Subaru Natsuki, who returned from the new Three Kingdoms

Felt was on the verge of tears as she listened to Grandpa Rom's voice.

"I'm an old man, and my body is still so big. How far can I run?" Grandpa Rom grinned.

Ferut cried even harder.

She knew that Grandpa Rom had run away because he was worried about her being coerced.

Grandpa Rom chuckled and patted Ferut on the head without saying a word.

"Do you know each other?" Subaru Natsuki belatedly walked into the stolen goods storage room, looking around.

The warehouse was filled to the brim with various wooden crates, as well as knives, guns, clubs, armor, and other items.

Hidden armor?

This could cost you your life!

Could this old man be plotting a rebellion?

Could he be a hero too?

For a moment, Subaru Natsuki's gaze toward Rom became more respectful.

After confirming that Grandpa Rom was alright, Felt sniffed and returned to her usual self.

While shaking his still sweaty hands, he said to Natsuki Subaru with a disgruntled expression:

"You already knew, so what are you pretending for?"

"You know? What do I know?" Natsuki Subaru asked, somewhat exasperated.

However, if others misunderstand you, then so be it.

Natsuki Subaru is never afraid of others misjudging him.

"So, Felt, this old man is actually your guardian, right?" Subaru Natsuki said to Felt.

Ferut nodded slightly.

"Hahaha!" Subaru Natsuki burst into laughter again for no apparent reason.

"See, I told you, if you think about it a little more, you'll remember how to get home, right?"

Feru was embarrassed; she had stopped pretending, but Subaru was still acting.

Just then, Natsuki Subaru suddenly showed a thoughtful expression.

Although I don't have many memories left of my first time in this alternate world.

But I was still impressed by the fact that badges could be found in the stolen goods vault.

Otherwise, he and Sha Sandao wouldn't have died together in the stolen goods warehouse.

Since that's the case, let's ask this old man.

So Subaru walked up to Rom and asked, "Old General, do you know why I've come to see you?"

Grandpa Rom shook his head.

“A medal, you know? A medal that was stolen from a silver-haired girl, I know it’s with you,” Natsuki Subaru continued.

Grandpa Rom glanced at Ferut instinctively.

Isn't this the medal that Ferut said she was going to steal today?

Now that they've succeeded, the medal should be with Felt by now.

If these two people came for the medal, they could have just taken it from Ferut already. Why did they come here?

For a moment, Rom was puzzled. Did these two not know that the medal was in Ferut's hands?

Ferut was equally bewildered.

You want a medal? Why not ask yourself for one?

Did the other person not know her identity and really think she was a lost little girl?

No, it's definitely not that simple!

As Felt looked at Subaru Natsuki's fierce face, which was no less menacing than Rom's, a certain clue seemed to connect to her mind.

First of all, Subaru Natsuki must have seen through her.

Otherwise, there would be no way he would be waiting outside her house.

But why not just arrest him?

Felt recalled the look of pity in Subaru Natsuki's eyes when he saw her.

This made her feel both angry and pitiful at the time.

At the time, he thought that this pity represented a rejection and sympathy for her past lifestyle.

Having lived in the slums for so long, Ferut has developed her own pride and has long since adapted to the slum lifestyle.

Pity and sympathy, on the contrary, were demeaning to her the life she loved.

But now she suddenly realized that Natsuki Subaru's pity didn't represent sympathy, but rather... disappointment!

Yes, it's exactly what I mean by "I'm so disappointed in you!"

If that's the case, then everything makes sense.

Why didn't Subaru Natsuki lay a hand on her even though he had her captured?

Why didn't Subaru Natsuki directly say anything when he clearly noticed she was going in circles? Instead, he subtly suggested that feet could hide better than hands.

It's all because we're disappointed in her and hope she can see the error of her ways.

Was this seemingly fierce man actually waiting for me to personally take out the badge?

Is he trying to give me a chance to turn back from my wrong path?

Indeed, Ferut never felt ashamed or regretful about her theft.

The education she received from childhood taught her that it was perfectly acceptable for poor people to steal in order to survive.

However, this did not prevent her from being moved by Subaru Natsuki's tolerance.

The same thing happened when Reinhard and Rom fought.

Natsuki Subaru called a halt to the battle on his own initiative, even though she hadn't coerced him.

This man...

She possesses a gentle heart completely different from her fierce appearance...

Ferut's eyes, which she had just wiped dry, became moist again, and she was about to take out the medal from her pocket to return it to the two of them.

Then Rom said, "Ah, the medal, the medal, I know, it's in the warehouse, Felt, go get it."

Chapter 9: 009. Tension Rising

Feru looked at Grandpa Rom with a puzzled expression.

Grandpa Rom tried his best to give Ferut meaningful glances.

Felt had no choice but to go behind the bar, and only then did she belatedly realize that Mr. Rom wanted to take all the blame upon himself.

From Rom's perspective, since the two people didn't know the badge was on Felt, he could simply say that the badge had always been in his possession to extricate Felt from the matter.

Ferut never intended for Rom to suffer the consequences alone.

But now she's behind the bar...

What should we do next?

Felt instinctively looked at Subaru Natsuki.

They discovered that even though the other party knew the medal was in her possession, they did not react to Lord Rom's blatant lie.

Is this implying that she can be exonerated?

Ferut walked heavily to the counter.

"Did you find it? It's deep in the drawer, Felt, look carefully." Grandpa Rom was still pretending to give instructions.

Felt then turned to Subaru Natsuki and asked, "Um... Subaru-kun, what are you planning to do after you find the medal?"

“Return it to its rightful owner,” Natsuki Subaru said matter-of-factly.

“No, I mean, what are you planning to do with Grandpa Rom?” Ferut stammered.

"Huh? Give him some money. Redeem the medal, isn't this a stash of stolen goods?" Natsuki Subaru continued as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Huh?" Felt was stunned by this unexpected option.

In her mind, one of the two people in front of her was, after all, a sword saint and a knight of the kingdom—with a duty to obey the law.

There's no reason to let Rom go.

As she had predicted, Reinhardt spoke up at the opportune moment:

"Hmm, this Lord Rom, I think I've seen his wanted poster before. Shouldn't we... leave the decision to the Knights?"

“That would mean he’d go to jail. Look at this warehouse, all this armor and weapons. If you send him to jail, what’s the difference between that and sentencing him to death?” Natsuki Subaru said, pointing to the armor in the warehouse.

Suddenly, something unusual caught Natsuki Subaru's eye next to the armor, making him freeze in shock.

"So, Subaru, what do you mean?" Reinhard paused for a moment.

Subaru Natsuki snapped out of his daze and said with a smile, "Of course we should exonerate him. Bullying an old man and a young woman doesn't make you a hero."

"This..." In truth, if we were to speak purely of his own simple feelings, Reinhard would also prefer to ignore Rom and Felt.

But he couldn't let his emotions get the better of him; the last time he acted on his emotions, the result was... his grandmother's death...

As a perfect knight, there is no reason to let criminals of this caliber go unpunished.

Felt glared fiercely at Reinhard.

She really hadn't expected that the two men were reversed.

The one who looks fierce has a soft heart, just like the cold-faced but warm-hearted Grandpa Rom. He not only doesn't arrest Grandpa Rom, but also gives him money.

The red-haired man had a gentle and sunny smile, but his heart was so cold.

Looking at it from another perspective, the red-haired guy's smile is truly disgusting.

“Found it…” Ferut knew she had done enough in her act.

She came out from behind the counter, holding something in her hand, and walked to Natsuki Subaru's side.

She raised her hand, and a golden emblem with a dragon pattern formed by red gemstones appeared in her palm.

Reinhardt's pupils contracted slightly.

Is this the Wang selection badge?

So, is Emilia, the silver-haired girl, still one of the candidates for the title?

Then why does Subaru call her Sha Sandao?

No, no, no, it's not surprising what Subaru and Emilia call each other.

There's no need to argue with Subaru's thought process.

What really matters now is the red glow on the badge.

This is proof of eligibility to participate in the selection process.

Then look at the other party's iconic blond hair and red eyes... These are symbols that only the Lugunica royal family, who have sworn an oath to form a contract with the divine dragon Polkenica family and to serve the divine dragon family for eternity, possess.

In other words, the little girl in front of you is very likely of royal blood.

Reinhard immediately recalled the case of the princess's disappearance that had once made headlines throughout the capital.

Reinhard forgot all about his dilemma of whether or not to capture Rom at that moment, and almost instinctively grabbed Felt's hand as she handed him the medal.

"Ouch, that hurts!" Ferut cried out in surprise.

Reinhard's impression of her dropped another point.

When Subaru grabbed her hand just now, although it was equally difficult to break free, he didn't use this much force.

"What's wrong, Reinhard?" Natsuki Subaru asked curiously, noticing that Reinhard seemed a little off.

“This is a very important matter. I’m sorry, Subaru, I can’t keep my promise to drink with you. I have to take this child back to the Knights immediately.” With that, Reinhard reached out, preparing to knock Felt unconscious as she struggled.