(15) This Is Hero Time: 03

Rem sprinted down the path leading to the village, her morningstar clutched tightly in her hand. The cool breeze did little to calm her racing heart as the images of what she might find flashed through her mind. That reckless, crazy, redheaded fool of a knight-guest—charging into a village under attack by MaBeasts alone? It was idiocy, plain and simple! What kind of person, with no real understanding of the Mathers Domain, decided they were invincible after just one night of hospitality?

Her chest heaved as frustration and worry warred within her. She didn't know why she cared so much, but Subaru's blatant disregard for caution made her blood boil. "Honestly," Rem muttered under her breath, "who does she think she is? A hero from a fairytale?"

As the village came into view, her steps slowed, dread curling in her stomach. She braced herself for the inevitable: a half-destroyed village, houses burned to the ground, families mourning their losses—and that idiotic knight, likely lying in a pool of her own blood, completely useless after biting off more than she could chew.

Her fingers tightened around the handle of her morningstar, prepared for the worst.

But when she stepped into the square, her breath caught in her throat.

The scene before her was not one of destruction and despair, but... celebration?

Villagers crowded around a makeshift table, laughter and chatter filling the air. The source of their merriment sat squarely at the centre of it all.

Subaru.

The red-haired knight, the supposed reckless fool, was very much alive and seemed entirely unbothered by her earlier stunt. She was perched on a wooden bench, her shining silver armour gleaming even in the dimming light. Her white cape, dirtied at the hem, was casually slung over the bench behind her, and her long hair, still impossibly vibrant, cascaded over her shoulders like a fiery waterfall.

And she was eating.

Not just eating—devouring. A massive roasted turkey rested in front of her, and Subaru tore into it with the kind of enthusiasm one might expect from someone who hadn't eaten in days. Plates of food surrounded her, piled high with bread, roasted vegetables, pies, and even more meats. Villagers bustled around her, bringing more dishes with grateful smiles, each one seemingly trying to outdo the last in their offerings.

"Subaru-sama, have some stew as well!" an elderly woman said, holding out a steaming bowl.

"Try this pie! It's the best in the village!" a younger man added, sliding a dish toward her.

Subaru grinned, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk's as she somehow managed to reply. "Don't mind if I do!" she said, her voice muffled by turkey.

Rem stood frozen, her morningstar hanging limply at her side. Her brain struggled to process what she was seeing. This wasn't devastation. This wasn't chaos. This was... absurd.

"What...?" she managed to mutter, her voice barely above a whisper.

One of the villagers noticed her standing there, gaping like a statue, and called out, "Rem-sama! You're here to join the feast too?"

Rem blinked. "Feast?"

"Of course! Subaru-sama saved us all from the MaBeasts! You should've seen it—she was incredible!"

Her gaze snapped back to Subaru, who was now waving a drumstick in the air as she recounted her "heroic" deeds to an enraptured audience.

"And then," Subaru said, her voice animated, "I jumped into the air—whoosh!—and came down like BAM! Right on top of that ugly wolf's head. It didn't even know what hit it!"

The villagers erupted into cheers, clapping and laughing as if the entire event had been a festival rather than a life-or-death battle.

Rem's jaw tightened. She marched forward, her footsteps heavy and deliberate. As she approached, Subaru noticed her and raised the drumstick in greeting.

"Rem! You're just in time!" Subaru said, her voice light and cheerful. "Grab a plate, they've got some amazing food here!"

Rem stopped in front of her, crossing her arms over her chest. Her blue eyes narrowed, taking in the knight's carefree posture, the smudge of grease on her cheek, and the way she seemed completely oblivious to the gravity of what had just transpired.

"You..." Rem's voice was low, but it carried an edge sharp enough to cut steel. "What do you think you're doing?"

Subaru blinked, tilting her head. "Uh, eating?"

"Eating?" Rem repeated, her voice rising. "You charged into a village under attack by MaBeasts alone. Do you have any idea how reckless that was? You could've been killed!"

Subaru shrugged, taking another bite of turkey. "But I wasn't. And the village is safe, so... win-win?"

Rem's eye twitched. She grabbed the turkey leg out of Subaru's hand and slammed it onto the table, causing the villagers to gasp in unison.

"This isn't a joke, Subaru-sama!" Rem snapped. "You're not invincible! What if there had been more MaBeasts than you could handle? What if they had overwhelmed you? What if—"

Subaru raised her hands in mock surrender, her grin never faltering. "Relax, Rem. Everything worked out, didn't it? I mean, look around—everyone's fine, and I'm still in one piece. No harm, no foul."

Rem's shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of her as frustration gave way to exhaustion. "You're impossible," she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Subaru leaned back, her grin softening into something more genuine. "Hey, I get it. You're worried. But I couldn't just sit back and do nothing while people were in danger. It's not in my nature."

Rem stared at her for a long moment, the intensity of her gaze making Subaru shift uncomfortably. Then, with a sigh, she uncrossed her arms and stepped back.

"Fine," Rem said, her tone begrudging. "But don't expect me to clean up your messes next time you pull a stunt like this."

Subaru chuckled, picking up the drumstick again. "Noted. Now, seriously, grab a plate. You've gotta try the pie—it's divine."

Rem shook her head, muttering something about "reckless knights" and "idiots" as she turned away. But as she walked toward the villagers, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Subaru watched her go, her grin widening. Then, turning back to the feast, she raised the drumstick high.

"To victory!" she declared, earning another round of cheers from her newfound admirers.

Otto wiped his ink-stained fingers on a ragged cloth, admiring the hastily scribbled ballad in his hands. The Lady Knight—her red hair cascading like fire, her blade a beacon of justice, her appetite as vast as her bravery. Who wouldn't buy a book about such a figure? The villagers already adored her; he could see it in their eyes as they watched her with awe and admiration. Yes, this was his chance.

With his parchment tucked under his arm, Otto approached the knight, who was still seated at the makeshift feast. Subaru had one hand holding a turkey leg, the other reaching for a loaf of bread, while her plate overflowed with food piled precariously high.

"Lady Subaru-sama," Otto began cautiously, clearing his throat to catch her attention.

Subaru glanced up mid-bite, her cheeks puffed like a chipmunk's, and raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"

Otto took that as permission to continue. "You were absolutely incredible out there. Truly, I've never seen anything like it! If I may ask, who are you? Where are you from? How... how did you become so strong?"

Subaru swallowed a massive chunk of turkey, pausing to sip from a mug of water before answering. "Oh, uh... I'm just a wandering knight. Y'know, nothing too fancy. As for where I'm from..." She hesitated, her gaze briefly distant. "Let's just say it's a long way from here. And strong? Well, I guess you could say it's a mix of training, determination, and a bit of luck."

Otto leaned in, fascinated. "A wandering knight with such grace and strength? There's a story there, I'm sure of it. Have you ever considered, uh, writing it down? Or perhaps... allowing someone else to write it for you?"

Subaru blinked, her lips quirking into a lopsided grin. "You mean, like, a book? About me?"

"Yes!" Otto exclaimed, his excitement growing. "A hero of your calibre deserves to be immortalised in words! And, well, I could help with that. In fact, if you'd permit me, I could work as your footman—no, your manager. Yes, your manager! I could document your exploits, handle your affairs, and make sure the world knows of your deeds."

Subaru tilted her head, considering his offer as she tore into a piece of bread. "Hmm... a manager, huh? Sounds kinda fancy. Sure, why not?"

Otto's face lit up with joy. "You mean it? You'll let me work for you?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Subaru said through a mouthful of pie. "Just don't bug me when I'm eating, okay?"

With that, Otto practically skipped off, clutching his ballad and plans for his new role. He made a beeline for the nearby huts, where his cart and supplies were stored.

Inside the hut, he found Rem tidying up, her expression as stern and composed as ever. Otto cleared his throat to get her attention. "Excuse me, Rem-sama?"

She turned to him with a questioning look. "Yes?"

"I need to load my cart. Lady Subaru-sama just hired me as her manager, and I have to be ready to travel with her."

Rem's eyes narrowed slightly. "Manager? Do you know Subaru-sama doesn't have a single coin to her name?"

Otto faltered for a moment before regaining his composure. "That doesn't matter! A hero's worth isn't measured in coins. Besides, I'll make plenty once I start publishing books about her adventures!"

Rem sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "And did you get Roswaal-sama's permission for this... venture?"

"I'll get it," Otto replied confidently. "But for now, could you help me load my things into the cart? Please?"

Rem gave him a long, unimpressed stare before finally relenting. "Fine. But until Roswaal-sama approves, you'll be staying in the manor's warehouse."

"Deal!" Otto said, grinning as he began gathering his belongings.

Õ~Õ

Meanwhile, back at the feast, Subaru had finished her meal and was now surrounded by a group of wide-eyed children. She was gesturing animatedly, her red hair catching the sunlight, as she recounted a story from her hometown.

"And then," Subaru said, her voice rising for dramatic effect, "the giant beast roared so loudly, it shook the entire mountain! But I wasn't scared. I stood my ground, sword in hand, ready to face it head-on..."

The children gasped, their imaginations running wild as they hung on her every word. For them, the Lady Knight wasn't just a hero—she was a living legend.

The warm glow of the sun began to wane as Subaru walked back lazily to Rem, her red hair catching the remnants of daylight as it fluttered in the breeze. Her armour glinted faintly under the pile of cloaks she had thrown over herself to stave off the chill. She patted her belly, a satisfied grin on her face, still basking in the post-feast glow. The villagers had practically stuffed her with food, each meal more delicious than the last.

"Man, I could get used to this hero thing," she muttered, watching the forest trees sway gently.

She glanced ahead to see Rem, standing stoically beside the cart. How considerate of her to arrange everything, even a ride back to the manor. Subaru sighed contentedly. "Ah, Rem, you're truly a lifesaver."

Rem glanced at her but said nothing, her hands clasped in front of her as the cart trundled along the bumpy path.

The cart driver was a young man dressed in green robes, his hair hair was pale. He had been silent for most of the journey, but curiosity got the better of him as they moved deeper into the forest. "So, Lady Subaru-sama," he began, his voice polite but eager. "You're clearly not an ordinary knight. Where do you hail from, if I may ask?"

Subaru perked up at the question. "Oh, I'm from a faraway kingdom," she said nonchalantly, waving her hand as if it were no big deal.

The driver raised an eyebrow. "A faraway kingdom, you say? That must be quite a story."

Rem also leaned in slightly, her interest piqued.

Subaru smirked, her theatrical instincts kicking in. "Of course! I am the princess of a grand and noble kingdom. My father, the Emperor, sent me on a journey to win the hearts of the people, conquer lands, and prove my worth as a ruler."

The driver's eyes widened, his pen suddenly appearing in his hand as he pulled out a scrap of paper. The cart jolted to a stop.

Subaru blinked. "Uh, what are you doing?"

He didn't look up as he scribbled furiously. "Just taking notes, my lady. Please, continue. Which kingdom do you hail from?"

Subaru hesitated, her mind racing. "Uh... the Kingdom of Japan!"

The driver froze mid-scribble, his brow furrowing. "Japan? I've never heard of such a place."

Subaru waved her hand dismissively. "It's far away. Really far."

His eyes widened further, his voice almost trembling. "Beyond the Great Waterfall, perhaps?"

Subaru stared at him, unsure of what he was talking about but unwilling to ruin the moment. "...Sure. Let's go with that."

He gasped, his quill nearly snapping under the pressure of his excitement. "This is incredible! Beyond the Great Waterfall—such an uncharted land! My book will be a hit!"

Subaru tilted her head. "Uh, aren't you a driver? What's this about a book?"

The man finally looked up, his face lit with enthusiasm. "I am, at the moment, your driver. But I am also a writer, a chronicler of great tales! And yours, Lady Subaru-sama, is the greatest tale I've ever encountered!"

Subaru blinked, her brain finally catching up. "Wait, wait, wait. When did I hire you? Rem, what is this guy talking about?"

Rem, who had been observing the entire exchange with a neutral expression, said, "You hired Otto as your manager earlier. Don't you remember?"

Subaru froze, her mind flashing back to the feast and her vague conversation with Otto about books. "Oh. Crap. I did, didn't I?"

Otto—because apparently that was his name—straightened his back, beaming. "Indeed you did, milady! I am at your service, ready to immortalise your legend for future generations!"

Subaru sighed, slumping back into her seat. "Well, guess there's no backing out now. Alright, Otto, from now on, you'll write down my legend for the future. But let's make it, uh... cool. Like, super cool."

"Yes, Lady Subaru-sama!" Otto declared, his quill already poised for action.

Rem rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath about impulsive knights and opportunistic writers.

With that, the cart resumed its journey toward the manor, the soft clatter of wheels blending with the rustle of leaves and the occasional scribble of Otto's quill. Subaru stretched her arms, letting out a yawn as the peaceful ride lulled her into a state of relaxation.

She glanced back at the children in the village who had waved her off with such excitement, and for a brief moment, a smile softened her face. Maybe this whole "hero" gig wasn't so bad after all.

Join my Discord Server: .gg/X7sphRUsxJ

Check out my bio for more.