R11. Wanting to Protect You
Reinhild had never thought she would hesitate when someone asked for her protection, but facing Subaru's request, she had to think carefully, because in this country guarded by the Divine Dragon for 400 years, swearing an oath to the Divine Dragon was undoubtedly the highest-level contract.
Reinhild hesitated.
Although every Bishop of the Witch's Cult possessed terrifying power, as the Sword Saint so strong she was not even allowed to leave the Kingdom of the Divine Dragon, Reinhild did not believe she would lose to them.
More so, on a personal level, even if she couldn't win, she was willing to risk her life to protect Subaru. But—
"Personal protection for one week?"
Reinhild softly repeated Subaru's second request.
That was the real problem.
Reinhild understood better than anyone that she did not have that kind of free time.
She was the country's cornerstone, and she still needed to report Lady Felt's situation to the Knight Captain.
Moreover, she still had to apologize to the Karsten family for yesterday's incident.
"So it really won't work, huh."
Perhaps noticing her hesitation, Subaru whispered in disappointment.
"Well, I guess someone like Reinhild is a deterrent, right? It's impossible for her to protect just one person specifically. By the way, is there still time to see Roswaal?"
Because of her sharp hearing, Reinhild clearly heard Subaru's whisper.
Reinhild felt a sharp pain in her heart.
She realized she had betrayed Subaru's trust.
Looking at the despondent Subaru before her, Reinhild understood that whether it was Roswaal's intelligence she had investigated yesterday, the possible civil war, or even Lord Roswaal's terrifying enthusiasm, all indicated that entrusting Subaru to Roswaal might be the right choice.
As long as she paid, Roswaal would not refuse.
But, and yet, Reinhild did not know why—she did not want to hand Subaru over to Roswaal.
Was it gratitude for Lady Emilia's help yesterday?
Was it guilt for almost causing the boy's death?
Was it worry for the despair in the boy's eyes?
Or was it because of the simple trembling figure that hugged her tightly yesterday, wholeheartedly seeking help... Although they had only been together for less than two days, the boy gave the girl a strange feeling.
Reinhild did not know why, but she wanted to protect this fragile boy named Subaru.
"Subaru, I am the Sword Saint, the Sword Saint of the Kingdom of the Divine Dragon—Reinhild. My time does not belong to me.
Today, I must report Lady Felt's situation to the capital, and I also need to visit Lady Crush.
But, if you are willing, you can follow me and act alongside me for the next seven days. Is that alright?"
"Yeah, please."
"Then."
Reinhild kneeled on one knee, looking at Subaru, and said, "My name is Reinhild van Astrea. Here, before the Divine Dragon Volcanica, I swear that for the next seven days, I will do my utmost to protect Natsuki Subaru's safety."
"Please take care of me these seven days, Subaru."
"Thank you, thank you."
Looking at the crying Subaru, Reinhild hesitated for a moment and took out her handkerchief to wipe Subaru's face.
She looked at Otto by the door and silently signaled to delay departure, and Otto nodded in understanding before closing the door.
Although because of Subaru's situation much time was lost, around three in the afternoon Reinhild finally came out of Knight Captain Marcos's room, letting out a slight sigh of relief.
After hesitating a bit, she went to the deputy captain's office.
Confirming her father was not there, Reinhild decisively headed to the hall and saw Subaru surrounded by many curious knights.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Subaru."
"It's okay, it's okay."
"Well then, let's go."
Reinhild said, pulling Subaru up.
At that moment, a wave of gasps came from the surrounding crowd.
Reinhild was momentarily stunned, then realized she had become too accustomed to this, but since it was already done, she did not plan to change her approach because of the environment.
She pulled Subaru away from the knights' hall.
"So, where are we going now?"
Hearing Subaru's question, Reinhild thought for a moment.
She originally planned to apologize to the Karsten family first, but it was clearly inappropriate to bring Subaru along.
After hesitating briefly, Reinhild made her decision.
She told the coachman their destination, then boarded the carriage with Subaru.
Shortly after, the carriage arrived at the Goukai Trading Company.
Reinhild helped Subaru down from the carriage, bought Otto's birthday gift from the old shopkeeper, then pulled Subaru into the clothing section.
"This is a kimono!"
"Yeah, I thought so too. Subaru said a lot of the dishes were similar to Kararagi 's food, so I wondered if the clothes would be similar as well."
"Why did you bring me here?"
"Isn't it obvious? (^口^*)"
Reinhild smiled as she picked up a blue kimono and held it up to Subaru, then compared it with the outer jacket on the left.
Though it was not her obligation, Reinhild didn't want Subaru to keep wearing that torn sportswear.
Since this was a rare opportunity, she wanted to dress Subaru up.
It's often said that a woman's desire to shop is limitless, and this was completely true for Reinhild.
Without physical limits, Reinhild's infinite shopping desire fully showed.
At first, Subaru could still try on the clothes himself, but later the girl helped Subaru change directly.
Some clothes that took Subaru over ten minutes to deal with Reinhild could help him change in less than a second.
Seeing Reinhild's hands moving like the thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara, Subaru gave up on changing clothes himself.
"Then we'll buy these, these, these... Is there a smaller size for this? No? Well... forget it, I'll still take it. Show me the sewing kit. Wrap this up too. Subaru, do you need anything else?"
"No, actually, this is way too much."
"Too much?"
Reinhild looked at the items in confusion.
About half a meter of summer clothes didn't seem that much.
Although Reinhild was a noble, she was not clueless in this regard.
For a normal person, this was indeed quite a lot, but considering Subaru's situation, this wasn't much at all—after all, Subaru only had one set of clothes.
—Wait, it seems like we didn't buy any underwear.
Reinhild suddenly noticed this flaw.
She looked at Subaru and found he hadn't noticed it.
"Subaru, go check over there, I'll wait outside."
Handing Subaru the shopping card, Reinhild quickly walked out of the store.