if a julius loses his name in battle and no subaru is around

//from arc 5 ch 78: Ripples Remaining in the Watergate City
//http://ncode.syosetu.com/n2267be/397/

"Ah, Subaru. How fortunate that we didn't miss each other. I've returned."

"Reinhard, huh? You're pretty fast. I only just sent you off."

On his way back to the shelter from retrieving Julius, Subaru bumped into Reinhard, who seemed to have just returned to the shelter himself.
In response to Subaru's surprise at his quick return, Reinhard lightly raised his hands, walking towards Subaru and frowning as if unsatisfied. Seeing the color of Subaru's face, and the discomfort and uneasiness on the faces of the four people there,

"What has happened, Subaru? ...Is something wrong?"

"Yeah, something's definitely wrong... but it's kinda hard to explain. There's something I need to you to confirm too."

"If I can be of aid, then by all means, please ask. What is it?"

In response to Subaru's fallen voice, Reinhard's answer was sincere as always.
That was why he wanted to believe in his specialness. As he had been doing since the battle against the Bowel Hunter, and continued doing during the battle against Greed.
But, in response to his expectant faith――,

"――Do you know who the person standing next to me is?"

"...I take it you are not referring to Beatrice-sama."

Reinhard spoke, looking down at the dress-wearing girl clinging to Subaru's side. Subaru remained silent, not answering Reinhard's words. He simple continued to stare at the Sword Saint, praying that he would receive the answer he hoped for.
Under the weight of that stare, Reinhard gazed at the person standing on Subaru's other side, and narrowed his eyes slightly as if thinking. But,

"――I'm sorry. He is not someone I recall meeting before. But from his looks and bearing, I can guess that he was one of the contributors in this battle."

"――――"

At Reinhard's answer, Julius's expression stiffened.
They should have been fellow knights in the Royal Guard, and close friends――but even those bonds of friendship had been cut by his "name" getting eaten.
Looking sideways at Julius, whose eyes were cast downwards at that reality, Subaru found himself succumbing to disappointment too.

The Sword Saint, the strongest swordsman in the country who could cut down even the Witch's Cult.
But even he, Reinhard van Astrea, could not escape the influence of Gluttony's authority.

Or perhaps, he had just formed a baseless hope because it was Reinhard.
Having that hope crushed so cruelly was just a demonstration of his shallowness.

"I'm sorry. I don't really understand, but it seems I couldn't meet your expectations."

「……なに、こちらこそだ。君からすれば言い掛かりのような問答だったはず。その心遣いに甘えている、私たちの方こそ謝罪すべきだろう」

　ラインハルトの謝罪への返答を、他でもないユリウス本人が引き取る。
　彼は友人に見知らぬ人間扱いされたショックを押し隠し、言葉には平静を被せながら避難所の中を見回した。そして、

「そろそろ、主立った顔ぶれも集まった様子だ。今後のことも含めた話し合いを始めてもいい頃だろう」

「……わかった。君のこともその場で、ということだね」

　ユリウスの言葉の意図を察し、ラインハルトが顎を引いた。
　実際、避難所の中には先の防衛戦の功労者――王選関係者と都市の責任者、その顔ぶれがぞろぞろと集まり始めていた。
　そしてそんな中、ちょうど避難所の外から着物姿の少女が戻ってきた。

「ん、なんや集まれーって言う前に集まってくれてるみたいやね。好都合やわ」

　外回りを終えたアナスタシアが、襟巻きのエキドナを引き寄せながらそう笑う。ぐるりと避難所の中――視界には当然、スバルの隣に立つユリウスの姿も見えていたはずだが、彼女がそのことに言及する素振りはない。

「エミリアさんらにフェルトさん、おおよそ揃ったみたいやし。あとはプリシラさんとこが集まったら十分かな。そしたら、お話し合いにしよか」

　手を叩いて、アナスタシアは提案する。
　視界の端に映ったはずの、一の騎士に呼びかけることもなく、平然と。