Hi! I've never actually written something this long before like, at all so this is kind of my first foray into fic writing so yeah. My thought process for this was basically just, 'Damn, I kinda do like Gluttony If alot. Imma extend it' and then ran with that to the hills. I was also inspired by BobDoorman's Shattered Kasenaru, which is where the name of the fic comes from. Would absolutely recommend reading that fic if you haven't already.

This first chapter is mainly an introductory one before the plot gets rolling in the second chapter, would still recommend that you read this one first however!

This fic was originally posted on ao3 and only now converted to FF. Have to thank Prophellwinter for guiding my technologically illiterate brain as to how to post on this site. (Praying I haven't messed anything up upon publishing rn) Thus, these first few chapter dates are for when they were posted on ao3.

So yeah, hope you enjoy!

Chapter first posted: 3/5/2022

Chapter Descripted: 4/6/2022

[Also, will be posting the first 6 chapters one after another so yeah.]


Patching together, patching together, continuing to weave the form.

Patching together, patching together, sewing the rips and tears shut.

Patching together, patching together, stitching the threads and strings into one.

Patching together, patching together, patching together, until the shape of a man finally emerged from the patchwork.


Ivy. Ivy was what he woke up to every morning for the past few weeks. It covered the walls, floors, and ceiling of the room. For what it couldn't cover, green leaves patterned and patched in the holes, weaving the floral casing of the stone walls closed in a patchwork of nature.

Well, ironically the nature within the room wasn't natural. It was the handiwork of the spirit which inhabited this room, the Green Room. The spirit wasn't one for conversation, perhaps because it couldn't talk, though it was accommodating and friendly. It provided a soft carpet of grass, a bed of flowers, and chairs and tables of ivy, all for its sole inhabitant.

Subaru rubbed his eyes. Despite everything the spirit did, he couldn't sleep well. At least he still was actually in the Green Room this time. Occasionally he'd find himself slumped against a wall or floor in the watchtower outside. Shaula had told him that he tended to sleepwalk which was odd. As far as he knew, he never had sleepwalked before he came here.

Once, he even descended to the fifth floor 『Celaeno』. It still amazes him how he didn't meet his demise that night by falling off the stairs.

Seriously, this tower just had no safety standards at all. Who builds stairs without railings? Who builds stairs without railings when the stairs stretch up for minutes and falling absolutely results in death? Flugel apparently. Just another strike on his record. His interior design and construction planning would make any architect cry on the spot.

Well, at least he got one room especially right. The Green Room had become vital for Subaru as of late. A few weeks ago, he had felt incredibly sick and dizzy, like he was about to explode from within. Apparently, he had a defective gate which meant he couldn't use magic. He wasn't thrilled when he learned that - to be transported to a world where magic exists and that you can't use it? Letdown.

『Natsuki Subaru』 had found a way to use magic regardless because he was 『Natsuki Subaru』. The hero. Subaru had ruined his method within a day without even realising it. Not only that, but he also ruined his hero's method of treatment for mana poisoning. How slothful of him.

If it weren't for the spirit within this room, he'd have died by now. They were capable of draining the excess mana that dwelled within his gate and preventing him from imploding. It wasn't quite as good as 『Natsuki Subaru's』 contracted spirit, but a lifesaver was a lifesaver. That was why he chose to sleep here, where the spirit could passively drain the mana from his gate so he wouldn't die.

Well, not for good. If there was one thing Subaru had that 『Natsuki Subaru』 didn't, it was that he was bad at staying dead. At first, he didn't understand what had happened to him; he hadn't been conscious when his body hit the cold floor below the staircase. He believed his fall was simply a dream, a vivid precognitive dream yes, but a dream nonetheless. Then suddenly, Subaru found himself back within the Green Room, just like when he first arrived in this world. Speaking of which-

He opened his eyes and looked around the room. Still empty. Good.

Occasionally he had worrying thoughts that he had once again reset to his starting point. Waking up in the same room didn't exactly help. However, the blissful silence of the room eased his worries. He was still here; he didn't have to start the process of patching everything together from scratch.

His second fall put an end to his theory of dreams. It felt far too vivid for a dream, the sensation of his body hitting the floor, crumpling and cracking and snapping. It was too real. He was dying. It hurt so much, it hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt. And then no more.

He woke up again, right back in this very room. These weren't dreams, rather, he had 『Returned by Death』. That was the blessing that allowed Subaru to piece together what had happened within the tower. It was a divine intervention from a god. A god who gave Subaru a failsafe to ensure that he could bring back 『Natsuki Subaru』 no matter what mistakes he made.

Because, unlike 『Natsuki Subaru』, Subaru absolutely made mistakes. He needed 『Return by Death』. He had died twice within this tower on his very first day here. He could have ruined 『Natsuki Subaru's』 life within an instant, yet fate was merciful.

It was because of 『Return by Death』 that allowed Subaru to form a plan to bring him back. When he finally patched together everyone's memories of 『Natsuki Subaru』, he'd have his hero back and then he could turn back the clock and return to zero.『Natsuki Subaru』 could continue on as if nothing had happened in the first place.

It also meant that Subaru knew his life was meaningless. After all, once he's finished, 『Natsuki Subaru』 will just reset and it would be as if he never existed. When 『Natsuki Subaru's』 memories are returned, he'll likely cease to exist.

It was a little depressing to think about, and yet it gave him purpose. He finally had a reason to exist, patch together the hero and his role would be complete. He'd be satisfied after that.

...

Surely, right?

"...So why is it that I still feel empty?"

He'd been given a purpose and yet, he craved more.

It wasn't like this at first; in his first month of performing his quest, he'd diligently stuck to nothing but his dedication to fulfil it. Collect the memories of 『Natsuki Subaru』, read the 『Books of the Dead』 and add them to the patchwork. Rinse and repeat, patching together, over and over.

Yet after Priestella, he began to feel hungry for something more. Perhaps it was the feeling that his quest might be over sooner than he thought. After all, Priestella had been an especially lucrative and productive visit. All he could say was that he craved more, more memories, more experiences, both his own and others'. He was gluttonous.

His 『Gluttony』 overpowered his 『Diligence』 and he willingly let 『Sloth』 take hold so he could indulge in his desires. He no longer pushed Shaula away; he no longer withstrained himself from acting like 『Natsuki Subaru』.

-Not that he felt worthy to act like him, for he was an impostrous usurper who stole his role, but it felt far better than acting distant.

It was slothful. It was greedy. He dared to indulge in the desire to live when he was brought to this world to work, to simply carry out his duty. Yet another way he was inferior to 『Natsuki Subaru』, surely.

Though, what could he have done instead? His progress had slowed considerably. Ever since Priestella the 『Sword Saint』 had been trailing him like a hawk, so much that he had only just barely had enough time to escape the villages he visited before the red-haired knight arrived on the scene. His companions all knew and told him just how strong the 『Sword Saint』 was; it wasn't a battle he could win yet.

Thus, he instead set his sights upon a different, though similar, target. He wasn't alone within the tower. Yes there was Shaula however, there were two other individuals, the 『Divine Dragon』 Volcanica and the 『Sword Saint』 Reid Astrea.

Reid Astrea was the one he desired. Unlike Volcanica, he held memories of 『Natsuki Subaru』 and thus, he needed to be killed. Subaru and Shaula had cleared the remaining trials of the tower early on; that way, he could set his trap and allow Anastasia, or rather Echidna, to flee. He was able to clear Reid's trial and push him to take a step by having Shaula blast him with a surprise attack the moment his fist made contact. Surely he could easily kill Reid after that. Right?

That was far easier said than done. Reid beat him. Hard. He ended up on the floor within seconds - the only reason he wasn't dead was simply that Reid felt off killing someone that resembled a past acquaintance so closely.

He ended up back in Green Room soon after, where the spirit took to healing his wounds and bruises. That would become routine, for Subaru was a stubborn fool. Each day, he'd wake up, healed from his pummeling the previous night, and once again try to eradicate Reid and harvest his memories of 『Natsuki Subaru』.

Each time Reid would ask him. 'Will today be the day ya accept ya can't beat me?'.

He'd say no, for he couldn't give up now. Sure he failed like what, ten, twenty, nearly thirty times? 『Natsuki Subaru』 would not be so slothful to give up; Subaru would not either.

...That was slanderous. 『Natsuki Subaru』 does not lose.

『Natsuki Subaru』 cleared each obstacle on his path within the first try, Elsa, the mabeasts, the 『White Whale』, 『Sloth』, the Sanctuary, Priestella, 『Greed』 and the first trial of the tower. 『Natsuki Subaru』 would likely be disgusted with how Subaru can't even complete the simple assignment of killing Reid. He defeated 『Greed』, the strongest Archbishop within the Witch Cult; a man as powerful as the true 『Sword Saint』 himself.

Meanwhile Subaru gets beaten for breakfast by a bastard who calls himself the 『Stick Swinger』. Pathetic.

『"Subaru?"』

Oh. He did it again.

He got lost within his own head again. How long had he been lying there? He shook his head and got out of his bed, turning to the sound of the voice. Before him stood a figure: silver hair, purple eyes, white dress, and pointed ears.

"Ah, good morning Mili." He spoke, stretching his limbs.

『"Good morning Subaru."』 That ethereal voice sounded. Mixed in with the voice that once lived was an unnatural echo. An echo that only Subaru could hear. It had a dream-like quality in a way.

"How come you are here so soon?"

The half-elf tilted her head in confusion as if that was a silly question. It was. 『"Eh? You dummy, you hadn't left the Green Room, so I thought I'd come to see you."』

"Huh?" Subaru blinked. "Wait, did I oversleep?"

『"Welllll, it's still dark outside, but you are normally up by now."』

Drat.

"Agh! No, I'm going to be late!". Subaru sprang out of nature's bed. His exit wasn't the most graceful, but he was in a rush. "Gotta dash Mili! See you!"

And with that, he sprinted out of the Green Room, silently thanking the spirit once again for healing him. Hopefully he didn't waste too much time moping around in his thoughts that he could still ea-

"Ow fuck!"

Ignoring the loud bang the door made when it opened and said expletives that followed, Subaru dashed through the Fourth Floor 『Alcyone』. He still had time, he still ha-

"Oi! Get back here, ya bastard!"

He stumbled on a gash in the floor that had not been there seconds ago and tumbled to the floor.

He was too late.

He sighed. "Here we go again..."

"First, ya keep on tryin' to defeat me ya small fry and now yer bash stone doors into me face? Ain't cha think it's horribly rude, eh?"

"Morning Reid..."

Standing before him was Reid Astrea, the one-eyed force of nature himself. The living legend. Living, somehow. Seriously how was he still alive after four hundred years?!

Well then again, both Volcanica and Shaula were also four hundred years old at least, but Reid is just a human, right?

Ignorant to his musings, Reid continued. "The one day I catch ya slinkin' off to the dining hall, and this is how ya treat a guy, eh?"

"Trying to eat with you around is a living nightmare!" Subaru yelled from the cold floor. While he could have lifted himself up, all his energy had to be committed to complaining. That took priority. "Why can't I enjoy just one meal of the day to myself?"

"Ha!" Reid sneered. "Ya small fry could only dream."

Right. Reid wasn't a human; he was a monster, a bastard. A bastard all the way down to the genetic level.

"Eh?! Why is Master on the floor?!"

Reid shrugged his shoulders - at least Subaru thinks so. It's hard to properly tell from the angle his head is at right now. "He fell."

"Savage! Demon! Monster!" Subaru finally registered who the other voice was, Shaula. "Get Master off the ground right now!" It seemed that she came running after hearing their shouting earlier-

-and is proceeding to contribute to that shouting. His head ached.

"Yer so fuckin' loud!" Reid clicked his tongue. "He can pick himself up."

"Not even a hand?" He grumbled. This morning was going just so wonderfully so far.

"Ah!" Thankfully, Shaula took the hint, offering her hand. "Master, take mine!"

"Thanks." Shaula pulled him off the floor. "Good morning Shaula."

"Morning, Master!"

"Mineself still believes it still hath not time for dawn." A regal voice boomed throughout the tower. The source, a magnificent blue dragon, standing on the floor of 『Alcyone』. The 『Divine Dragon』 had also made its way within the tower after hearing the commotion. "The sun hath not yet risen," The dragon tilted its head. "surely it is too early for thou to eateth."

"Eh? Aren't you an ancient dragon?" He pointed his finger at the dragon, "How is it that you are the late sleeper among us?!"

"Mineself is not tired."

That was a lie. As soon as the dragon said that, his jaw opened and let loose a near ear-piercing yawn. The three covered their ears.

Until it abruptly stopped and gave way to silence.

"Fuckin' hell," Chopsticks now in hand, the Stick Swinger had saved them all from developing tinnitus. "yer gonna kill me with ya yawnin'."

Reid swung them again as the dragon tried to yawn once more, cutting through the very concept of yawning itself just for some peace and quiet.

Thankfully, Volcanica ceased his silent auditory onslaught. "Thou must be imagining things. Mineself doth not yawn."

"Excusez-Moi?!" The scorpion-tailed woman spoke for them all. "Jeez, your yawn probably woke up every single mabeast in the desert, yep!"

"Thou must be imagining things. Mineself doth not yawn."

"Nuh-uh!" She crossed her arms, forming an 'X'. "You yawned, yep!"

"Thou must be imagining things. Mineself doth not yawn."

"Eh?"

Subaru rubbed the back of his neck. "I think Volcanica broke again."

Volcanica wasn't as far gone as when he and Shaula first met him on the First Floor 『Maia』. He had slowly come out of his dazed trance-like state ever since they conquered the trial and now was mostly aware of his surroundings. It was far better than his constant repeating of: 'Thou, who hath reached the top of the tower. Step forth through the first floor, almighty petitioner. I, am Volcanica. In accordance with the ancient covenant, I ask the will of thee who hath reached the summit.'

That had been the only dialogue he would provide during Shaula's mad dash up the central pillar of 『Maia』- Subaru clinging on for dear life.

It was a shock when he first heard the dragon utter new words. Unfortunately, he seemed-

"Mineself hath not gone 'senile' yet great 『Sage』."

-he seemed to think that Subaru was someone else.

"Agh! I am Subaru! Su-ba-ru! Not Flugel!" It didn't matter how many times they went through this song and dance; his frustration remained all the same. "Stop calling me the 『Sage』!"

"Eh? But Master is Master," Shaula nodded, confirming her own theory. "and Master was the 『Sage』, mhm!"

"Aggghhhhh!" Subaru slammed his head into a nearby pillar. He was never going to hear the end of this for as long as he was stuck in the tower with these three.

When he first took on the trials, he was nearly convinced that 『Sage』 was yet another title his past self had achieved. That was not the case. It just so happened that Shaula couldn't tell himself or 『Natsuki Subaru』 apart from Flugel. Now Volcanica had joined her. If it weren't for the 『Books of the Dead』, he might have almost believed them too. Thankfully, the memories he acquired all agreed that he wasn't the 『Sage』. That was a relief. To those memories that did claim he was the 『Sage』, their opinions didn't matter.

He still could not see why they all seemed to respect the 『Sage』 anyways. Especially Shaula. Flugel abandoned her to a lonesome existence for four centuries - she didn't even have Reid or Volcanica to talk to thanks to his blasted trials and tower rules he made Shaula follow. If there was one accomplishment Subaru could take pride in, it was that he dismantled those twisted rules when he conquered the tower. He freed Shaula from potentially turning into what she called her: 'Cold-blooded killing machine of doom transformation, yep!' If he or anyone else broke the rules.

Though, he was certain that 『Natsuki Subaru』 would be able to accomplish the same once he was restored. It wasn't as if Subaru could hold a candle to what he'd achieved.

"Hah!" Reid's voice shook him from his thoughts. "Small fry over here can't be the 『Sage』. He's far too fuckin' weak." He sighed. "...Still creepy how much yer look like him though."

"Thank you! Finally, someone with comm-" -Wait. "Wait, did you just call me weak?!"

"Shut it." Reid strolled over to the wooden cabinets and began to open them one by one. "Where's the booze? We should still have some. I'm fuckin' thirsty."

"You probably drank it all already. Go without it, you drunkard!" Shaula lambasted.

"Seriously?" He ceased opening the cabinets. Shrugging, he resigned. "Ah whatever, I'll just find some."

With that Reid left, walking towards the balcony. Walking very fast, as if he was-

"What are you doing?!"

Reid vaulted over the balcony and fell to the desert below. Subaru rushed over to the balcony. "Where the hell is he going?!" Looking down, he saw a red blur speeding towards the horizon to god knows where. But knowing Reid... "Does he seriously intend to traverse the entire desert just to get alcohol?!"

"Ah! Finally that fiend is gone! I'm free!" Shaula cheered, jumping into the air. "Hip hip hurray!"

Subaru just sighed and walked back to the dining hall to finally eat breakfast. He had the feeling that today was going to be a long, long day.


"Thou is still unsuccessful in thine conquest?" Volcanica's voice cut through the silence while the three ate, Reid not currently present. It was amusing to see this massive blue dragon dine at a table built for humans.

-Wait, what did he say again? "Huh?"

"Mineself still doth not comprehend thy will, 『Sage』."

There the 『Sage』 comment was again - he should start tallying this.

"That's because only attorney Shaula can understand what Master is thinking, yep!"

The desire to prove her wrong welled up within him. "Eh? And what am I thinking right now, then?"

"Hmmm." She mused before something clicked in her head. "Aha!"

Shaula slammed her hands against the wooden table. "Master is thinking about how he should give Shaula all of his food because she's hungry!"

"Wrong!" For a second, he was worried that Shaula could have been a mind reader, which was just stupid paranoia but- hold on.

"...Wait. What do you mean you're hungry?!" Subaru slammed the table in return. "You have your own food, and you haven't finished eating it! Eat your own food, you glutton!"

"Wha?!" She dramatically recoiled in shock. "But it would taste far better if it was Master's food, yep!"

"That doesn't even make any sense! We are eating the exact same thing!"

She wagged her finger. "Nuh-uh! Shaula's food always tasted better when Master fed her himself, yep!"

Subaru gaped. "Huh?! That's never happened!" he shook his head and pointed his finger at the fraudster. "Stop trying to trick me with these fantasies of yours!"

"But Master always used to do that four hundred years ago, yep!"

"Aggghh!" God damnit. What was the now, the third time in this conversation the case of misidentification occurred? "For the last time, I am not that damn bastard!" Subaru cradled his head in his hands. "Jeez, I almost feel like I'm going to go crazy with everyone's insistence that I am this 'Great 『Sage』'! I have never done that, end of story!"

"Master's so mean! You totally did that, yep!"

"Did not!"

In the midst of their bickering, Volcanica had silently watched them while lost in thought. "Vega..."

"Eh? Who?" Subaru turned around as the room went silent, seeing a strangely sad expression on the dragon's face. His eyes were zoned out, sort of as if he was remembering an event from long ago.

Shaula had also gone silent. Though, when he turned around- "Don't think you can guilt me with those puppy-dog eyes!"

"Ahhh! Noooo, I thought I had you!" She slumped onto the table, rejected. Never mind, Shaula was still just being Shaula.

He wouldn't give in to that pleading look in her eyes, definitely. He wouldn't.

...Wait no. Why does he now suddenly feel bad?! That wasn't meant to happen! ...Maybe just one bite, that wouldn't be so bad; he'd be able to still eat afterwards.

He resigned. "Okay fine, you win. Just this once."

"Aha!" The very moment he gave in, Shaula sprang off the table, energetic as can be. "I knew I had you Master! I knew you couldn't resist my womanly charms!"

"That's quite different from what you were saying before!" Regardless, Subaru moved his fork over, offering a piece of meat to Shaula which she gladly accepted.

"Mmm, delicious! More!"

"Don't talk with your mouth full!"

A loud thud occurred outside the tower. In strolled Reid, beer in hand.

He paused, the food just hovering in front of Shaula's mouth who just continued to stay motionless. "Where did you get that?"

Reid raised an eyebrow at the scene in front of him but let it go as he shrugged. "Secret stash."

The 『Stick Swinger』 walked over to the table with no signs of any physical exhaustion. If it weren't for the few sand particles that still clung to him, it would seem as if he didn't just race across an entire desert at all. He immediately began to drink.

Subaru sighed. "If you are going to drink, then at least don't leave the empty bottles lying around."

"Eh?" Reid paused, looking slightly confused. "I chuck 'em off the balcony. Ya be seein' things."

"Then what is that?" Subaru pointed to the far side of the room where three empty bottles resided, strung about the floor. Surprisingly they weren't smashed to bits; that was rare for Reid.

"Pah, never seen 'em." Reid resumed his drink. "I'll throw 'em away later."

Subaru just sighed as he moved his fork again, feeding another piece to a gluttonous Shaula.

"Oh yeah," He turned his head. "Volcanica, what did you mean by 'thine conquest'?"

Volcanica paused for a moment. "Thou is still unsuccessful in thine conquest?"

"Yeah, that." He nodded, idly tapping his foot on the ground.

"Thou seeketh to regain the memories once lost. Thou wisheth to read Reid Astrea's 『Book of the Dead』?"

"Huh?!" Subaru spluttered.

Sure, he hadn't exactly hidden his goal, but for Volcanica to so bluntly state it with such confidence, in front of Reid no less? "Well, uhhh. Yes?"

"Pah!" Reid scoffed. "Ya wouldn't stand a fuckin' chance tryin' to kill me, ya bastard."

The Red Bastard didn't seem to be particularly bothered by this. Then again, Reid never took him seriously before; that wasn't going to start now.

Volcanica continued. "Doth thou not remember his demise?"

"What?"

He thought that Volcanica had recovered after the trial; he was wrong. Volcanica must still be as senile as he was back then. Reid is literally right there, eating and drinking! He had enough life in him to pummel Subaru day in and day out, nor did he look dead in the slightest. How could a dead man lounge before him for weeks on end?

Shaula had also come to the same realisation as him judging by how her face paled. "Aaaahhh! Ghost! Shoo! Shoo!"

"Oi oi! Just cause I'm dead don't mean ya can treat me like that!"

"What the hell do you mean you're dead?!"

Reid shrugged. "I died."

"No!" Subaru yelled. "Nonono, this doesn't make sense! You are standing here before me, aren't you?"

Reid shook his head. "Yeah. I don't fuckin' know how I'm alive, but it don't matter."

What did he mean it didn't matter?! Why was Reid acting so nonchalantly about this!

"Aaaaaahhhh!" Shaula shrieked. "I knew you were a demon! Master call a priest, an exorcist, the ghostbusters, anyone!"

And contrary to them all, Volcanica did not at all match the energy present in the room, calm as could be. Opening its jaw, they casually explained. "The Reid Astrea thou hath seen is his soul giveth form. Does thou truly not remember?"

"No?" Subaru shook his head. "No, how does that make sense?! How can he be dead, and yet he's right here?!"

The dragon stared off into space for a few seconds before his eyes regained their focus. "Forgive mineself 『Sage』 for mineself hath forgotten what had transpired. Reid Astrea hath not truly physically walked on this plane for four hundred years. Henceforth, thou would find his book in the 『Taygeta Library』."

No. "...You have got to be kidding me." He took a deep breath before hollering. "So I wasted an entire month?!"

Yes.

All this time he spent at the tower, for the sole purpose of defeating Reid, was a waste of time. He wanted to laugh. He had endured a month of daily beating for absolutely no reason! He could have just gone to the library and found Reid's stupid book! How was he meant to know that Reid also had 'cheated death' on his resume! He wanted to cry.

"If you knew about my goal all this time," He inhaled. "then why did you only bring it up now, you blasted forgetful lizard!? Aaaaggggh!" Subaru banged his head against the table, defeated.

"Hah!" The should-be-dead man laughed. "I told ya. Well now, small fry, will today be the day ya accept ya can't beat me?" A huge smirk was on his face.

"...Shut up Reid."

Chuckling to himself, the 『Stick Swinger』 got up, having finished his meal, and collected the bottles strewn across the edge of the floor.

Volcanica stood up. "Mineself predicts the weather shall be pleasant. I shall be upon the First Floor 『Maia』." The 『Divine Dragon』 proceeded to leave the room towards the balcony to go sunbathe.

It was like sunbathing was the only activity Volcanica knew, judging by Subaru's experiences in the watchtower.

Subaru sighed, completely resigned to the situation. "Come on Shaula, up to the library we go."

"You got it Master!" Shaula sprung up from her seat. "『Shaula Taxi』 is all set to go!"

"No, I'm walking."

"Ehhhh? But Master always takes 『Shaula Taxi』! You'll put us out of business!"

"I want to walk today...". Frankly, he wasn't in the mood for 『Shaula Taxi』. His poor mind needed time to register what just transpired, and besides, he did want to walk today.


"I want to kill the architect who designed this hell hole of a staircase!"

He no longer wanted to walk today.

Subaru's entire body had been aching and sore and just overall worn out. He had been walking up these stairs for nearly ten minutes. Ten minutes! Who designs a staircase which takes ten minutes to walk up?!

"Damn you Flugel!" He stomped on the stairs in frustration. "Why couldn't you have followed normal construction planning!"

He should have known better. He knew that he hated these stairs for a reason, albeit a different reason than the staircase below, but his reliance upon 『Shaula Taxi』 had caused him to forget the horrors of this staircase.

It wasn't as if he could just call Shaula now, who was far ahead of him humming to herself. That would damage his 『Pride』 as a man. Curse these stairs.

『"Are you so weak as a man to be driven to physical ruin by a staircase, Barusu?"』On cue, the pink-haired oni maid appeared within his vision whilst he was grumbling to himself.

It was the first time he was alone since the Green Room, so he should have expected someone to pop up. "This isn't about my manhood!"

It was about his manhood, but there was no way he'd ever admit that to Ram of all people. "The person who made these stairs wants to watch people suffer!"

Ram snorted. 『"Hah!"』

"Don't act like I'm the one at fault here, Sister!"

A new face materialised in his peripheral vision as it began to speak. 『"Betty thinks that her Subaru should 'Man Up', I suppose."』

"Gah!" He bounded back in mock shock. "You too, Beako?"

Walking alongside him on his valiant campaign against the stairs was 『Natsuki Subaru's』 contracted spirit Beatrice. Unlike himself, she did not seem to be deterred or even affected by the physical strain of ascending these endless upward steps. 『"You have been traversing these stairs for months, I suppose."』

『"Lady Beatrice,"』 Ram idly fixed her hair before continuing. 『"that is only when Barusu's pathetic act of grovelling like a dog isn't enough to convince Shaula to carry him up these stairs."』

He stumbled. "I did not grovel like a dog! She was the one begging me!"

『"Disgusting."』

"It's not like that!" He waved his hands defensively. "Agh! Give me a break, oh great Ram," Subaru put his palms together, pleading. "please?"

『"Hah. While the great Ram will give Barusu some credit for addressing Ram with respect, it is because of those breaks that Barusu cannot climb stairs without whining."』

"That, well..." He trailed off. "Okay fine, you have a point."

As much as it annoyed him, Subaru indeed was used to Shaula carrying him. 『Shaula Taxi』 was just a convenient service.

"Still though," He mused, mimicking the thinking gesture with his hand. "it would have been nice if they could have at least installed elevators in here or something..."

『"'Elevators', I wonder?"』

"Ah forget it," He shook his head. "doesn't matter."

Ram rolled her eyes. 『"Even though Ram does not know what an 'Elevator' is, Ram gets the feeling that it would have been yet another way for Barusu to slack off and be lazy."』

"Eh?" He deadpanned. "But weren't you used to slacking off on work all the time, Ram?"

『Preposterous,"』 Ram shook her head. 『"Ram was just making sure that Barusu did his work to a presentable degree.』

"As if! You just kept dozing off while you let Subaru do all the work!"

Ram smiled. 『"A cute girl like Ram needs her beauty sleep."』

"How can you say that without feeling guilty at all!"

Ram smirked in response. She, like Beatrice, showed no signs of exhaustion from walking up all this way. Subaru however had begun to slow down considerably.

The top of the staircase was still far, far away. He still couldn't believe how tall the 『Pleiades Watchtower』 was.

In theory, it could be seen for miles from anywhere within the Augria Sand Dunes and even further now that 『Sand Time』 had dispersed. That had caused some problems. Without 『Sand Time』, there was nothing preventing witch cultists or, more importantly, Reinhard from reaching the tower. Thus he and Shaula had brainstormed methods to protect it. They already had the mabeasts and Shaula's 『Hell Snipe』 to deter intruders, but that wasn't enough.

Instead, they relied on Volcanica to protect the watchtower and keep it hidden from the rest of the world. The dragon was adept at casting both yin and yang magic and merged the two into a single spell, reinforced by a magic algorithm on the first floor. It kept the 『Pleiades Watchtower』 invisible to all outside unless permitted by Volcanica to gaze upon it. In addition, it also resulted in wanderers getting lost on their journey to the tower. Volcanica's magic had proven to be foolproof, Reinhard had yet to come crashing through the tower, and it wasn't as if there were any hostiles within to ambush them.

Scratch that. Reid was considered a hostile in Subaru's book. It's just that Reid didn't care enough to actually commit to being a hostile.

Ah, he was rambling to himself again. The top of the staircase was... just as far away as it was when he last checked? Wonderful. Come to think of it, it appeared just as close as the base of the stairs below. It was almost as if-

"I'm only halfway!?" Subaru crumpled to the ground.

He was able to take on any obstacle: mabeasts? Not a problem for 『Natsuki Subaru』. Sin Archbishops? A piece of cake. But stairs? Stairs were going to be the end of him.

He said he wanted to walk to the library out of blissful ignorance. That was a mistake. As soon as he let his guard down, the demonic stairs of hell, sponsored by Flugel, sprung their trap and set about sapping his energy each time his foot touched down on another stone step. Subaru met his match. Reluctantly, he threw in the towel and swallowed his 『Pride』.

"Shaula! Help! I changed my mind! I'm calling for 『Shaula Taxi』!"


"Thank you for using 『Shaula Air』!" Shaula's voice mimicked the tone of a flight attendant. "We have now landed nearby the 『Taygeta Library』 Master!"

"I think I preferred 『Shaula Taxi』..."

It was supposed to be a foolproof plan, call for Shaula and have the scorpion-tailed woman carry himself up the stairs at breakneck speed.

What happened instead was Shaula getting a 'fun idea' and throwing him up into the air, coining the action 『Shaula Air』. She only just barely managed to catch him before his body smashed against the stairs.

"『Shaula Air』 is far too dangerous!" Subaru crossed his arms, wagging his finger. "OSHA would have it closed down for workplace hazards!"

"Eh?!" She went wide-eyed like she didn't even consider the possibility. "But OSHA can't sue 『Shaula Air』, nuh-uh! We have a perfect safety track record!"

"Perfect safety track record?! I could have died!" Subaru yelled, half-joking, half-serious. "What if you didn't catch me?! I would have found myself splattered across the stairs! I'll sue you for recklessness and attempted murder!"

"Nuh-uh! Master can't sue 『Shaula Air』 in court!" She smirked. "We have really good lawyers!"

"Uh-huh," Yeah, he wasn't buying this. "name one."

She pointed to herself. "Shaula!"

Subaru deadpanned. "You aren't a lawyer."

"Yes, I am!" She shot back. "I possess all the requirements to be one!"

"Eh?! How?" He was still sceptical. Very sceptical. "You've been in a tower for four hundred years! Not law school!"

"Look, I'll show you!" Shaula cleared her throat and stretched before proceeding to yell. "Objection!"

He blinked. "...What?"

"Hold it!"

"No!" He clutched his head. "No no no, you can't just quote Phoenix Wright and pretend like that makes you a lawyer!"

"Can too! That's all lawyers need to do, yep! You'll lose in court!" Shaula pointed. "Take that!"

"How do you even know about these things anyway!?"

"Eh?" She blinked. "But you told me all about this stuff, Master?"

The tally was up to four now. "God damnit. I'm not Flugel, agh!"

God forbid he be called Flugel yet again. He would never have made such a poorly designed tower, especially not those loathed stairs.

"Objection! Mas-"

"Stop doing the pose!"

Shaula promptly ignored him. "Master is Master, so you must have told me all of that stuff! Your case will be thrown out; you'll be declared guilty!"

"Guilty?!" Subaru spluttered. "Of what?!"

"Defamation! You'll be locked up unless you drop your case against 『Shaula Air』 yep!" Shaula's face bore a very smug grin as she spoke.

He could not believe what he was hearing right now. "Defamation?! That isn't how it works at all!"

"It is, Master!" She refuted. "You are under Shaula court law, and we sentence you to life in prison unless you repent your crimes Master!"

"What happened to free and fair justice!?"

"I am the justice!"

"Bullshit! I'll sue!" Subaru didn't know if there were courts in this world, but he hoped there were. "You'll be found guilty of contempt of court!"

"Nuh-uh!" The scorpion crossed her hands. "There is nothing you can do to win your lawsuit Master!"

"Fine then!" If he couldn't sue her, he'd have to resort to other methods. "『Shaula Air』 is getting a one-star review from me!" His hands mimicked writing as he continued. "'This airline tried to kill me, would not recommend!'"

That one got her. She gaped in shock. "You can't do that! That's slander! I would never try to kill Master!"

"Then stick to 『Shaula Taxi』! No more 『Shaula Air』! I refuse!"

"Master is so mean!" Shaula pouted in faux anger and disappointment.

It took her nearly a full two seconds before she switched to her certified ace in the hole, puppy-dog eyes. "Please?" Shaula pleaded. "You can't shut down 『Shaula Air』 like this, Master! Think of the employees!"

That was her best defence? Subaru wasn't letting her ace succeed this time. He deadpanned. "But you are the only employee, and you own 『Shaula Taxi』! Employees thought about I'm shutting it down!"

"Nooooo!" She fell to the floor in defeat.

Ah, victory.

There would be no more dangerous unsafe business practices within this tower, that was for certain. Not on his watch. 『Shaula Air』 was a health and safety violation, and that was that.

During their bickering, the two finally reached the end of the staircase. The entrance to the 『Taygeta Library』 stood before them.

"Anyways," He looked across the library, seeing a maze of bookshelves. This was going to take a while. Unless... "Shaula. Have you ever happened to stumble across Reid's book up here before?"

She looked puzzled for a few seconds whilst wracking her head for answers. Her eyes were deep in thought, so much that Subaru could almost see loading screens within them.

Her eyes lit up, surely in realisation. She was about to tell him where the book wa- "Nope!"

His hopes were dashed instantly. Looks like he had to go about it the hard way. But it wasn't like the thought to search for Reid's book would have crept up before that bombshell of a revelation earlier.

He still didn't know what to feel about that. Sure, it saved him the pain and hassle of trying - failing - to kill Reid, but it felt as if the 『Stick Swinger』 was mocking him. Of course, the prick who could beat Subaru to the edge of death while snoring and the bastard who cut and sidestepped all of Shaula's attacks while yawning could cheat death. What could he not do?!

Then again, Subaru also cheated death, so what right does he have. Sure it had been a few months since he last turned back the clock, but he very much remembers himself shattering against the cold floor at the bottom of the spiral staircase from when he first woke up in the tower.

...He prefers to avoid that staircase.

Counting the memories he's cobbled together, he's experienced death far more times. Through the 『Books of the Dead』, they have experienced having their heads, bodies, hearts and lungs pierced within an instant by Shaula's needles as Subaru orders the caped woman to kill them.

Sometimes it was instantaneous, such as in the more recent 『Books of the Dead』 when 『Hell's Snipe』 was aimed for the head. Other times, they felt the quill of 『Hell's Snipe』 ripping through them, burning their skin and muscles and flesh as it punched through their bodies until they dropped dead soon after. They could no longer tell whose death was whose; they all died in familiar ways.

But the worst sensation and pain they experienced wasn't in death. It was the one book and life they remembered everything from; every punishment received for failure or mistake o-

"Master," A prodding on his shoulder brought him back to his senses. "you're spacing off again."

Oh. They- no, he did it again. Worthless. 『Natsuki Subaru』 wouldn't forget who he is now. Would he? Subaru shook his head. He was Subaru, only Subaru.

Subaru sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry. Uhh, what were we talking about again?"

Shaula pouted. "Jeez, something about finding the ghost monster drunkard's book, yep!"

"Ah. Well then!" Subaru clapped his hands. "It's book searching time again!" It had to be done either way, so there was no point moping about it.

"Again?!" Shaula, on the other hand, was going to mope about it. "Egh, this part is always so dull though."

He chuckled. It felt strange to chuckle; this was a library documenting the dead. But they weren't truly dead. He compared it to taking a long nap, one that they would wake up from once his role was complete. It wasn't as if the people he had Shaula kill were actually dead. It didn't count. 『Natsuki Subaru』 would bring them all back once he restored 『Natsuki Subaru』. They weren't gone.

Sure Reid was apparently dead too, but that also doesn't count. The 'dead man' was walking around the tower, and he certainly seemed very alive.


Subaru sighed, stacking yet another book onto the pile behind him. That book wasn't Reid's either. They might have been a librarian for four hundred years, but they still did not have some innate librarian skills that would just magically find the book they desired, in fact. Inconvenient.

『"Natsuki, if you took more care in putting the books back in order, then it wouldn't take so long."』

"Eh?!" Subaru whipped his head around at the sudden noise.

Oh, it was Otto, the green hatted, grey-haired merchant - well, former merchant.

He had been so concentrated in searching that when his voice broke through the silence, it had startled him. "What do you mean, Otto?"

『"Cap'n. Ya might want 'ta look 'round."』

Subaru did so, idly noting Garfiel's sudden presence. He wasn't too sure what the golden-haired demi-human wanted him to see; there were only half-hazard piles of books scattered about the library floor and- wait.

"Oh. Uhh," he bashfully shrugged, "whoops?"

It was a mess. Ever since the 『Pleiades Watchtower's』 trials had been conquered, he no longer had to worry about the vague third rule of 'disrespecting the library'. Subaru had become accustomed to the practice of removing the 『Books of the Dead』 from the bookshelves, adopting the practice of skimming their titles to indicate where he had and had not searched before. Still though, just because it was messy didn't mean that he disrespected the books; they were all still perfectly intact. Hopefully that was enough to appease the library.

A third voice called out in response. 『"Brother truly is mess~y."』

"Eh?" He looked around to confirm who the new voice belonged to, finding that Meili now also standing around him. Strange place for a gathering. "Why do I have an audience when I'm just sorting through books?"

Garfiel shrugged. 『"'Is not like there is much else 'ta do, Cap'n."』

"Ah well." He clapped his hands. "You guys seen a book with the name 'Reid Astrea' on it?"

『"Th' 『Stick Swinger』?"』

『"The former 『Sword Saint』?"』 Otto shook his head. 『"Sorry Natsuki, can't say I have.』

『Th' 『Stick Swinger』's a way cooler name than th' 『Sword Saint』.』

"What?!" Subaru was shocked. How was the 『Stick Swinger』 better than the 『Sword Saint』?! "You gotta be kidding me, Garfiel."

Meili chimed in, supporting the incorrect opinion. 『"I agree with Gol~den Brother. The 『Stick Swinger』 is a cool~er name."』

"No it's not! The only title that delinquent should have is Red Bastard!"

Despite his intent being to insult Reid, the consequent sparkles in Garfiel's eyes told him that his words had the exact opposite effect. 『"Woahhh... Cap'n that names so cool!"』

『"You guys, seriously?"』 Otto sounded disappointed. 『"Did you two forget the question?"』

Subaru made a mental note to thank Otto for diverting the topic.

Seriously, in what world would people see Reid, of all people, as cool?

『"Hmm, Brother once had a book nearby when he was real cree~py. It could be that one."』

"Creepy? Ah, whatever," He waved his hand dismissively. "now isn't the time. Where was it?"

The mabeast tamer hummed for a few seconds before turning around and walking away. Taking it as a signal to follow, he got up from the ground and trailed her. She stopped by an, as of yet, untouched bookcase. Like all the others, it was messy and unordered from his previous searches.

Beatrice most likely died a little inside each time she observed his librarian handiwork. That might be why she wasn't here with him at the moment.

『"We~ll,"』 She leaned against an adjacent bookshelf. 『"it should be here, but your method of sorting has probably messed everything u~p."』

"Nah it's fine, see?" He grinned. "I bet that I'll find his book in 3, 2- bingo!"

『"Huh?"』

Amazingly, Subaru found Reid's book within seconds. It was certainly a change of pace from the hour of fruitless searching prior.

"Told you. It's all thanks to the secret Subaru finding method paired with the Subaru sorting technique!"

Garfiel shot up in excitement. 『"Really?!"』

『"Natsuki,"』 The merchant scratched his head. 『"I think that was just blind luck."』

"Gah!"

『"Hehe, bus~ted."』

Scratch out that mental note. He's no longer forgiving Otto after that betrayal. "That's cruel, Otto! Implying that the Subaru secret techniques are lies? Shame on you!"

『"Yeah, Brotto,"』 Garfiel tutted. 『"the Cap'n worked 'ard on that technique, so don't ya say 'is just luck."』

Otto went wide-eyed in shock and confusion. He wailed. 『"What did I even do?!"』

Meili shamelessly switched sides, throwing Otto right into the fire, only to pile on the flames herself. 『"Sha~me! Shame on yo~u, Paper Man!"』

"Paper Man?! That's the worst name yet!"』

『"But you handled papers all day lon~g, no?"』

『"Whose side are you on?!"』

Ignoring Otto's wailing, Subaru reached out to grab Reid's book from the bookshelf. All he had to do was read his book, and then he could finally leave the tower again and never see Reid's face again.

It would have been nice if he could have taken Volcanica with him though. They always seemed willing to follow Subaru to the ends of the earth, even if that was due to a mistaken belief that he was the 『Sage』. The extra support and faster means of travel would have been nice, but alas someone needs to guard the tower and maintain the magic algorithm. If the 『Taygeta Library』 were to get damaged and the 『Books of the Dead』 destroyed, then he'd never be able to complete his goal to patch 『Natsuki Subaru』 together.

Glancing back down at the book held in his hands though, he realised something unpleasant. Whenever he read the 『Books of the Dead』, the person within had a tendency to start appearing in his clouded left eye.

He was now holding Reid's 『Book of the Dead』. Wouldn't that just-

"-make him just like you guys?"

Subaru dropped the book in horror.

Reid constantly being around would be awful, annoying and just the worst. He instinctively knew that his personality wouldn't grow any more bearable with time.

『Cap'n?"』 The demi-human looked at him in concern. If it weren't for Garfiel being, well, not truly there, he'd probably have placed a hand on his shoulder for reassurance. 『"What's wrong?"』

He blinked. "Ah. Sorry, nothing to worry about, just had a horrifying thought."

『"That doesn't sound like nothing to worry about!"』

『"Don't wor~ry Paper Man."』 Meili chimed. 『"He's just complaining about how the 『Stick Swinger』 wil~l join us once he's read his book."』

『"Wha? 'sat true Cap'n?!"』

"Why do you sound so excited?"

『"Ya gotta read it, Cap'n! I gotta be able to meet him, and then, I gotta challenge him!"』

Despite the glee in his voice, Subaru wasn't exactly the most confident as to how that would go. Sure, when they experienced Garfiel's life they saw how strong they were, but compared to Reid?

『"I have a bad feeling about this..."』It seemed that Otto shared his opinion.

『"He dri~nks, you'll like him."』

『"He does?!" Well, so much for that. Apparently, all it took was booze to get Otto completely on board with the idea - his eyes lit up and everything. "Well, Natsuki. I'm not saying to read the book bu-"』

"Okay, okay! Fine," Subaru resigned. He needed to read the book anyway, even if he was reluctant to do so. "I'll read his book. Maybe he won't even show up since he's still out and about in the tower."

His musing brought him upon a revelation, did that mean?! "Wait, wouldn't this kill him?! Reid can't be in two places at once, can he?"

The three shrugged. Meili ended up speaking for them. 『"We only kno~w as much as you do."』

Oh. "Figures." He clicked his tongue. That would have been nice. "Ah well, it's time."

He turned around to look down the long corridor of bookshelves, books stacked in discordant piles across the carpet. They had a routine for the whole process now.

He called out across the library. "Shaula! I found the book!"

Her voice responded in the distance. "You did?!". Shaula was in the complete opposite quadrant of the library than he thought. The three were no longer surrounding him when he looked around.

If this were a library back home, the two definitely would be reprimanded by now: shouting across the library like delinquents.

Shaula turned the corner and sprinted at him, her cape flapping about behind her. She's going too fast. Way too fas-

"Oof!"

So fast that she collided with him at full speed without being able to slow down, folding him straight to the floor.

He groaned in pain, rubbing his head which had banged across the ground. "Owwwww..." Thankfully it didn't seem to be anything serious.

"Ack! I'm so sorry, Master! I thought I could stop in time, but oops..."

Sighing, he got off the ground, helped up by Shaula. "Next time, don't run in the library, ow." His body was now sore and aching from the fall, but he'll live, probably. "I found Reid's book."

Her expression of worry and regret instantly wiped from her face into one of joy. "Yay! I don't need to search through boring bookshelves anymore!"

If the shouting across the library would have gotten them kicked out, Shaula jumping around like a bouncing ball absolutely would have.

He sighed. "Anyways, you know the usual."

"The usual to ensure Master doesn't do something crazy like smash his head against a wall again?" She gave a thumbs-up. "Mhm! Shaula's got it!"

"You don't need to remind me!"

Grumbling, he sat down and grabbed the book which had fallen to the floor alongside him earlier.

Reid's life huh? He guessed that it wouldn't be too bad an experience considering how Reid is now. Plus, he was interested, only a little. It wasn't like he was dying to know about Reid's life, not at all. But he was interested, slightly. Only to see if Reid's bragging could be fact-checked.

Thus, with a deep breath, he opened the 『Book of the Dead』, closed his eyes, and let himself fall to the ground, letting the pages take him away into the world of memories.

If only he kept his eyes open, he might have noticed the book on the other bookshelf titled in Kanji.


Aight, the fun section is over. It's now gonna be time for the 'fun' section :).

Thanks for reading through this first chapter! Hopefully it was entertaining enough to read.

Next chapter will cover Subaru meeting Louis so that's gonna be something.

It would mean alot to me if you are willing to provide feedback in the comments. As stated prior, i'm not exactly the most experienced writer so advice would be greatly appreciated!