Chapter 16: The Lugnica Kingdom Might Not Be Unable to Bear the Surname of the Astrea Family (Patreon)

Morning sunlight streamed through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling across the reception room of the Astrea family's main house.

After last night's weighty conversation, Reinhard's manner toward Natsuki Subaru had shifted — beyond his usual courtesy, a deep respect had settled in. He treated Subaru as the most honored of guests, even personally arranging his lodgings.

Morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the reception room of the Astrea family's main house.

First thing that morning, Reinhard had invited Subaru to the reception room, personally preparing black tea and pastries for him.

Subaru sat on the sofa, staring at the teacup for a couple of seconds, then at the sweets on the plate for a couple more.

"What's wrong?"

Reinhard asked.

"Nothing, really. Just struck by a sudden thought — life's scene changes come on awfully fast."

Subaru picked up the teacup and blew gently across it.

"Yesterday I was just some unlucky nobody who'd washed up in this world with nothing. Now, in the blink of an eye, I'm a guest of honor in the most prestigious Sword Saint family in the whole kingdom."

"If it pleases you, the Astrea family will always welcome you," Reinhard answered earnestly.

Subaru took a sip of tea, his expression suddenly turning serious.

"Well then, my Sword Saint friend — since you've been so kind to me, how about I offer you an idea in return? What do you say?"

"Oh?" Reinhard's interest was piqued. "May I ask what wisdom Lord Subaru has in mind?"

"Do you want to be king?"

At that, Reinhard nearly choked on the tea he'd just swallowed. He stared, dumbstruck, at Subaru, who showed not the slightest hint of joking. After a moment's hesitation, he asked quietly:

"I'm sorry... I don't quite follow. Could you explain?"

Subaru leaned back and, without wasting words, launched straight into an analysis of the current situation.

"You told me yesterday — the royal bloodline of this country was suddenly wiped out, leaving five candidates to compete for the throne, right?"

"Mm." Reinhard nodded silently.

"I'm guessing these candidates are all pretty formidable, each with backers of their own — knights, nobles, that sort of thing. Even Emilia, that girl we ran into yesterday, has a powerhouse like the Margrave Mathers family backing her."

"That's true." A faint unease crept over Reinhard.

"Think about it — five candidates, each with their own army of backers, troops and commanders and all. If things spark even a little friction, that's a disaster waiting to happen. I'm genuinely afraid it'll escalate from words to swords. And on top of that, you're not exactly on friendly terms with your neighbor, the Vollachia Empire, so I'm worried it might..."

Subaru didn't finish the thought. Just imagining it was enough — the whole capital, if not thriving with chaos and ambition, would at least be thrown into an uproar, dogs barking and chickens flying, with no telling what might happen.

Reinhard frowned gravely and shook his head.

"The Royal Selection will indeed cause friction among the various factions, but the Council of Wise Men and the Royal Guard will do their utmost to maintain order—"

"Whoa, hold on. I know you've got a bunch of old men running the regency right now, but I've never had much love for outfits like your Council of Wise Men."

Subaru cut him off.

"So — don't you think, with the fate of the nation hanging in the balance, it's absolutely necessary to take some extraordinary measures?"

Reinhard blinked, caught off guard.

"A more direct approach?"

"That's right."

Subaru set down his teacup, his face grave, as though he were about to discuss some matter on which the fate of the world hinged.

Reinhard straightened instinctively. His unease had reached its peak, but curiosity kept him from stopping Subaru.

"...Please, go on."

Subaru cleared his throat.

"A nation cannot go a single day without a sovereign, a house cannot go a day without a master. I say Lugnica desperately needs a new king — right now, immediately."

Reinhard: "...Wha—?!"

"The throne of Lugnica now sits empty, the halls of power stand vacant. The mandate of heaven has shifted, and the sacred regalia must pass to one of true virtue."

Subaru raised a hand and pointed at Reinhard.

"And you — red hair, white robes, handsome, powerful, renowned, beloved by the people. Even the world itself seems to be handing you cheat codes."

"This isn't about conquering through force — it's winning hearts through virtue. A man of your caliber, both talented and virtuous — if not you on that throne, then who?"

The teacup nearly slipped from Reinhard's hand.

"Lord Subaru?!"

"I don't know much about the other candidates, but you look plenty qualified to me. If you ask me, you should just march straight up to the throne and crown yourself king. Wouldn't that be great?"

Subaru was warming to the idea with every word.

"Picture it — you stand right in the middle of the great hall, draw your sword, plant it in the floor, and say to the Council of Wise Men—"

He lowered his voice, striking a commanding pose.

"'Are kings and nobles born of noble blood alone? Today, I, Reinhard, act by heaven's mandate and take my place as ruler of this capital. Who supports me? Who opposes me?'"

"Besides, your family's served the crown loyally for generations now. There's no reason the Kingdom of Lugnica couldn't take the name 'Astrea' instead. Don't you think?"

Reinhard went completely numb, sweat soaking through his clothes.

"P-please, don't say such terrifying things."

"What's so terrifying about it? Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Trust me, this would stabilize things in no time."

"That's treason!"

Reinhard, uncharacteristically, raised his voice.

"See, you already get it yourself."

"Of course I do!"

Cold sweat had already broken out on Reinhard's brow.

He glanced left and right, making sure no servants were near the reception room, before lowering his voice.

"Lord Subaru, words like these must never be overheard by anyone else."

"Why not?"

"Because it would cause a terrible misunderstanding!"

"Misunderstanding what?"

"That you're inciting me to rebel!"

Subaru stroked his chin, looking thoughtful.

"Ah, I see."

Reinhard let out a breath of relief.

The next moment—

"Fine, no rebellion then. Let's go with something more harmonious."

Subaru leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"Reinhard, have you ever considered founding an 'Emergency Kingdom Management Committee'? It would replace the Council of Wise Men and take over all affairs of the Kingdom of Lugnica until a proper king is chosen."

"Lord Subaru!"

"You'd serve as interim director, the Council of Wise Men would just offer advice, and the five candidates would keep their eligibility to run."

"That's the same thing!"

"How's it the same? Even the name's different."

"The substance hasn't changed at all!"

A drained, boneless sense of helplessness washed over Reinhard.

Just last night, he'd thought of Subaru as a tragic hero, burdened with a world-ending calamity, willing to entrust his very life to him.

This morning, he suddenly realized that this hero could, at times, be quite dangerous in his own right.

Dangerous in an entirely different sense.

This hero seemed to hold no reverence whatsoever for authority.

Of course, Reinhard had no way of knowing that Subaru, having inherited the memories of the Dark Prelate Zeratul — a Nerazim Protoss cast out from his homeworld and hunted across the stars by the Conclave — would be the last person on earth to have any fondness for an organization like the Council of Wise Men.

Watching Reinhard's expression teeter on the edge of collapse, Subaru finally burst out laughing.

"Ha, I'm just kidding."

"Of course I know you'd never actually do it."

Reinhard let out a long breath.

"Please don't joke about things like this."

"But that face you made just now, drenched in sweat — that was priceless."

"...My apologies for disappointing you."

"Not at all. I'm very satisfied."

Subaru picked up his teacup again, clearly in good spirits.

"Still, though — you really do treat yourself too much like a sword."

Reinhard blinked, caught off guard.

Subaru's smile faded, just a little.

"Yesterday you told me — if the Council of Wise Men gave an order, you'd raise your sword for the kingdom even against your own will."

"I understand your sense of duty. But don't forget — even a sword has the right to choose whose hand it rests in."

"And besides, those old men on the Council won't necessarily always make the right call. If they're wrong, are you going to be wrong right along with them?"

Reinhard fell silent, then forced himself to reply:

"That's true... but the members of the Council of Wise Men are all renowned sages of Lugnica. I believe they can make the most fitting decisions in a crisis like this."

"Really? Guess I'll have to see for myself just how much they're actually worth, then." Subaru arched an eyebrow and went on. "Anyway, remember this — you're not a tool of the kingdom, not a weapon that swings at whoever's given the order. You're Reinhard."

"And if the day ever comes when you believe an order is wrong, you should have the courage to ask — why?"

The reception room fell quiet.

Reinhard lowered his eyes to the faint ripples spreading across the surface of his tea.

After a long while, he spoke softly.

"Lord Subaru."

"Mm?"

"What you just said — you meant it seriously, didn't you."

"Of course."

"Then why did you have to make me think about rebellion first?"

"Because if I'd just reasoned with you straight out, you might not have taken it to heart."

Subaru put on an innocent look.

"It's called scaring you first and being reasonable second. Give you a good fright, then get to the real point — no matter how outrageous the second thing is, it'll always go down easier after the first, and it sticks in your memory a lot better too."

Reinhard: "..."

This man really was a fundamentally good person — just a bit strange. How did he manage to make such a bizarre theory sound so utterly self-righteous?

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

A young maid with short pink hair pushed the door open and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Reinhard, an honored guest has come to call."

Reinhard, as though finally released from that absurd "throne discussion," at once returned to his usual composed expression.

"Who is it?"

"Lady Priscilla, head of the Barielle family."

"Priscilla?"

Reinhard's brow furrowed slightly.

[Author's Note: The true heroine of this volume is about to make her appearance.]