Chapter 5 (Natsuki Subaru)

Lying on the back of the moving carriage, Natsuki Subaru once again ponders on life in this new world.

It's been about 3 days since he left the manor.

He sighs.

Perhaps leaving had been on a whim but he felt like he was going to spiral more into the deep end if he had stayed any longer. He also believes that he doesn't deserve to stay close to Emilia.

While he can't be close to her, he plans to support her candidacy from afar. Maybe it's because of a twisted sense of atonement or maybe he just can't seem to let things go. He at least hopes that by doing this, he would get some closure or the closest thing to closure he can get.

He sighs again.

"Natsuki-san, you have been sulking for a while now, are you okay?" His traveling companion for 2 days now calls out to him as he coaches the carriage.

Meeting the man known as Otto Suwen was perhaps the highlight of the past few days.

Otto had been riding his carriage when he found him stalking along the path leading to the capital and offered him a ride.

After they had bread for lunch together and Subaru casually mentioned how it would have tasted better with mayo on the side, Otto had gotten interested in that.

And so Subaru told him the glory of sauces which led to their alliance in recreating it as Otto believes that it would take the food market by storm if the description from Subaru proves to be correct.

And so after making a small portion and confirming that it is truly as great as was described, this unlikely duo makes their way to someone who would sponsor the product.

And who else apart from the Hoshin company would immediately pour money into an idea like that?

"I'm fine Otto, just thinking things through" he replies sardonically.

"I see… if you are facing any troubles, please allow me to help Natsuki-san. It's not good to carry a burden alone after all" Otto offers.

Subaru would admit that he was a little disillusioned with this world when he arrived due to getting Killed by Elsa and also being robbed and killed by the thugs, but because of people like Emilia, Felt, Reinhard and now Otto, Subaru realizes that where there are bad eggs there are good ones as well.

"You are a nice guy, Otto" Subaru says forcing himself to smile a bit.

"Hehehe, you think so?" Otto replies, embarrassed.

Crouching on the back of the carriage, he makes his way to the front to sit besides him.

"So how long before we get to this company?" Subaru asks trying to make small talks. It's at least better than being lost in his thoughts.

"We should be there before dawn" Otto replies.

"I see, and you are confident in your negotiating skills right? Of course I will chip in as well" Subaru says with a wink and his thumb pointing at himself.

"Oho! That would be great, Natsuki-san. To be honest I'm a little nervous, but I'm sure things will work out if we give it our best!" Otto replies with gusto.

Subaru chuckles.

'Our best huh?'

He thinks as he looks towards the floating clouds.

◇◇◇

"Otto?" Subaru calls out.

"Yes, Natsuki-san?" Otto replies.

"Those are mabeasts, aren't they?" Subaru asks.

"They sure are Natsuki-san" Otto replies.

"I see, I see. Hahahaha. They are mabeasts huh… then why the hell are you not stepping on it!!!" Subaru screams as Otto screams as well.

"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

"I don't want to be mabeast dinner, I swear I will haunt you if I die here Otto!!!"

"Natsuki-san stop saying scary things, I'm not going to survive either if you don't survive yourself!"

"Step on it, Otto!!! Don't let them gain on us!"

Otto start speeding up even as the mabeasts continue to chase them.

Subaru feels a trepidation, are they going to die here? He doesn't want to go through death again.

And what would happen if he was to die? Would he restart at the capital? He doesn't want to find out either.

"Otto! Can't you use any magic or something?" He asks.

He remembers Emilia using magic before and also Felt using what Elsa claimed was a 'Divine Protection' so he assumed anyone could use magic.

And to be honest, he wants to learn how to use magic as well. Isekai is not complete without magic after all right?

"I can but I'm not really good at it and can only casts a few earth spells. The mabeasts are too many for me and they seem really determined to get you" Otto replies as he draws out a sort of wand, pointing it towards the approaching wolgarms.

"Eh? Me?"

"El Dona!" The area Otto points at burst into spike expanding outwards, killing and injuring several of the wolgarms.

"Amazing Otto! Let them have it!" Subaru hypes him up.

"Ah… Natsuki-san… I don't think I can do that again" Otto says a little pale between breaths.

"Ehhh? You are tired already?" Subaru asks surprised. Is using magic actually a huge deal in the world?

Dammit!

If only he could use magic as well. He really hates not being able to do anything or help anyone. Will he really die again? Along with this new friend he has made?

"Don't worry Otto! Keep stepping on it" he says as he climbs back into the carriage.

"Eh? Natsuki-san?"

In the carriage, Subaru use all his strength to pick up the drum of oil and hauls towards the wolgarms, the content spill everywhere and over their bodies as it touches the ground.

"Otto! Fire use fire magic now!"

"But, Natsuki-san, I can only use earth magic"

Subaru blinks.

Otto blinks.

…

…

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"DAMMITTTTTT!!!!!"

"Oh wait! The pouch, Natsuki-san, there is fire magic stones inside the pouch!"

Looking around the carriage desperately, Subaru spots the pouch and immediately picks it up, taking the stones in it, he hurls it towards the mabeasts and then—

*BOOM!!!*

Hot air spread everywhere.

The carriage rattles.

Subaru covers his eyes for a bit then looks towards the destruction, the mabeasts are not after them anymore.

He sags as he sits down panting heavily.

"Thank goodness!" He sighs.

"I'm so glad we made it Natsuki-san. It was thanks to you and your quick thinking!" Otto praises.

"Thanks to… me?" Subaru asks.

"Of course, Natsuki-san what you did was very brave after all." Otto says with genuine praise.

Subaru goes silent for a while.

"… I see" he says allowing himself to smile a bit.

He does not hate this feeling.

"That was very excellent, I had almost stepped in until you blew them up" a new voice rings out.

"Ehhh? Who are you?" Otto questions as Subaru hunches towards the front of the carriage to see the source of the voice.

Floating in the air and keeping pace with them is a small boy with short green hair and red eyes.

The boy smiles.

"I am known as Ezzo Cadner!" He says proudly.

Subaru groans.

This event would mark the beginning of Subaru's lessons in magic.