Chapter 28: Snow White Terror
Kaoi: [groans]
The demon slayer once again finds himself lying on the floor. Unlike last time, however, he made no action to move from the floor.
Kaoi: …
Emilia: No... You're wrong! It wasn't me!
Kaoi: !
It was until he was reminded by Emilia's cries that there was someone here. Someone that was in need of help. It pushed Kaoi to lift himself from the floor and walked over to the crying Emilia.
However, Kaoi did not call out to Emilia. Did not offer words of comfort. Only holding her in his arms as he gently strokes her head in silence.
Time Skip
Events went similarly to that of the first loop so to speak. Kaoi mostly and strangely silent throughout the following conversation. Only speaking in response to questions. Now he stands outside the house while Rem put Emilia to rest and Ram checking up on Roswaal.
Kaoi: I suppose I will have to talk to Roswaal this time around. I managed to avoid talking to him last time but after what happened…
Otto: Mister Kaoi?
Kaoi: If anyone knows the context around Beatrice and that gospel it would be him.
Otto: Kaoi Sir, are you listening?
Kaoi: Huh?
Snapping out of his thoughts Kaoi's eyes lays upon the green merchant.
Kaoi: Oh! Otto! Sorry. Is there something you wish to speak to me about?
Otto: Nothing serious. I was just wondering if you are all right?
Kaoi: Well, Otto I am good. Just been out of sorts but I'll be fine by tomorrow.
Otto: Oh, okay. That's a relief. I was getting a bit worried.
Kaoi: How so?
Otto: Well, Kaoi Sir-
Kaoi: Please, Otto. I'm no knight so there's no need for formalities. Kaoi will do just fine.
Otto: Um... Okay, Kaoi, it was just ever since you exited the graveyard with Miss Emilia. You were acting despondent. I grew more worried when I noticed your expression turned glass-eyed.
Kaoi: Glass-eyed?
Looking at a nearby window. Kaoi saw that upon the reflective surface that what Otto says is indeed true.
It was honestly strange. Despite the face reflecting still being his face. The expression upon it made Kaoi almost not being able to recognize himself. Devoid of all emotion, his eyes dulled, and honestly it kinda reminded him of…
Kaoi: Tokito-san?
Otto: Who?
Remembering that he was speaking to Otto, Kaoi shook his head and returned to the conversation.
Kaoi: Someone I knew that bore this expression every day. Thank you by the way for your concerns.
Otto: Well… um… you're welcome, Kaoi…
Garfiel: Yo, got a sec?
Kaoi: Huh?
The demon slayer was caught off guard by Garfiel's seemingly out-of-nowhere return.
Garfiel: I need to talk to ya'. Alone.
Kaoi: … Very well.
Otto: But… Kaoi…
Kaoi: It will be fine, Otto.
Garfiel: Good, now follow me.
Like that, Kaoi follows Garfiel into the woods. Their path illuminated by the lantern in Garfeil's hand.
Kaoi: Of everyone I've met so far. Garfiel is definitely the most unpredictable. In each loop I've done, he acted differently in each. Had I not intercepted him last time, he would've retired into his quarters but this run he returned to intercept me.
Now that I think more about it. How did Frederica leave from here? If both of them are mixed-bloods then shouldn't she also be trapped here? I don't think she'll tell me herself due to that oath and I don't think Garfiel even cares enough to tell me.
Soon the two arrive in a clearing where Ryuzu stands. Although strangely, she seems to have changed clothes a few moments after the conversation from the house. Donning the white outfit when Kaoi first met her. However, she feels different, Kaoi still senses the same emotions from her they met a few moments ago but it feels slightly off.
Kaoi: You wanted to speak to me, Ryuzu?
Ryuzu: You may interpret it that way if you wish. Young Gar is my attendant, after all.
Kaoi: Well then… do you mind if I ask you a question?
Ryuzu: I wouldn't be opposed.
Kaoi: How did Frederica exit the barrier?
Garfield: [Grunts]
Ryuzu: …and what do you intend to do with that information?
Kaoi: Nothing nefarious. Just something that has been bothering me in the back of my head.
Ryuzu: Frederica's exit was something of an exception. She does not meet the conditions for being held within the barrier.
Kaoi: You mean being a mixed-blood?
Ryuzu: The barrier determines one's mixed-blood status by the amount of each race in their blood. If they possess human and non-human blood in equal amounts, they will be held within the barrier. However...
Kaoi: If you're less than a half-blood it can't hold you as if you're a full-blood. That means…
Garfiel: We have different dads. I'm Garfiel Tinzel. I'm pretty sure she uses a different surname.
Kaoi recalls the moment she introduces herself as Frederica Baumann.
Ryuzu: She was born to a human mother and a mixed-blood father. Therefore, she can enter and leave the forest at will.
Garfiel: Hah! Enter and leave at will? Don't make me laugh! She hasn't been back here in over ten years! Frederica abandoned this place!
Kaoi: He seemed to have some resentment towards his sister.
Ryuzu: Young Gar…
Garfiel: [scoffs]
Ryuzu: And now you know. I apologize for making you listen so long to learn so little.
Kaoi: No, it's alright…
Ryuzu: …Now, Kaoi can I ask you a question?
Kaoi: I might as well show you the same courtesy as you have shown me.
Ryuzu: Did you take the first trial of the Sanctuary?
Kaoi: How did they? My behavior must have given me away and Garfiel had early suspicions. Yes, yes I have.
Ryuzu: and did you pass?
Kaoi: …yes.
Garfiel: !
Ryuzu: Now for my final question, do you intend to undergo the trials in Lady Emilia's place? Now that you have taken the first one yourself.
It was right then and there that Kaoi realized the true meaning of this meeting. Why Garfiel had taken him so far from the village. His muscles slightly become tense.
Kaoi: They're trying to discern my intentions. We're far enough that if a fight broke out no one will hear us. If I'm not careful, a fight between me and Garfiel can strain the already tense situation for the Arlam villagers.
Garfiel: Answer the question! Ya' bastard!
The blonde demi-human was starting to get impatient.
Kaoi: I'm going to have to give them an honest answer and hope for the best. [Deep Breathe] Ryuzu, Garfiel, I swear to you in the name of my master, Kyojuro Rengoku, that I have no intention of taking the trials for Emi. They are hers and hers to do alone.
While Ryuzu and Garfiel are a part of the faction that wants freedom for the Sanctuary. Kaoi knows that Roswaal had ordered that Emilia be the one to complete the trials. Kaoi hopes that by assuring them that he won't tamper with that order that be enough to pacify them.
Silence takes hold for a few minutes before Ryuzu responds…
Ryuzu: Very well, Let's us retire tonight, Young Garf.
Garfiel: ... fine.
As the two leave, Kaoi calls out to them one last time.
Kaoi: Garfiel!
Garfiel: What!
Kaoi: First thing in the morning. I'm going to be returning to the mansion. Thought you should know.
Garfiel: Grrr…
Ryuzu: Let's go, Young Garf.
With no further words exchanged, everyone departs.
Scene Change
It surprised Kaoi that Roswaal was still awake when he entered his dark quarters. Sure he was hoping to catch him awake so he can talk to him. However, it seemed like the Margrave was expecting the demon slayer.
Roswaal: Welcome Kaoi.
Kaoi: Roswaal! You're still awake I see.
Roswaal: Oh! Just couldn't go to sleep. That's all. Now Kaoi, I see in your eyes that there is something you want to ask me. Is that right?
Kaoi: … You're right. Now Roswaal, why does Beatrice possess a Gospel in her library?
Roswaal: Now would you go and ask something like that? Do you perhaps suspect she is a cultist?
Kaoi: I would like that to not be the case. In this matter. I would like to know what exactly I saw in that library.
Roswaal: Very well, The idea that you and she should become enemies is truly awful. That a student and his teacher would turn on one another because of a misconception is dreadful.
Kaoi: Misconception?
Roswaal: It is true that what you saw was something closely resembling a Gospel. It makes sense that you would suspect it to be one. But you have my word. That is not the case.
Kaoi: It wasn't a Gospel?
Roswaal: That book of hers is not a Gospel. It is a magical text that tells the true future, of which only two copies exist in the world. It is the closest there is to the Tome of Wisdom.
Kaoi: Tome of Wisdom? I guess this means she has no affiliation with the Witch Cult. That's a relief.
Roswaal: Kaoi.
Kaoi: Yes?
Roswaal: If you are going to the mansion to confront Beatrice in this matter. Tell her "Roswaal said you are to ask the question." If you say this to Beatrice, she should respond.
The demon slayer couldn't help but recall how Ram instructed him these very same words the first time he returned to the mansion.
Kaoi: Hmmm…
Roswaal: It appears these words are insufficient for you. Then tell her this: "I am that person."
Kaoi: That person?
Roswaal: Get Beatrice to ask the question, then answer it affirmatively. If you do that, she will, without a doubt, ally with you.
Kaoi: You sound so sure.
Roswaal: Because it is in the contract that she is powerless to override.
Kaoi: Beatrice is under a contract, now?
Roswaal: If that is all…
Kaoi: Right, have a good sleep, Roswaal.
The demon slayer makes his move to leave
Roswaal: And to you as well, Kaoi. Beatrice will surely be a great help in solving all the problems concerning the Sanctuary.
Kaoi momentarily stops before resuming his exit.
The Following Morning
The sun shines as Kaoi rides into the distance.
Kaoi: I don't need to dwell on what happened last time. Only what I can learn and do better. There is a lot of moving pieces at play here. The trials, Elsa, The Other Assailant Beatrice, Roswaal, Frederica. I need to figure out the larger picture here. Even if I have to die over and over again.
Kaoi and Patrasche stop as they came across a familiar blonde.
Garfiel: You didn't think because you told me where you were going, I was just going to let you leave?
Kaoi: …
Garfiel: I won't lie. You have a lot of energy first thing in the morning. That's one damn gutsy ground dragon ya got there.
Kaoi: I had hoped that our conversation last night had cleared up any misunderstandings.
Garfiel: A misunderstanding? Like hell there is! You and your witch stench are goin' out to do somethin' evil, aren't ya?
Kaoi: So you can smell the miasma like Rem. Then why didn't you say anything about it yesterday?
Kaoi then proceeds to dismount Patrasche.
Kaoi: You had an opportunity to confront me about it when we were alone with Ryuzu. Did you even talk to Rem? Why waste time?
Garfiel: Stop it. Don't go makin' me more pissed off than I already am.
Garfiel went in and grabbed the collar of Kaoi's haori but at the same time, Kaoi intercepted his hands. The two were locked as they struggle to hold their ground.
Patrasche: [screech]
Kaoi: Garfiel, if you have any sense right now go ask Rem about the miasma. She tried to kill me over it, herself.
Garfiel: What?!
Kaoi: It's true and she can attest that I am up to no evil.
Garfiel: Grrr…
Garfiel quickly lets go and shackles Kaoi's hands off him.
Garfiel: If I let you go now, can you guarantee you aren't gonna do anything bad to us later?
Kaoi: You have my word that I have no motive to betray Emilia, Rem, Ram, or anyone else in the village. I only seek to help them in their plight.
Garfiel: Who the hell do you think you are?! You don't know shit about this place, or the old hag, or anyone else!
Kaoi: I'll tell you who I am!
The demon slayer emanates a powerful aura it makes Garfiel back off a bit.
Kaoi: I am Kaoi, Demon Slayer, Tsuguko to the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku. Who slew the Archbishop of Sloth. What I don't know I intend to find out.
Garfiel: What the hell are you gonna accomplish with that uppity bullshit?! You have no idea what true pain or suffering even are! Quit runnin' your damn mouth as if you do!
Kaoi's mind flashbacks to that fateful night on Odo Island.
Kaoi: I do know. I have experienced it many times in the past four years.
Garfiel couldn't find it with himself to rebuke anymore. He couldn't even keep staring at Kaoi's eyes as the demon slayer remounts his earth dragon compatriot.
Kaoi: I'm going now and don't forget to ask Rem.
As Patrashce runs out of sight, Garfiel stood for many minutes until he decided to return to the village.
Where he is greeted by the gentle Rem. Gathering ingredients to make today's breakfast.
Rem: Hello Garf! What are you up to this early in the morning?
Garfiel: Nothing…
Kaoi: if you have any sense right now go ask Rem about the miasma… she can attest that I am up to no evil.
Garfiel: Hey Rem. There's something I gotta ask.
Rem: Sure Garf. What is it?
Garfiel was about to ask the question but for some reason, he held himself back.
Garfiel:... Nevermind. It was nothing.
Rem: Oh! Well if you're not doing anything right now. Would you mind helping me with breakfast?
Garfiel: Sure thing.
Time Skip - Roswaal Mansion
Frederica: We should leave the mansion and take cover in the village for now. This is what you wish of us?
Kaoi: Sorry to make you deal with this, but I know you can handle it.
Frederica: Goodness, what a pick-up line. You certainly know how to win a maid's heart, Mister Kaoi.
Petra: Me, too! I agree with her!
Kaoi: I certainly didn't intend for that but thanks anyway.
Petra: Well, I'm going to go get ready!
Like that the little maid runs off.
Frederica: She is a very good girl.
Kaoi: Take care of her, Patrasche... and yourself, too. I'll join you as soon as I can.
Frederica: I will eagerly await the moment you join us along with Beatrice.
Moments Later - Forbidden Library
The huge wooden doors open.
Beatrice: You're finally here, I suppose.
Kaoi: Yes I am.
Beatrice: It's all quite ironic, I suppose. The end of a contract that lasted a long, long time... By bringing an end to the end of the end, I will truly be set free this time. Of course... The fact that it has to be with you makes it an ending far too ironic for me, my student.
Kaoi: An ironic ending? Did you foresee that in your book? Convincing you to leave is going to be quite the task.
Beatrice: Me? Leaving? What are you talking about, I suppose? I never asked you to take me from...
Kaoi: Looks like you didn't expect to hear that. Isn't everything I do written in that book?
Beatrice: Huh?
The spirit got surprised as she helplessly flip the pages of the Tome of Wisdom.
Kaoi: You could at least show me some courtesy and let me read what is supposed to happen to me.
Kaoi walks over to Beatrice and lowers to book so he could see inside.
Beatrice: Wait!
Kaoi: What?
Nothing.
It was nothing.
No words were written down.
The book fell into Kaoi's hands as he flip page to page.
Just nothing.
Beatrice: It was some time ago... when that book stopped showing my future. Many years now. To maintain and curate this library's knowledge is what my contract demands to eventually be handed to "that person", I suppose.
Kaoi: The library's knowledge.
Beatrice: She enjoyed storing up knowledge more than anything else.
Kaoi: Your mother?
Beatrice: It was the last thing she told me, I suppose. "One day, that person will appear in the library." My job was to wait for that day. I've been waiting for it all this time. But "that person" never came, and the book didn't tell me who it would be. Time just continued to pass, and then...
Beatrice's fist clenches.
Beatrice: So... I don't care if you're not "that person." If the one who can finish me, who can bring an end to my contract, who can take my life, is you... I will settle for that, I suppose.
Kaoi didn't know what to say. What could he say? That he was "That Person"? Would that even be true? But ask more questions.
Kaoi: What…what are you saying? You want to die?
Beatrice: To say I want to die is not strictly accurate. I only want you to free me from the contract that has bound me for eternity, I suppose.
Kaoi: Beatrice, I don't understand.
How could he? He only lived a mere fraction of what Beatrice waited. He'd never known such solitude. Such loneliness.
Beatrice: Of course, you don't. What do you know about me, I suppose? I have lived here in accordance with my contract for 400 long years.
Kaoi: Four hundred years?!
Beatrice: It never worried me, I suppose. I had the book. So many times, I had dreams of its last page being filled in. Every time someone has laid a hand on that door, my heart has been betrayed, I suppose. As time went by, I realized something.
Kaoi: What?
Beatrice: The reason nothing further has been written is because that's where the owner's future ends.
Kaoi: No, No! That can't be right! If want something from me then just ask it.
Beatrice: Then please… please help me…
The spirit struggles to find her voice as she makes her request.
Kaoi: Yes, Beatrice anything for my teacher.
Beatrice: I want you... to kill me, I suppose.
Kaoi was stunned at the request as tears threaten to fall from the spirit's eyes.
Beatrice: Do you have any idea how long I've waited for that? Did you think I had just given up, I suppose?! Are you saying you'll pull me out of this darkness that's so deep, I can't see my own outstretched hand in front of me?! If you say you'll do that for me, then why... why... Why did you leave me alone for 400 years?!
Now Beatrice didn't care as she let loose a stream of tears.
Beatrice: You're going to help me? Save me? Then why didn't you do it sooner?! My pleas for help and the salvation I've hoped for are wishes that have long since died away! If you still say you want to save me...
Kaoi: What would you ask of me?
Beatrice: Make me... the first. Put me first! Think of me first! Choose me first! Overwrite my contract! Paint it over! Blot it all out and take me from here! Pull me toward you! Hold me!
Could Kaoi do all that? Put Beatrice above all else. He didn't have anyone on a special pedestal and sure he wasn't in a hurry to return to his world but this… What would happen if Kaoi died a true death? Would Beatrice keep on living or ask someone else of this request?
Beatrice: There's no way you can do that, I suppose. So instead... I want you to destroy this utter failure. Or are you going to be "that person" for me? If you can't, then I want you... to kill me with your blade, my student.
Beatrice reaches out to Kaoi as she makes her final request.
Kaoi: Beatrice…
Suddenly bloodlust was detected and Kaoi draws out his blade to face the intruder.
Elsa: So sorry to interrupt, but could I become "that person" for you?
Tears stopped flowing as the spirit resumed her duties as the guardian of the forbidden library.
Beatrice: Who gave you permission to come here, I suppose? This is my forbidden library. No one may enter without permission.
Elsa: The magic you use to isolate spaces uses doors as its medium, does it not? Once I knew that, all I had to do was leave every door open. Simple, no? It did take a little time, but I'm relieved to find you. I'm so glad I managed to do it before Meili returned from the village.
Kaoi: The Village!
Elsa: Where the targets fled to and we've divided up the work. I also wanted her to stay away from you. You did slew all of her friends last time.
Kaoi: So she is working with a partner! But it seems to be the mabeast tamer from before! Not the Other Assailant.
Elsa: This finally gives me the opportunity to open up a spirit and see inside.
Kaoi is infuriated over this as he moves to protect his teacher.
Elsa: You're protecting her? You two are so close. How enviable. I'll send you to meet the angels together.
Kaoi: Flame Breat-
Beatrice: Shamac!
Momentarily confused by the sudden plume of black smoke. Kaoi took the opportunity to grab Beatrice and run.
Kaoi: There's still a chance this can be salvaged. I just gotta believe Frederica can hold out.
Outside the Mansion
Several plumes of smoke can be seen where the village would be.
Beatrice: What do you plan to do, I suppose?
Kaoi: I'm heading for the village.
Beatrice: It won't do any good to go there now.
Kaoi: Not now!
As Kaoi was about to cross the bridge. A blue-haired girl stands in his way.
?: Oh, it's you two. Whatever are you doing way out here? That Elsa is so sloppy.
The demon slayer puts Beatrice down as he faces his new opponent.
Kaoi: Good to see you again, Meili.
Meili: I wish I could say the same to you. You killed all my doggies that night! Well, I'm going to get payback.
Soon a plethora of mabeasts gathers behind Meili.
Kaoi: I would have never thought you were the mabeast user.
Meili: I'm Meili Portroute. Don't call me by such an unappealing name.
Kaoi: If you're here then that means everyone in the village…
Meili: Were all killed by yours truly. It's a shame the little maid turned out to be Petra, though.
Kaoi: You killed your own friend!
Meili: Don't worry! I made sure it was over in one bite so she wouldn't suffer.
At this point, Kaoi had enough as he raises his blade.
Meili: What's this? You want to fight me?
As Meili opened her eyes for this witty retort. She was met with the horrifying visage of a man swinging his blade.
[Clang!]
Only to be saved at the last second by her partner as she trips to the ground.
Meili: Elsa!
Elsa: Meili! I told you to stay in the village! This one is too much for you!
On Elsa's face bare an expression never once thought possible to Kaoi. Anger.
Meili: But Elsa!
Elsa: Leave now!
Meili did as she was told and mounts a Wolgarm back to the village. Taking her mabeasts with her.
Elsa: Trying to kill a child now. Naughty boy.
Kaoi: What child? All I saw was a monster.
The two disengage for a moment.
Elsa: Really? Then...
Elsa then runs behind Beatrice.
Elsa: You won't mind if I kill her then?!
Beatrice then raises her hand, releasing a wave of purple crystals. All of which Elsa dodges.
Beatrice: If you think shadow magic can't be used offensively, you're very naïve.
Elsa: What a surprise. I had no idea you could do that. How lovely.
Beatrice: Minya!
Another wave of Minya crystals floats ready over Beatrice.
Beatrice: Have a good taste of mana arrows of stagnant time, I suppose!
They then fire, which Elsa destroys or dodges.
Elsa: One look at an attack like this is enough to...
Elsa stops moving to see that her hand had been hit by the crystal. Crystalizing her hand and that crystalization were slowly spreading.
Elsa: Well, this was a mistake on my part.
Beatrice: I'm much older than you. Now fall apart where you stand, I suppose.
Soon more Minya crystals were fired at Elsa. Leaving a purple crystallized body that soon fell into pieces.
Kaoi: Well, that takes care of her.
Kaoi then looks back at the village.
Kaoi: She told Meili to go back to the village. She still waiting there. We can ambush her and-
Beatrice: What would be the point? Everyone in the village is dead. There's nothing we could do, I suppose.
Kaoi: What we can do is avenge them by going after their killers. Find out who hired them! And go after them too.
Beatrice: … were you really going to kill that child, I suppose.
Kaoi: Yeah, what of it? She's our enemy after all. Do you have some grievances with that?
Beatrice: Not at all. You don't seem the type, I suppose.
Kaoi: Huh? What do you mean by that?
Beatrice: Betty thinks-
In that instance, Kaoi senses the bloodlust of a certain killer.
[Shnk!]
Kaoi: No that's impossible!
Facing Beatrice, he sees Elsa, fine and dandy as she drives her blade through the spirit.
Elsa: Oh, what a strange feeling. So spirits really are different from the rest of us on the inside.
She brings the blade down revealing a mystical blue light. Kaoi swings his blade at Elsa who pulled her blade out. Kaoi catches Beatrice in his arms as streams of blue light spew from her wound. However, despite this Beatrice's face seem serene.
Beatrice: Now I... Now I... can finally...
Kaoi: Beatrice… no, no, not you!
Kaoi futility rips a piece of his haori and wraps it around her. But the light just keeps leaking just as tears were leaking from his eyes. Only stopping as Beatrice raises her hand at him.
Beatrice: Goodbye my student.
Kaoi: What are you-
He never got to finish that question as in a flash of blue light he was gone.
Scene Change
[ Play Re: Zero - Deceptive Music Box Theme ]
Kaoi woke up a few moments later. Lying on a concrete floor in what seems to be a dungeon.
Kaoi: Where am I?
Luckily the door wasn't locked so he was able to get outside. However, he is met with a snowy forest.
Kaoi: Did Beatrice send me to Gusteko?
Gusteko. What a horrible reminder of what had transpired. Kaoi ended up trudging through the snow. Coming across a set of footprints.
Kaoi: These look fresh. I should see where they lead. Maybe whoever was leaving these can help me find a nearby village.
What happens after then remains to be seen. However, as he follow these footsteps, the scenery was becoming more and more familiar to him. The unease grew until it bloomed into dread as he came across the Witch's Graveyard.
Kaoi: This can't be. How? This shouldn't be possible unless…
The demon slayer walked into the ruins, into the room where the trial took place but did not enter it. Inside the room, he saw Emilia standing there with no care in the world. That is until she took notice of Kaoi.
Emilia: Kaoi?
Kaoi: Emi?
The half-elf happily skips to her friend.
Emilia: That's right. Kaoi. It's me.
Kaoi: Emi, what happened here? Why is it snowing all of a sudden?
Emilia: I was so lonely... I was so lonely, Kaoi. You just went away and left me behind.
Kaoi: Didn't Rem tell you where I was going?
Emilia: She may have. I guess I wasn't listening. I'm such a dunderhead.
Kaoi: What?
Emilia: You don't need to make excuses. You've come back to me, after all. You know, I never stopped believing...
Emilia closes the distance between her and Kaoi as she lay on his chest.
Emilia: that you'd come to me. That if I did my best to fulfill my duty, you'd come to save me. That's what you've always, always done, after all. Right?
It was then that Kaoi got a good look at her face. How her manic eyes shake with glee. Even her emotions felt unnatural, abnormal, and almost broken in a sense.
Emilia: I set my heart ablaze, Kaoi.
Sanctuary Village
[ Play M20 Mugen Train OST ]
The next thing Kaoi knew, he was running towards the village. Something happened to Emilia during the time he was gone and someone got to know. Has to know.
But when he reached the village. No one was there. Ram, Rem, Otto, Garfiel, and Ryuzu were not there. Even Roswaal was not in his bed.
Kaoi: Damn it! Where is everyone? There must be somewhere!
It was then a place that did come to mind.
Kaoi: The church where the villagers are! They must've gathered there for warmth against the sudden cold.
Thus Kaoi ran to where everyone must have gone to. Only that when he arrived the sight was not he was expecting.
The church was set ablaze. Making a grand fire among the snow.
Kaoi: What in the blazes happened?!
Kaoi decides to get a coat from the village to protect him from the cold but on his way there he came across a small white rabbit.
Normally a rabbit wouldn't garner Kaoi's attention but seeing one where life seems to be absent was not normal to Kaoi, to say the least.
However, as the rabbit moves closer and closer to Kaoi. He felt some unease like it was looking at him with gluttonous eyes.
The Rabbit leaped at the demon slayer but was sliced in half for its troubles.
Kaoi felt stupid for slicing a rabbit in half. It was a rabbit what could it do? That is until the bloody halves of the rabbit started convulsing and reforming into two rabbits.
Kaoi: W-w-what!
Kaoi jumped back to get away but he fell to the ground as his left leg seemed to be missing. But it wasn't missing. It was laying on the snow two more rabbits were gnawing at the meat.
Kaoi: [screams]
Soon more and more rabbits rise from the snow. Kaoi can see an endless horde all around him. The demon slayer couldn't help but whimper at the sight of so many flesh-eating rabbits.
Kaoi: [whimpers]
But Kaoi needn't whimper much longer as the horde begins to descend upon him.
Kaoi: AAAAHHHHHH!
Every bit of him was feeling the pain of small sharp teeth gnawing at his flesh. How some burrow beneath his skin. He tried killing as many as he could with his sword but soon his hand was taken by the beasts. So all he could do was scream in excruciating and constant pain.
His last sight was one of the rabbits with its mouth bloody going for his eye. Before it, all goes black.
The Witch's Graveyard
Kaoi: [Gasps]
Waking up on the floor of the graveyard once again, Kaoi shakingly rises from the ground. Only his mind was not fully recovered as only one thought could go through his head.
Kaoi: What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?! What?!
Over and over he asks the question of what as he pouches the ground repeatedly. Soon left the floor cracked and his fist all bloody.
Kaoi: WHAT?!
It was at that moment that a voice called out to him.
Echidna: You have once again earned the qualification. I invite you... to a witch's tea party.
In an instant, Kaoi calmly stands in a grassy field across from the Witch of Greed.
Echidna: I don't often invite the same guest to my tea parties twice. Feel free to be proud.
Kaoi:...
Kaoi stayed silent though. Looking at his left leg. Still attached to him.
Kaoi: What? What was that?
Like that we'll end the chapter folks. I won't being doing an Omake seeing as this is my second longest chapter! One page short of the White Whale Subjugation chapter. Does Daphne want to fill her gluttony with these pages? Will see I guess in the next chapter of Re: Slayer, chapter 29: I love you…
Like always, feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments. I love to hear from you guys. Have a nice day.