Natsuki Subaru's Journey to Strategically Capture Reinhild

A Modern Chronicle of the Astrea Family

"I didn't expect that even the conflict with that guy would inevitably escalate into a fight,"

Subaru muttered to himself as he lay in bed on the fifth night of the second loop.

That guy, of course, referred to Heinkel.

Although Subaru had restrained himself a lot after learning about Heinkel being Reinhild's father, the latter's target had always been Felt—and Felt was not the kind of person who would take provocations lying down.

In the previous loop, most of Subaru's scenes had essentially been stolen by her.

In the end, the people at the mansion had no choice but to act against Heinkel to save the impulsive Felt.

Even with the addition of Leander this time, the result was the same: Reinhild arrived on the scene and effortlessly neutralized the conflict.

His unfathomable strength made Subaru gradually start to believe in Bernie's belief that Reinhild was invincible.

Then came a knock at the door. Subaru, puzzled, opened it.

"Master!?"

The unexpected visitor was none other than his current-loop mentor, Bernie, with whom he had developed a close relationship.

Bernie casually sat on the bed, and Subaru naturally pulled up a chair and sat down in front of him.

"You've been investigating Reinhild's family situation since the first day, haven't you?"

"Haha, was I that obvious?"

"Extremely obvious. We were actually prepared to take action against you at one point—only Lord Reinhild stopped us."

"I swear I was just curious! I won't do it again next time…"

"No need to be so nervous. Lord Reinhild allows you to investigate freely.

However, everyone at the mansion has received her kindness, so they wouldn't speak of such scandals.

I originally planned to tell you a few months later, but since you saw what happened today, I'll answer your questions now."

Bernie patted Subaru's shoulder as he said this.

"Well then, ask your question again."

"The tragedy at the mansion thirty years ago, why Reinhild's father turned out the way he is, and the details about Reinhild's mother."

Subaru raised his fingers one by one as he listed his questions.

"Let's start with the incident thirty years ago. Back then, the Sin Archbishop of Pride from the Witch Cult started the Evil Dragon War in the kingdom.

His first target was the Astrea family—the kingdom's guardians.

He manipulated Miss Caro, the servant of the then Sword Saint, to kill the family head Lord Berto and kidnapped the sixth-generation Sword Saint, Theresia.

That was the tragedy of thirty years ago."

"Wait a sec—what generation Sword Saint is Reinhild? And can a Sword Saint really be kidnapped?"

"Lord Reinhild is the seventh generation.

Subaru, you've probably noticed there are quite a few mansions around here.

That's because each of the six previous Sword Saints had their own legendary achievements, leading to six separate estates.

As for why Lady Theresia could be kidnapped—it's because the Sin Archbishop had a method to temporarily nullify Divine protections.

The Sword Saint's Divine protection, while only meant to draw out one's full potential, gave them enormous power. But once the Divine protection is removed, even the strength that had been forcibly drawn out disappears."

Bernie sighed and continued:

"Unfortunately, Lady Theresia hated the sword.

At the time, a knight known as the 'Sword Demon' had fallen in love with her.

He trained rigorously for two years and eventually defeated her in combat, swearing to become the Kingdom's Sword in her place.

From then on, the Sword Saint became a girl who loved flowers.

While she was among the stronger Sword Saints when she had the Divine protection, without it her strength was merely first-class."

"The Sword Saint is always the one in the Astrea family with the greatest sword talent.

Normally, a person's sword talent develops with their body until around thirty years of age.

If the Divine protection transfers to someone else before that, it means the new Sword Saint's talent exceeds the former's.

The earlier the transfer, the greater the potential achievement of the new generation.

But that's a rare occurrence.

Lady Theresia had exceptional talent—she received the Divine protection at age twelve."

"And Heinkel is the child of the Sword Demon and Lady Theresia. Because of his lineage, great expectations were placed on him from birth.

People believed he might even surpass the first Sword Saint, Lord Reid—in other words, that he could reach Reinhild's level."

"In his youth, Heinkel was passionate and friendly, aspiring to become the next Sword Saint like his mother.

He worked diligently, joined the knight order, and rose through the ranks to become vice-captain of the Royal Guard by his own merit.

But Reinhild's birth completely derailed his life path."

"First, when Reinhild was two, his mother, Lady Louanna, fell into a condition even a user of blue magic couldn't cure—a kind of Sleeping Beauty disease.

Her body remained unchanged, but she has been asleep ever since.

Then, when Reinhild was five, a severe kidnapping incident occurred in the capital.

The Sword Demon had to go rescue the hostage, while the mission to slay the White Whale—one of the three great mabeasts—fell to Heinkel.

Lacking confidence in his strength, Heinkel asked his mother, Lady Theresia, to go in his place."

"Tragically, during the operation, the five-year-old Reinhild received the Sword Saint's Divine protection, and Lady Theresia died in battle.

The Sword Demon, Wilhelm, resigned from his post as knight commander and withdrew from the Astrea family, setting off alone on his path of vengeance."

"Even after all that, Lord Heinkel kept trying.

He supported the knight order that was collapsing under repeated blows.

He played the role of a father to Reinhild.

But one day during sword training, the five-year-old Reinhild defeated him in order to make her father proud.

Malicious rumors started spreading after that, even saying Reinhild was treated like a slave.

Heinkel, crushed by disgrace and resentment, completely broke down…"

"Well, get some rest. You still need to help Lord Winston tomorrow."

.

.

.

Lying in bed, Subaru, himself a child once overwhelmed by his parents' excellence, suddenly began to understand what it meant to be crushed by a child's brilliance like Heinkel was.

No—deep down Subaru realized that Heinkel was far stronger than he was.

Heinkel lost his beloved, caused his mother's death, and despite being born with great expectations, saw all his efforts effortlessly eclipsed by sheer talent.

Only after so many setbacks did he finally collapse.

And eight-year-old Reinhild was perfect—flawless in every household chore, invincible in strength, obedient and well-behaved.

The pressure she on Heinkel must have been far greater than anything Koichi had ever placed on Subaru.

It was going to be a sleepless night.

He thought of the relationship between Rudeus and his father in Jobless Reincarnation, and the family dynamics of the class president in the Monogatari Series...