Some water splashed on Kiyotaka's face as his eyes opened, but his mind was groggy, and he felt incredibly unsettled as he slowly got up.
Vendor: [That woke you up, huh? You alright?]
He was still contemplating his death as he held his hand to his mouth.
Kiyotaka: [I might just vomit again.]
Vendor: [Hey! You seriously need a healer.]
Kiyotaka outstretched his hand.
Kiyotaka: [I'm okay.]
He took some deep breaths, calming his nerves as he sighed.
Kiyotaka: (The amount of knots in my stomach... ugh. I feel sick.)
Kiyotaka eventually calmed down as sweat was dripping from his forehead.
Vendor: [Here. Some water and an Appa. You don't have to pay me, alright? Just take it.]
Kiyotaka graciously accepted as he drank the water, his hand shaking.
Kiyotaka: (Was it a dream? No. I definitely felt like I was dying. I know what that feels like, so I'd never mistake it.)
Kiyotaka took a bite out of the Appa as the juices spilled from his lips.
Kiyotaka: (I can't even eat or drink anything properly without spilling because of how much my hands are shaking.)
Kiyotaka wiped the sweat off his head with his arm as the sweat stained his uniform.
Kiyotaka: (My mental state is not good right now.)
Kiyotaka: [Sir. How long have I been asleep?]
Vendor: [About 30 minutes?]
Kiyotaka: [Is this... the first time you've seen me?]
Vendor: [Huh? You seriously need to go to a healer. Of course, it's the first time I've seen you.]
Kiyotaka: [I'm fine. I'll be off now.]
The Vendor nodded, feeling a bit worried, but he relented.
Kiyotaka: (I need to consider everything that just happened and my next move from here on.)
Kiyotaka walked away into an alley, he pinched his forehead with his fingers.
Kiyotaka: (I died... and then...)
Kiyotaka lifted his shirt.
Kiyotaka: (I went back in time with no injuries. Like I'm being given a second chance. Is it triggered from my death? Or is it something I did before dying? Or something that was done to me?)
Kiyotaka focused on the feeling of dying as he vomited, but steadied himself.
Kiyotaka: (My emotions during death aren't what triggers it. That can be checked off. Is it the murderer who's activating the ability? But what would be her motive for it? So she can kill me again? That could be right, but it's an outlandish theory at best.
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (The most ideal situation is if it's an ability that activates whenever I die. If that were the case, I wouldn't exactly be able to die. I could make real strides towards my goal, but... how can I trust that that is the case? Even if it does protect me once or twice, there's no way to tell if it would protect me indefinitely. Still with such little information to go on, I can't form an accurate conclusion.)
Kiyotaka sighed as his thoughts went to Satella.
Kiyotaka: (Asleep for 30 minutes... If that's the case, then Satella will have already passed by, chasing after Felt. My chance to stop Felt and recover the insignia that way is gone, and I have no idea where Satella is either.)
Kiyotaka paused his thoughts briefly.
Kiyotaka: (Should I even bother? If it was catching Felt before she went to the loot house, I could do that since there's little to no risk for myself, but why should I go out of my way now and put myself in harm's way? After all, there's no guarantee that actually have the ability to go back in time after dying. This could all be some miracle or anomaly.)
Kiyotaka's eyes became firm.
Kiyotaka: (There's no point in becoming a『Good Person』if it ends up getting me killed.)
Then Kiyotaka remembered something.
"'Horikita: [Don't you care? Why don't you care about anyone other than yourself!? Why are you like this?]'"
Kiyotaka: (Being a『Good Person』is troublesome. I'll find the guards and ask them to help me.)
Kiyotaka's thoughts paused as his eyes shifted behind him.
Kiyotaka: (In fact, now that they're here, it's a perfect opportunity.)
The three thugs who had tried to mug Kiyotaka in the last loop showed up. The thin man with a snake-like tongue stepped up.
Thug: [Hey, don't worry. We won't hurt ya. Just give us all your belongings.]
Kiyotaka took a deep breath and shouted as loudly as he could.
Kiyotaka: [Guards!!! These people are robbing me! Please help!]
The thugs looked shocked as they began panicking.
Snake-Like Tongued Man: [Hey, shut your trap, you bastard!]
After a second, things calmed down.
Kiyotaka: (A bit of a delay, huh? Well, that murderer is definitely stronger than these three, and I was able to dodge her attacks, so I could probably just beat them up and be done with it if things turn sour.)
They looked angry, brandishing their weapons as the short one spoke.
Short Man: [Trying to run away won't help you.].
Then a commanding voice rang out.
???: [That's enough.]
Suddenly, their faces turned pale, and Kiyotaka turned around to see a man with short red hair in a uniform and a sword at his hip. Kiyotaka took in his presence.
Kiyotaka: (This man... every instinct I have is telling me how dangerous he is. This is a man that should not be made into an enemy.)
The fat thug then tensed up all of a sudden.
Fat Thug: [Red Hair... And a knight's sword with scratches made by dragon claws... It can't be... Reinhard? The『Master Swordsman』, Reinhard?!]
Kiyotaka pondered this dialogue.
Kiyotaka: (Master Swordsman? I wonder how good his skills with the blade are. I'd want to spar with him to test things, but there's no way I'd be strong enough to do that, at least for now. In the future, who knows how strong I could get? At the same time, I could be just as weak. Or weaker.)
Reinhard: [Looks like I don't need to introduce myself. Though that nickname is a bit much for me. I don't know how much my modest strength can be to him, but if you wish to resort to extreme measures... As a knight, I will have to fight back.]
They looked terrified, preparing to run away.
Fat Thug: [S-Screw this! It's not worth it!]
They ran off as Reinhard turned to face Kiyotaka.
Reinhard: [I'm glad we're both safe. Are you unhurt?]
Kiyotaka's eyes sharpened to evaluate the man before him, the『Master Swordsman』Reinhard.
Kiyotaka: (He's incredibly modest. I think even more so than Hirata, but he has the strength to back it up. There seems to be some pain in his eyes, though. Expectations weighing him down? Isolation as well? Of course, those are just some theories coming to me in the heat of the moment. Well, let's put that aside for now and prioritise what is important right now. Hm.... He's stronger than the murderer at the loot house, so it would be wise to ask for his help in that.)
Kiyotaka: [I'm unhurt. I assume you are fine as well.]
Reinhard's eyes closed as he smiled for a second, as if no one had ever worried about his well-being before. Kiyotaka picked up on this.
Kiyotaka: (He must be very strong for people to never be worried that he might be hurt. Still, that seems like a negative of having great power. Something I am very familiar with, given that I am the『Masterpiece Of The White Room』.)
Reinhard: [Yes. I am fine.]
Kiyotaka: [I thank you for your assistance.]
Reinhard: [Of course. Now, might I ask your name?]
Kiyotaka: [Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.]
Reinhard nodded with a smile, but then looked a bit troubled about what he was about to ask.
Reinhard: [Might I say this? Your name and clothes are quite strange. What nation are you from?]
Kiyotaka: [I come from a distant land. You wouldn't know about it.]
Reinhard: [Hm... well alright.]
Kiyotaka: (He doubted me for a second, but then accepted it so suddenly and with such conviction. How strange. Can he tell when I'm telling the truth and when I'm lying? Is it some kind of magic, or am I underestimating his analytical abilities? No. It's magic.)
Reinhard: [At the moment, Lugunica is a bit more restive than in peacetime. If you have any problems, I'd be glad to help you.]
Kiyotaka: [I have to report a robbery that I witnessed.]
Reinhard: [Robbery? Tell me about the thief.]
Kiyotaka: [A young girl. Short blond hair. About...]
Kiyotaka showed Felt's height using his hand.
Kiyotaka: [... this tall. She has red eyes. She stole an Insignia with a red gem from a girl who was wearing white robes with silver hair and amethyst eyes.]
Reinhard nodded.
Kiyotaka: [I've heard from a vendor that she hangs around near the slums. If you could head there, all of this might be resolved quickly.]
Kiyotaka: (If I can inform a man as strong as Reinhard, then she'll be saved without my involvement, and I won't have to put myself at risk.
Reinhard: [I see. But I'm afraid I have other duties to attend to right now, but I'll try to get it and have it returned as soon as possible.]
Kiyotaka: [I see... I hope you're able to resolve this peacefully.]
Reinhard nodded and left as Kiyotaka thought about it for a second.
Kiyotaka: (This isn't good. He likely won't make it in time. I don't doubt that Satella would be able to find the loot house, so she might die before he gets there. Well, I shouldn't involve myself further. There's nothing more I can do without putting myself in unnecessary danger.)
Kiyotaka was about to leave when he stopped.
Kiyotaka: (Why do I feel like I want to save her? She's a stranger. I barely know her. This is not like me at all... Did my time at Advanced Nurturing High School really change me that much?)
Kiyotaka remembered Horikita's words again.
"'Horikita: [Don't you care? Why don't you care about anyone other than yourself!? Why are you like this?]'"
Kiyotaka: (My goal is being a『Good Person』... If I think about it with that in mind, being indifferent to the death of an innocent girl is the complete opposite of my goal. What should I do...?)
As this happens, may I present a situation? If a person knew that he could help someone if he risked his wellbeing but didn't out of fear, what would you call this person in this situation? Calling them a bad person would be out of line. But one would hesitate to call them a good person. This was what Kiyotaka perceived from his experiences at Advanced Nurturing High School, and so it will guide his choice as to whether he will save Satella.
Kiyotaka: (Being Compassionate enough to save her is the right way... but that murderer. She's strong. Far stronger than me. She's faster than me. She's more used to this world than me. If she were serious about killing me, I don't think I'd be able to hold her off even with a weapon. And...)
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (... there's no telling whether that ability I have is real. Dying was a horrible experience. Somehow, it's worse than being on the brink of death. All of my consciousness slipping away like that... all my strength and intelligence... meaningless. I don't want to feel that way again.)
Kiyotaka steeled his resolve.
Kiyotaka: (Since when did I become afraid of death? I've faced it so many times when I was younger. Death is an old friend.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka walked through the slums and found the man who was cooperative before.
Kiyotaka: [Sir. Do you know where I can find Felt?]
Man: [Felt's den? Why are you asking?]
Kiyotaka: [Something she stole. I want to negotiate with her.]
Man: [Haha. She picked your pockets, huh? Well alright. Just go two streets down that way.]
He pointed the way.
Kiyotaka: [Thank you for your help.]
Man: [Don't mention it. Live strong.]
Kiyotaka walked in the direction the man pointed.
Kiyotaka: (It would be best to intercept her before she gets to the loot house. That way I can...)
Kiyotaka's thoughts froze as he saw the murderer from the last loop stop in front of him.
Kiyotaka: (Does she know? Or is she as oblivious as me?)
???: [Oh? You don't have to be scared. I'm not going to hurt you.]
Kiyotaka: [Sorry. I was just intimidated for a second.]
Kiyotaka: (Right now, I'm way too weak for comfort.)
He parted ways with her, not wanting to deal with this psychopath who enjoyed the shape and colour of entrails.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka walked up to a small wooden house.
Kiyotaka: (Is this where she lives? It doesn't look like she's home.)
Kiyotaka sat down, waiting for a few minutes, when Felt arrived.
Felt: [Who the heck are you? If you're thinking of stealing something, there's nothing worth stealing in there.]
Kiyotaka: [No. I came here on other business.]
Felt: [Huh? Are you a client?]
Kiyotaka: [It's important, so can we talk?]
Felt: [Yeah, alright.]
Kiyotaka: [That insignia you stole. You still have it?]
Felt: [Yeah, I do.]
Kiyotaka: [Sell it to me.]
Felt: [Huh? I already got a client for the insignia.]
Kiyotaka: [I have a very rare item. You'll likely never see anything like it ever again.]
Felt: [You do?]
Kiyotaka took out his phone and took a picture of Felt and showed it to her.
Kiyotaka: [Basically, it instantaneously paints a picture which you can access whenever you want. You can't take the painting out of the device, though.]
Felt: [Woah! That's cool! It looks really clear and everything. Better than any painting I've stolen.]
Kiyotaka: [So? What do you say?]
Kiyotaka: (She'll likely think I scammed her once it stops working, but... I'll have to take that as my loss for this.)
Felt: [It's nice. I'll give you that, but I have a buyer willing to pay 20 Holy Coins. I need to check that this thing is worth at least as much.]
Kiyotaka sighed inwardly.
Kiyotaka: (That's true. She obviously wants to make sure that she's getting her money's worth after all.)
Felt: [There's a loot house at the far edge of the slums. I can figure our this thing's worth if the codger who lives there, Old Man Rom appraises it.]
Kiyotaka: (The one that was killed by Elsa, huh?)
Kiyotaka: [Very well. Let's get going.]
Kiyotaka and Felt started walking off towards the loot house as Kiyotaka hurried his pace.
Kiyotaka: (The sooner I get there, the easier this gets. If that old man appraises my phone as even 21 Holy Coins, I can get the insignia and get it to Satella, and then this entire debacle will be over.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka and Felt walked up to the place where he had once died.
Kiyotaka: (Coming back to a place like this...)
Felt tapped on the door using the password as Rom let them both in.
Rom: [Who's this kid?]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (Figures that the only one who calls me a kid is the oldest person I've met.)
They entered as Kiyotaka handed over the phone, explaining how it worked.
Rom inspected it a bit.
Rom: [So this is a metia... Even I've never seen one before. I'm definitely impressed. If I were to sell this, I'd take no less than 20... no. 25 Holy Coins.]
Kiyotaka: [Then Felt. Can we make this trade?]
Felt: [Why do you even want the insignia anyways?]
Kiyotaka: [Is the reason really that important? If you involve yourself and ask too many questions, your work ethic will be questioned as well.]
Felt sighed.
Felt: [Sorry, but it wouldn't be fair to sell it to you without hearing from the other party.]
Someone knocked on the door.
Kiyotaka: (Satella... or Elsa? This could decide my fate.)
Kiyotaka waited as Felt went over to open the door.
—————————————————————————————————————
To Be Continued
—————————————————————————————————————
Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
—————————————————————————————————————