Chapter 1
In a despair filled theater something was playing on the screen. Its occupants watched with dread ,amusement and sadness at the scene before them.
Reinhart: "That,is not possible". The wounded and exhausted sword saint said as he shook his head with remorse.
Reinhardt: As the head of pleiades, the purge king Natsuki Subaru, starting with the murder of Roswall Mathers,among the people of the kingdom, as well of the Vollachian empire and the Kararagi-city states,and among the subjects of the Holy kingdom of Gusteko has already had 126,702 people killed in total."
At that moment almost everyone in the theater stopped breathing for a few seconds. With eyes widened and filled with disbelief and fear some of them turned to look at the face of a innocent sleeping boy. How could they not especially after knowing how kind this person is or was supposed to be.
"Haha this is….haha its a joke right yeah yeah it has to be". Someone spoke, it didn't matter who because everyone had similar thoughts. But alas they already knew the cruel truth.
"To think that this same hero could be capable of that extreme of a change".
"This kind person ….is he really able to hold such insanity".
"This is our fault isn't it? If this disgusting demon that is I could have instead perished before".
Everyone truly understood how insane this was but also understood its cause. The disease of despair caused by the wrath of a demon had now latched itself into the viewers hearts as well. The purge king's disease was now enveloping the theater itself.
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Some time earlier in the theater…..
"So….it seems this time we are watching some weird alternate reality huh", said a mentally exhausted but hopeful looking blond little girl. Despite her appearance this individual bore a great duty as a potential future queen of the great kingdom of lugunica. But for now those rebellious eyes of hers were dimmed and filled with complex emotions as she looked towards the foreign no the sleeping boy who was from an altogether different world.
"Felt-sama, are you sure you no we don't need a long break before we continue further with this?" , asked the sword saint with a worried look that really did not suit his face.
With a tired sigh the young girl looked towards her tiresome knight. "This dude really needs to stop being so selfless already. We already had Big brother drowning in his own twisted self sacrifice during the sanctuary arc". Thinking of the name made her snort as the place was the complete polar opposite. Dead powerful witches hidden behind a barrier, those detestable but necessary trials that almost broke-correction crushed the spirits of both her big bro and big sis, furthermore there were attacks on both the sanctuary and the mansion orchestrated by an obsessive clown. The fact that the clown was the sponsor of Emilia infuriated Felt even more. Her eyes softened as she remembered how much her big sis went through in the elior forest at such a young age. The strength and resolve she showed at undertaking those trials after being made to believe in herself because of her knight's faith in her. "Really those two deserve so much better than what this world offers".
"Felt-sama?", again with that worried face asked her knight.
"Ah sorry sorry Reinhard. But um yeah it's fine don't you think? We don't really have a choice anyways considering everyone insisted. Isn't that right you fox woman?". Saying those words purposely for the shrewd rival that has been observing everyone, Felt looked away with a pout.
"Of course, though i do dislike being called a fox woman you know." That same shrewd rival with light purple hair and lovely features spoke out in a native kararagi accent though now she also knows that her accent itself is a product of another world. "Hmm as much as I would love to have Natsuki-kun form a partnership with me, having all my dreams be realized only thanks to common knowledge that a boy from another world has will not be desirable. A passive approach here will yield better results not to mention after seeing how insanely in love he is with that half elf and her camp, trying to force him into anything otherwise would backfire". After having reached various points in her ever changing opinion about the boy, this was her conclusion. She also felt pity towards said half elf after seeing her past exposed for all and even secretly harbored feelings of respect towards her real reasons for entering the political match for the throne. But unlike Felt she still dislikes the naive nature and incompetence that brought about such tragedy for Natsuki Subaru.
"Doesn't this if story or in other words an alternate possibility for Natsuki-kun sound interesting? Not to mention according to the warden the decision that is leading to this possibility is his suicide during arc 2. Im sure a lot of us were and maybe are dissatisfied at seeing him give his life for the same girls that caused him so much torture simply because he believed in them. What do you think Julius?". The last question being uttered in utmost care she looked towards the elegant knight who was slightly different than he used to.
"My lady…I…i am not sure i have the right to give my own opinion but considering the care being shown towards me which I should not be in a position to receive , I shall answer with an affirmative in respect to your desire of watching this…story". The finest of knights answered in an unsure and slightly gloomy mood. Though there was elegance in his words still it was combined with a fairly low confidence in his own ability to answer. After seeing his fellow knight and friend's story in this theater Julius was filled with a myriad of emotions. His actions at the castle and how he cut his friends life with that same sword he holds so dear to his heart, his slight suspicion and doubt towards his friend that became bigger due to Subaru's connection with the witch, incomprehensible emotions towards that same supposedly evil witch not to mention the other witches that helped his friend, and his own growing envy at how incredible Subaru really state now was turned into one full of doubt. Doubt towards his own ability as a knight being the is also the fact that Subaru declared with an unmovable will that he will save Satella, a being who causes fear and dread by just existing. Julius bites his lips as he thinks about his own duty as a royal knight and as a friend to Subaru, again filled with nothing but doubt.
"Hmm…seems like this will take longer than thought" .Thought Anastasia while recalling how she and the other members of the camp all tried their best to encourage to another side she spots the twin beast siblings and Petra playing a game apparently called othello. Overlooking them were Ricardo and Frederica. Despite the cheerful sight even a witchbeast could tell….. or maybe not, that they were all forcefully distracting themselves. Looking away the genius merchant wasn't even conscious of her own hollow eyes. "That is also one reason why I latched on to the idea of this if story. It might just help us all. I mean how much more worse could it get for Natsuki kun if he did run away.".
Overlooking that interaction was another pair of amber eyes filled with strong spirit. The woman who always acts in a manner that befits the strength and desire of her soul was now in a quiet mood. This journey had been long after all. A journey that was unexpected and that she did not think of as Karsten had gone through many phases through this viewing. Pity, sympathy, doubt,faith,disappointment,anger,sadness and love, unfortunately none of these words are enough to describe what she felt….though the last word she is the most confident about. Ah and include intense hatred towards a certain clown. But she had already made her goal of delivering justice clear enough. " Right now there is one more person i should focus on as it is my responsibility to do so".
"Ferris…..".
"Yes,Crusch-sama!", said a cat healer in a strained and loud voice. Intentionally making his voice sound as normal as he could and forcing a smile to not cause any trouble to others was the farce that the greatest knight healer Felis Argyle put on. The memories of the show continuously flashing in his mind, he recalls the hell that is Natsuki Subaru's life. His own negative opinions and degradation of the boy had naturally shattered apart along with his sanity. The scene of the boy's painful death by puck,by the great rabbit, by suicide and by the healer's own hands continue to quietly torture him.
"Crusch-sama with respect towards you i suggest we give Ferris some more time to himself", so said the elderly butler in a hushed tone to which the recipient agreed. The sword demon Wilhelm looked in pity and consideration towards his liege and the knight respectively. The old warrior had seen many things in his life but this theater and the story shown was obviously the boy who he looks with respect went through suffering that he would only wish on the worst of his enemies. But what moved him more than anything was his strong resolve. The parent and child episode especially inspired him to mend his own broken relationships as he still has the chance to do so. The veteran knight lastly looked towards his grandson with eyes filled with guilt and nervousness but,with a strong conviction. "Though my instinct gives me a bad feeling about this if-story".
"Hmm….commoners and the dramatic scenes they love to cause huh",muttered the red princess as she whimsically observed the display in a prideful manner. She soon lost interest though and changed her view towards the boy who has been in the center of all their attention."Displeasing that someone else would attract so much attention away from mineself…if only the person himself had more pride". The princess surprisingly looked at the boy that she had only thought of as a disgusting pig with a soft gaze. "He was more than that. A boy whose change throughout his small time on this world is astonishingly amazing. Every struggle for him has been bleak but he has come out of it better than before. It will be interesting to see his future growth from a close proximity. Though that camp full of monkeys is annoying to my eyes. Not to mention that clown creature that my self is gonna burn to cinders later".
On her side was a bandit looking one-armed man with his face covered by a unfashionable helm. As always with his scar jammed face rendered unseeable that middle aged man from the same world as Subaru was drinking a nostalgic coke bottle that he had long since forgotten the taste of. The man found sympathy towards his fellow otherworld traveler but also a little anger."Why havent u run away yet, pal. The people you love are still alive but at what cost and for how long? With more people to protect now just how long will you continue to die and fight in this world. Unlike me you had the chance to live a happy life but you denied it. Ahh….i guess this if-story might offer me some solace". Al gazed at his remaining and missing arms respectively and peered into something deeper inside, something that only he could see. He recalled his pal's return by death and his ability to use the sloth witch factor. But then he recalled something that made him suppress a shudder through his very being.
(One day you must definitely come…. to kill me.)
(I will definitely…..save you.)
"Pal…..that path is a bit…..because i couldn't even…..". Stopping his thoughts, Al quickly shakes his head and goes back to relishing the taste of soda.
A silver-haired half elf with a voice that sounds like bell chimes is seen intimately hugging the figure of a sleeping boy. "Subaru….", she spoke with a tone of love and sadness mixed in a blender topped with guilt as the topping. The girl's face was filled with tear stains and bags under her eyes. But it was also filled with strength and the resolve to make up for her sins."Though if Subaru was here he would say its his fault not mine", thinking that Emilia pinched her knight softly. Emilia had gone through many phases especially in arc 4. She tried to hurt her face when the full appearance of the witch was revealed, which was thankfully stopped by others. She cried the whole night after seeing her knight getting eaten by the rabbits and lost complete faith in herself after seeing the last loop. The dread caused by the possibility of Subaru actually leaving behind the world he dies in ate away at her heart ruthlessly. By the end of the witches tea party where even her supposedly look alike, that double personality disorder witch had helped Subaru out of her unmatchable intense love, Emilia had once again stopped believing in herself. "Though my stupid knight even if it was only through the screen gave me strength again", recalled Emilia while placing her fingers to her gaze consciously turned towards the lips of her own the distance closed her heartbeat naturally quickened but…
"Are you done being embarrassing , I suppose?", a voice suddenly in front of her made her jump.
"Bea-Beatrice!. S-s-since when!?"
"Hmph, since when do you think, I suppose?" , replied the cute great spirit in a smug manner.
"-Pleaaasee don't tell Subaruuu!".
"Think my contractor will be pleased to hear it , I suppose."
"Ehhhhhhhhh!'
The small spirit looked away with a satisfied gaze as Emilia continued to vehemently protest with a blush."Seems she is better than before , I suppose. Well as embarrassing it is to admit even Betty was in a similar state of self-doubt, I suppose. But as that stupid Subaru was the one who asked for Betty's help, he has to take responsibility I suppose. Unlike with…mother i shall take my own decisions this time I suppose". The spirit who at heart has remained a lonely little girl for 400 years remembered her mothers true intentions for her caused by her uncontrollable greed. And like a kid slowly growing out of their parent's shadow she strongly continues forward to a future she chose to have.
"Unfair…even Rem wants to hug Subaru-kun", spoke a soft voice displaying a cute pout towards the spirit and elf. The maid formerly serving Roswall and now woken up from gluttony's gourmet was sitting on her hero's left side. The maid was amazed at her love but also worried about his mental had secretly harbored some doubts about not having taken Subaru's hand when he desired to escape especially after seeing the brutal suffering caused by the sanctuary but after seeing Emilia's past and her hero's belief in this future queen candidate she regained confidence in her decision. Unable to forget and forgive her own actions in arc 2 but still deciding to fight so that she could repay her hero one day was now her goal among others. "Subaru-kun truly did show his love for me more than enough times and that is why i shall stay by your side". Though thinking about the premise of this upcoming if-story made her feel guilt and sadness.
"Ha, its Barusu we are talking about, in the end he will get into some trouble or another anyways", injected her other half who had read exactly what was going on in her sister's mind. The pink haired fierce maid had less poison in her words than normal as she thought about the upcoming if-story. Even if she felt guilt, sadness or anger she had accepted that she doesn't have the right to judge Barusu's decision whether it's in a alternate reality or this one. What was shown in Subaru's second trial has opened up the terrifying possibility of alternate worlds existing alongside this one after all. "Wonder if there is a reality where this crowd was never teleported into this theater".
"Ne-Nee-sama…", the red oni looks at the blue oni who hesitatingly called out. But instantly her loving little sister catches sight of something and disgustedly looks away.
"Rem…", for a moment untold grief flashed in the pink maid's eyes knowing full well who her sister looked at in such a way and why but she soon returned to maintaining that strong look in her face.
Meanwhile that same person who was directed such a gaze at was siting with his defeated eyes to the ground. The strongest magician of the kingdom was left tied and restrained. This was the only thing allowed by the warden after all. The clown had accepted any punishment as was his conviction though it seemed fate wouldn't let him receive it that easily. Roswall had resolve that after his wish was completed he would gladly give his life to the red oni he promised it to but this viewing smacked him on the head with attacks that he could not avoid. No matter what degree of remorse he felt it wouldn't be enough but for his teacher's sake he still had the twisted resolve to continue even if it meant that he has to forcefully use Subaru's power. But what shattered even this 400 year old dream was the goal itself. "Sensei…..why…..you knew all along about Subaru not to mention your f-feelings for him…..was the gospel not your way of directing me? What did you truly desire from me and just why…..you hated Emilia but the gospel directed me to support her….why? Why are you not telling me anything important not to mention right now you are actually….", memories of the time in the sanctuary arc flashed across his mind as he thought about the scene where Emilia was trying to assist the Ryuzu clones."The one named as Omega by Subaru…..for a few seconds..that one sentence she spoke to the half elf was enough for me sensei to know that it is you". The person who thought he understood his teacher the best was now finally rethinking his understanding of her.
Two pairs of eyes were observing that same broken clown. "What do ya think Brotto!?", came a obnoxiously loud and almost feral voice as a boy who could be easily misunderstood as the leader of some hooligans somewhere asked the person he considers his brother.
"Calm Garfield, I agree with your animosity towards that guy and that is why we must continue to remain calm". The gray haired internal affairs minister of the camp relayed to the person he thinks of as a younger brother. Both of them had a fair enough difference in their age and role, but looking at them sitting together playing shatranj and talking about their common detestable enemy, one could only describe them as brothers.
"But Otto-bro we need to decide already about that clown's fate".
"Of course that is necessary, but doing it without Natsuki-san here who was one primary victim of the Margrave's plans is too pretentious. Not to mention the bet made by Natsuki-san, as infuriating and disagreeable it is to say, includes Roswall in the future of this camp".
"Do you mean to say we really are about to forgive, forget and live with him like normal!?"
"No….that is an absolute refusal for me and that is why we have to wait for Natsuki-san's awakening in order to express our displeasure. But for now instead of wasting more time on that person we should start focusing on Natsuki-san!".
Both of these soft-hearted brothers displayed a sad smile when thinking about the third member of their trinity. After various struggles and going through a period of major self-doubt that the camp as a whole experienced, they were able to unite under the desire of simply wanting to help their friend and benefactor. They right now don't think themselves deserving of that nasty-eyed boy but are taking those first few steps to make themselves worthy of him.
"Though we need to think about how exactly we are going to do so huh", mused Otto while also pondering nervously on Natsuki Subaru's wish of saving a certain 400 year old half-elf.
"Don't you think you should discuss this with Betty in the conversation, I suppose?"
"That's right, other than that goddamn clown ,its unfair to not include us when speaking about my knight. Isn't that right Rem?" , though the last part was said in the usual Emilia way, those five words were filled with so much ice that it might have sealed the entire theater if left unrestrained.
"Yes Emilia-sama"
Such was the interjection made by the three girls closest to Natsuki Subaru's heart.
"Me too! Petra also wants to help Subaru i mean Subaru-sama!", said a little maid that really should not have been shown such hellish memories of the person she loves. But nonetheless with a lot of support from her senior Fredrica nee-sama, she has maintained her fragile sanity while showing surprisingly strong conviction at such a young age.
"My my Petra-chan you need to settle down and address everyone properly with the right maid etiquette you know", a demihuman maid with razor sharp teeth softly scolded and looked happily towards her little protege and then to her little brother who have seized back a lot of their energy.
Suddenly a small and energetic voice screamed with a "Ahhh i lost again to Petra-chan!". The vice captain of the iron fang commonly known as gorgeous Mimi is seen dejected as she has yet again lost in another game to the maid.
With a sigh her brother Trivey decides to finally present her with the cruel truth of the world as he slowly tells her that she has actually not been properly connecting any of her pieces nor blocking the other foe's.
"Ah why don't ya little children run along and let me try huh?", said the wolf captain of the iron fang in a native kararagi dialect as he looked towards the two in a fatherly gaze.
"Stop getting off topic and lets start the discussion about Subaru's future , I suppose. The screen hasn't activated this if-story yet anyways". With words from the great spirit siting at Subaru's lap , the other members of the camp were now ready to talk. But…..
"Hmm..i think i would love to join this conversation don't ya think", came such words from Anastasia Hoshin.
"Nah big-sis lets just hurry up and merge our camps together. I don't care about whatever rules or prophesy that might deny this", rebellious words from Felt came as she looked towards Emilia expectantly.
"Considering how we already have an alliance in play i would request to be the first to offer my aid as well as requesting to be the one to undertake the task of delivering justice to your sponsor". Saying this Crusch Karsten was well and truly including her participation in the help-Emilia-camp plan.
"Ho-ho if you people are putting in your claims at this auction then I shall demand the highest price of course", arrogantly claimed Priscilla Barielle.
The tension of the room had risen like a hot summer day as all the candidates and their camp were facing each other. Irony had it that they were not competing for the throne this time though but instead due to how much Natsuki Subaru had affected them all. But before they could truly begin that conversation a sound was heard.
"Look its starting !", not even seconds had passed as Mimi noticed the screen's activation. Drawn by the light every one turned to look and started settling in their seats.
On the black screen suddenly someone's melancholy and hopeless voice is heard. A pleading voice that was familiar to all
"I heard a voice ripe with hatred"
"A sound which would not leave my ears"
"Its Subaru..", spoke Emilia as her eyes moistened thinking about arc 2. "I cannot ever forget what the twin sisters caused but just like Subaru i have already forgiven them. Especially knowing how much Subaru cares for Rem, I want and need her to be with us".
"Subaru kun….and i guess that voice full of hatred he is talking about is…", the oni had no need for even completing that sentence as her eyes slightly teared up.
"Yeah i guess my words of hatred really must have affected him insanely huh", despite Ram's clear regret she still watched on knowing that something were to happen to her sister or Roswall she still would without restraint display her wrath for all. "Well one of them is now already is danger…". She thought about the man she loved who had given up to such an intensity he wasn't even looking at the screen.
"Words imbued with rage followed me".
"It was frightening, so frightening that i could not bear it".
"I was being crushed by the pressure of this noise which did not obscure its murderous intent".
"Bu-but considering that now Subaru has escaped thanks to Beatrice-sama he should be safe right?", questioned the little maid Petra with scared eyes.
"I would like to believe he will be safe but….".
"Subaru's mental state is definitely not okay.."
Anastasia's left off statement was finished off by her knight as they both watched on.
Rem started sobbing after hearing his fear from his own voice but was surprised by both Beatrice and Emilia as they spared a hand to comfort her.
As for the great spirit she was only hoping with dread that she might have at the least properly helped him escape. But once again remembering that this story is called Wrath-if, left her with a bad premonition.
"It gripped into my soul and would not let go ".
"The more one clung onto their life, the more certain it would became that someone else would be hurt by them"
When some expressed their confusion at the last sentence, Priscilla decided to offer them enlightenment.
"Its because thats exactly what he had ended up doing when he decided to run away instead commoners"
"Meaning?"
"Because he strived for his own survival all the while running from fear and distrust, he had pretty much condemned the blue maid to her death. And ofcourse the wrath of her sister would continue to follow him even if he did simplicity its because he did and has made those selfless self-sacrificing actions having faith in you guys that most of you stayed alive and happy..well happy until his secret got exposed that is". So proclaimed the princess with a slightly sadistic gaze towards the Emilia camp and others.
"So the only real way out for Subaru-kyun was to d-die"
"Its fine Ferri. Isn't that why this if story is here, in order to show this other way? Lets be patient and hopeful.
While this was happening, Ram had realized something that made her blood run cold. " In this situation would i have let go of the chase…no even if it meant breaking the chains holding my power , I would have continued to chase him. The cruel things that this me might do…I…run Barusu as fast as u can". So pleaded the red oni even knowing that this world is not gonna fulfill her wish.
"First and foremost, I was sorry, so sorry and yet i was drowning"
As he said these words a white landscape was starting to became visible.
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Chapter 1 end.
