you."
Reinhard caught the apple Subaru tossed and came up beside him, a trace of apology on his face.
"Sorry, Subaru."
"Huh? What are you apologizing for all of a sudden?"
"I'd intended to have a proper conversation with you, but Lady Felt had too many things needing my attention, so I didn't get the chance. Also, congratulations on becoming the Kingdom's hero."
"You heard about that, huh? Well, of course you did — you're the Kingdom's strongest Sword Saint.
It's not something you could've missed, and nobody's trying to hide it. But I'm not fit to be called a 'hero of the kingdom.'"
Subaru bit into his apple and looked sideways at Reinhard walking beside him.
"It was the people who fought desperately that earned that victory. They're the real heroes."
Reinhard took a small bite of the apple and said:
"Thank you."
Subaru gave him a puzzled look.
"What's with you today? First you're apologizing, now thanking me.
Huh… come to think of it, every time we've met it's kind of been like this.
Don't tell me the Sword Saint also has two nicknames — 'Sorry Saint' and 'Thank You Saint'?"
"Don't tease me, Subaru. I just wanted to personally thank you — for defeating the White Whale and one of the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishops. I'm sincerely grateful."
"You knights really all say the same kind of things. Julius was like that, and now you. If I drop by the knights' headquarters, am I going to hear the same thing from everyone?"
Subaru waved his hand dismissively, a little annoyed. While it was satisfying to be appreciated, that feeling didn't last when he thought about what had happened to Crusch.
Reinhard looked at Subaru's profile, then after a moment of silence said:
"Do you know about the previous generation's Sword Saint?"
"Yeah, I heard about her from Wilhelm and Felix… wait. The previous Sword Saint was Wilhelm's wife, and you're from the Kingdom's Sword Saint family, the current one. So what's your relationship to Wilhelm?"
"...We're family. He's my grandfather. The previous Sword Saint was my grandmother."
"Why have I never heard Wilhelm mention that?"
Subaru's expression twisted slightly.
"And with your strength, if you'd teamed up with Wilhelm, the White Whale should've been no match at all."
"...I know what you're getting at. There are… various reasons. The reason I'm thanking you is also because you avenged us."
Subaru saw in Reinhard's expression that "various reasons" concealed a great deal of weight.
"I see. I accept your thanks. But thanking just me isn't enough. Go thank those who still live, those who died, and Wilhelm too."
"I will."
The two walked quietly through the street. After finishing their apples, Subaru finally spoke again:
"Old Man Rom and Felt doing alright?"
"Yes, they're both doing well. If you get a chance, you should visit them. They'd be happy to see you."
"I'll think about it. I'm leaving the capital today, and after dealing with the Witch Cult, there's still a mountain of things to take care of. Maybe next time."
"I see. Anything you want me to pass on to them?"
"Hmm… no need to say anything special. Just tell them, 'See you next time.' Oh, and Reinhard, there's something I really want to ask you."
"Yeah?"
Subaru stopped walking and turned to face Reinhard. His dark eyes carried emotions that Reinhard couldn't decipher.
"You're really strong, right?"
"Not just strong — though it may sound conceited, there are few who could match me. If you're ever in trouble, come to me."
"I did come to you. But you weren't there."
"...I see. I didn't know."
"Right. You didn't know, because I stopped coming to you after that. But that's not what I wanted to ask."
Seeing Reinhard's puzzled face, Subaru continued slowly:
"You have incredible strength. I can feel it now — there's no way I could ever beat you. But even with that kind of power, were there things you just couldn't do?"
"..."
"Sorry. That might've been out of line.
But I just can't understand… Why didn't you avenge your grandmother?
I don't know what happened between you and Wilhelm — he's never mentioned you, even though I thought we were on good terms.
I don't know the details. But with your power, why didn't you attack the White Whale? If it were you, it probably would've been defeated long ago…
Sorry, I said too much. But I really want to know — what could possibly have been more important than stopping that beast?
Julius said it should've been the Knights' duty.
But the White Whale brought suffering for so many years, and yet none of you took action. Were those 'various reasons' really more important than putting an end to that monster?"
After saying all that, Subaru fell silent.
He took out an apple and placed it into Reinhard's hands.
His voice soft with sorrow, he murmured:
"If only you had acted sooner… Sorry, Reinhard. Forget what I said. We'll talk next time."
Without waiting for a reply, Subaru turned and walked alone toward the mansion.
Reinhard stood still, gripping the apple in both hands, watching Subaru's retreating figure with sorrow written all over his face.
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