Warlock of Sin. Arc 2: Convocation of Sin
Chapter 10: The start of the show
He was fast asleep on the floor, on top of a futon, this place really was like Japan. He felt light strokes on his forehead, making him open his eyes drowsily, he was met with Beatrice's face right above his, she had a displeased expression, probably because he woke up. "May I ask what you're doing, Beako..."
"Nothing in particular I suppose..."
He lifts his head up and noticed that he was on Beatrice's lap all this time, he gave her a skeptical look, "It's not Betty's fault... you won't stop moving, so Betty had to lend her lap so you would stay calm, I suppose..."
"Huh, fair enough..." He shrugs his shoulders as he throws the sheets up, doing light morning stretches to get his body moving. "Right, so... we got Puck's crystal, which is what we came here for, but we can't just leave, it'd be just rude..."
"Wouldn't it also be quiet heartless to leave the whole city, that might be attacked by the Witch-cult, I suppose?" Beatrice said as she handed him his knight's uniform, walking to the door, looking outside.
"Of course... you know what, a little check around the city for suspicious activities isn't a bad idea, don't you think? We've told the others as well so I guess this will be Witch Cult subjugation number two... may get Emilia some more attention..."
"Two birds with one stone, I suppose?"
"Yep... right, your turn," He said as he gave her a head pat and left the room to let her change from her pajamas.
The door opened slowly and a man stepped inside. Wearing a white cloak glazed with golden accents, his hair white, his skin fair. The man was neither too tall nor too short, neither too chubby nor too thin, he was what you could say, an average person, no, he was no average person, no average person could achieve this amount of perfection, he was just tall enough, he body was just the right form, he's not average, he's perfect, perfect at being average...
"Finally..." A lecherous and vile voice spat out.
Inside the room, were five other figures, and some several silhouettes standing idle in the background behind them."Quite a surprise seeing you all here… are we to collaborate for another event?" the perfect man said in a voice befitting of his perfection.
"Shut it, harem boy, it's not like I wanna spend time with a bunch of crappy losers. My books been going on about this for days so it's not like I can ignore it. Tch, to think that I have to work with you shits again..."
"Working together… together… in other words, us, we... yes, that's right, we are together, to band together to strive for a single goal, help each other for a single cause, indeed we will be, Regulus..." A voice replied, it was rather feminine and it came from one of the three that sat in the far left, "The more guests there are, the bigger the buffet will be, the bigger the buffet, the faster our stomachs will fill up, and the faster our stomachs fill up, the faster we digest, and the faster we digest, the more we can eat! This is truly the best way to satiate our hunger!"
"We must spread the love that has been bestowed upon us... his love, my love, our love! The gospel is the guidance of love, we were all entrusted with love, we must not fail… absolutely, utterly, impossibly must not! For it is our duty to follow!" Another, rather ear-shattering voice joined in, mechanical and rustic, neither man nor woman, that's what this voice sounded like, a distortion, a replication...
No one was willing to argue with that voice, not that there was much to argue with, besides, they all agreed to the person's sentiment, so there was no need for argument, or at least that was what the man endowed in white thought, "You talk about love? Hah, all love is to be monopolized by me and only me! That love your talking about is all mine you hear… Don't think you can give away something I own!" the woman from before hissed at the voice, though there was no retort.
The cloaked man looked at the person expecting some sort of reaction, but there was nothing, no reaction at all, towards the woman anyway. He watched as the person mumbled out incoherent words to themselves and he sighs "Arguing with her has no meaning in it, it is a waste of time for not only you but the rest of us as well. I've heard she's been like that ever since Sloth's disappearance, having your rights to a person being taken away from you, I do pity that..."
"Haah... good morning everyone!" Subaru said as he made his way down the steps with Beatrice and into one of lounges. Everyone was waiting there, well not everyone, seems only Emilia, Ricardo, Julius and Otto were present, the others were nowhere else to be seen.
"Good morning Subaru"
"Yo Bro! Good to see ya fine"
"Oh... Natshuki-sah... haah..."
With everyone but Julius greeting him, he approached them and sat down the table, "Otto... didn't I tell you not to get too drunk? Ah, it's almost like you never listen..." He said while giving his friend a rub in the back. "I tried... but it'd be- bueagh... rude if the person had already ordered you some..." He said while spinning his head around, Rem probably left due to the lingering scent of alcohol around him Subaru thought, "Man Otto, go bathe the smell out, Garfiel's gonna go mad about it when he gets back you know..."
"I already did... but it isn't going away..." seeing that his hair was still a mess and that his clothes were a bit ruffled, "Yeah, I doubt you've actually taken one today, I mean, I haven't either, but I don't smell drunk... come on, I'll help you up"
He said while putting Otto's arm around his shoulders, helping him up the stairs, "Subaru-dono really is the sociable type isn't he..."
"Yeah, it's just how Subaru is, though I still don't get why he's so stuck up about you, Julius... you guys did make up right? Or was he just lying to me again..."
Julius who was conversing with his spirits until now, sighs, "Yes, we did indeed make up for the incident during the meeting about the Royal selection... but you must understand Emilia-sama, not everyone can just let go of a grudge... he hasn't forgotten about what had happened, and neither have I, to us, it was an important event, though it's importance has different meanings for the other..."
"Ah... anyway, Rem also seems to reflect on Subaru's view but what about you Beatrice?" the attention was now directed to Beatrice, who was fiddling with her hair, she gave Julius a suspicious look, "The fact that he had shamed Betty's contractor is set, thus Betty isn't too fond of the purple haired man... but whenever I try to think badly of him, the thoughts just seemingly float away, especially when he's near, I suppose... it's strange, and Betty doesn't like it, you know..."
"I see... that would be the working of my divine protection of spirit gathering, it just happens to make spirits see me in good light, though making a contract with them requires effort, just not as much as normal"
"That's why you're staying away from my Beako, Julius" Subaru, whose sudden appearance startled everyone, said as he picked Beatrice up and seated her on his lap, "Betty is Subaru's Betty, that won't change, I suppose..." "Oh really? If I remember correctly, when we returned from the capital, I recall you saying 'He will suffice, for now, I suppose', didn't she Emilia-tan" She nodded, seeing where Subaru was going with this.
"T-That was Betty's mistake, I suppose!" she refuted while shaking her head violently. "Even though, it really hurt my heart you know..." "Betty is sorry, I suppose!"
"Yeah, yeah, your cute when you're like that, hehe," He said while patting her head, she replied angrily with several kicks aimed at his legs, which barely hurt since she wasn't wearing any footwear, the others just smiled seeing their interaction. "Anyway... Wilhelm, Julius, ever thought of doing some patrolling around the area?"
Emilia, who was unaware of what was really happening thought that it was just a curious question, but to Wilhelm and Julius, it was a request, "Patrolling the area does seem like a good idea, I recall Garfiel-dono saying something of the sort before Mimi chased after him..." Julius replied.
Out of the four that was in the Emilia camps defense force, Garfiel would be the most experienced in protection so seeing him already a step ahead of Subaru was no surprise. "Okay, I'm thinking of patrolling as well, would Emilia-tan like to join me?"
"Sounds fun, why not?"
Then, the door to the dining hall opened and Anastasia, who was wearing a yukata, came through, "Breakfast is being served, it's first to come first serve so ya better get it while you can"
Hearing that it was time to start the feast, they got up and went to the dining room, he took a whiff of the air and instantly recognized the smell, "This is Rem's cooking isn't it?!" and as they entered the room, they saw Rem doing some final preparations for the table.
"Rem had nothing to do, so she thought to help with the cooking and all... I've also prepared some... mayonnaise for Subaru-kun and Beatrice..."
Hearing that she prepared mayonnaise, both Beatrice and Subaru's faces lit up, "Rem your the best!" "Betty is grateful as well, I suppose..."
After they're hearty breakfast, the royal candidates went over to have a discussion in the other room, leaving the rest to themselves, they were all grouped around, having they're own discussion.
"So we only have three of these Metia's right now, which is a bit problematic but, we'll manage..." The discussion was about the patrolling they were going to do. "We'll split into four main groups, Julius, Joshua, you go with Rem and Beako to explore the second avenue, Wilhelm can go check the third avenue with some of the mercenary group, Ricardo will look around the fourth avenue with the rest of the Iron of Fangs, and I'll go with Emilia to the first avenue, Otto told me Garfiel went that way too so if we find him we'll fill him in... any problems?"
Instantly Rem and Beatrice raised their hands, "Why should we go with this man, I suppose?"
"Good question, first of all, we don't have enough Metia's so I'll to tell you what happens, then you tell them, then, if anything happens on your side, I want you to tell me, then I'll tell the rest, and lastly, if there's trouble on your end, watch him when he fights..."
Julius, Felix, and Wilhelm sighed while Beatrice and Rem nod diligently, "Okay then, our goal here is to scout and protect when necessary, we aren't going on a full assault, so... try to control yourself, Rem..."
"W-Will do, Subaru-kun...".
"Hah, this is relaxing isn't it Emilia-tan," Subaru said as he sat beside Emilia in the bench, they were in the same park they went to last time and they had just seen the end of Lilianna's late morning concert. "It is relaxing Subaru, but shouldn't we be patrolling?"
"Ah... and my plan to spend quality time with Emilia-tan is ruined... well yeah I guess we should get going then, I'm also feeling for a little snack, what about you, Emilia-tan?"
'Hnnnn...' The purple crystal glowed, the silver-haired girl inside was pouting intensely 'Nope, not gonna let you out Ella, not in such a crowded place, and besides this is my precious Emilia time, you've already had your date'
"Well, I do feel a little thirsty, some water would be nice..." Emilia replied, "Right then" He got up and extended his hand to her, "Let's go, then"
.
They walked around, it's been, maybe around ten minutes and they didn't really find anything. "You'd think there would be more shops around the tourist district, but I guess there aren't any, any good ones anyway..."
"Well it doesn't really matter, we did just have breakfast a few hours ago," Emilia said as she skipped along beside Subaru.
Then a sudden strong feeling came over Subaru, Authority of Wrath was activated, someone was very happy and surprised, another was filled with terror, two people with intense emotions, something must be going on.
'Subaru... I'll set a checkpoint here...' Satella whispered to him.
"Subaru?" Emilia called, noticing that Subaru had stopped in his tracks, "Somethings... somethings wrong... someone's in trouble, Emilia..."
"What? Where?" He showed an 'I'm not sure' face and looked around, she does the same, until...
"Ahhh, excuse me, I humbly apologize for taking your time, and I ask that you forgive me as I truly am sorry, but can you please look over here for just a little while?" A voice shouted out. It was hard to tell whether it was a female voice or a male's, it was kinda mushy, and sounds almost mechanical.
From atop a clock tower stood a cloaked figure, covered in bandages and chains wrapped around their arms, whoever they were, they had successfully grabbed everyone's attention in the vicinity, everyone's head turns over to the figure.
"Yes, thank you for lending me your ear, I truly am grateful to you all..."
Subaru and everyone else in the area found it impossible to look away from the person, it was as if their bodies forced them to see. The figure clapped their hands gleefully seeing that no one was looking or walking away.
"Now, I shall introduce myself... Witch Cult's, Sin Archbishop of Wrath, Sirius Romanee-Conti DESU!"
Her voice boomed through the streets, it was silent for just a second until people suddenly realized what exactly they were dealing with. What did she say? Romanee-Conti... A name that Subaru despised, the name of a madman that he had finished off two months ago, this person, was related to him...
'Subaru!' Satella called out to him, "No need to tell me twice!" He got in front of Emilia and summoned his Minya blade, he could also sense three other people nearby who seemed battle ready, Emilia was still in a state of shock.
Everyone else started mumbling about the Witch-Cult, some screams can be heard, some people even started running away, "I am here to spread the LOVE! That was given to me by that person, today, you will bear witness to that very Love!"
She clapped her hands, "But first, you four, the Wolfman, those two ladies and that young man with the sword, there is no need to be alarmed, besides, what you are about to witness will truly be something you would want to see wholeheartedly!"
Subaru and the other people that were ready to leap for her were shocked seeing that she was able to tell who was going willing to fight from high up there, "So she has Emotion Linkage as well..." 'Be careful Subaru... she's still an archbishop, remember that...'
"Right... H-Hey!" Subaru called out as he went forward, waving his hands, the center of attention now averting to Subaru, "Since you just wanted to show us something... could you just... get it over with? I mean, some of us are really busy... I've got a person that's kinda waiting ya know?"
Hearing Subaru's request, her face lit up with glee, "Why of course! It is quite Again, I apologize if I'm taking some of your precious time... so I shall get this over quickly..."
The crowd that was once all filled with fear was now slightly less filled with fear, Subaru was still cautious about the person and a now recovered Emilia took her place beside him, "Are you sure we can trust her, Subaru..."
'Of course not... but we gotta keep everyone calm for now... we can't fight them properly then, Emilia...' Satella said to the two of them.
They seemed to be picking something from the ground and shows it to the crowd, which made everyone gasp in fear, "This boy, his name is is Lusbel-kun"
"Mmmph! Mmph!"
What they held out truly was a boy, he was taped in the mouth and seemed to be covered in chains, tears of fear leaking from his eyes, "He is nine-years-old, and lives with his father and pregnant mother in the third street, his mother's tummy just recently got larger and so he is really looking forward to being a big brother! He usually goes out to the park with his childhood friend, Tina-chan! They are both childhood friends and love each other dearly, he dreams of one day being an adventurer, with Tina-chan beside him, supporting him... and let's not forget about Tina-chan, I originally was planning on bringing her here, since girls are usually closer to the love I was talking about rather than boys, but Lusbel-kun was brave and desperate pleas to take her position has enraptured my heart! But enough about me... Lusbel-kun, although he cried a little and is slightly scared, he's still a brave boy, and the future he holds... don't you want to see it!"
"Mmph! Mmmph! Mmph!" Lusbel just continued to struggle on the arms of the mysterious person, he tried but ultimately failed, the figure was just waiting for a response from their audience, which she got shortly after.
"Yeah! Don't you go crying, boy!" Someone shouted out.
"Hold your head up with Pride and go for that future!" Another person said.
"Girls don't like it when a man cries ya know!" Subaru joined in.
And in no time, Emilia shot a thumbs up at the boy, several people started clapping, the whole area was shouting praises to the teary-eyed boy, it wasn't just a display of words of advice, or compliment, 'Subaru! snap out of it', but it was an example of human nature, was this the Love Sirius was trying to show them all?
"Sirius-sama, you're absolutely right!"
"Lusbel-kun! Go make us proud!"
'Subaru! Snap out of it!'
More and more, they praises wouldn't stop coming, "Gh- Kahh, no, please save me-!" "Yes, Yes! Thank you, everyone, thank you for understanding, Lusbel-kun, I want to commend your courage, your everlasting courage, please look below, look at all the people that are cheering you on, doesn't it fill your heart with passion, seeing all these people supporting you on! Now please give him..."
'SUBARU!' A voice rung in his head, but he didn't pay any attention to it.
"A Thunderous..."
'SUBARUUU!' It rang again, but he didn't even notice it this time.
"Applause!"
She lifted him up into the air, sending him flying up, the cheers didn't stop, in fact, they only grew louder as they boy went higher, then he lost speed and started descending, the crowd gave an exciting gasp while he hurdled down at top speed.
.
.
.
.
.
"NO YOU DON'T!"
Another voice, loud enough that it almost drowned out the screams from the crowd, entered the scene, a flash of purple light and another cloaked figure came in, coming from under the watchtower, she jumped up into the air and grabbed the falling Lusbel, saving him from his imminent doom.
A flip, a twist, and a roll, the two had safely reached the ground with minimal injuries, "Haah... haah... are you okay!" the woman asked, Lusbel could only nod his head hesitantly, his face now showed relief.
"..." The crowd has gone silent after the sudden entrance of the woman, they seemed angry, very angry, "Subaru, Emilia!" she ran up to them, but the two just glared at her. Not seeming to be affected by their gazes, steps forward and a dark aura starts to surround her "I don't want to do this, but it's the only way to snap you guys out of it!" The aura left her body and circulated around the two, suffocating them for a second before dispersing.
"Gaah!"
"Ugh..."
"E-Ella... did you say... mind control..." Subaru looked around and saw that everyone else was seemingly angry at the three of them, "Subaru... we should attack her while we have the chance... before this escalates any further..." Emilia said while rubbing her head, dizzy from the mind control.
"UNFORGIVABLE!" Sirius screamed out, "How could you stop such a glorious act of courage and Love, you monster! Everyone was cheering them on, bathing him with praise, and you just made it all look like nothing! You unreasonable, you uncanny, unworthy scum, you make me Wrathful!"
"Enough of that shit talk!"
"No, Subaru wait!"
"Your the scum if you think that was glorious!"
Ignoring Satella's calls, Subaru roared out as he rushed forward, gripping his Minya blade tight. He leaped up and set his foot on the tower wall, his eyes turning into a dark bloodshot red, a dark aura surrounding him. He readied his foot and kicked up, sending himself almost halfway up.
Before he started falling, he chanted, "Minya!" A platform made of purple crystals formed under his feet, he used it to launch himself higher, this time, reaching all the way up. The platform dissipated as he set his foot at the top of the watchtower.
"El-Minya!"
Minya bolts shot out from behind him, shooting out to his opponent, she whipped her arms in the air, from the sleeves of her cloak, metal chains extended forward, she swung them in a circular motion towards the bolts and shattered all that was coming her way.
Then, Subaru dashed forward, intending to slice her in half. She made another quick swing prompting Subaru to deflect the chains using his sword, but unfortunately, they just wrapped around his sword, with a sudden pull, the sword was flung off his arms and into the air, far from his reach.
She proceeded to attack again, the chains going straight for him. He raises his hands and several shadows sprouted up, blocking the chains from him. "Unacceptable, you must perish for not accepting the love that I was wholeheartedly showing you!"
"I won't let you hurt Subaru!" Emilia appeared, she was holding an ice sword, something she had learned to do during her combat training, "Hiya!" She charged forward and slashed at Sirius, her chains were still wrapped around the shadows, she spun the chain around her hand and decided to take the hit head-on and so blocked it with her hand.
"Field Distortion"
She felt herself getting heavier, and she fell to her knees, "You end here, right now, Wrath!" Subaru's other free hand swung below the other hand, shadows came rushing under her, he lifted his hands up and spikes erupted from under her, boring holes all over her body.
"It's ove-"
Before he could say any more, he could feel his body getting numb, it was as if he was stabbed in various parts of his body with a large pipe. He fell to the ground, he got a glimpse of Emilia, she was in the same state, blood was spilling from her abdomen, her mouth, her legs, he could also feel himself being drowned in blood, and the next thing he knew, he was dead...
A/N
Since I have no Author notes for this chapter, I'll entertain you with end of chapter conversations.
[ReveiwR524]: Hmmm, we're doing EOC's again… so last time, we had Knight come in, since he doesn't exist anymore...
[Pride]: Hey, don't forget about me now? You know, the superior Subaru
[ReveiwR524]: Ah, yes, you'd make for a fine addition to the EOC
[Warlock]: Woah, excuse me, did you just say 'superior' Subaru?
[Pride]: Yeah, got a problem with that small fry?
[Warlock]: I'll have you know that I'm the superior Subaru if anything!
[Pride]: Pfft, come back when you've actually killed someone with your own hands you little cry-baby
[Warlock]: I'll come over there and kill you, then you'll see!
[Pride]: Killing me is technically killing yourself, that's suicide, so you wouldn't be proving anything
[ReveiwR524]: Ouch, looks like he got you there...
[Pride] = Re: Life in a fatasy world - Subaru