Re:Zero -Starting Life in Zero

The girl washed her eyes again and again, rubbing them until they were red, but she still looked uneasy, afraid that the filthy scene she had just seen would be imprinted in her eyes.

"Thank you, sir."

Emilia returned the porcelain bottle to Father Simon with a slight bow.

Then, he hurriedly grabbed Green's sleeve and walked quickly away, his steps somewhat rushed.

"Green, let's get out of here, this street is too dirty."

Father Simon watched the two figures hurrying away, then suddenly slapped his thigh, as if he had just remembered something important.

He hurriedly jogged after him with unsteady steps, shouting at the top of his lungs:

"Young man, wait a minute! If there are two brides, it'll cost extra! Double the price!"

"Here you go, please don't follow me anymore..."

Green nodded numbly and tossed the two gold coins he had just taken out to the old priest.

He immediately grabbed Emilia's wrist and started running.

That old bastard is really wicked, saying such things in front of Emilia.

Emilia was pulled along by him, stumbling and running, her skirt brushing against the grass sprouting from the cracks in the stone slabs, making a soft "rustling" sound.

Her heart was pounding, partly from the shame and indignation brought on by the priest's words, and partly from the burning heat emanating from Green's palm.

Beneath the brim of her hat, her violet eyes sparkled, concealing an indescribable ripple, like the surface of a lake rippled by the wind.

"You must be happy, young man!"

Father Simon watched the two men flee in panic and waved vigorously at them.

His aged eyes held a hint of inexplicable loneliness, and his voice gradually faded into the wind.

……

"Sometimes I really feel like Lugnica is a mental asylum," Green muttered, panting.

"Haha, it's not as scary as you make it out to be."

Emilia was dragged along by Grin for a while, her breathing was slightly unsteady, and her cheeks were flushed.

She raised her hand to smooth her wind-blown silver hair, her hat draped askew over her shoulder, making her look like a junior high school student in a hoodie.

Emilia looked at Grin's tense profile and couldn't help but smile, her voice still carrying a hint of lingering shyness.

"Green can hold my hand so naturally now, even though you're my knight..."

Emilia's voice was so low it was almost a whisper, with a soft, reproachful tone at the end.

She glanced at Greene furtively, then quickly looked down again.

His gaze fell on their clasped hands, and his fingertips unconsciously curled up, making Green's palm tingle.

As if he had been burned, Green quickly raised his hands, striking a pose of "innocence and righteousness."

"I'm so sorry, did I offend you, Emilia?"

His flustered appearance made Emilia burst out laughing.

She raised her free hand and gently punched Green's arm, the force as light as a feather, and the blush on her cheeks deepened.

"Idiot, I didn't say I minded...aren't we good friends?"

Green seized the opportunity and took Emilia's small hand again.

"Emilia, what privileges do I, as your good friend, have?"

Emilia touched her cheek with her finger, tilting her head slightly as she pondered intently.

"Hmm...you can call me Lia, that's all I can think of for now."

Looking at Emilia's innocent expression, Green gripped her hand even tighter.

This should be the best proof of the relationship the elf girl could think of.

Falling in love with someone can turn you into a pot of burning charcoal.

No matter how you hide it, people will still sense the unusual temperature.

But before things become clear, no one wants to be the first to speak up, and many relationships die in the ambiguous stage.

After all, that seemingly burning charcoal fire could easily go out in an instant if one is not careful.

Emilia's emotions are very sensitive and should not be touched lightly before a solid foundation is established.

It wasn't until the sun began to set and the sky was tinged with a reddish-orange hue that they slowly made their way back to the entrance of Crusch's mansion.

The knights guarding the door merely glanced over before stepping aside to make way.

They already recognized these two distinguished guests of Crusch, and no one stepped forward to stop them.

The moment you step into the mansion, a completely different atmosphere of solemnity and busyness hits you.

The courtyard has long lost its former elegance and tranquility, replaced by a bustling scene of people.

Hundreds of warriors in gleaming armor and mages in colorful robes moved among them.

Dragon chariots laden with spears, arrows, and healing potions were continuously arriving.

The warriors wiped their swords, and the archers checked their fletching.

Some were discussing tactics in small groups, eager to immediately unleash all the tricks they had in mind.

Along the way, Green also saw many large siege magic machines, carefully covered by black cloth, revealing only their ferocious outlines and exuding a terrifying aura.

"I didn't even notice these big guys when I was a guest. Crusch really hid them well."

Green sighed softly, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Emilia nodded and smiled faintly.

"Kurshion is a duke of the kingdom, so it's not surprising that he has such power."

Among the crowd, Felix, who was patrolling back and forth, spotted Green and Emilia from afar.

The adorable cat-eared crossdresser immediately stopped, stood on tiptoe, and waved her arms dramatically.

"Here, here! Grin-kun, Lady Emilia, please come this way!"

Felix's clear voice instantly pierced through the noise in the courtyard, drawing the attention of several soldiers who were carrying supplies nearby.

"That's Lord Green! The key figure in this battle." A young soldier lowered his voice, his eyes filled with excitement.

"Yes, a silver-haired half-elf knight. I've heard his strength is unfathomable." The old soldier next to him nodded, his tone filled with awe.

"Shh, keep your voice down. None of these chosen ones' servants are weak."

……

Green followed the sound to Felix, his gaze sweeping across the bustling courtyard, and asked in a deep voice, "Is everyone here?"

Felix and Green maintained a safe distance, hands behind their backs, striking a dignified "ladylike" pose, and answered seriously:

"It's almost done. We have more staff than expected, probably over a thousand people already."

Green surveyed the soldiers around him, noticing that they were all in high spirits and showed no fear of the white whale.

Instead, they were all full of fighting spirit, rubbing their hands together and chatting happily.

Felix saw through Green's thoughts, chuckled, and explained:

"It's quite surprising, isn't it? After all, slaying that demon was everyone's long-cherished wish, especially Will's."

Green nodded, and said thoughtfully, "I've heard about that too. The old man has been searching for the white whale for at least ten years, hasn't he?"

Upon hearing this, Felix's smile faded slightly, and a hint of melancholy crept into his voice as he softly corrected him:

"It's not just ten years, Mr. Grin. Will's wife—the former Sword Saint Theresia van Astraea—has been dead for fourteen years."