AN: JDUBZYT is the man. Man with a p-p-p-p-plan!

AN Fun Fact: The chapter "The Last Stand" is named after the Sabaton song of the same name. Enjoy.

ARC Four: Battle From Zero

Chapter Twenty Four: A Knight of Nothing

Felt was continuing to berate Reinhard for dragging her there without her consent. It ended when she noticed two very familiar faces there as well.

"Nii-chan? Batman? What the heck are you two doing here?"

"Yo Felt glad to see-!"

Felt let out a kick at Subaru's abdomen and another to Batman. Batman easily blocked his with two fingers, while Subaru whimpered in surprised pain.

"Glad to see you both of you are doing better!

"If you're worried about us how about being a little nicer!?"

Subaru shrieked at her while Batman gave her a light pat on the head.

"Good to see you again Felt."

"Um yeah, sure…"

She lightly blushed as she said this, but shook her head slightly and noticed Marcos calling to her.

"Felt-sama if you are done rekindling old friendships we must continue with the ceremony."

Felt waved them goodbye as she took her place with the others. Batman and Subaru stood there observing the candidates as they each spoke their vows.

Crusch had promised to absolve the pledge with the Dragon and discontinue relying on the Dragon Stone, making the country stronger as it would rely less on outside forces and more on it's own people.

Batman seemed very impressed with her resolve and agreed on her stance. Subaru was also impressed by it all but….

"Hey, so Ferris is her knight right?"

"Yes, what of it?"

"So they allow ladies into the Royal Guard?"

"Subaru…"

"Hm…?"

"Ferris is a guy."

"Huh?!"

Subaru looked at Batman and Ferris over and over again, until he grasped his head and yelped.

"Impossible! How do you know this?!"

"...It's obvious to someone of my skill."

"You're a detective! Of course it would be! Wait. No...I don't buy it."

Subaru pointed at Ferris in an almost interrogative manner.

"I want proof!"

Crusch was listening in on the conversation.

"It's true."

"And how?"

"When we were younger, we used to bathe together, so of course I-"

She was interrupted when she saw Batman give Subaru a light smack in the back of the head, but it was still strong enough to make him nearly fall over in pain.

"Subaru! What are you making her say? Apologize."

"Owowowow, alright I apologize! I won't make her say more!"

Ferris and Crusch chuckled at them as they finished their speech.

Afterwards, Priscilla stepped forward to give her speech. She claimed that the world was made in accordance for her and she had the right to rule over them. Al then countered with the fact that since her leadership of lands from her late husband, that those lands had risen to prosperity. Still, Subaru and Batman could agree on the fact that she seemed the least qualified to win, let alone control the entire country on just plain dumb luck.

Still…Subaru signaled Batman to whisper to him.

"Hey Batman, see that weirdo knight of hers?"

"Al? What about him?"

"...On the way here I spoke with him...he's also from another world."

"...what?"

"Yeah, apparently he's been here for eighteen years. Oh, and no dice on finding out anything more. Says he doesn't know why he was summoned."

"...I see."

This raised so many questions for Batman, as he glared down at the floor. Who else has been summoned here from another world? Is it random? Or…?

Batman straightened his face as he noticed Subaru staring at him.

"I'm fine. Just trying to figure things out."

"Well okay…"

Next it was Anastasia Hoshin. She spoke of having a greedy personality, and that even though she owned the largest trading company in Kararagi, it wasn't enough for her. Thus, she wanted to 'own' Lugnica. While seemingly selfish, Julius then spoke of her skills in economics and business, claiming that it was those qualities that were needed for their country.

Batman could understand the idea of getting a leader who could finance a land with expertise. It would make sense in any country. But he still couldn't accept a leader that viewed people as assets and little else. It just didn't sit well with him.

Emilia took her turn, but still seemed a bit frazzled. She took a deep breath and put up a look of confidence. With that, she spoke about her stance of bringing equality towards all the denizens of the country. Human, Demi-Human and anything else would be treated with fairness.

Subaru loved her speech and smiled brilliantly while listening to her speak. But Batman was more worried than anything. Her goal of equality was well-meaning, but in the current times it didn't mean much. Especially when there would still be places that wouldn't follow along with these proposed rules. Not to mention her appearance being the same as Satella, would gain her no favor from the public.

When it was Felt's turn she refused and wanted nothing to do with the Royal Selection. Reinhard was forced to speak of finding her in the slums...which made things worse. Many nobles and even a member of the council were not pleased by a poor woman being part of the candidates. Luckily, intervention from Reinhard and Emilia eased things over and the ceremony continued.

Only to turn the attention back to Emilia.

One of the council members made a comment about Emilia and how people would be understandably scared to hear of her participation. But what surprised everyone the most was Roswaal agreeing and speculating that out of the candidates there, Emilia was the weakest and thus would be dropped off first.

Something in what he said made Subaru yell at him.

"Don't give me that crap!"

"...I did not think you were this obtuse. This is not the place for the likes of yoooou to speak. Apologize and leave."

"Screw that. You guys should be the ones apologizing!"

"Well, if you were to simply grovel on your knees I would have let you leave….buuuut it seems you need to learn a lesson."

Roswaal then lifted his hands and a flaming sphere appeared above him. He then aimed it at Subaru.

"One cannot do anything without power, learn this well in the next life."

He then launched it at Subaru as he screamed, what Subaru thought it would lead him into the next loop.

"Witness the greatest of fire mana. -AL GOA!"

The fiery blast rushed to Subaru, he prepared to be burned to a cinder...but…

"AL ERMAC!"

Something grabbed Subaru and he suddenly found himself now next to the Royal Candidates.

He saw the blast get dissipated by a now summoned Puck. Everyone was shocked when they saw him, but not Subaru. Emilia turned to see where he was.

He was next to the other candidates, being carried by Batman. A yellow glow was permeating all over his body. Everyone was stunned by what they had seen. An ultimate fire attack by the Court Sorcerer, the power of the Great Spirit Puck, and the masterful use of Yang magic by Batman.

Al Ermac. The Yang spell of speed. A spell used by only proficient Yang magic users, it gives the user a temporary speed boost.

Batman put Subaru down as he glared at Roswaal.

"There had to have been a better way of doing that Roswaal."

"Ahhhhh, so you found me out!"

"..."

Roswaal had in fact done this to prove Emilia's strength of using Puck as a contract spirit. Everyone was of course impressed with it. Emilia thus asked to be treated as equally as the others would and everyone seemed to relax...except for Batman.

He kept his eyes on Roswaal.

Just then the lead council member asked something of Emilia.

"Emilia-sama, what are those two gentlemens positions?"

"Ah...er..well.."

Subaru walked over to her and smiled.

"Don't worry Emilia. I'm ready for this."

"Ready for- Ah! Wait, Subaru-!"

Batman walked over trying to stop Subaru. But even he was too late.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Natsuki Subaru, I am a servant at the Roswaal Manor and-"

He raised his finger to the heavens and yelled.

"-And Emilia-sama's knight!"

The room went quiet, as Batman put one hand on his face and the other on Subaru's shoulder.

The council leader took a breath as he mumbled.

"A knight is he?"

"Ahhhhh, this boy is very ignorant of the woooorld."

The council leader turned his attention to Batman.

"And you Batman? What is your position within Emilia's camp?"

"...I'm a bodyguard, to say the least. For her and Subaru."

"Oh? So you protect both of them?"

"I do my best to."

"Ah, I see!"

Subaru was obviously upset that everyone was ignoring his pledge. Roswaal came forth and explained to Subaru what it meant to be a knight.

Loyalty to one's master.

The strength to protect their master.

And a special quality to forge a path for their master's goal.

"-That alone is not enough Magrave Roswaal."

Julius stood in front of Subaru as he began to question him about his declaration of being a knight. Subaru continually made himself look worse and worse. He agreed with his lack of power, his lack of perspective and total disregard for the sanctity of what it meant to be a knight. Julius continued on his disregard for Subaru and even Al calling themselves knights.

"Even the one there called Batman does not claim himself as anything more than just a bodyguard. He has my sincere respect for understanding his place in this palace.'

"Bastard! Leave him out this!"

Subaru screamed as his eyes narrowed.

"No matter what you say...I will make Emilia king."

"...Even after being rejected so. Why are you still even here?"

"...Because….She's special."

Batman turned back and saw Emilia's face. It was downcast. She was slightly quivering. Something Subaru just said...had frightened her.

She remembered it...something she had heard in the Fear Toxin cloud at Dunharrow...

"...A pitiable half-elf...a special little find...A SPECIAL LITTLE DOLL…"

Julius walked away at this point, continuing to not accept him as a knight.

"A man who brings such an expression to the one he wishes to be beside...cannot be called a knight."

"...Y-you're-"

Subaru quivered these last words to Julius.

"-You're all just born into this! You guys have been pampered to live this way! You're the Knight of Knights and shouldn't be saying these kind of things at all!"

"Natsuki Subaru was it? Speaking such insults have no weight to them. There is no beauty to you at all."

All eyes were on Subaru. The candidates gave him blank stares. The knights seethed with rage. The nobles simply stared in annoyance at him.

But when Subaru turned around. He saw it. Emilia with a look of utter sadness and Batman looking down at him like he was total stranger.

It hurt Subaru, down to the bottom of his heart.

"I am sorry for this waste of time. He will leave immediately."

Subaru shook as he reached out to her, but his hand was stopped by Batman.

"Subaru…"

"No, I-!"

"You've done enough. You need to go."

Subaru stared wide-eyed at him, looking as if his world was falling apart. Batman could only turn his face away from him.

He was embarrassed of his actions.

Emilia then led Subaru away by the wrist as he scampered along. When the council leader looked on he spoke.

"Emilia-sama, though much time was wasted, he has proven that you are not one to be feared as the rest of the world does. -You have a good vassal."

"Subaru…"

She turned back to see them, cold vacant eyes staring back at them all.

"...is no vassal of mine."

Subaru's words and feelings were crushed at that very moment.

After Subaru was let out, Batman stood there in the same spot as he stared at the doors closing. He then turned his body to walk back, as he stared at someone he blamed for the entire affair.

'Was this also your doing, Roswaal?"

"..."

The two stared as they were now only a few inches away from each other. Batman looking down at him as he was clearly taller.

Roswaal smiled as usual.

"I have noooooo idea what you're talking about."

Something snapped.

Batman quickly punched down Roswaal.

His body tumbled as blood flew around and even into Batman face. He straightened himself out as he then stared at the knights. The knights glared at him, but were also on guard as they were unnerved by his actions. Batman let out a small breath from his nose and wiped the blood from his face. He then looked over at the Elder Council.

"I will be taking my leave as well. Sorry for the mess."

Batman moved his cape and began walking away as his eyes narrowed. Roswaal continued glaring at him, but soon smiled again. He walked past Emilia but stopped for a few seconds. It was almost as if time had slowed down as this happened, he then turned to look out the window.

Then he continued, until he walked out the very same doors as Subaru.

Batman continued on, until he noticed several knights dragging along Old Man Rom. Batman became nervous about this and rushed back.

When he reached to doors he was stopped by two knights who were on guard duty. Then, he overheard that they were planning to execute Rom. He heard Felt's pleas to stop this.

Batman then slipped past the two guards and rushed to the scene. Rom was surrounded by knights. Batman leapt over them and brandished several Batarangs in his hand, keeping up a defensive stance around Rom.

"What is the meaning of this?! Are you not a vassal of Emilia-sama?! Why would you-?"

"If you intend to kill this man, then have to pass me to do it."

Rom looked up in confusion, even though he recognized him, he couldn't understand why he was going so far to save him. Emilia shook as she screamed back.

"Batman stop! You'll only make this worse!"

"I'm sorry Emilia, but I can't stand around and let someone die!"

Emilia look surprised by what he said. But it was also something she understood about him, why he never killed people and why valued human life more than anything.

Felt stood before them and howled.

"Fine then! I'll take the enter the damn Royal Selection!"

Everyone was surprised to hear this, especially Rom. She then asked Reinhard to free him from his shackles. Reinhard karate chopped the chains off. Batman then lowered his guard and put away his Batarangs.

Felt walked over to Batman and put out her hand.

"Thanks for helping out Rom-jii."

"...Of course Felt."

They shook hands, Felt looked away from him as she lightly blushed.

The rest of those there were whispering once again about Batman.

"Did you see his skills?" "Instead of that boy, he should be Emilia-sama's knight." "I wonder if he is a knight?" "Where did he come from?"

Batman only sighed and began seeing himself out once again.

He then heard a voice call out to him.

"Batman."

He turned to see Reinhard smiling at him.

"On behalf of myself and my master, I thank you once again."

"Again, I do this because I have to."

"Because you have to?"

"Yeah…"

Batman waved them from behind as he continued walking out the doors once again.

A few minutes passed as he watched the city from atop one of the palaces towers. A light breeze blew as his cape fluttered in the wind. He then took a breath as he headed back to see if the ceremony ended. He saw Emilia running on the other side, with the other candidates slowly following. He took notice and leapt over. He then stood in front of the other candidates and asked what was happening.

It was Crusch that answered.

"Apparently, Natsuki Subaru has accepted a duel with Julius. Furthermore, things seem to be going one-sided."

"...WHAT?"

Batman's eyes grew wide. While he has taught Subaru how to fight, he knew he still needed a few more months before he could use it.

"Where is this taking place?!"

"Over at the Parade Grounds, they are just up-."

Batman pulled out his grappling hook and fired it raising his body into the air and he rushed across the rooftops as he marched forward.

Leaving the stunned candidates behind.

Batman had made it faster than Emilia to the arena and was looking down at the battle.

It was indeed one-sided. Subaru was horribly hurt, one his eyes was swollen and he had welts all over his face.

Batman cringed at this sight.

"Enough."

Batman dove into the arena and landed between the two.

"That is enough, both of you!"

Emilia and the others had reached the arena and were looking down at the three at the arena.

"Batman, hakk! Move out the way, I-I'm gonna-!"

Batman lifted him into the air with one arm.

"I need you to be quiet."

"..."

"And you Julius! Are you proud of this pathetic display?"

Julius shrugged at this and looked over at his fellow knights.

"I did it to preserve our honor."

Batman turned Subaru around to lead him away from the arena, many of the knights were glad to see the shameful display come to an end.

However when Subaru looked up to see Emilia there looking at him with a pitiful look in her eyes, Subaru snapped.

He became free from Batman and rushed over to Julius again.

"Damnit! Su-!"

"SHAMAAAAKKKKK!"

A black cloud of smoke emerged and enveloped all three of them. Subaru smiled wildly as he frantically charged to Julius. In turn, Julius charged forward, easily breaking away the smoke.

But a hand reached out behind Subaru and pulled him back. Julius swung his mock sword...only for it to be stopped by a hand grabbing it.

When the smoke cleared, Batman was gripping Julius's wooden sword and holding Subaru from his back collar with the other. His eyes furrowing at him.

Subaru was confused but as he tried to stand up...he was hit with a chop to the neck, knocking him out. Batman then fired a grappling hook at the terrace Emilia and the others were. He flew through the air with Subaru on his shoulder.

He landed in front of Emilia and gently laid Subaru down.

"S-Subaru…"

Batman looked back down at Julius, while removing his cape. Then he removed his mask, revealing his face to everyone there.

"Batman-san?"

Batman grabbed the wooden sword from Subaru's hand and held it tight. He then leapt down and landed on the ground below. He walked to Julius.

"Julius, you did this to teach Subaru a lesson right?"

"Of course. He needed to learn about his own lack of resolve and ultimately the power of the knights whom he insulted."

"Right...the knights who are so petty from senseless words they were already plotting to beat him to a pulp or worse, is that correct?"

"..."

"...Then as a simple bodyguard, I have done a disservice haven't I? I'll have to remedy that."

"What do you speak of?"

"Easy Julius, I need to teach you all a lesson as well."

"...Oh?"

The two narrowed their eyes at each other. Julius's golden eyes and Bruce's blue eyes were seeing each other in their reflections.

Batman then raised his wooden sword and pointed it at Julius.

"Have a duel with me, Julius."

The Dark Knight and the Knight of Knights were about to battle for the sake of their own honor.