4
“…Hah, hah…”
He took it one step at a time, watching his footing.
Carrying Julius on his back, Subaru climbed down the long, long stairway, his lungs burning the whole way.
“Gotta…get back quick… Emilia and Beako…must be worried.”
When they returned to the green room to find Julius missing, they split up to search all around the tower. Heading to the third floor, running around all the rooms on the fourth floor, While Shaula was tasked with heading down to where Joseph and the carriage were, the rest of them divided up the third floor and the various rooms on the fourth.
They were all worried about Julius. Were all concerned about what he was feeling after having lost to Reid, after leaving his broken sword behind.
There’s no room left to doubt that they’re the kind of people whose hearts ached with concern.
But Subaru was different. Subaru alone immediately understood. Where Julius went after leaving his sword like that, what he had gone to do.
It was something that only Subaru…
“…Quite…the bumpy ride…”
“Ngh! You’re awake?!”
Hearing a voice from behind, Subaru stopped. Julius shifted on his back.
“Ah… Where…is…?”
“On the stairs. It might be more helpful to say we’re on a long set of stairs. And even more specifically, on the stairs between the fourth and second floors, retreating back to base with our tails between our legs.”
“Rather roundabout… You’re…carrying me?”
“That’s right. And to let you know, this makes it an even two times in the span of a few hours. Can you imagine how it feels? I was just thinking I didn’t want to have to do this again, and here I am half an hour later.”
“That explains…why it’s so uncomfortable…”
“Do you want me to drop you?”
He could feel a faint exhalation, which he assumed was Julius laughing. That made Subaru relax just a little bit.
Honestly, Subaru had not been able to guess what Julius’s first words would be. It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say he had been scared of the possibilities. It was a relief that they were not despair or despondence.
“Do you remember what happened?”
“…A pathetic…story. I was easily defeated by the enemy, and on top of being pitied, I have troubled both Lady Anastasia and you.”
“…I’m not enough of a devil to blame you for getting your ass kicked fighting him.”
Subaru sighed at that very Julius-esque response and started down the stairs again.
Having woken back up, Julius was a lot easier to carry than before. The concern that had been weighing him down had cleared up. I can make the rest of the way on momentum now.
“…Is Lady Anastasia safe? I saw that she had collapsed and that she was being healed in the spirit’s room, but…”
“The current prognosis is that her life isn’t in danger. You were a lot closer to dying. Against that… Oh yeah, you’ll be shocked to know who that one-eyed asshole is.”
“…Reid Astrea.”
Subaru caught his breath and stopped moving for a moment when he heard that confident response. But he quickly started moving again to hide his surprise.
“Good… Good job figuring it out. The rest of us figured it out thanks to Shaula. She apparently met him four hundred years ago, so it makes sense she’d know him, but…apparently, she really did have issues with him. That’s why she fainted when she saw him.”
“There were several clues. Flaming red hair…and blue eye. Such incomparable swordsmanship… Can it even be called swordsmanship? I could not even make him wield a sword. I suppose I should say he is truly a formidable warrior. Also, I have seen the term Stick Swinger used to refer to him in books.”
“Was he called Stick Swinger in the past because he fought using chopsticks or something?”
“More precisely, it was in the sense that he wasn’t particular about his weapons. It occurred to me when he called himself Stick Swinger, but…I was unsure. Apologies…for failing to tell you.”
There was an apologetic nuance to Julius’s tone that left Subaru cold.
He was saying there were clues to notice, but in Subaru’s mind, that was too harsh a judgment. Reid Astrea, the man who was the first Sword Saint, was someone who should have died four hundred years ago. Just because a couple of distinctive features matched didn’t mean that they should’ve immediately assumed they would run into someone famous whose name had been carried on in old myths and legends.
If it was that easy to guess, then by all rights, Subaru should’ve been able to figure it out first.
Emilia and I both commented on how the examinations in this tower were similar to the trials in Echidna’s tomb. So if anything, I should have brought up the possibility.
As a result of my laziness, we got sent packing.
“Hah. Regardless of the process, to encounter a legendary swordsman reborn from the past… Ordinarily, I would be quite pleased by such a miraculous meeting, but…”
“I can guess what you’re thinking. A legendary hero turning out to be that guy in reality is definitely a letdown. Between that and Shaula, who was supposed to be some Sage, this tower has had more than its share of disappointments.”
“…You can guess…eh?”
There was a dry, self-deprecating timbre to Julius’s response.
Hearing it from so close to his ears, Subaru gritted his teeth. It had been a thoughtless response.
But he continued without touching on that comment.
“Still, though, the story was that the first Sword Saint is the guy printed on gold coins, but they look pretty different from the real person, too. Shaula being the wrong gender can be chalked up to her and the Sage being different people, but there’s a pretty big gap with Reid, as well. The guy on the gold coin looks a lot older…”
“Historically, Reid’s achievements that earned him a place among the three heroes occurred when he was older. So the depiction on the gold coin is likely accurate. The version of him upstairs is simply younger than that point in history.”
“Oh yeah, it seemed like he didn’t recognize Shaula after all…”
He had just intended to change the topic, but in an unexpected turn, it had cleared up one question.
Shaula and Reid supposedly knew each other, but the difference in reaction was pretty extreme. Julius’s explanation would make sense. It could also just be their personalities, too, to some extent.
“If that’s true, then he fought the Witch past his prime? And we have to somehow beat him when he’s at his best.”
“Our odds do not look good. Indeed, it may even be impossible.”
“It will definitely be a pain. But if we build up enough countermeasures, there has to be a way out. For now…”
While searching for a clue as to how to deal with Reid, Subaru hesitated at how to continue. His heart stopped him out of concern for whether this was the time or place to tell Julius.
But he was a step too late.
“For now…what?”
“No, it’s just…”
“Subaru.”
If he tried to say he had seen a way to get through Reid after watching, Julius would just see through it.
So Subaru resigned himself to it when Julius said his name.
“…After you and Anastasia passed out, Emilia passed the examination.”
“ ”
“But it was just… It wasn’t like she beat him in a straight-up match. There were a lot of coincidences that added together… And Emilia was…um…special.”
It was difficult to just call what happened a simple victory.
It could be said that Emilia had forced the proctor of the examination, Reid, to acknowledge her resolve and strength, but it was hard to explain the situation to anyone who hadn’t seen it happen.
It wasn’t a method that anyone other than Emilia would be able to replicate.
“Anyway, it was a combination of lots of complex factors, but Emilia cleared the examination. But according to him, only the person who cleared the test is allowed to go through, so for all of us to go up to the next floor, everyone has to win. So it’s the same issue… If anything, it’s even worse.”
“ ”
“So we still have to come up with some sort of plan. I’m gonna have to get him to acknowledge me and Beatrice fighting as a pair. Meili doesn’t really have much reason to face the examination. Getting him to accept that, too… It’s going to be a pain doing all that.”
“ ”
“So, um, it’s not like you don’t have any chance at a rematch. Though yeah, not like you did this time. Next time, just go more my style…”
“ ”
“…Hey, are you listening? Julius?”
As he was fast-talking his explanation, Julius’s lack of response felt suspicious. He called out to Julius, and after a few times, he heard Julius catch his breath.
“ Ah, yes, I’m okay. I’m listening as well… I see, so, Lady Emilia…”
“That’s awkwardly not quite the current topic, but…yeah. There’s her example, so it isn’t an entirely hopeless examination, either. So don’t get too worked up about it, okay?”
“Worked up? …If Lady Emilia was able to overcome the examination, then he…then Sword Saint Reid is not an insurmountable obstacle. Just knowing that is already an excellent result.”
“Y-yeah. Right… As long as you understand that.”
To his surprise, Julius had taken Emilia’s success better than he had expected, leaving him feeling a bit let down after having been so concerned about how to explain it. —No, it’s better this way.
He just found out that someone else had cleared the hurdle that had tripped him up.
I didn’t need to worry about that hurting Julius’s feelings. I guess I was just expecting his immature side to be bigger than it was. Or maybe the knight Julius Juukulius can’t really be measured on the same scale as me.
Julius let out a long breath. And then he continued in an untroubled tone.
“Well then, do you think you can let me down now? If I let you keep carrying me, I might get motion sickness. Unlike a land dragon, you don’t seem to have a wind-repelling blessing.”
“Just deal with the swaying and wind and be grateful for the ride. I won’t deny it’s tiring, but I’m not heartless enough to make an injured person walk it off. Emilia wouldn’t let me hear the end of it.”
Shaking his head, Subaru swayed his body, readjusting to support Julius.
Julius had been beaten up badly by Sword Saint Reid twice in one day. He had challenged Reid again despite not fully healing after the first loss, so his body should have been near its physical limits. Even if Reid’s attacks had been intended just to break Julius’s spirit and not his body.
So Subaru steeled himself to finish carrying Julius the last half of the stairs, around two hundred more steps. But…
“—No, I can’t cause you that much trouble. It would be one thing if I was still unconscious, but fortunately, I’ve woken up. I can at least descend the stairs myself.”
“Don’t be stubborn. Besides, not much point acting tough now. If your embarrassed to be seen being carried, then it’s too late. Everyone with us already saw… Shaula and Anastasia who were out, too, are the only ones who haven’t seen it.”
“Then that’s enough reason. I can’t allow the two of them…particularly not Lady Anastasia…to see me like this. Please let me down.”
“I can tell you’re pushing yourself. Besides—”
“I said please let me down!”
The outburst came without warning.
“Whoa?!”
Right after that, Subaru’s shoulder slammed into the wall.
It was because Julius had forcibly twisted himself. It was lucky Subaru had turned himself toward the wall, but if he had not been fast enough, he might have gone tumbling down the stairs.
But because he had to focus on protecting himself—
“—Ngh.”
“You…dumbass! What the hell are you thinking?!”
Leaning against the wall, Subaru turned back and saw Julius lying on the stairs a little bit lower down. He had slipped from Subaru’s back and slid down several stairs.
“I told you so! Oy! Just stay there, stupid. I’ll—”
“You don’t have to come!”
“ ”
“…I can stand…on my own. I don’t need…to borrow a shoulder.”
Subaru had started to run down, but he was stopped by that outburst.
His elbows resting on the floor, Julius still held out a hand to stop Subaru. Then he took a deep breath and his face tensed as he somehow managed to force his body up. And leaning against the wall, he slowly, ever so slowly pushed his hips up, stretching his legs, clinging to the wall as he stood.
“As I said. Standing on my own two feet is of no special achievement.”
Something about his downcast tone silenced Subaru for a moment.
Julius turned his body around, and leaning his right shoulder and upper body against the wall, he sluggishly, at a baby’s crawling pace, started to make his way down the stairs.
One step. Another step. Carefully…
“It seems it will take a while, but there is no need to trouble you. More importantly, I’m sure the ladies downstairs are concerned. I find it hard to believe that you were the only one who was looking for me.”
One step. Another step.
“If possible, could you please let them know what happened? Of course, a proper apology and full explanation should come from me. Just let them know that you found me so that they are not worried.”
Slowly, slowly. One step at a time.
“…I admit I am reluctant to make this explanation myself, but it is unavoidable. If you could at least prepare the rough path ahead a little bit, I’d be greatly indebted to you. That said, I understand if my compounding debt means little to you at this point.”
Julius continued speaking as he slowly proceeded to descend the steps by himself, not looking back at Subaru.
Even at his snail’s pace, he was opening a clear gap with Subaru, who had stopped moving. It was a distance Subaru could easily cover if he was of a mind to. In order to answer Julius’s request, he would have to catch up and pass him. So Subaru’s legs started moving.
“I just have to talk to them a bit first is all.”
“…Yes, that’s right. If Lady Anastasia has awakened… No, that’s enough already. Anyway, that is my request.”
Subaru started moving, and it would be easy to pass Julius. Julius breathed what almost seemed a sigh of relief as Subaru’s shoe rang out on the stairs. As if urging Subaru to go on ahead.
…No, not urging, pleading…
Subaru believed that he understood at least to some degree what Julius was thinking.
The reason he understood was the same reason he had immediately known that Julius had gone to challenge Reid again even though Emilia and the others hadn’t…
Because it resembled something Subaru had felt before himself.
And so, in that moment…
“…Argh! Damn it! Damn it, damn it, damn it! Dumbass! You and me both!”
Cursing in irritation, Subaru dashed down the stairs toward Julius. Not to pass him. Grabbing Julius’s left arm as he clung to the wall and stumbled awkwardly, Subaru forcefully wedged himself under his shoulder.
“Wha…? Subaru, what are you…?”
“Shut up! What are you talking about, you can stand on your own?! I can see how hunched over you are! There’s no way I can just rush off and leave someone like that behind! Forget Emilia scolding me, I wouldn’t forgive myself if I did that!”
“But I—”
“I wouldn’t want to lend a hand if I didn’t have to, either. Both my hands are pretty full of things as it is. If it really bothers you, then don’t look so pathetic anymore!”
Subaru’s spittle-flecked shout silenced Julius.
Losing the strength that he had used to shake Subaru off, Julius hesitated to resist, and seeing that, Subaru started walking while forcibly lending him a shoulder to lean on.
“I won’t say I know everything in your heart.”
“ ”
“But, right now, right here, there is no reason for me to make you walk these stairs, this long, long stairway, all by yourself. I can lend you a shoulder. It’s not even a favor.”
Talking about debts and favors is stupid. If we started counting those, then how much would I owe Julius by now? And I’d have to start counting from all the way back at the training ground in the castle.
—I understand why you faced Reid even knowing you couldn’t win.
That time…Subaru had been the same.
At the time, Subaru had known he could not win, but he had still challenged Julius. Even after getting knocked down countless times, even after getting pummeled, he had kept standing back up and challenging him.
Because there had not been any other way for him to vent the fury that had welled up in his breast.
And at that time, when it was all over, after his argument with Emilia ended things, and he had been alone, it had been painful. He had wanted to cry.
…So how could I leave him to take these stairs all by himself?
There was a heat in the pit of his stomach, just like then. But unlike then, he didn’t know where he should vent that fury.
“…Subaru.”
“What?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Shut up.”
He answered, hoping that it did not sound like he was taking it out on Julius.
The two of them slowly descended to the fourth floor together like that.
—It would be another dozen minutes before Emilia was relieved at finding them.
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