Subaru grabbed tufts of his hair with his hands. He slammed his skull into the dirt, as ripped his hair out.
"BARUSU!" Ram restrained him by grabbing onto both of his arms. Instead of trying to break free, Subaru began to bite down into his lips. What tiny pain he could feel was what he should be feeling. I made the wrong choice. I should hate myself. And everyone else should hate me too. His lips bled furiously. He didn't actually try and kill himself. He just wanted to feel pain.
I'm not human. Not anymore. I'm not human. I hate myself. I hate myself. I hate myself. Ram begged into his ear.
"Barusu, please. Please stop." Ram's words struck Subaru into his very core. Ram kissed me. Only because I was human when I didn't have my memories. He tried to grab onto his hair again. Ram stopped him.
"Barusu? What are you doing?" Subaru heard the sadness in that voice. She's suffering. Why? What is causing her to suffer? Nothing bad has happened to anyone but me.
"N-Nothing, Ram. I-I'm f-fine." Subaru claimed. His voice revealed it to be a lie.
"Barusu." Ram's tone had grown sharp "What is wrong."
"It's n-nothing really." Words he'd once spoken them in a forest. The words that had brought Nan to him.
"I…" His eyes filled with tears. He forced them to close. The boy's hands clenched. Blood dripped onto the grass as his nails dug into his palms. Ram's hands loosened. Eventually, she stopped restraining him. Subaru heard a rustling of grass being stepped on. I… A flood gate exploded within his mind.
"I hate myself. I made the worst choice possible and it made the lives of everyone I cared about miserable. I regret it. I know that because of that decision I haven't been able to smile in so long. I don't know what to do. What do I do?" Tears poured from Subaru's eyes. He was wrapped into a tight hug by strong arms. This isn't Ram. But does it even matter?
He continued to sob. "What can I do?" His mother's face filled his mind. The feeling of an honest smile, which he remembered from the last loop.
"What do I do?" Satella's face haunted his mind. Why? Why? Why?
"Why am I even still here?"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The memory of a spirit's screams. Nan. I'm sorry. You suffered because of me. I should suffer, I should suffer.
He thought of the great rabbit. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" More screams this time they came from Ram. In his mind, Subaru was in the second loop at the mansion. A glassy remnant was all that remained of the Sanctuary. The great rabbit descended upon him and Ram. Horrific screams had come from her. I failed. I failed.
"I failed, what can I do?" His tears hit his bloody lips. A stinging sensation arose. Though Subaru cut the pain from his mind, as Echidna had taught him. What do I do? What do I-
"Well, Subaru-dono, you have to do what you can." The voice of a swordsman.
"What can I do?" The voice of a man who'd nearly given up. He hadn't even registered the man's words.
"You can open your eyes can't you?" The old man asked. Open my eyes? What's the point?
"Why?" Subaru asked. It wasn't really even a question. He just wanted to know.
"You can stand can't you?" Subaru realized now that he was on his knees.
"But I'll-" He was interrupted by a demon of the sword.
"You can move forward can't you?" A green-clothed man appeared in Subaru's mind. His voice mournful as he left Subaru behind.
"I'll just make the wrong choice." Subaru protested.
"So you can move forward." A stern voice commented. It was the voice of an Astrea.
"I'll just fail again." But Subaru let his eyes open. To reveal a bright world. Grass blowing in the wind. A pink-haired maid stood a few meters away. Her face was scrunched up as if trying not to cry. He turned his eyes to the man who stood above him. He exuded a grandfatherly air.
"Of course you will." Subaru moved to shut his eyes. I knew it. I'll fail. I'll fail. I'll make the wrong choice again. The world faded into darkness as his eyes shut, but he was interrupted. "But maybe if you keep going you'll make the right choice. If you keep going then you might succeed. But if you stop here, then there is no question about it, you will fail."
A blue-haired woman filled his mind. "I love you, Subaru-kun. Now, stand up." A confession mixed with a command came from Rem
Subaru obeyed forcing his body to its shook the, formally clothed, arms of Wilhelm van Astrea off of him.
"I'm sor-" Subaru began to apologize. Before a voice in his mind interrupted him.
"Y'know Subaru it's more satisfying to hear a single thank you rather than a million sorrys."
"Thank you, Wilhelm." Subaru nodded to him. A smile appeared on the swordsman's face. Subaru's remained blank. I will stand up. I will succeed. That's the best course, right? Right? Nan-
"Mmm." Subaru flinched at his attempt to communicate with the spirit.
"…." He had accidentally opened his mind to Nan, and he heard a deafening silence, instead of the warm voice that had once existed.
Subaru turned and strode towards where the surviving soldiers were gathering. A few extra members of the fang of iron, Julius among them, were arriving on the road. He continued to walk forward ignoring the small build of Ram as she followed close behind him.
Once the men had all gathered in a large circle Subaru sat down in the middle of the group. Ram sat down behind his right shoulder. Her face filled with worry.
Before Subaru could speak a purple-haired man addressed the group. "Hello everyone it is nice to meet you all. I am but a humble adventurer I go by the name Juli." He bowed to the gathered combatants.
"Anyway," Subaru quickly brushed over Julius' new name. This earned an affronted look from Julius. "I have some new information. The witch-cult will not be attacking Arlam village." He reached into his memories. He remembered that after he'd walked out of the cave after his memories had been eaten, Ram had mentioned that no witch cultists had been found.
The men all looked happy about this development. "Before you get your hopes up," Their faces fell slightly. "We will still be dealing with the witch cult, though in a different capacity. Sloth will not be appearing." Subaru explained. "The sin archbishop of G-Gluttony-" He remembered his lips stretching into a smile. The corners of his mouth unshackled by his time with Echidna.
"-h-has replaced h-him." Subaru's voice cracked as he mentioned Gluttony. It was as if he was holding back tears. Ram's lips turned downwards into a frown.
"Only one this should be easy." One of the fang of iron called. Should the fang of iron guard Crusch? If Gluttony is here then Crusch will be safe. Or should be. Regulus is probably too lazy to actually attack. So I can take the fang of iron. Though Felix and Hetaro should stay in case Regulus does attack.
"It won't." Subaru corrected the mercenary. "Gluttony can eat names and memories. If he eats someone's name then everyone forgets about them, and if he eats someone's memories then they can't remember anything. If he eats both then they are stuck in a coma, forever." The soldier's faces fell and fell as his explanation had gone on.
"How do we beat him?" Julius asked.
"We hit him with everything we've got, just like the whale," Subaru answered. His eyes looked regretful. I made the wrong choice, but I must stand, right?
The fang of iron and the soldiers, Ricardo, Mimi, Tivey, Julius, Wilhelm, Ram, and Subaru stood outside of the cave. The men had surrounded it. All of them had drawn their swords. Ricardo, Mimi, and Tivey stood together weapons ready. Wilhelm stood with some of the more veteran soldiers, two of his six swords drawn. Subaru and Ram stood together. Spirits surrounded the two. A smaller number of spirits surrounded Julius.
"Is he inside?" Subaru asked the spirits. A few floated down into the cave. A minute later they returned with an answer.
"Yes." One of the voices whispered. How do I draw him out-
"HE'S COMING!" A few of the spirits screamed into his mind. Never mind.
"He's coming out! Get ready!" Subaru ordered the force. Grimaces crossed their faces. Julius' quasi-spirits began to spin around his sword. It began to glow slightly.
Ram's face twisted into a scowl. Her clairvoyance let her see through Gluttony's eyes. She'd know that he was coming since before Subaru told her. He is deadly. I need to be cautious. The oni observed as she released one of the shackles on her oni form.
The men waited for about a few seconds, a crushing sense of dread falling upon them as the moments stretched out. Their dread was shattered by the sound of slapping feet. Children's feet. A few of the men let out sighs of relief. Maybe he isn't that dangerous. They thought to themselves. Though many found it distasteful to fight a child.
Watching from the back of the group Subaru felt fear worm its way into his gut. Gluttony was the only thing that could kill who he was. Gluttony presented the possibility of permanently disappearing if Subaru played his cards wrong.
The footsteps grew louder. A small child stepped out of the cave's darkness. A smile was present on his face. His emerald eyes burned with excitement. "So this is the group that brought down the white whale." He commented to himself. The fear that had been present in the soldiers grew into terror as they felt the aura that was exuded by Gluttony.
His grass colored eyes scanned the group of soldiers. "A few of you may truly be Gourmet." Most of the group was too scared to make a move. Wilhelm, Julius, Ricardo, and Ram were the only ones not scared. However, they were waiting on Subaru's command before they acted.
Although, Subaru was scared. What if I fail, what if I make the wrong choice. Subaru looked at the soldiers. What if they suffer because I make the wrong choice? He was interrupted before his thoughts could continue.
"Well let's start the feast. We are the sin archbishop of Gluttony representing Gourmet." He readied the blades strapped to his arms. He reached into his body. He activated Lunar Eclipse.
"LEY BATENKAITOS ~TSU!" He leapt forward. Accelerating to such a speed that he disappeared, for Subaru at least.
Wilhelm was able to keep track of Ley and jumped in front of him. Skillfully blocking the archbishop's path. Ley's arm blades slammed into Wilhelm's upraised sword. A fight between the two began. Ley attacked and Wilhelm defended expertly. They moved across the battlefield too fast for anyone to get involved.
Ley struck at Wilhelm, the swordsman parried his strike. Then Ley leapt across the battlefield to attack one of the soldiers forcing the sword demon to attack him though he was never able to kill him. This repeated a few more times.
Eventually, Wilhelm found a good opening and brought one of his swords down to attack Ley, this time intending to kill. Ley raised his blades into an X shape over his head catching the sword in between.
The rest happened in less than a second.
Gluttony activated Lunar Eclipse leaping behind Wilhelm. He slammed his body forwards. Palm of the fist king. He whispered in his mind. He smashed his outstretched palm into Wilhelm's side. His ribs cracked due to Ley's attack, and he was sent rocketing towards the forest.
The sword demon slammed into one of the trees with a crunch. Ley leapt after him. Covering the distance between the two in the blink of an eye. Wilhelm van Astrea is Gourmet. There is no question. No preparation is needed.
Before he could reach down Wilhelm rocketed up and slashed his sword at Ley. No time. Ley quickly realized that even Dorkell's ability would not be enough to escape. CARNIVOURAS BEAST! He activated his authority.
Many of the soldiers watching gasped as Wilhelm's sword shattered on impact with Ley. Before Wilhelm could draw another sword Ley slapped him across the face. He stood above the swordsman smiling as he whispered, "Wilhelm van Astrea." His tongue left his mouth.
Subaru noticed Ley's gesture from across the battlefield, thanks to his spirits. Is that how he eats. Wilhelm is going to suffer. ONLY I SHOULD SUFFER! His fear burned away. The boy reached his right arm out in front of him. He drew on the mana in the air through his spirits.
"EL MINYA!" He screamed. 40 shards of mana cracked into existence. Subaru immediately sent them towards Ley.
He turned to all of the combatants. "If you don't try then you will fail." Wilhelm's words from the start of the loop. "We need to get in there!" He ordered as he jumped of Patrasche and grabbed his whip. Julius, Ricardo, Mimi, Tivey, and Ram all followed him without hesitation. Patrasche twisted her body and ran towards the village, as Subaru had instructed earlier.
Ley stretched his tongue out. His instincts screamed. He turned his neck. Shards of mana were coming at him. "El Minya!" A second volley was also on its way now. Ley expertly dodged around each of the shards. Temporarily abandoning Wilhelm's name and memories which he still held in his right hand.
"El Minya, El Minya!" More and more burning fragments careened towards him. He dodged each one. Now. He turned to the meal in his hand.
"Don't let him lick his hand!" A black-haired boy ordered. Ley's eyes flicked to him. He knows about us. Could he- Ley was interrupted by the massive dogman that was now right in front of him.
"Don't ignore us!" Ricardo raised a massive sword above his head. He swiftly brought it down towards Ley, but Gluttony dived to the left. As soon as he landed on his feet again two small demi-humans forced a massive amount of air into their lungs. Then they infused the air with mana.
"AAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHH!" Twin columns of pressurized wind screamed towards him. Ley activated Carnivores Beast right as the magic slammed into him. He withstood the attack. Though his chest ached. He heard a gust of wind behind him.
"UL FULA!" A storm of wind erupted around Ley. It threatened to slice at his skin. Carnivores Beast was reaching its limit.
"El Minya!" Spears of shadows entered the wind storm. These started cutting into Ley's skin. Parts of him turning into a purple crystal. Mmm. We don't want to use Solar Eclipse. He thought to himself as pain shot through his nervous system.
"My buds." A polite sounding voice. Ley could barely hear it through the wild storm that surrounded him. Ley turned his emerald eyes to where a purple-haired man dressed in the uniform of a knight stood. He held a sword at the ready. Six lights circled the tip of the weapon quickly. "EL CLAUSEL!" The knight belted out.
The tip of his sword began to glow before sending a piercing beam of light straight for Ley's chest. In the short time that it took for Julius' ability to activate Ley jammed his hand into his mouth. "Wilhelm van Astrea." He said in a muffled tone.
A few meters away an old swordsman was devoured.
Julius' spell pierced Ley's chest. SOLAR ECLIPSE! He activated his trump card. His body stretched, his bones reforming, he took on the form of a demon.
Julius, Ricardo, Tivey, Mimi, Ram, and Subaru panted as the smoke of Julius' attack cleared. The soldiers watched in awe. They tried to move forward to check Ley's body, but the fear in their chests still paralyzed them.
The smoke cleared with a gust of wind. A curtain of ash was pulled back to reveal a man that only one of them recognized. He was a grizzled man. His body clothed in a formal suit. His eyes a piercing blue. His hair the light grey of old age.
All combatants except one had a single thought. Who is that?
Subaru on the other hand recognized the man immediately. "Wilhelm?" The swordsman turned to Subaru. His eyes were wide. His face painted with surprise.
"You remember?" The swordsman tilted his head in confusion.
Julius turned to Subaru. "Natsuki, who is Wilhelm?"
Subaru's eyes snapped open. What- His thoughts were interrupted as Wilhelm melted away and was replaced by Ley. The boy wasted no time and jumped towards Julius.
We must see if he is Gourmet. Ley thought. His mind was exhilarated. Julius snapped his sword up to block Ley. "Ul Clarista!" He shouted. Mana gathered into Julius' sword.
Ley smiled. He leapt backward or tried to. In an attempt to avoid the man's strike. But Ley had no time to respond. He reached into Wilhelm's memories for names. JULIUS JUUKULIUS! You may be a delicious meal, though we have our doubts.
Outside of his mind, Julius' spiritual sword slash cut open Ley's skin. His ribs snapped like twigs. I need to eat. He could feel his life draining. His eyes snapped to the frozen mass of soldiers. Wilhelm had known their names. So Ley could eat each one.
He leapt into a duo of them. Brown palms flared out striking the two men. "Elias and Tuna." He licked the names and memories off of his hands. The two soldiers fell to the ground next to him. Their bodies empty husks. Ley smiled. His wounds knit back together.
He flicked his eyes to where Julius was readying his next attack. The two small demi-humans were with him. Ricardo stood behind them ready to defend if Ley made any moves. Jade eyes snapped to the left of the group. Subaru-dono, and Ram. He identified the two. They stood next to each other. Subaru turned to Julius.
"Julius," Subaru began, "This is not the time to hold back. We need to go all out." His words sounded confident. Many of the soldiers around the battlefield lifted their weapons as they heard Subaru. What they didn't know was that Subaru's thoughts were the polar opposite.
I failed. I need to take on Wilhelm's suffering. I need to kill myself. This battle needs to happen perfectly. Even if I suffer that's what I deserve, right? He pushed his tongue through his teeth.
"You don't have to die for me." Nan's words rang out in his mind. Subaru tried to bring his jaws together. I need to die. I need to take on their suffering. I need to suffer-
"You can move forward can't you?" The swordsman's words. Wilhelm had sounded like he was talking to his grandson in that moment. The iron taste of blood filled his mouth as he bit into his tongue. I need to-
"Barusu." A curt word from Ram. He turned to her. She gestured to Ley. "It seems he is getting ready to do something."
He turned his head back to the boy. I can keep the loop going to gain information. Right?
Ley's smile grew. He reached into his body. Feeling at the darkness that lay within him. The authority of gluttony. He grasped a name.
Julius stood opposite to him. Blue minor spirits gathering around him. Mimi and Tivey readied their mana. Ricardo stepped up brandishing his massive cleaver. Ram got into their group, her scar beginning to glow. A slight breeze blowing around her. Subaru remained a couple of meters behind. Spirits circling him. Though Ley noticed something in Subaru's eyes. There was no light of passion. Of a will to survive. This boy didn't really care if Ley killed him or not.
How interesting. Gluttony mused to himself. He took one of the many names he'd consumed. "Solar Eclipse." He whispered. Ley's body rocketed forward. Propelled by the force of his legs. His body transformed as he flew. He took the shape of Wilhelm van Astrea. Memories melded with his own.
He raised his weapon, a sword, the blades on his arms had been replaced.
They were in a field full of flowers. A red-haired woman watched them practice with a sword. "Hey, do you like, flowers?" She called to them.
We don't hate them. NO! I am Ley. He thought to himself as he approached the fighters before him. He heard a great number of footsteps. The many soldiers finally decided to join the battle. They moved to surround Ley. So that on one side was Julius' group. And in every other direction were other fighters. They are not gourmet. It took them far, far too long to get involved. So we can just kill them.
He stopped thinking about the soldiers. His leap was nearing its end. Julius and Ley were now in fighting range. Ley brought his sword down. It was a blade just like the ones Wilhelm had once carried.
Julius blocked it with the ease of mastery. The two locked swords. Their eyes met. "Julius-dono," Ley spoke in the voice of the sword demon.
Crunching of sand. Ley's hearing picked up on the disturbance first. Then his eyes. To his left and right, Mimi and Tivey were getting ready to attack him. And Ricardo had swung around behind him.
Ley was now pinned in a small amount of space. Four expert fighters on each side. And his senses noticed two other threats. Ram and Subaru were standing outside the circle. Ready to attack Ley if he escaped.
Carnivorous Beast. Ley switched his body. Using Solar Eclipse on Heinelga instead of Wilhelm. Mimi and Tivey inhaled pushing air into their lungs. Ricardo swung his sword, as did Julius. Once they brought them down Ley stopped both with his palms. His body absorbed the damage extremely well thanks to Solar Eclipse. But before he could make any further moves he heard a mass of sound from his sides.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The demi-human's slammed him with wind magic. Though thanks to Solar Eclipse these four attacks were unable to overwhelm his defenses.
A smirk touched Ley's face. He switched names. Neiji Rockheart. Ley's body swapped into a new form. He gained a few inches in height. Arms coiling into his body like springs. He brought every ounce of his mana together infusing it into his palms.
"Palm of the fist king." He shoved his hands out.
A boom erupted from where he stood. A shockwave blasted out.
The swords of Julius and Ricardo shattered like did many of their bones.
Mimi's staff splintered. Tivey's monocle collapsed. Its glass was blown straight into his left eye. The sibling's bodies were broken.
Most of the soldiers had been knocked to the ground. Ram was barely standing, and she fell to the ground within a few seconds. Subaru had been blasted into a tree. His spine shattered like his old amulet.
None of the fighters had been prepared for Ley's attack, so they'd been unable to infuse their bodies with mana in time to defend themselves.
A moment later the effects of Ley's attack sunk in.
"Aghhh!" Tivey screamed in pain. Red blood was dripping from his eye. Ley dropped Solar Eclipse. His memories returning to normal.
"We are Ley Batenkaitos." He confirmed as he forced his short legs to carry him to where Tivey was laying on the floor. Tivey was clawing at his eye. Desperately trying to get the shards of glass to come out.
"And you are…" Ley touched his palm to the boy's cheek. "Tivey Pearlbaton."
Subaru tried to stop Ley but his spine had shattered due to Ley's earlier attack. His legs weren't responding.
Julius and the others were in even rougher shape. Kua his water spirit was desperately trying to heal him. Ricardo had been knocked unconscious. He was only now beginning to stir.
A few meters away Mimi's bones had practically melted. Ram was on the ground her horn bleeding. She had used almost all of her mana to shield herself and now she was laying on the ground, limp. The soldiers and members of the fang of iron that surrounded them were all in horrible states. Their bodies broken. A few of them had collapsed lungs. And one's heart had outright exploded.
Ley was in a similar state to Ram. He had used all but a tiny bit of his mana to make that attack far more powerful than it should have been. It was either that or he would have had to use Solar Eclipse far more than he wanted.
As it stood it was hard to lift his hand up to his mouth. He fought exhaustion. He stretched out his tongue. And licked his hand devouring the name and memories of Tivey.
After he began to digest them he felt slightly rejuvenated. He heard a clanking behind him. Ley ignored it and walked towards where Ram was laying on the ground. She predicted what was coming. She tried to resist. She is Gourmet. He tapped his palm to Ram's face. Her body was limp. She didn't reach for her od because Ley's movements lacked all malice. And to her, it only looked like he touched her face.
Footsteps behind him. Heavy ones. They sounded dignified. "Stop." Ley craned his neck. Behind him stood Julius. His body healed by a mass of spirits that surrounded him. Julius had exerted his blessing to gather as many minor spirits as possible. Though very little mana was actually in the atmosphere. The reason was because of Subaru, his spirits were far more numerous, so they drained the mana from Julius.
Gluttony's neck twisted, his eyes flipped back. He proceeded to analyze the knight. He didn't anticipate the attack, and he is incredibly weak right now. He relies on spirits far too heavily. He is not Gourmet. Ley decided.
Ignoring the spirit knight entirely Ley raised his hand to his mouth. "NOOOO!" A scream. It sounded pitiful. Ley looked in that direction. A black-haired boy lay there. His bones were shattered from Ley's earlier attack.
Subaru watched helplessly as Ley lifted his hand to his mouth. "Ram." Gluttony whispered. Please no. Please. A blue-haired girl. She lay on a bed frozen in time. Not again. Subaru pushed his tongue through his teeth.
"Live, idiot." Ram's last words to him in the last loop. Ram. Ram. Gluttony stretched out his tongue. Subaru bit down on his own tongue. Gluttony's tongue neared his hand. Blood filled Subaru's mouth.
"Live." Subaru tried to push his jaws together, but they just wouldn't move. I should suffer. I should suffer. I'm so incompetent I can't even kill myself. I can't kill myself. I can't smile. What good am I to anyone?
Ley's tongue came into contact with his hand. Julius watched from behind unsure of what Ley was doing. He isn't hurting her. Julius thought. And I don't have the mana to attack.
Ley dragged his tongue up his hand. "Don't hurt," Julius began, as Ley finished his meal. "Her-" A confused look came across the knight's face. Who am I talking about? Julius flicked his gaze to the pink-haired girl that Ley was standing over. Though he couldn't recognize her. Who is she?
Ram's vision was flaking away. Gluttony stood above her, though Ram ignored him. Instead, she directed her red eyes to where a black-haired boy was laying. Barusu. She tried to stretch out her hand, but it refused to move.
All color drained from Ram's vision. This is the end, isn't it? Subaru began to drag himself over to Ram. Tears tumbled from his eyes. Ram smiled slightly. Barusu. Ram could barely see anymore. The only thing she could still see was Subaru's face. Ram parted her lips to speak.
"Barusu," She had to force air into her lungs, "I lo-"
Ram was devoured.
"Ram." Subaru whimpered. He pulled himself towards her. Ley turned to face Julius. Ley leapt towards the spirit knight.
Subaru ignored their battle. Instead, he continued to pull himself to Ram's sleeping form. "R-Ram." His shattered legs dragged behind. He heard the clashing of swords as Ley attacked. Subaru wrapped his arms around the pink-haired maid. Tears poured from his eyes. "Ram, please. Please wake up."
Subaru forced his tongue through his jaws once more. I need to die. Need to die. He pushed his teeth together. Blood filled his mouth. NEED TO-
"You can move forward, can't you?" Wilhelm's words. The sword demon lay a few meters away, forgotten. I'm sorry. Subaru pushed his teeth through his tongue. Subaru's jaws loosened. I need to die. I need to suffer. I need to die. He pushed against the demon's words. Ram.
"You don't have to die for me." Nan's words. I need to die. I need to die. Subaru's mind fought against them. I need to-
"Stand up, Subaru-kun." Rem's words. Subaru resisted. He kept forcing his teeth through his tongue. He was halfway there. Almost. He just needed to push a little more. I NEED TO-
"Live, idiot." Ram's words cut through Subaru's mind. His jaws widened. His tongue returned to its normal spot.
I couldn't do it. He turned his eyes to Ram. He began to sob. He buried his head into Ram's chest. And then, Natsuki Subaru wept. His spirits evaporated from the air.
Julius blocked Ley's blades using the jagged remains of his old sword. He was completely on the defensive. He had to drain incredible amounts of mana from the air just to keep his body moving. Which he could now do thanks to Subaru letting go of his own spirits.
As the seconds passed it became brutally apparent that Julius' movements were sluggish. If not for the constant warnings from spirits he would be dead.
In comparison, Gluttony's movements had barely slowed. Ley struck with the blade on his right hand. What was left of Julius' sword broke due to the incredible force of Ley's attack. Julius tossed the handle aside. He got into a hand to hand fighting stance. This is dangerous. He judged.
"In." He called out to his yang spirit.
"What do you need?" In's voice responded. The spirit sounded tired.
"Can you increase my defenses?" He asked in a gentle voice.
"I'll do what I can." She held back a yawn as she spoke. Julius had used far too much of her mana.
The spirit knight refocused on the battlefield. His eyes snapped open. Ley Batenkaitos was gone. A spurt of blood rang out from behind Julius. He snapped around. Ley was killing all of the soldiers that were on the ground. NO!
Julius snapped into action pushing his body to the limit. He jumped for Ley. He coiled his fist ready to punch the archbishop. After a few seconds, he collided with Gluttony.
Instead of being knocked down by Julius' attack Ley effortlessly grabbed his arm and tossed the spirit knight into a tree. "Aghh." He groaned as his right shoulder was dislocated.
Ley stared at the spiritualist. "You are not Gourmet." Gluttony whispered. We would like to eat someone who doesn't entirely rely on spirits. His emerald eyes watched the man fail to lift himself. Pathetic. Ley commented.
The cultist turned his head to where a black-haired boy wept. Subaru-dono is at least partially gourmet. Ley pushed his body to where Subaru was. But before he could get there a large body got in his way.
Ley's eyes analyzed the man. He was a massive demi-human. A wolf-like man. Ricardo Welkin. He stood in Ley's path.
"Your gonna havta go through me." He rasped. Ley examined his injuries. The dog man was bleeding profusely from multiple wounds to his head. A white bone was sticking out of his left leg. Yet he still stood in front of Ley.
"We change our earlier judgment. You are Gourmet…" Ley rocketed forwards slamming his body into Ricardo. He rubbed his hands on Ricardo's face as he tackled him.
"Mmmm." Ricardo groaned weakly. His body sapped of strength. He'd used the last of it just to block the archbishop's path.
Ley raised his hand to his lips. "Ricardo Welkin." He pushed his hand into his mouth. The authority of gluttony activated chewing through Ricardo's name and memories.
Ricardo watched as the world seemed to burn away. What's happening? A serene feeling overwhelmed him. Am I dying? He directed his gaze towards where Mimi was laying on the ground. Her body was being healed by Julius' water spirit. Mimi. He reached his arm towards the girl, knowing he was out of time. "Goodbye, Mimi." The world burned away.
Ricardo Welkin was devoured.
"Ahhh." Ley sighed happily at the meal he'd just consumed. After a few seconds, he regained control over himself and directed his eyes towards Subaru once more.
"Time for the feast to end." He stepped up to the weeping boy. "Subaru-dono." A smile split Ley's face.
Ley rubbed his hand along Subaru's face. The boy ignored him. He didn't even try to resist. What should we eat? Gluttony thought back to earlier in the battle. Back to when Subaru had cowered. Trying to hide from Ley. He is not fully gourmet. Only his name is.
He grasped the name with his hand. "Natsuki Subaru." Subaru turned his head when Ley called his name. "Thank you for this feast ~tsu." Ley licked his hand. Slobbering all over it. Subaru's eyes had snapped open his tears had stopped.
Ley gulped down Subaru's name with a slap of saliva. Subaru's eyes darted around in confusion when he didn't fade away. "Return to us when you are Gourmet," Ley instructed the boy. He didn't wait for a response. Instead, he leapt into the forest.
A pale woman watched Ley dash through the forest. Her blue eyes flicked to the clearing, it was only ten meters away from her. "My how commendable to know of the change beforehand. Bishop Batenkaitos has already failed then. I will need a far more crushing situation in this case." The woman activated her authority. She readied herself to travel with it, but before she did so she whispered once more.
"My, the Authority of Envy, under other circumstances it would be helpful, but now it is obtrusive." The witch's body faded away.
Meanwhile, dejection filled Subaru as he watched Ley escape. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. You were wrong Wilhelm. He gazed at the fallen men. Then at the warriors. Almost half the soldiers had died due to Ley's attacks. Mimi was laying on the ground her body broken. A few spirits told him that she was barely alive.
He switched his gaze to Julius. The fallen knight lay on the ground unable to stand. Partially from his broken bones, but mostly due to the overwhelming sense of failure that permeated him, just like Subaru.
On the other side of the clearing Subaru directed his gaze to Wilhelm, Tivey, Ricardo, and Ram. All of them had been devoured by gluttony.
Then finally he thought about his own situation. His spine had snapped. He couldn't feel, much less move his legs. He had recalled his spirits and they were funneling mana into his body trying to heal him, but they didn't have the expertise that Felix possessed. Subaru's spine healed but his spinal cord remained cut.
Subaru used his arms to push himself into a sitting position against a tree. Then he pulled the sleeping Ram into his chest. Ram. Tears pushed at his eyes. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Subaru pushed his tongue through his teeth. He heard an abnormal amount of animals calling out. Iron filled his mouth as he bit into his tongue. Subaru observed that it sounded like the animals were speaking to someone. It doesn't matter. I need to die.
His jaws resisted remembering Ram's words. "Live, idiot." Brown eyes flicked to Ram's pink hair, and her, now eternally, sleeping face. He pushed his teeth into his tongue. A faint pain rose as he bit further into his tongue.
Mana flooded through his mind rushing to his tongue. Subaru looked up. His minor spirits were filling him with as much mana as they could gather. "STOP!" His willpower forced the spirits away from him.
Now uninterrupted Subaru began to bite into his tongue once more. I need to suffer. So that they do not. A ground dragon huffed nearby. It wasn't Patrasche. Subaru had instructed her that when he jumped off of her to enter the battle she was to run through the forest and towards Arlam. It doesn't matter I need to die.
New blood filled his mouth. Human footsteps rustled through the forest. Someone had gotten off of the ground dragon. I need to die. He readied himself. His jaws gathered strength. Right as he began to bite through his tongue a voice rang out.
"Uh…" It was a soft voice. It sounded unsure, yet trustworthy. Familiarity stormed through Subaru. His jaws froze. His tongue fell back into its normal position.
"Do you guys need some help?" A gray-haired merchant called out. He pushed through branches in a tree. As he stepped into the clearing he became visible. He wore green clothing. His lips twisted down into a frown.
Otto. Subaru recognized him. It's Otto. Tears formed in his eyes. "Natsuki-san." Otto's voice rang out in his head.
Subaru tilted his head up to stare into the merchant's eyes. "Are you alright?" Otto kneeled down to make sure Subaru was ok. He nodded weakly to the man's question. Otto. Otto. Otto.
"What's your name?" Otto asked, his gaze was filled with concern. "Natsuki-san."
"Natsuki Subaru." Otto. I'm sorry. A mournful face entered Subaru's mind. It was Otto on the day he'd left the Emilia camp behind. His face had looked so sad. I'm sorry.
"Well, Natsuki-san, can you stand." Otto's voice. Subaru shook his head. I'm sorry, Otto.
"Go help him first," Subaru gestured towards Julius. "If you can get him standing then he can heal the rest of us." Otto.
"Alright." Otto nodded and strode over to where the spirit knight lay. Subaru watched him go. A tear leaked from his right eye. Something itched at his mind. A spirit.
"What?" Subaru prompted the spirit to speak.
"You could heal them too, like what you did to your own spine." A minor spirit pointed out.
Minor spirits usually drifted around Subaru thanks to his massive affinity. Subaru turned his head to where Mimi was sprawled. His arms pulled his body towards the demi-human. "Spirits." He called out.
As he reached her Subaru hovered his left hand above her face. He drew mana from the atmosphere through the countless spirits. "How do I do this?" He asked.
"Like this." A demonstration filled Subaru's mind. Alright. He funneled mana through his hand. A blue globe appeared between his appendage and Mimi's pale face. He conducted mana like a conduit into the girl. I should die. I should die.
He pushed his tongue through his teeth. His jaws began to tighten. "Natsuki-san." His eyes flicked to Otto. He was helping Julius stand. Subaru's eyes widened as he saw it. What did you mean? When you left, what did you mean? I failed.
His tongue returned to its place in his mouth. He completely focused on healing Mimi.
"Mmmh," Otto grunted as he lifted Julius to his feet and draped the knight's arm around his neck. The merchant directed his gaze to Julius. The knight's eyes were wide. He looked concerned. "So, what-" Otto was interrupted before he could finish his question.
"Who is that?" Julius' pointed his right hand to where a black-haired boy was healing Mimi.
"That's Natsuki Subaru." Otto brought the name out of his memory. But Julius wasn't soothed by his answer.
"I've never met anyone named Natsuki Subaru. Why is he here?" The knight tried to dash over to Subaru, but Otto held him back.
"Hey! You can't even stand right now." Otto's voice took on a stern tone. Julius looked slightly taken aback at his tone, but he knew that the merchant was right.
"Alright, well can you help me get over there?" The knight requested. Otto nodded. The two steadily moved towards Subaru.
It only took them about thirty seconds to cross the clearing. "Hey Natsuki-san," Otto called out to Subaru. He looked up from his healing of Mimi. "I think Julius wants to ask you a few questions."
"Yes I do," The knight parted his lips to speak, "Who are you?" Julius' eyes were filled with suspicion. Subaru's eyes had widened at the question.
Gluttony ate my name. Didn't he? "Natsuki Subaru." He answered. I failed.
"Well, Natsuki how did you get here without me noticing." The spiritualist asked. His yellow eyes were piercing.
"I've been here the whole time." Julius' head tilted.
"Buds, is he lying?" Julius asked his spirits.
"It doesn't seem like it," Nes responded she was confused. Subaru's eyes widened as if he was hearing something he shouldn't.
"Maybe it's something to do with Gluttony." In sounded unsure.
Can I hear them? Subaru thought to himself.
"It's the authority of gluttony," Subaru answered their questions. Julius' jaw dropped. He couldn't believe that Subaru had been able to hear their conversation so perfectly.
His spirit affinity must be incredible. The knight commented. Never mind.
"Is there any merit to this?" He asked his spirits.
"I think… Someone told us that Gluttony can make you forget a person. I-I, don't remember who though." Alo responded.
"Hmm. I guess I-"
"JULIUS!" A minor spirit screamed into his mind. Subaru instinctively covered his ears because the spirit had been so loud.
"What is it?" The two spiritualists asked at the same time.
"Gluttony." Images of a village slammed into their minds. Julius had no idea where the village was. Though the trees seemed familiar to him.
Subaru on the other hand recognized the village immediately. Arlam. "That isn't very far away. We need to go." Subaru closed his eyes to think for a second. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed.
"You can move forward can't you?" Wilhelm's words. But I…
"Otto." Subaru chose to follow the old man's words for the moment. I need to gather information anyway. He made an excuse to himself.
"Yes, Natsuki-san?" The merchant responded, his face looked unsure.
"We need to get to Arlam village. Do you know where that is?" Subaru's words were frantic.
"Yes, I passed it on my way here," Otto confirmed.
"Can you take us there?" Subaru requested.
"Yes." A curt response came from the merchant.
"Bring me with you." Julius offered to help. "I can leave Kua here to help heal them." His eyes flicked to the soldiers. Subaru and Otto nodded. The green-clothed merchant started towards where he'd left his carriage. Julius walked alongside him, he still couldn't walk on his own, and Subaru dragged himself behind.
Otto set Julius down on the bench of his carriage. Subaru climbed up next to them. With that, the ragtag group set off for Arlam village.
Ley slashed a villager in half. His gospel had ordered him to massacre this village. Anything to help Louis. He thought to himself as he shoved the blade on his right arm through a woman. Though we would have liked to at least find something that is Gourmet.
A black ground dragon slammed her talons into Ley's back. "Mmm." He grunted. Then he wasted no time and chopped the dragon's head off. Patrasche. I wish that I could eat-
"Someone help!" His thoughts were interrupted by the screams of a child in the distance. He twisted his head. His eyes flicked over her, memorizing every detail in an instant. Orange hair. A red hairband. Tears pouring from her eyes. Petra Leyte. Ley's gospel had mentioned her specifically. It had instructed him to eat her.
"She does not look, Gourmet." His voice held a tone of sadness. "But if it is necessary to help Louis then we will do it."
He bent his knees building up power in his legs. Petra's eyes focused on him. We thank you in advance for this feast. His legs uncoiled. Air blasted at his side as he launched through the air. However lackluster a meal it is.
Lips tilting into a slight smile Ley reached for his authority. He stretched out his arm. Nearly there. Petra's face grew larger and larger. Almost- Light exploded to Ley's right. He flicked his eyes in that direction. Standing there was a knight. Globes of light danced around him. A flimsy sword, which he'd picked up off one of the dead villagers, glowed in his hands. Blue bordering on white light shined around him.
How is he- Spiritualist, right. Ley reached for Lunar Eclipse. Carnivorous Beast.
There is so much mana in this new area. Julius thought to himself. The atmosphere was overflowing with untapped mana unlike the previous battlefield had been.
His yellow eyes were trained on Gluttony. You made a mistake leaving us alive. A thousand spirits surrounded Julius. Subaru had drawn most of them, though Julius had taught him how to focus his calls.
The air seemed to bend as mana flew around him. Julius' face strained as he tried to keep it away from Petra. C'mon Natsuki.
Right as this thought entered the knight's mind a whip cracked. The chord wrapped around Petra. Subaru yanked her back. That man is a surprisingly great tactician. Julius mused. Under different circumstances, he might have felt a bit insecure, but with this much mana in his body, his head felt clear. Petra was pulled fully out of the way. Good. A breath of air was blown from his mouth as he relaxed his body.
"BUDS!" He called out to his six spirits, Kua had finished healing the soldiers and had returned to him. With all of them together the spirits lent their gates to him. The white light that surrounded Julius split into its base colors. Red, blue, yellow, green, a white mixed with yellow, and a dark purple all twisted around Julius.
Ley's eyes widened. His jaw dropped open. So much mana. Fear filled Ley. He switched from Lunar Eclipse to Solar Eclipse. He took on a new form bringing Carnivorous Beast to its maximum potential.
A smile split Julius' face. It felt amazing to work with his buds this closely. He lifted his sword. The mana that surrounded him twisted and condensed. He focused his entire will bringing every ounce of it into his sword. The sword vaporized, but it didn't matter. The burning light of Julius' mana formed an entirely new blade. It was a sword made out of light. Rainbows.
Julius pushed extra mana into his muscles. The sword remained raised above Julius' head for a moment. "Thank you." Julius sent out his gratitude to the thousand spirits that now surrounded him.
Words formed in Julius' throat. He tumbled over them, his honor as a knight demanded that he keep those words down for the moment. "Ley Batenkaitos. I am Julius Juukulius."
With those words his knightly honor was satisfied. He stared into Gluttony's eyes. The sin archbishop had shifted into another body, but no matter the body he could tell that Ley was scared, terrified.
Two words rose in his chest. Brilliant words. He set them free. "AL CLARISTA!"
He brought his sword down. And in that moment Julius looked like a knight made entirely of rainbows. Light exploded out. It was radiant.
Crusch Karsten stared into the distance. Her face was solemn though she didn't know why. Maybe it was her instincts that told her something terrible had befallen the force sent to subjugate Gluttony. Maybe it was something else. The royal candidate couldn't quite put her finger on it.
She closed her eyes to think for a second. What happened? And why do I feel like I'm missing something… or someone. A frown grew on her face.
The inside of her eyelids changed from black to red. A sudden light had appeared. The duchess's eyes snapped open. There in the distance lay a brilliant blue column of light.
Crusch felt her muscles relax. Her frown twisted into a smile. The light felt so relaxing, so calming. Hope burned within Crusch. She had no idea what she was hoping for. But that didn't matter.
Time seemed to slow for Ley Batenkaitos. Are we going to die? An image flashed in his mind. It was a pure white room.
Julius' attack slammed into Ley. The boy knew his body was dying. He was being torn apart.
That same white room. It was surreal ethereal. Ley knew its name. The Corridor of Memories. In the center of the room, a girl stood. Luscious blonde hair tumbled from her shoulder onto the ground. She wore a white dress. LOUIS!
Louis Arneb looked up at him. Her eyes looked concerned. Though Ley could tell it was more pity than anything else. But that didn't matter to him. He still wanted to protect her. To make her happy.
I will save you, Louis, even if you hate me. Ley's arm burned off. Julius' strike had broken his defenses like they were thin glass. I'M GOING TO SAVE YOU LOUIS!
Something hardened in Ley's mind. Louis. Ley gripped the authority of gluttony. Neiji Rockheart. He stacked another name on top of the one he was currently using. His resistance to Julius increased somewhat.
Ley braced for the side effects. For his sense of self to blur. But nothing came. He felt completely normal just like himself. Aside from the pain as his left shoulder was vaporized.
Can we? Ley hesitantly added another name. Ram. A third form piled onto the two already present. He braced again and again felt completely normal. I will save you, Louis. Ley anchored himself with his desire to save Louis. Three smiles stretched across three faces. Wilhelm van Astrea. Four smiles. Tivey Pearlbaton. Five smiles. Ricardo Welkin. Six smiles.
Ley grabbed name after name. His desire to save Louis keeping him steady. Keeping him whole.
Ley Batenkaitos utilized Solar Eclipse to its greatest extent.
"Hah. Hah. Hah." Julius panted. He tossed what little remained of the village sword to the side. The hilt shattered as it smashed into the rock. His eyes remained focused he was waiting for the smoke left by his attack to clear. He doubted any part of Gluttony would be left, but he wanted to be sure.
After a few seconds, a gust of wind blew through pulling back the smoke to reveal the remains of Gluttony. But instead of a corpse as Julius had expected, something else stood in the spot that Ley had once occupied. It certainly wasn't Ley.
Julius' eyes darted wildly around the creature's body. Or bodies. It looked like thousands of overlapping people. It was an abomination. Disgustingly twisted.
It smiled thousands of smiles. "Julius Juukulius." Ley's voice rang out from the creature. That's Gluttony. Surprise and disbelief rose within him, but those two emotions were overshadowed by something else. Terror.
Gluttony's aura had changed. Instead of just being paralyzing it was now horrifying, unsettling, disgusting, and most importantly hungry.
"We must reassess. You are Gourmet!" Ley exploded forward. His right hands slammed around Julius' neck and gripped it like a vice claw. His left hands rubbed across Julius' face. The spirit knight squirmed helplessly. There was no mana left in the environment. He'd used all of it and it hadn't been enough.
Gluttony raised his left hands to his mouths. Thousands of tongues snapped out. He dragged them up his hands. Saliva slapped as he finished his meal. Ley activated Solar Eclipse one more time. Julius' form was added to the thousands that Ley now held. "Thank you for the feast." He discarded the knight dropping him like trash.
Ley Batenkaitos strode towards Natsuki Subaru.
Julius stared up at the blue sky. He felt empty, worthless. I failed. An image filled his mind. It was his brother. Joshua. I'm so sorry Brother. I failed. I'm useless, aren't I?
The world didn't give Julius an answer. His vision only burned away further.
A new image filled his mind. It was a shrewd face. A merchant. Her name was Anastasia Hoshin. Anastasia-sama. Her eyes had a look that Julius noticed immediately. In her eyes rested a desire to do better. To be something. To pull herself out of the dirt and towards greatness, and uplift others along the way. From that moment he'd admired her immensely.
Anastasia-sama I'm sorry but I failed. I failed so horribly. I'm worthless. Aren't I?
Julius Juukulius received no answer. All that happened was his vision faded completely.
Julius was devoured.
Subaru watched helplessly as Ley consumed Julius. He was sitting next to Otto's carriage. Petra was crying in his arms. I failed. Gluttony turned to him.
"Natsuki-san," Otto's voice was filled with terror. "What do we do?"
Subaru didn't respond. Instead, he lifted Petra up and gave her to Otto. The merchant lifted her and set her down in his carriage. "Take her and run." Otto took his ground dragon's reins and lifted them. He got ready to slap them down, but he hesitated right before he did it.
"Natsuki-san get in the carriage." Otto stretched out his arm. Gluttony crushed dried out twigs beneath his feet. He was only 5 meters away now. Subaru grabbed Otto's hand and switched his mind to his gate.
"Vita." He used his own gate, which he had trained alongside his spirit arts, to weigh down Otto. Then as Otto's hand dropped to his side Subaru fell back onto the ground. He turned to Otto's dragon and slammed his fist into its Achilles tendon.
The ground dragon took off with a scream. Otto turned back. Tears dripped from his eyes. He tried to slow his ground dragon but it wouldn't listen. "Natsuki-san!" He shouted.
"That was interesting." Ley had arrived behind him, "That merchant may be Gourmet." He said the word merchant with disgust and resentment.
"Though you…" Subaru turned to Ley. He held himself in a sitting position with his hands.
"Gluttony." Anger filled the word. I failed. I failed. So horribly. Ricardo's face, Tivey's face, Julius' face, Wilhelm's face, and Ram's face filled his mind. Each one looked so peaceful. They now slept for eternity in this world.
Ley spat to the side. "You are cowardly." He spoke with a thousand mouths. His left hands grabbed Subaru's neck and lifted him up. He held him from the throat dangling his body above the ground. "You are disappointing, disgusting. Such a failure." Ley was using Ram and Wilhelm's memories to analyze him.
"You are not Gourmet." Ley slammed a thousand fists through Subaru's chest. Blood poured from Subaru's mouth. Tears fell from his eyes. Though they were not tears of pain. They were tears of hatred. But Ley could also tell that that hatred was not directed at himself. So he hates himself.
"You are the furthest thing from Gourmet." He pulled his right hand out of Subaru's chest. Then he tossed him on the ground with his left hand.
Subaru hit the ground with a thud. Ley stepped past him to chase after Otto. Natsuki Subaru was left abandoned and forgotten to bleed out in the dirt.
Water poured from Subaru's eyes. I failed. I failed. I failed. I failed. You were wrong Wilhelm. You were wrong. I can't smile. It will never turn out ok if I can't smile. I'm sorry, mom. I'm so sorry. I tossed your words aside. And it wasn't anyone's fault but mine. Echidna isn't to blame. It's my fault for listening to her. I failed.
I'm just worthless. I made everything worse, didn't I? I made everything so much worse. I'm less than worthless. Subaru's mind began to fade. His brain was starved of oxygen. His thoughts slowed to a crawl.
I hate myself. His last thought as he fell into death.
Subaru opened his eyes. The morning light streamed across the field. A soft breeze sent flower petals flying. His legs gave out under him. He'd grown used to not being able to use them.
"Subaru-dono." Wilhelm rushed over to his side. So this is after he spoke to me. Tears filled Subaru's eyes. He bent his neck until his face was staring up at Wilhelm's. Their eyes locked.
Wilhelm's piercing eyes met Subaru's wet eyes. Snot dripped from Subaru's nose.
"W-Wilh-helm, you w-were wr-rong." Subaru sobbed, his voice full of pain, "I f-fail-led."