Re:Zero - Starting from Zero (Natsuki Subaru)

[Reinhard: ???]

Felix: ???

Priscilla: ???

[Echidna: ! ? ? ]

Natsuki Subaru stared in shock at the three black boxes in the sky indicating that he had just joined a new chat room.

What does that mean?

Are those three black boxes the person's name?

Natsuki Subaru was instantly dumbfounded.

How could anyone have a name like that?

However, both the prompts in the sky and the name displayed when that person spoke indicated that the person's name was represented by three black squares.

"This is difficult. We have absolutely no idea who this person is, or whether they are friend or foe," Natsuki Subaru said with a wry smile.

Otto chuckled softly and gently patted Subaru Natsuki's shoulder.

"Mr. Natsuki, there's no need to worry."

"First of all, the fact that Sky Curtain allows you from other worlds to join the chat room shows that Sky Curtain has the ability to pull people from other timelines into the chat room as well."

"In other words, whether friend or foe, the person whose name is obscured may not be from our world line."

"Secondly...did you notice how that person addressed you?"

"Lord Subaru... that's not a title an enemy would use."

"In short, Mr. Natsuki, you don't need to worry. Even if there are any problems, you can trust me and trust us."

"We're friends, right?" Otto quickly analyzed the current situation and comforted Subaru Natsuki.

In his last sentence, Otto emphasized the word "friend".

Natsuki Subaru blinked blankly.

???

How can so much information be analyzed in just a few seconds?

Otto is too clever.

Subaru Natsuki once again marveled at Otto's power, then gave him a grateful smile.

"Thank you, Otto, my friend," Natsuki Subaru replied, emphasizing the word "friend."

Otto was satisfied with Subaru's answer and gave him a gentle smile.

"You're welcome."

……

After listening to Otto's analysis, the people in the Tower of Sages lowered their guard against this mysterious newcomer to the chat room.

However, Otto himself did not relax.

"We need to get more information."

"From now on, we must never let Mr. Natsuki come into any danger."

Natsuki Subaru didn't notice that Otto's favorability rating had also reached 300 points.

Not just Otto.

After witnessing the pain and despair that Subaru Natsuki experienced, everyone in the Sage's Tower, as well as his friends far away...

The favorability ratings were gradually increasing, but the oblivious Subaru Natsuki didn't notice at the time.

……

The sky curtain.

Subaru Natsuki opened his eyes again.

"Feed? What's wrong? Why are you suddenly standing here?"

"That's what the fierce-looking apple stand owner asked."

?

You're back? Really?

Rem, who was carrying a basket of apples, also came over.

"Pleiades?"

"What happened? Why do you look like you've seen a dead person?"

Subaru Natsuki looked at Rem with a grim expression, his eyes filled with lingering fear, relief, and guilt.

Rem was unaware of what had happened, and her cheeks flushed as she looked at Subaru Natsuki, who was softly muttering her name.

Just as Subaru Natsuki was about to say something to Rem, the apple stand owner spoke up.

"Hey, I'm telling you, while it's really inconvenient to interrupt your lovey-dovey moment, how am I supposed to do business if you're making out in front of my stall?"

Subaru Natsuki simply pulled Rem away.

Rem looked at Subaru Natsuki with concern, wondering why he suddenly seemed so preoccupied.

"Subaru, you know, why do I feel like the ominous smell on you has gotten stronger?"

"An ominous smell? Well then, if you feel uneasy, just grab my hand," Natsuki Subaru said.

Rem responded with a smile, and then walked side by side with Subaru Natsuki.

Unbeknownst to Rem, Subaru Natsuki's gentle gaze changed.

Those eyes became filled with ferocity, murderous intent, and hatred.

Natsuki Subaru's face became somewhat gloomy and ferocious as a result.

In the evening, Subaru and Rem returned to Crusch's mansion.

In the courtyard of the mansion, Natsuki Subaru unexpectedly bumps into Russell talking to Wilhelm.

Wilhelm stated that the man was a highly skilled individual in managing the flow of currency within and outside the capital.

Wilhelm sensed that Subaru Natsuki had something to say.

At this moment, Natsuki Subaru, who had died twice, realized that the crisis on the other side was something he could not solve on his own.

So at this moment, Subaru Natsuki thought of asking for help, and thought of asking Crusch for help.

Reception room.

"The Witch Cult plans to attack Roswaal's territory in three days."

"In order to defeat them, I want to rely on Miss Crusch's power."

Crusch and Felix didn't seem surprised; just like the first time, they seemed to have anticipated the Witch Church's actions.

"I understand the situation, but I would like to hear your reasons for choosing our family as an ally."

Crusch said calmly.

"To put it bluntly, you are the ones most likely to help us right now."

"And Rem and I have also received so much care from you."

Subaru Natsuki speaks the truth.

Crusch interrupted Subaru Natsuki's words sternly.

"Please don't misunderstand, we did this because of an agreement."

Crusch stated that if negotiations were to take place, then there would be no point in negotiating if the Crusch camp could not gain any benefits.

That could only be considered begging.

After all, from their standpoints, Emilia and Crusch are both competitors for the royal selection. If Crusch can't gain any benefits here, she has no reason to help Emilia's camp.

Crusch's words were very objective and realistic.

Crusch stated that if the Crusch camp were allowed to go to Roswaal's territory to help resolve the Witch Cult's invasion crisis, it would mean that Emilia would have to withdraw from the royal selection.

This is perfectly normal.

After all, how can one claim to be king if one cannot even protect one's own territory?

Subaru Natsuki also realized this from Crusch's words.

Before asking for help, Subaru Natsuki hadn't even considered this possibility.

This is something we can't help.

Having just emerged from that desperate scene and returned to the time before everything happened, it's already quite impressive that Natsuki Subaru was able to muster the energy to continue thinking of solutions.

It's understandable that there wasn't time to think about it too much, and there's nothing that can be done about it.

"Let me ask you one more question. If we still need to seek help from the main family under these circumstances, then it means Emilia would have to withdraw from the royal selection. Even so, are you willing to do that?"

Natsuki Subaru remained silent. The sky did not reveal Natsuki Subaru's eyes on the screen, and it was difficult for anyone to imagine what Natsuki Subaru's eyes looked like at that moment.

Natsuki Subaru's face was covered in cold sweat. He knew how important the royal selection was to Emilia, but he also knew that if he didn't ask for help from others, Emilia would really die!

"Even so, I hope to rely on your strength, because if I die, everything will be lost!!"

Crusch rested her chin on her hands, listened to Subaru Natsuki's answer, her expression changed, and she closed her eyes.

"I understand. In that case, the Karlsten family will not lend you a single soldier."