"What?!" Subaru acted like your question was outrageous. Of course, you don't know for sure that he's died yet, but Subaru himself took a while to figure it out in the anime.

You want an answer, but you decide not to push it. If Subaru was just acting weird and hasn't already died, you would seem like a fellow weirdo.

"Never mind. Just know that you can tell me crazy stuff like that. If you aren't messing around, I'll believe you." Subaru seemed really confused about what you just said.

You shrug your shoulders. "You never know what can happen in a different world."

Subaru didn't respond. 

He's probably still stuck on me asking if he died yet. If he's seriously pondering that, maybe he really has died...

"Wait... is that why it's day again," he mumbled, "is that why my wound is gone? Did I really... die?" After saying that, Subaru collapsed.

This draws attention to you. 

Gosh dang. I can't seem to catch a break. I keep on getting a lot of public attention because of Subaru.

"Don't worry. He's just a little dehydrated. He'll be fine," you exclaim. You then pick him up and drag him to a random alleyway.

You set him down, and start thinking about what this implies.

So, if I'm right, Subaru has already died. If he's died, then that means that I probably don't have Return by Death. If I did, I should be able to remember what happened before.

Actually, maybe I do have Return by Death.... maybe I have to be the one that dies first to remember.

Eh. Who knows? I'll eventually find out.

After you waited for a few minutes, Subaru finally awoke. He sat up, and still had a confused expression on his face.

"(Y/N), I know that this sounds crazy, but I actually think that I might have died."

You nod your head. "I know, and besides, I don't care if it sounds crazy. Remember that we are in a fantasy world, where anything can happen."

He gulped. "By the way, how did you know that  died?"

You had already come up with a response for that. "Well, I know that this sounds silly, but you looked like you had seen a ghost or something." As you said, this sounds stupid, but Subaru should buy it.

"What do you mean?! I didn't even react much other than losing my hearing!" Subaru was experiencing a mix of frustration and confusion, which is not a good combination of feelings.

"Why don't you tell me about how you died?" You change the topic to avoid having to make up more lies. Fortunately enough, Subaru obliged.

"Well, this is the second time that I've been here. The first time, us two went around town and accomplished nothing, but then we got jumped by some ugly looking thugs. Then-" Subaru paused, and his face became calmer. "Emilia and Puck saved us. By the way, Emilia is a really cute girl, and Puck is a cat spirit." 

You notice that Subaru used Emilia's real name instead of Satella, so something must have changed from what happened in the anime.

"And it turned out that this little blonde girl -her name was Felt- stole Emilia's insignia. So, once we learned about that, we wandered around town until we finally arrived at the slums, where Felt lived. And then we went to the loot house where..." He squirmed, obviously uncomfortable with recalling the events from the loot house.

"...where we died." Subaru's face reverted to what you now call the 'What the crap just happened to me' face.

Interestingly enough, the curse did not react when he said that he died. 

Maybe he can't be affected when he tells me about his ability... but what good would that do except for counseling him?

"So you died, and then you returned to a specific point in time from before you died, right?" 

"Yeah, I think that's what happened." Subaru thought for a moment. "You know what, I'll call this ability Return by Death." 

Nothing happened, and this surprised you. 

Well, this just about confirms that I have an ability that is connected to the witch. I just don't know what it is yet.

"That's a cool name, but don't tell anybody about it. I don't know much about this world, but abilities like that are probably very rare, if they even exist." 

Subaru nodded his head. "Yeah, that seems like a good idea." He was still visibly shaken about this new ability and you couldn't blame him.

Despite this, you decide to keep on talking about it. "By the way, I can't remember what happens when you die, so we need to find a code word or something that lets you tell me that you died but not make us seem crazy if other people hear you."

This made him think for a second. "Well, if you can't remember, I guess that you would have a different ability or the same ability but different requirements."

You nod your head. "I thought the very same thing. Whatever my ability is, we definitely don't have a good clue so far. By the way, if you ever restart after I unlock my ability, let me know."

This gave him an idea. "Hey, I think that I just came up with a good code word! What about 'redo'? I can tell you that I've had to 'redo' a certain amount of times, and nobody would think that we're lunatics!"

I have to give him credit, that's actually a good idea.

"Yeah, I like that. If you use that word, and I don't have a memory about this discussion, I would also be able to figure out what you're talking about." 

You put your right hand on his back. It's about time that you give him advice so that he doesn't destroy his mind after experiencing countless deaths.

"Subaru, you're power is-"

"If you don't wanna get hurt, then cough up whatever you've got!" Interrupting you was none other than the same three thugs that you seem to already have fought.

"How in the world did you find us again? Sure, this seems to somehow be the very same alley that we came to before, but-" Just like you, Subaru was cut off.

"Shut up and give us your stuff!" The guy in the middle drew out his knife.

Seeing this, you say... "HELP! WE ARE GETTING ROBBED! THIS GUY HAS A KNIFE!"

Everybody covers their ears, not expecting you to shout. 

Well, since Subaru's already met Emilia, I guess I should yell and hope that Reinhard hears this. The only way that we can defeat Elsa is if he comes with us.

A few moments passed, but nothing happened.

"Heh. You had us worried for a second." All of the thugs smiled. "And now you'll pay!"

As they were about to step forward, two voices called out at the same time.

"That's enough."

"Stop now!"

On the opposite ends of the alleyway were none other than Reinhard van Astrea and Emilia.

Emilia stood in place, surprised that someone else had come to help. Reinhard, on the other hand, advanced towards you.

The thugs gasped. "Red hair..." "A knight's sword with scratches made by dragon claws..." "Can it be..." 

Together, in unison, they said, "Reinhard, the Master Swordsman!" 

Reinhard smirked. "It looks like I don't need to introduce myself. To be honest, I think that nickname is a bit much for m-"

"F*ck this sh*t, I'm out!" The thugs, who once again interrupted somebody, ran away towards the end that Emilia was standing at.

She was caught by surprise, but regained her composure. "I hope that you haven't forgotten about me! As long as I am here, you th-"

They ran right past her.

"Thank you so much for saving me! I was sure that I was a goner there..." Subaru was the first to thank them for coming to your aid.

You, on the other hand, was still shocked by this new turn of events. 

How did Emilia and Reinhard just arrive at the same time? Sure, they each came to help Subaru in this alley, but they never appeared together. 

With all of us here, will we be able to survive the loot house on the second try?

"It is no problem," started Reinhard, "so there is no need for thanks. It is my duty as a knight, even if I am on break, to aid the people of Luginica."

This remark reminds you that Reinhard is also one of those rare people that have morals and actually cares about other people.

"Well," replied Subaru, "I still admire your act of selflessness and bravery. And as for you," he turned to Emilia, "thank you for coming too. Not many people would come if they heard a cry for help, and you're not even a knight!"

"W-well, it's the right thing to do..." she started to fidget. Of course, this was going to be awkward since she didn't really do anything to help.

Coming to her aid was Puck, who materialized at that moment. "Of course." He flew towards you. "Lia here also needs some help. Have any of you seen a person running away with an insignia?"

When he heard this, Reinhard's eyes widened, but before he could say anything, Subaru started talking.

"Actually, there was a little blonde haired girl that ran past us just a few minutes ago, and she was holding something. I couldn't really tell what it was back then but now I'm pretty sure that it was your insignia." 

This was a lie. Felt had not come past you this time because she heard your shout and decided to take a different route back to the slums. 

Even so, Emilia ran up to Subaru after he said that. "Really?! Is there anything else you can tell us?" 

Before Subaru could tell them that Felt was the thief and that she would be at the loot house, you interject. "Well, all we know is the direction that she went and her appearance. If you would allow us, I would like to help you find this person and get your insignia back." After a slight pause you add, "By the way, my name is (Y/N)."

"Wow, (Y/N), I really appreciate your offer, but I don't know if I can accept it. I don't want to be a bother to you and..."

"Subaru. My name is Subaru."

"Of course, you probably know this, but my name is Reinhard."

Subaru, not knowing who Reinhard is, said, "Nope. Sorry, but I've never heard your name before today."

This surprised him. "Is that so? Where do you live? I'm pretty sure that just about everybody knows about me. This is only the second time that someone hasn't recognized my name."

You hadn't come up with a cover story yet, but luckily you already did.

Well, you didn't make a cover story in this timeline, but you did in another.

Subaru explained your made up backstory to them. After the explanation, they seemed amazed. "You may be in an even worse situation than I am," exclaimed Emilia.

"Nonsense. Aren't you rich? That insignia seems like a rich people kind of thing to lose," commented Subaru. 

"No. I'm broke, just like you."

Reinhard looked like he was about to say something, but he refrained.

"Well then, why don't you introduce yourself? Everybody's already introduced themselves expect for me and you." Puck nudged Emilia. "By the way, I'm Puck!"

"I-I'm..." Emilia hesitated before continuing. "I'm Emilia."

"Nice to meet you Emilia." Subaru smiled. "Now, why don't we find this insignia of yours?"

Emilia seemed to be on the fence, but Puck made the decision for her. "Of course! I don't sense any malice from you or (Y/N), so why not."

Puck had excluded Reinhard, so he decided to say something. "If you don't mind, Miss Emilia, I would also like to help. I know that an insignia is irreplaceable, so I would like to help you recover it."

This shocked Emilia. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I am." He then looked at you. 

"You said that you saw the thief, correct?"

"Yes, that's right," you reply.

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's find that insignia!" With this, Reinhard started walking out of the alley.

Everybody followed, and you faintly heard Subaru whisper, "Round 2, here I come!"

Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

What will happen at the loot house this time? Well, you'll find out in the next chapter!

See you next time!