Higashino Makoto walked down the street, gazing at the palace tower ahead.
Reisen followed behind him, warily scanning their surroundings.
Subaru Natsuki, holding the badge, walked behind Reisen, his eyes flashing with a complex light.
Elsa Granhiert walked at the back, watching Higashino Makoto's retreating figure with a meaningful smile on her lips.
"Mr. Higashino."
Subaru Natsuki opened his mouth.
"Um."
Where is that girl?
"Have no idea."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"But don't worry, she'll come looking for you."
"Why?"
"Because you have her badge, which is definitely important to her."
Subaru Natsuki lowered his head, looking at the badge in his hand; the golden gem shimmered softly in the moonlight.
"Higashino- san."
"Um."
Why are you helping me?
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"Because we should be of the same kind."
"Similar?"
"Hmm, you're not from this world either, are you?"
Subaru Natsuki looked at him, a complex light flickering in his dark eyes.
"Higashino- san, could it be that you also...?"
"Hmm, more or less. Based on your name, you should be Japan, right?"
Higashino Makoto continued walking forward.
Subaru Natsuki watched his retreating figure, feeling both the excitement of seeing a kindred spirit and the disappointment of realizing he wasn't the main character after all.
After all, Higashino Makoto, in terms of both looks and ability, seems more like a protagonist than I do.
And myself?
They're probably just supporting characters used to highlight the protagonist's brilliance.
But--
The other party did indeed save my life when I needed it most, and even complied with my unreasonable request to take back Satella's —no, Emilia's —badge.
All of this seemed perfectly reasonable, as if the other party was born to be the protagonist.
"Higashino- san."
"Um."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Higashino Makoto stopped walking, but didn't turn around.
Leaving the Loot House, the night breeze was already chilly.
Subaru Natsuki followed behind Higashino Makoto, his steps still a little unsteady.
It was a surreal, disorienting feeling, like surviving a catastrophe.
He looked down at his hands, touched his stomach, then glanced at the silver-haired man walking ahead of him, the scene from just moments ago replaying in his mind.
The spear flashed like light, each thrust precisely piercing the Bowel Hunter's limbs, neither too deep nor too shallow, just enough to incapacitate her without killing her.
That kind of control is more terrifying than a single, fatal blow.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto."
"Um."
What are your plans next?
Higashino Makoto did not answer immediately.
He stopped and looked up at the crescent moon in the night sky.
"Go find someone first."
"Who?"
"Sword Saint, Reinhard van Astrea."
Subaru Natsuki's steps suddenly faltered.
That name was like a needle, piercing the most painful part of his memory.
He had heard this name mentioned during his first five cycles of death.
The Sword Saint of the Lugnica Kingdom, the current head of the House Astrea, possessing dozens of buffs, and known as the strongest man.
He had once caught a glimpse of that red-haired figure in a past life, and in that single glance, he understood what an insurmountable barrier truly meant.
Why...?
"Because he is one of the most dangerous people in the world."
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"Before dealing with a real enemy, I need to confirm whether he is an enemy."
Subaru Natsuki pursed his lips.
He didn't ask who the real enemy was.
He could roughly guess that his enemy was definitely not someone he could handle.
Where is he?
"The royal city, the House Astrea's residence."
Higashino Makoto turned around and looked at Subaru Natsuki.
"You know the way?"
Subaru Natsuki paused for a moment, then shook his head.
"Have no idea."
"Then stay close."
Higashino Makoto stretched out his hand and made a light sweeping motion in the air.
A pitch-black spatial rift appeared silently before the four of them.
Through the other side of the crevice, one could see moonlight, towering walls, and a cast-iron gate carved with dragon patterns.
Reisen stepped in first, and Elsa Granhiert hesitated for a moment before following.
Subaru Natsuki took a deep breath and stepped into the rift.
The moment his feet touched solid ground, he smelled the fragrance of flowers, carrying the scent of dew, wafting from the depths of the Garden.
The Garden of the House Astrea mansion was larger than Subaru Natsuki had imagined.
The stone path was lined with flowers of all colors, and the moonlight shone on the petals, giving them a silvery-white sheen.
In the distance, a three-story stone building stands deep within the Garden, its windows emitting warm, orange light.
A red-haired man stood in the center of the Garden, holding a long sword that was not yet drawn, his back ramrod straight.
He looked to be in his early twenties, with a handsome and gentle face, and his blue eyes gleamed softly in the moonlight.
Her long red hair was tied back, with a few strands falling from her temples and swaying gently in the night breeze.
He wore a white shirt and black trousers, without armor or any other adornments.
Standing there, he was like a renowned sword sheathed in its sheath, quiet and reserved, yet anyone could sense the suppressed power within him.
Reinhard van Astrea van Astreya.
He turned around, his blue eyes looking at the four people who emerged from the crack.
His gaze lingered on Higashino Makoto for a moment, then swept over Reisen and Elsa Granhiert, finally settling on Subaru Natsuki.
"Good evening."
His voice was gentle and calm, like the tolling of a bell in the night wind.
It is an honor to have guests visiting.
Higashino Makoto walked up to him and stopped.
Did you know we were coming?
"Have no idea."
Reinhard van Astrea shook his head.
"But I sensed fluctuations in space, so I came."
His gaze returned to Higashino Makoto.
"Who are you, sir?"
"Higashino Makoto is, in a way, a businessman..."
"Merchant..."
Reinhard van Astrea.
Merchants who can freely use spatial magic to travel are rare. Normally, you would become one of the top merchants in various countries.
"Oh, thank you for your kind words."
"I wonder what brings you here, Higashino?"
"I'm a businessman, and I'm here to make a deal."
"Speaking."
Looking at his polite demeanor, Higashino Makoto had to admit that he was indeed quite adept at winning people's favor.
"Reinhard van Astrea."
Higashino Makoto spoke.
"I know about the last chosen one, the fifth candidate recorded on the Dragon History Stone, and I'm prepared to exchange that for a promise from you."
Higashino Makoto held up one finger.
"I'll tell you where she is, and you have to agree to one condition."
Reinhard van Astrea looked at him.
What are the conditions?
"Help me kill someone."