Re:Zero Flaw If

The next day, Los was awoken by Rem. "Los, sorry to wake you up, but we have some news from Roswaal. He wants to talk to you about it."

Los nodded groggily and got up, following Rem out of the room. She led him to Roswaal's chambers before bowing and letting him inside. Roswaal turned to face him with his usual grin. Los met his gaze and asked, "What's going on?"

"Ooooh, several things, Loss-Kun," Roswaal said in his usual playful tone.

Los took a seat as Roswaal continued. "Regarding Emilia, she has work back at the mansion, so she will head back there immediately."

Los nodded. "And?"

Roswaal's grin widened. "You will have to go to the other houses and apologize for your actions at the Royal Selection, especially to the Hoshin house. While an impressive show of force, we don't want the people to think of us as brutes."

Los scowled. "They attacked a member of our camp. A show of force was surely needed."

Roswaal shook his head. "Loooss-kuuun, pleaaaase do this. Even if you feel that way, pleaaaase swallow your pride."

Los shook his head stubbornly. "No way."

Roswaal looked down for a moment before Emilia stepped out from behind him. "Los-sama, please. If I ask you to do this, will you?"

Los clenched his jaw, instantly recognizing Roswaal's ploy. He sighed and looked at Emilia. "I am loyal to you and your camp, Emilia. If you truly wish me to do it, I will."

Roswaal's smile grew as Emilia looked relieved. "Thank you, Los-sama."

Roswaal clapped his hands, startling Emilia. "Weeeell, your ride will be here sooooon, Loss-kun. Lastly, please inform Subaruuu that he will be leaving for the Karsten camp."

Los nodded and left for Subaru's room. Knocking on the door, he heard a grunt from inside. Not waiting for permission, he stepped in to see Subaru still sprawled on the bed. Without mercy, Los shook him awake.

"W-wuh-wuht?" Subaru mumbled, still half-asleep.

"Wake up. Important stuff," Los said, deadpan.

It took Subaru a moment to orient himself before Los began. "You'll be headed for the Karsten residence, I guess."

Subaru looked confused. "Just me? Where are you going?"

Los folded his arms. "I will be going to apologize to the camps, starting with the Hoshin camp."

"THOSE jerks?" Subaru scoffed.

Los nodded. "Emilia ordered it, so it must be done."

Subaru sighed before giving Los a mock salute. "Well, good luck, my brother. See you around."

Los smiled weakly and waved goodbye before stepping out into the hallway. "Rem?" he called, not seeing her anywhere.

"BOO!" Rem suddenly jumped out from under a nearby table.

Los actually laughed. "What was that for?"

Rem grinned. "Just wanted to give you a memorable goodbye."

Los smiled. "Goodbye, Rem."

He went downstairs and was immediately greeted by the sight of Julius Juukulius. Julius instinctively put a hand on his sword, but Los fell to one knee before him.

"I am deeply sorry for my conduct at the Royal Selection. I hope you can see past this, and I will do whatever it takes to repair my and my camp's reputation."

Julius removed his hand from his sword and nodded. "Well, come with me. We will see what can be done, but for now, rise."

Los stood, and the two walked out to the waiting dragon carriage.

Time Skip

The dragon carriage ride was painfully quiet. Julius had tried to break the silence by asking about Los's background, only to receive a simple, "I don't know." After that, neither of them spoke much.

Finally, the driver spoke up. "Mister Los, Sir Julius, we have arrived."

Los looked out the window, slightly surprised. "Anastasia lives in another country. Where are we?"

Julius seemed to read his mind. "This is one of the many properties owned by the Hoshin Trading Company, just outside the capital. The journey doesn't take long this way."

The mansion was impressive—about half the size of Roswaal's but equally lavish. Ornate windows, intricate gold trim, and a massive pool in the courtyard all spoke of immense wealth. Los followed Julius inside, still admiring the structure.

Eventually, they reached a grand door lined with pure gold. The handle alone was a work of art, carved with intricate designs. Julius knocked.

"Come in," came a voice from inside.

Los entered and immediately dropped to one knee. The woman before him, Anastasia Hoshin, stood, watching him carefully. Behind her, four figures stiffened, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons.

Los spoke firmly. "I deeply apologize for my actions during the Royal Selection. I hope to atone for any insult I have caused."

Anastasia's sharp eyes studied him before she nodded. "We will have some work for you, but first, introductions. I am Anastasia Hoshin, head of the Hoshin Trading Company. This is Ricardo, head of the Fang of Iron mercenary group. These are Mimi, Hetaro, and Tivey, the vice-captains."

Los rose and bowed slightly. "I am Los."

Anastasia smirked. "Your assignment is simple. A shipment was stolen in the nearby forest. Retrieve it tomorrow, and all will be forgotten by our camp."

Los nodded. "Understood. Thank you."

Julius led him to his room, and without another word, Los collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

Meanwhile, Subaru sat in the Karsten residence, waiting for Felix to arrive and heal his gate. Upon arriving, he had been made to apologize for Los's actions, but he accepted it without much complaint, knowing Los was doing the same elsewhere.

Thinking back on the beating he took, he shuddered. The door creaked open.

"Are you ready for your treatment, Subaru-Kyun?" Felix purred playfully.

Subaru grimaced. "I guess."

Felix's grin widened. "Rem-chyan, can you get on the bed beside Subaru-Kyun?"

Rem hesitated. "O-okay."

She shuffled onto the bed, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. Felix joined them, placing his hands on Subaru's shoulders before activating his magic.

"NYAAAAN!"

Time Skip

Subaru's treatment for the day was over, but he shuddered, thinking back on it. Felix had gone a little overboard—almost as bad as what had caused the injury in the first place.

Now walking through the capital with Rem, Subaru spotted a large crowd gathered around a poster of the five candidates. He overheard a familiar voice.

"A half-elf? Who'd vote for her?"

Subaru turned to see the appa guy. His blood boiled.

"Hey! Don't say that! You think just because the Jealous Witch was a half-elf that all half-elves are bad?!"

The appa guy shrugged. "That's how things work around here."

Subaru clenched his fists. He had to prove them all wrong. Somehow.

He leaned closer to Subaru and added, "By the way, people are afraid of the Witch, so I wouldn't say her name like that." He then exited the mass, leaving Subaru mulling over his words.

After making his way back out, Subaru went over to Rem. "I'm quite hungry from all that. Do you know any good places to eat?"

Rem smiled and replied, "Just so happens I do. Now, come with me."

After a short walk, they arrived. Subaru gasped and said, "NO WAY, the Krusty Krab!"

Rem looked over, confused. Subaru looked back at her and said, "Oh, this is a place a guy from my village made. Did the guy leave and come here, I guess?"

Rem smiled, and they went in. Subaru was immediately shocked when he saw Anastasia Hoshin sitting in a booth inside.

"My, my, what are you doing here, mister 'I love Emilia'?" she teased.

"Hey! Well, I'm not doing anything, I guess. I just wanted to walk around town and get some info."

Anastasia grinned and leaned in. "Information? What kind of information?"

Subaru thought about whether it was okay to share, then shrugged. If he needed her help, perhaps telling her would make her more likely to do so.

"I'm aware Crusch is gathering supplies for something, but I'm not exactly sure what the supplies are."

"Reallllllly?" remarked Anastasia.

Mimi bumped in and started asking Anastasia for food.

Rem turned and whispered to Subaru, "Are you sure disclosing this information to another camp is wise? Won't Crusch-sama be mad?"

Subaru waved her off. "No, it'll be fine. Trust me."

Rem leaned back into her chair, trusting Subaru. "So, tell me, what is Crusch gathering?" Subaru asked.

Anastasia shook her head and said, "Let me tell you something. If you put your own goals first, you'll never get any information. I'll tell you what she's gathering, but first, you tell me why she's gathering it."

Subaru shook his head and replied, "I don't know why she's gathering it, but it looks like she is preparing for something big."

"Well, at the very least, you've told me a lot," Anastasia replied, disappointed. "She's gathering dragon carriages and a lot of iron and weapons."

"She's preparing to hunt," Subaru thought to himself. "Thanks, Anastasia. I've got to go back now, though. Say hi to Julius for me."

Anastasia smiled and waved goodbye.

Time Skip

Walking up the stairs, Subaru heard a voice. "Subaru Natsuki, mind if I have a word?"

He looked up and saw Crusch Karsten in a dress, which was jarring compared to her usual military vibe.

"Miss Crusch? Right?"

"That's right," she responded. "The breeze is pleasant tonight. Perfect for sharing a drink, wouldn't you say?"

Subaru nodded, and the two of them headed outside to the balcony.

Crusch asked about his healing, and Subaru had to say it "wasn't toooo bad."

Crusch then remarked, "I've had many proposals over the last few days."

Subaru spat out his drink. "Proposals? As in marriage proposals?" He then thought for a moment and said, "Oh yeah, you are all single, aren't you?"

Crusch put a fist to her chin and asked, "Does that bother you?"

Flustered, Subaru responded, "N-no."

Subaru tried to change the subject to Wilhelm, also mentioning that he had a beautiful wife. Crusch asked him, "Are you aware why he serves me?"

Before she could get an answer, Felix burst in and started asking why Crusch was dressed so vulnerably.

Crusch told him to stop joking around and that anyone present at the Royal Selection would know who Subaru had feelings for.

Felix nodded and replied, "Nya, I heard they had a falling out. Is that true?"

Subaru looked down.

Crusch said, "Do not cast your eyes down, Subaru. When you do so, your future is closed, and you lose sight of your reasons to live."

Felix then said, "The point is, Subaru, you must make up with Emilia. Sooo think about how you manage that aaaand do it."

The next day, Reinhard arrived at the gate while Subaru was training. Subaru went out and asked, "Why are you here, Reinhard?"

Reinhard bowed and said, "Forgive me."

Subaru waved his hands. "What do you have to be sorry for?"

"I didn't stop that meaningless duel between you and Julius, although Julius attempted to do so in my place."

"Well, you saw what would have happened had you tried to. And besides, how was the duel meaningless? I thought it was supposed to help me?"

"Nevertheless, Subaru, what good came of that duel? You were hurt, and Julius tarnished his career. You could have had a calm, open discussion—I'm sure that would have cleared up the misunderstanding."

"I don't want to talk to Julius, Reinhard."

Reinhard frowned and got ready to interject when Rem came up behind them.

"Subaru, we need to talk!"

Subaru turned back to Reinhard. "I'm sorry. In time, I will, but this can't wait." He turned, and Reinhard reached out before putting his hand back down and walking away.

Once inside, Rem informed him that they were getting readings from Roswaal's domain.

"Troubling movement? You mean, all this is happening because of prejudice?"

"That seems to be a correct summation," Crusch responded.

"All this happens as soon as I leave. I am the only person that will come to her side," Subaru thought to himself before stating, "We have to go help her, then."

He stood up and started walking away, but Rem trapped his arm. "You mustn't, Subaru. Emilia's orders were to stay here and focus on healing."

"Rem, no one is at Emilia's side. You and I are the only ones who can help her."

"Ms. Crusch, you heard what I said. We'll need to go to Emilia. Until this is taken care of, my healing will have to—"

"Subaru Natsuki!" He stopped. "If you leave now, I will have no choice but to make you my enemy," Crusch said coldly.

"I was contracted to Emilia, but if you choose to abandon the contract yourself, I am not obligated to protect you further. If you leave, both Emilia and I will not hesitate to become your enemies."

"I was wrong about you... I thought you and I could maybe—just maybe—get along. Your advice was just a joke over some drinks, am I right?"

"I think you're getting something wrong."

"Felix, enough!" Crusch interjected.

"No, I will say it. Even if you rush to her side, nothing will change, and we'll be enemies. Even after making a fool of yourself at the castle and getting clobbered by Julius, you still don't realize that?"

Subaru gritted his teeth and replied, "I've made up my mind. I'm leaving."

"I heard a good man knows how to take a warning. I guess that saying 'nyat' true."

They were lent a carriage by Wilhelm. Rem thanked him, and Subaru asked how long the journey would take.

She replied, "About two and a half days."

"WHAT?! It took us less than half a day to get here, though!"

"The road we took is covered in the fog."

"Who cares about a little fog?"

"The fog is created by the White Whale. If we encounter it, we will not survive."

Subaru grunted and climbed aboard before they set off.