A blood trail

"Who….whose that?" Subaru asked while looking at Kaji, as the Oni blocked another strike from Elsa.

Subaru was surprised that someone was actually able to keep up with Elsa, and even block her attacks like this. But the surprising thing was, that it was his first time seeing the red-haired man, with black horns sticking out of his forehead. The last few times he died, Kaji didn't show up, so why was he here now, Subaru asked himself.

"Oh, that's Kaji….he works at the mather's mansion, but why is he here?" Emilia said while looking around. But then she looked at Felt, who was looking at the fight with fear, amazement, and confusion.

Old man Rom, picked up a club and wanted to help fight Elsa, but Kaji spoke before he could jump into the fray. "Hey Old man, why don't you leave this to me, and you blondie go call for help, and if you meet a red-haired knight bring him here." Kaji said as he made a horizontal slash cutting Elsa's wrist.

Hearing this, Felt hesitated before running off, while Rom, Subaru, Emilia, and Puck watched as Kaji and Elsa fought. "Well, you did improve after all, even if it was minimal. A bit….disappointing." Kaji said while looking at the woman.

"Ara….but you, on the other hand, had grown-up splendidly, I really do wonder sometimes what color are your guts, they must be different from the rest of the people here" Elsa said as she continued to charge and strike at Kaji, as fast as she could.

While the two continued to talk, and clash with their blades, Puck was floating around Emila just in case Elsa decided to throw a blade in her direction. "Hmmm he's playing with her, I wonder why?" Puck said while looking at Kaji's small smile.

"Huh, he's playing, do you mean he's holding back?" Subaru questioned hearing the floating cat spirit talk.

"You can say that, after all, if Kaji wanted to finish her off, he could, but for some reason, he doesn't do so." Puck said as Subaru looked at the fight and started noticing How nonchalant Kaji's stance was, he was just standing there, while holding a katana in one of his hands. He didn't seem to be taking this fight seriously whatsoever.

"It seems to be my time, Lia. I will be going for a nap now, Kaji make sure Lia is safe for me, key~!" Puck spoke a bit louder while winking in the direction of the red-haired Oni.

"Sure, just go to sleep." Kaji said while looking at Puck for half a second before turning back to Elsa. Who was riddled with cut wounds, she was bleeding all over, she wanted to continue fighting, but she knew that she needed to retreat. Elsa knew that she couldn't escape from the boy she was facing, but she could try, and her chance came soon after.

"That's enough." through the roof of the building, a red-haired knight broke through landing on the filthy wooden floor, and this was the Chance Elsa was waiting for. Right before Jumping up, and fleeing the scene she threw both of her blades, right at Emilia.

And surprisingly the one to block the blades wasn't Kaji, it was Subaru who tried to Protect Emilia with his own body, as he jumped in front of her. Kaji could have stopped the blades from hitting either of the two, but he didn't.

"AAAHHH!" Subaru screamed the moment, one of the blades logged into his right tight, and the second on into his right arm. It was painful, but he actually managed to keep himself standing.

While Subaru was screaming Elsa tried to escape through the roof, but was intercepted by Reinhard, who didn't manage to stop her without having a usable weapon in his possession. He only had a sword that he could use in certain situations, or only against openness that had incredible power.

But, the guy didn't even seem to be troubled by the fact, as he looked at Kaji, with an expression, of I believe in you, on his face. "Fine I'll go and get her, you look after that guy over there." Kaji said as he motioned with his hand towards Subaru, who was moaning in pain.

Reinhard nodded in confirmation, as Kaji jumped through the roof as he tried to find where Elsa ran off to. The moment his feet landed on the roof, he looked around and saw some blood drops leading deeper into the slums. Kaji looked at the trail of blood, and followed it.

Meanwhile, Subaru was being healed by Emilia who was confused with Subaru's actions. She just didn't understand why the unusually dressed boy jumped in front of her, and why did Kaji let it happen. She knew that He could have stopped the blades from hitting Subaru, but he didn't.

And when the girl's head was starting to fill up with questions, Subaru looked at her with eyes filled with many different emotions. He was glad that, at least this time, he and Emilia survived the ordeal.