Forsaken hero (On Hiatus for now)

by The Writing Pupil

Basically focuses on the aftermath of Subaru dying a Permadeath after being forgotten by the entire world. inspired by Re:Forgotten and all its spinoffs

4. The greatest of failures

It's been...2 months huh. Y'all would assume I've died, but NO I LIVE! HAHAHA, cough. Ok sorry for the 2 month wait, I was working on both forsaken and another writing project, a react fic. Which man if you ever wrote a react fic. You understand the pain of the process. But until than here's a 20k word chapter. that should be enough for me to disappear another 2 months or so...right? No ok.

First off, thank you, my dear beta readers, especially you Magi, for fixing as much spelling errors as possible because holy there was a lot of them.

Thank you to my friends.

Shape of evil (Who just uploaded a john wick fic check it out, its called the hitman from another world, also thanks for teaching me how to use FF's features actually well now)

Twisted (...i ain't gonna say anything but you know what you need to do)

Armoured man (working on something special)

Junkie (also uploaded a new fic, re:zombie check it out)

Oh, I owe you guys a lot, for letting me mess around. *Force me to write a bit* and just giving me ideas when I need them, and also beta reading. you guys are the bros. I owe you so much, welp there's my thank you out of the way.

Well, enjoy chapter 4 of forsaken hero. WOOOOOOO feels good to be done.

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"Are you sure about this Felix?"

A voice spoke out, as two individuals stared eye to eye at one another. Both could be seen under the dim candlelight of the dungeon standing in front of a steel door. Both were wearing the standard white uniform fit for every knight of Luginica, but to call the two standard knights would be an insult to not just them but the entire country of Luginica as a whole.

In front of the steel door, leading into a cold, barely lit prison cell. Julius Juukulius the greatest of knights in all of Luginica, and Felix Argyle the greatest healer in all the kingdom stood face to face against one another. The feline healer had a rabid smile on his face, while the violet-haired knight was the complete opposite with a frown visible on his handsome face; his eyes were filled with trouble and worry.

"Of course, Ferris is, nayh." The feline healer said in a playful accent, ears perked up, his insane smile still visible but this time wide open for the entire world to see. Almost as if the simple six worded question brought him great joy.

"Shouldn't we wait for confirmation? Reinhardt said he will return soon, we should-" However before the knight could finish his sentence he was quickly cut off by the feline healer who confidently interrupted.

"Julius-Kun, Beatrice-sama already deemed he is a cultist. A great spirit wouldn't lie over such an important thing. More importantly, she told us that his witch's miasma rivaled that of an archbishop. I am sure Reinhardt-Kun would understand why we couldn't wait on him."

"But even so Felix, we should at least wait. The cultist claims seem to hold some truth after all if he is able to remember our names."

"Don't you find that a bit strange, Julius-Kun?"

Juluis curiously tilted his head slightly at the healer's question, not saying a word but just by his body language and the confusion on his face, Felix could tell it was ok for him to continue speaking.

"He remembers all of our names, Who we work for, and things that are only known in our personal lives. Even exactly what occurred during the hunt with the white whale like the destruction of the great sage's tree. Yet…we don't remember him at all. So why is he the only one able to recall such events? If he is really innocent and not involved, why didn't he forget us like the rest of the world?"

Julius was speechless as Felix recounted the facts, everything the Feline healer said was right after all. The supposed cultist behind the cell knew everything about them, their names, who they work for, and even events of the past. While yes things like their name, and status of who they worked for as knights are made clear to the public eye so clearly, if you ask the person next to you they could probably give you a clear answer. But things such as what occurred during the battle at the white whale, the chaos of pristella, and the fighting forces. That only adds weight to the supposed Cultist's innocence, after all if he is what he says he is it would make sense for him to remember such an event. Felix's words did nothing to lift the veil of doubt that plagued Juluis' worried heart.

Instead, it made it slightly worse, however…Felix does have a point to it all. Why…can this cultist remember everything?

"Could it be that he's simply immune to his allies' effects?"

"It might actually be the nature of his authority. If he truly has one."

It took everything Juluis had in his body to keep his neutral thinking face at the mention of the gifts the witch of envy had given to her despicable cult's ringleaders. His heart began racing while his thoughts slowly began swirling out of control as he began recounting the sheer power of the authorities of sin each archbishop produced. His battle with sloth against his unseen hands if merely touched they could rip apart anyone just by being caught by one, The wielder of Greed, who he has heard to be practically invincible with no one being able to face him except the sword saint himself using all his might. And even then most of his strikes did not induce any noticeable injuries.

And then Gluttony, his mind seethed with anger at mere the mention of the archbishop of sin. Their authority was unquestionably the worst out of them all. Cruel and unnecessary, able to distort fate itself in an instant. Making everyone who knew and loved you, forget you even existed, if not and you somehow overcome fate and at least a few people do remember you. It was certain without a doubt you would lose your memory. Losing what makes you, you.

Indeed, The Authorities of each archbishop of sin were powerful and without knowledge firsthand,facing even the weakest of archbishops would be like walking into a slaughterhouse blindfolded. It's already proven fact that Gluttony could erase memories, so the possibility of an archbishop able to recall events that he wasn't there for clearly was not entirely out of the question.

"I see, do you assume he knows everything because of his authority?"

"That's exactly what Ferris is saying, he believes everything he says as well. So using the divine protection of wind won't really help us see if he's lying or not. After all, it can only tell based on what someone believes is true, right?"

Juluis didn't bother answering and just replied with a simple nod. He gestured with his right hand, making a small spin gesture to assure Felix to continue speaking. He knew without a doubt Felix will have more to say and he was listening to every word.

Slowly but surely, the doubt in Julius's mind was fading. and Felix could see that in his eyes and his gestures. As a doctor, how your patient acts can be seen visibly throughout the body, whether that be for medical purposes or better yet psychosocial. That's why Felix couldn't help but just keep on smiling. He's close, he knows he is. Close to convincing his friend to help him on his mission, close to helping his friend have the drive to recover his name and be whole again.

Plus as much as Felix didn't want to get Julius' hands dirty with filthy cultist blood, it had to be done for his own sake as well. He was one person and hearing someone scream, cry, and smacking them across the face can get at times tiring and each rest the Cultist had been giving, his resolve and will to live kept being revived. He saw the determined glare in his eyes every time he entered the prison cell,his unwavering stance to not give him the information he wanted and instead keep falsely claiming his innocence. That needed to be dealt with and Felix just had a strange feeling Juluis was the perfect person to do exactly that. He didn't know why but the feeling was overwhelming. The cultist's will NEEDED to be broken.

It was for the greater good. The feline healer wasn't just enlisting the help of a fellow knight for their own sakes, no this wasn't at all about Felix. This was about the poor victims who lost their memory, this is for his friend who had gotten his life taken from him and lost who he was, and it was for his lady, the most important person in the world. For Felix the archbishop was the key to it all, all they needed to know is what he's hiding.

"Gluttony is able to eat people's names and lose their memories, his authority is most likely the opposite. Able to look into the memories of people he has interacted with in the past, Ferris believes this case. It could be the reason why Beatrice was attacked by the archbishop of gluttony only moments before his capture as you heard."

Julius simply nodded and cleared his throat slightly to speak.

"Yes, I read in the report the great spirit was attacked but was able to fend off and heavily injured the archbishop before making his escape."

"Right as always Julius-Kun! But you're missing something. The great spirit did not include this until later because she wanted to make sure her camp was away from any potential harm the cultist may pose."

"As expected of Beatrice-sama, but continue."

Felix paused for a moment, only a single second before he continued.

"When Gluttony escaped through the water pathways, Natsuki Subaru was the last one on the scene moments after the escape." The second Felix uttered those words, the smile on his face was nowhere to be seen and was replaced by a serious but very angry look. His teeth grinded together in fury as his eyes moved towards the steel door. Looking with such an intense gaze any normal person could've sworn Felix was trying to melt through the steel door. His hands unconsciously emitted faint light traces of magic before it quickly died out.

The mention of the archbishop's true name made him angry more than he could ever imagine, only was it more than likely that the cultist helped Gluttony escape during the final battle. After all, why else would he be the only one left behind after the archbishop's sudden disappearance? Could it be so that he could steal more memories? Ruin more lives? Devour the memory of hard-working nobles just like his lady Crusch.

He cursed the parents who gave birth to such a monstrosity. Oh how it took him every fiber of his body to not walk up to the door, and immediately demand to spill all the information he knows. However, now was not the time, it would come very soon and when it did he was going to enjoy every single moment of it. In the name of his lady…of course.

Juluis meanwhile once again had nothing to say. Exactly what he could say to the revelation? All the doubt in his mind was gone like a broken flower stem on a windy day. The clear confusion, worry, and sympathy were all erased in a single sentence as he finally understood. For the first time in a long while, the greatest of knights in all of Luginica felt something no knight should. Something they should repress even when it comes to the bloody battlefield.

Juluis felt pure, untapped, rage-filled, bloodlust. For the first time In his entire life as a knight, he felt the urge to burst through the steel door and slice the archbishop down where he stood. Right there beyond that door, this boy- no demon spawn was an ally to someone who has ruined his life. No wonder he knew about Juluis, Felix, Emilia and so much more, his relationship with Gluttony was true which it just had to be and even given the theory of his authority. It wouldn't even be a surprise if a side effect of gluttony being able to eat the memories was him able to use said memories and implement them in himself.

"He should be put to death right away. There is not doubt now he is a cultist, if the worst-case he is an archbishop he should be hanged before the others have a chance to-"

"Now hold on Julius-kun we can't squander an opportunity like this." The healer quickly cuts him off as he puts his hands in front of the greatest of knight's face.

"Squander? With all due respect-"

"He may be the only way to help recover the victims' names," Felix spoke calmly and clearly, the anger in his face while gone and nowhere to be seen, the seriousness in his face still remained. His playful accent at the start of the conversation was nowhere to be seen. It was almost unnatural and scary to Juluis how Felix basically became an entirely different person within the span of minutes.

"Even if the nature of his authority we might have gotten wrong, we could at least get answers on potential effects on how to reverse."

"..."

"We have already been given orders from the sage council to make the archbishop talk no matter the process. I've had many sessions alone with him already but he won't speak. I can't do it alone… will you help me Julius-kun?"

Juluis paused for a moment, he knew what no matter the process meant. That way it was told, was a nice way of saying 'do whatever you want, stab, cut, skin him alive, just make sure he talks and doesn't die.;

It made him sick, no soul should go through so much pain even if it was a cultist. He should be killed and allow his soul to be free and may if OD above allows it, his soul find peace and be a better person in his next life. Such senseless brutality hidden in disguise as an interrogation made the greatest of knights sick to his stomach… then again what other choices does he have?

He could just turn a blind eye and hope the cultist would cough up answers sooner or later, but he couldn't, the pain just of the thought of waiting for an answer that may never come made Julius's chest hurt. Waiting for an answer is harder to deal with than getting a terrible answer. He wanted to be there, right as the cutist spilled his guts, so that he can rush to the scene and make himself whole again, as well as help the likely thousands unknown affected by Gluttony's curse.

It was unknightly, it was scummy, but if it meant he could have his life and name back, and save those in the same position as him. So be it.

"Very well, when do we begin?"

"Let's start…now. Head to your quarters, I'll come by and fetch you in an hour." And that was exactly what the greatest of knights did.

An hour felt much shorter than Juluis had expected, one second he was in his quarters resting with nothing but his thoughts to keep him company. The next he was right in front of the door that contained the witch cultist and the only lead he has back to his own memories, as well as the potential to cure the possibly hundreds and maybe even thousands of the forgotten souls who have fallen by the witch cult's hand. As much as he wanted to execute the cultist, he needed to put his own personal opinion aside and go with the orders of the sage council.

He just needed to open the door, take a step inside, and just smack the cultist around and force him to give him the answers he so desperately needed then go home after a job well done... Juluis needed to do this, and he was a cultist, so any punishment no matter how cruel was acceptable and given the fact he was weak and powerless to do anything, it was a safe thing to do. So… why did Juluis feel nothing but overwhelming dread as he looked onwards at the steel door.

An aura of pure dread and death oozed out from the small crack under the door. Encasing the area of emotions Juluis was in at the moment, his heart ached with worry. Almost as if telling him opening the door would be the biggest mistake of his life… even so. This still what he had to do was not only for his own sake but for the sake of all the other. He hardened his gaze and squeezed tightly the wooden sword he had in his hand. Almost snapping it completely under the sure strength of his grip, doing his best to shake the doubts out of his mind. Juluis Juukulius carefully and slowly opened the cell door, and was ready to meet face to face with the cultist.

The scent of decay and death hit Julius's nose almost instantly as the darkness of the prison clouded his vision. He knew not much light got into some of the prison cells but damn, this was a whole nother level. The inside of the prison was almost comparable to being in a tight alleyway in the dead of night with no moon shining up in the sky. As much as he wanted to step inside, he had to wait for a few moments. Who knows what the archbishop might do even when trapped in a weakened state, it all takes one mistake and it could be completely over for the greatest of knights.

He just had to stand there for a few seconds, be patient and-

"J-Juluis?" A weak voice called out from beyond the darkness completely breaking his small thought of concentration. The voice sounded one of a developing adult but laced with a mixture of pain, surprise, and happiness all at the same time.

"Juluis, I never thought I'd be happy to see you but please you need to believe me!" The voice continued on as Juluis's vision started to get used to the dark, allowing him without fear to take a step inside of the cultist's prison. He said nothing and simply looked down at the dirty prison floor as he kept on gripping his sword. His heart was aching again, why? That doesn't matter right now, Juluis kept looking at the floor as steps until finally, he saw a small puddle of blood on the floor forcing him to finally look up and face the source of the voice head-on.

His hair was unnaturally spikey, his eyes were nearly scary to look at yet it was almost at the same time gentle and sadden. His face was covered from the top of his forehead to the very bottom of his chin in cuts. All seemed to be done with a butterknife at some point, all the cuts of course were too shallow to deal any long-term damage but there was enough to nearly cover one of the boy's eyes in dark red. As well as having cuts on his face, his body wasn't looking too well either. He wore a torn-up strange orange and black outfit, that for some reason even though Juluis was seeing from the first time. Filled his mind with fondness and gratitude, no matter it must be a coincidence to something else but even so he maintained his poker face. Not showing joy, happiness, or even anger. He almost looked emotionless from the eyes of the mean-eyed cultist but even so he kept on speaking,.

"I'm not a cultist, Juluis, please. You have to let me go, Gluttony ate my name! P-please…just please let me go…" The desperation in the cultist's voice was clear with each word he spoke, the greatest of knights saw deep in his eyes how he desperately tried to keep tears from appearing but failed with small water droplets slowly exiting his eyes and disappearing under the small puddle of blood/

Juluis for the first time he entered, this cultist in front of him didn't look like a cultist at all. He looked like a small helpless child, a child caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, at the worst moments of his life. He seemed so powerless, so helpless, so…weak could he really ponder if he was a sin archbishop? Julius's heart and head were aching again, his mind and body seemingly fighting each other. His heart begged him to let go, and his mind reminded him of someone in a similar position. A child that looked helpless, weak, and small only to be the reason he is like this. Juluis will not be fooled a second time, he already made up his mind with Felix it's too late to back out now.

"I shall not buy into your lies Cultist, however, I will give you a chance. Inform me of how I can recover my name and I shall leave you unscathed" The knight spoke emotionlessly, as he tightened the drip on his sword even further to the point a small crack appeared from the handle of the sword.

"Julius, come on man, maybe you can remember. It's me, Natsuki Subaru the knight of the half-elf Emi-"

Wack

That was the sound the entire prison echoed before the cultist could finish speaking his piece, in only a blink of an eye the wooden sword Juluis was carrying in his hands had found it's way across the cultist's face. The sheer force of the attack would've knocked the cultist's head through the walls if it wasn't for it being connected to his body. Though the cultist's head remained intact, there was a large bump and a bruise the same color as an eggplant that appeared directly on his right eye. Just one hit by the greatest of knights, had the cultist barely breathing as the air he took in didn't seem to leave his body.

"Hear me well, Cultist!" Juluis began with an angry scowl as his voice, calm yet filled with untold malice directed itself to the monster standing in front of him. Using the tip of his wooden sword that was covered in bits of blood, he forced the cultist to look directly at him.

"I do not wish to hear your lies, nor do I want you to even mention the fair maiden Emilia claiming to be a knight. A cultist like yourself can never aspire to be one of us, many would rather fall on their blade than even acknowledge your claim!"

"Ju-ju-ju-Juluis plea-"

Not even giving time for the cultist to finish speaking, Juluis smacked him this time to the open side of his stomach. The strike made the cultists desperately try to move his hands bound by the chains and held his side to no avail. Instead, all he could do was groan in pain as Juluis watched, trying his best not to have even a glint of pity for the cultist.

"I do not want to hear another word that doesn't have to do with restoring my name. Sin archbishop of pride Natsuki Subaru, you will adhere to my demands."

"What! I'm not a sin archbishop where the hell did you get that from!" Another smack with the wooden staff once again quickly shut the cultist's mouth once again, this time by knocking out a couple of his teeth.

"Tell me how I can restore my name, explain your authority, inform me the witch cult's next move, and I swear on my title as the greatest of knights. I will do everything in my power to avoid them sentencing you to do."

"Heh…like that would matter anyway" The cultist spoke quietly under his breath, only allowing himself and himself only to hear but the knight still saw his lips move and wasn't going to let that slide pass so easily.

"Speak clearly cultist. Before the strikes you've experienced will be considered child's play to what's to come." Juluis spoke clearly and confidently as he raised his sword off from the ground holding it in front of him and placed one hand before his back. A stance that felt familiar, a stance that he felt was somehow used to completely humiliate someone but…he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Still, he waited for the cultist's answer patiently, ready to pounce at the cultist at any given moment.

"Juli…." Was the only word the cultist spoke before the room began encasing itself in silence, the tears of the cultist could be heard splashing onto the puddle of his blood as stared directly into the greatest of knights eye for a few seconds but to the archbishop, it must've felt like an eternity. After those few agonizing seconds his head sluggishly faced the ground, he lets out a small cough of blood before speaking in a tired, low, sad, and pitiful voice.

"You're still on the knightly bullshit even when you're angry. It's almost…funny Juli. You promised me I'll avoid the death penalty if I choose to tell you everything I know right?"

"Yes I-"

"I would take that offer in a heartbeat, I really would. I would take the offer a little more than stroking Emilia-tan's hair. But I can't."

"And why's that?" The knight's question he was met with the blood, tear-filled eyes of the cultist. A small defeated smile on his face, it looked like he had given up on life or any hope of salvation for that matter, and expressed those emotions in that one smile.

"I don't know anything about the witch cult. I am not one of them, I can't give you something I don't know. I never will, so…do your worst. But one day, one day when I get out of here your going to be sorry that you attacked an innocent man. A fellow knight serving a rival lady, and most importantly your friend."

Juluis at the cultist's words his blood began to heat up to boiling temperatures, his gaze hardened, his form tensed, and he took a deep breath before exhaling with only one sentence he had prepared to deal 100 painful blows.

"You are not a knight, nor will you ever be my friend. For myself and the countless victims that have fallen due to your cult's hands. I assure you, I will get the answers I seek, avenging the fallen and restoring those lost to time. Prepare yourself!"

What followed next for any unfortunate soul who happened to walk past the door, would hear nothing but the sound of a blunt object connecting to the body of a young man. Barely at the prime of his life, as he screams for help and for the pain to stop. Saying that they are friends, and assuring he is not what they say he is only for it to fall on deaf ears. Even if a soul heard what was happening behind the steel door, it wasn't like anyone was going to help him after all.

4 hours. 4 straight hours of nonstop beating Juluis had finally had enough. His arms felt stiff, sluggish, and his hands were covered in splinters. He could only guess that was the cost of only swinging a wooden sword, he was tired, he knew the cultist was tired, he didn't make any progress but that's to be expected on the first day of interrogation.

"I shall take leave for the day, should Felix take my position. It is wise to tell him the truth, until then I hope I don't have to repeat what I have done tomorrow." Juluis said sternly as he hid the sheer exhaustion in his voice, the best he could, and stood up straight. He gave one last glance at the cultist before exiting the prison cell.

Once the door to the prison was finally closed behind him Julius couldn't help but breathe a loud sigh. He slowly took a seat and pressed his body beyond the steel door. The coolness of the door, cooled both his mind and body as he reflected upon what he had just done. He did it, he steeled his resolve and tortured the witch cultist. He beat him, ignored his screams for help, and when he didn't get the answer he wanted the cycle to repeat. He had blood on his stainless white finger gloves now, but it would all be worth it at the end of the day.

He knew it would, he hoped that man truly inside the chamber is a cultist. He hoped the feeling in his chest was wrong the entire time and that he should thank his mind for letting him see reason. He hoped…he didn't have the blood of an innocent man on what once used to be his elegant white gloves now covered with dust and blood.

"Oh! Juluis-Kun, did the cultist give up any information?" Once again as if the universe demands it, the knight was once again broken out of his concentration. He saw Felix this time out of his knightly attire but this time in a blue dress. His cheerful accent was followed out with a smile that went ear to ear.

"*Huff* Sadly..*sigh*... the cultist has not given me any information that's useful; he just kept repeating he's not a cultist."

"Nayh just another lie I figured."

"Yes indeed."

"No matter Juluis-kun we have all the time in the world to make him talk."

"His mental reliance I've seen so far makes him a thought challenge, I hope we can get any information before anymore fall victim to the cult."

"Oh don't worry Julius-kun," Felix began as a twisted smile appeared on his face, his pupils seemed to dilate with joy as he uttered a single sentence, one that made all the hair on Juluis's stand up straight, a chill going down his spine.

"We'll just keep making him experience that feeling of death until he gives us all the information we need in a desperate attempt for us to stop the pain. Nayh, it's all for the sake of the kingdom after all Julius-kun."

Three months later

Juluis had finally gotten to his daily routine: he woke up early in the morning a few hours before day breaks. Greets the staff of the Juukulius manor, checks on them to make sure everything is neat and organized. Patrols around the capital greet the people, stopping small-time thugs, and helping the citizens with small tasks. After his patrol, he reports to his captain, gets the usual Status report on what's going on in the kingdom, how the candidates are doing, and lastly the activities of the witch cult.

After the usual was said and done, and Juluis's morning tasks came into a close it was time to go to his afternoon tasks. He would usually go to the training area, spar a bit with a couple of the junior knights to make sure he doesn't get too rusty, and improve his own skills. After all, with his memory gone, his fighting experience went along with it, but his body had been feeling more familiar with the flow of combat.

His stance, his strikes, his instincts, they all came back to him thanks to some good old fashion muscle memory. After having a nice chat with the other knights, he would usually ask for a training sword, the heaviest and most hard-hitting one they could find. Though the swords were wooden they could easily cause blunt force trauma to anyone who is unlikely to get in its way, but it shouldn't cause enough damage to kill you.

After getting the wooden staff and thanking the Juniors he would simply walk to the next part of his shift. Something completely not in his tight schedule but one he had no choice in adding unless he wanted to forever remain the shell of the once greatest of knights. Juluis while the afternoon was still burning bright with daylight, would go to the deepest dungeons of Lunigiana. His wooden staff being held tightly in his white gloves, he gave the two desk guards a nod not even bothering to give a proper explanation for his arrival or where he was headed.

After all, they already knew why and even if they didn't, it was not their job to interfere on something so just. Walking past the guards and down the endless hallway that led to multiple empty cells of the prison, Juluis stopped at one. One cell oozed out an atmosphere of death, despair, and dread making the air seemingly turn colder just by staring at it. Inside the cell was a being of pure evil, a being that would go no bounds to slaughter and kill the innocent. A sin-archbishop, representing the sin of Pride, Natsuki-Subaru.

Outside the walls of the prison and into the public of Lugnica he might have been an unstoppable threat. However, here, he was as powerless as a child and the knight would take full advantage of that. Hardening his eyes and gazing at the steel door, Juluis quickly flung it open and began getting to work, attempting to get information from the witch cultist, and to that he repeated what he's been doing for months. Something that at first exhausted him to the point of unconsciousness, but his body had gotten used to it at this point, he could go 10 hours without even trying anymore.

Juluis walked inside the dark and cold prison cell, blood splashing underneath his boots as the cultist bound in chains lifelessly looked up, first shivering with terror at the wooden sword in the knight's hand before he reluctantly looked the knight directly in his eyes.

"Cultist, I wish to end this quickly today. I will once again give you the chance to tell men how to undo the effects of gluttony, and also the next plans of the witch cult."

The cultist paused for a moment, still staring directly into Julius's eyes before letting out a massive sigh. A sigh of disappointment and the sigh of acceptance fighting back visible tears the cultist spoke and it was exactly what Juluis predicted him to say.

"I can't tell you what I don't know Julius. I am not a witch cultist, please just…l-leave me alone."

*sigh* "Very well, time for the same song and dance. Prepare yourself, cultist."

And that is exactly how it went, just like the days and weeks before. Just after Felix Argyle finished his session with the cultist, Juluis would always come a few. He would ask the cultist a question and he would usually answer with one of three bald-faced lies.

'I'm innocent!"

'I got my name eaten!'

'We are friends!'

Which would be followed up by the nonstop pleading for the pain to stop, followed by the constant crying and sobbing. Yes, this was the usual routine, Juluis asked for an answer and generously gave the cultist a chance to avoid the pain and suffering at the hands of him. He declined and spat on Julius's face by telling him nothing but lies and what followed up was the usual torture session that ended with the cultist being broken.

That is how it went for months on end….but something was different. The lead-up was the same as always but the torture session was different. What Juluis was expecting was the screams of the cutest following constant pleas for the pain to end…however that wasn't the case right now. Instead of the cultist's body thrashing around in pain, he attempted in vain to get out of the way of Julius's weapon. He stood still, taking every hit to the face. Blood escaping his cuts, purple grape-like buries appearing around with each strike.

Juluis was confused, this was not the same man just a day ago. Did his strikes get weaker? No that can't be the case. There was passion, anger, burning rage, and determination to restore his name. Adding extra force behind the strikes of the greatest of knights already powerful strikes. So why? Why was he not saying anything, why was he not screaming out in pain? Was he mentally broken from the months of torture he endured?

No that couldn't be the case, Felix would have informed him of the cultist's broken, and Juluis knew that someone who was crying out yesterday would not just stop crying and act like everything was fine the next day. Nevertheless, the greatest of knights kept striking, trying his best to get a reaction out of the cultist. He hit him in the head, the neck, hell he even did something unknightly and hit him in his family jewels in order to get some type of reaction but yet again…nothing.

The lack of reactions, the lack of answers. It angered the greatest of knights even further, causing him to strike even harder and faster than ever before. Each time his wooden sword connected to the cultist's body, it shook the prison and the vibrations could still be heard through the walls. Even loud enough to be heard by anyone even a few steps away from the door, but…still even though Juluis put his anger, and frustration into each strike. The cultist, whose face was now covered with purple bruises still with his one good non bruised eye lifelessly glared at the greatest of knights.

Causing chills to run down his spine, as Juluis just simply kept on striking with all his mouth. Until he suddenly stopped midway as the sword was once again about to smack the cultist's head when he saw his mouth twitched slightly.

"Greatest of knights…huh?" The cultist finally spoke, his voice monotone and devoid of any emotion.

"Excuse me?"

"The dragon kingdom of Luginica's greatest of knights, that's your title isn't it?"

"Yes? However, my cultist doesn't matter to the likes of you." Juluis answered sternly as he raised his sword slightly off the ground, once again prepared to hit the cultist. Yet… his body stopped before he could, it was like an invisible force. An invisible hand was grabbing onto the hand holding his blade, preventing him from moving.

Could this be the cultist's authority? After so long of hammering him for information could he finally be revealing his power? No…that wasn't the case, it wasn't the cultist preventing Julius from striking him down. It was Julius's mind, keeping him from committing such acts.

Why was he hesitating still? Why after the months of doing the same thing of all time now he was hesitating to strike again. Even the knight didn't know for himself.

"I find it funny."

"wha-"

"I find it funny, how the greatest of knights could be so willing to hurt an innocent person. Torture and beat them to the point of near-death every day, truly. If you're the golden standard for knights, I wonder how the others must be."

The cultist taunted, sarcasm was clear in his voice even though his face didn't even show a slight change of emotion. The way the cultist spoke angered the greatest of knights, causing him to have a deep scowl on his face and in retaliation for the words the cultist spoke. Julius's mind finally let his hands-free and allowed him to deliver a firm smack across the cultist's jaw. Knocking a few teeth and fracturing his jaw in the process, but he was still able to speak, even if his jaw was completely broken Felix could fix it in no time.

"Do not make light of my title Cultist. You are not innocent in the slightest, you and your kind have slaughtered countless. Yet you dare have the gull to make-"

"Knights are supposed to protect people Juluis." The cultist quickly cut him off the second he recovered from the sheer force of the impact, quickly making direct eye contact with the greatest of knights once again.

"They're supposed to protect people, yet you couldn't protect the friend that's standing right in front of you. Someone you once considered a friend."

Having enough of the cultist's ramblings, having enough of the word 'friend' coming out of his mouth, just enough on how someone of a member of an organization had ruined the lives of countless innocent people could speak to him like he was making a great mistake. Juluis with all his might, anger, and passion, raised his sword up in the air as high as he possibly could and positioned himself in an air-tight stance, before with a roar of anger striking the witch cultist directly on the head. The room echoed and played back the sound of impact three more times before the room was deathly silent and the cultist body slumped over with his head facing the ground.

'Disgusting Cultist.' That was all Juluis could think of as he stared coldly at the now knocked-out body of the cultist before slowly turning away and facing the exit. He didn't know if he caused brain injury to the cultist but it was highly likely, he thought he should report to Felix after this before heading back to his quarters.

However, there was a problem. A problem he thought had been dealt with when he struck the cultist on the head. Just like the moment, his hands froze mid-strike, this time his entire body was frozen as he headed towards the exit door. His body was not only frozen but it was like an invisible force, stronger than ever before was forcing his body to turn around.

No matter how much he tried to resist, the invisible hand had a tight grasp, and resisting was completely pointless. Juluis reluctantly had no choice once again faced the cultist's body, looking up and down at the knocked-out body.

Hatred and disgust were clear in his eyes as he judged the witch cultist in such a pathetic state. Then hatred turned to realization, realization turned to shock, shock turned into nothing but pure fear.

'You can't even protect what's in front of you.' The voice of the man he thought to be a cultist ringed out once again in his ear. The voice spoke the same nine words over and over again, as the greatest of knights could do nothing but stare eyes wide open in shock, mouth trembling as he could do but muttered out a single name….

"Subaru?" At the sight and realization of what the greatest of knights had done, Juluis dropped his bloodied wooden sword onto the puddles of blood on the floor. The sword and the puddle connected, making a small ripple as Juluis raced towards the body of the unconscious cultist… Not he wasn't a cultist, this wasn't someone who had taken countless lives. This was the complete opposite, the person currently in chains with his body slumped to the back of the wall standing straight had saved countless people. Saved an entire city from falling into chaos, saved thousands of future victims of two 400 year calamities. He should have been with his camp, getting all the rest he deserved, yet there he was, in front of the knight, bound by chains with his head hanging low as blood dripped from the previous strike Juluis had inflicted on him.

"Subaru!" The knight once again called out as he reached the slumped body of someone he considers a dear friend. His hands shaking nervously, his heart pounding in his ear, as the same nine words kept replaying in his mind. The same 'You couldn't protect what's in front of you.' kept repeating over and over, until it stopped. Instead of the same nine words that cracked that spirit of the greatest of knights, instead, the voice of his friend in his mind started repeating only three.

'You couldn't protect.'

'You couldn't protect'

'You couldn't protect.'

And each time the voice repeated it, the greatest of knights with salty tears in his eyes stared at the damage he caused to his friend's body. He couldn't help but agree. He couldn't protect the citizens of Priestella when the witch cult attacked, he couldn't protect his lady when she most needed him, he couldn't even protect himself when he alone had to face against gluttony, and he sure damn well couldn't at least protect the person who had done the impossible.

He couldn't protect someone he embarrassed in front of the world and instead of holding a grudge he instead led to victory time and time again. A perfect victory with zero losses against sloth, and Priestella all while putting his own life on the line. Instead of following his heart, the greatest of knights allowed the words of his fellow companion and the mere thought of being able to recover his name through torturing the person he considered a friend. Instead of following the lack of evidence and his logical reasoning, he now had the blood of an innocent person on his hands.

"Subaru, please wake up." The greatest of knights timidly spoke, no witnesses in sight besides himself and the body of his frie-... the hero before him. The greatest of knight's composure finally broke, the elegance in his voice was nowhere to be seen and was instead replaced by cries of a desperate child. Pleading for some kind of sign for the body to move, he didn't have the key at the moment to unlock his chains so the only thing he could do was merely shake the body as it stayed stuck to the wall.

Juluis at first thought he merely knocked out Subaru, maybe his skull cracked a bit but he's wrong so very wrong. Maybe it was because he couldn't control his strength and anger and do something so unknightly. Subaru's skin got ice colder every second, his heart. Juluis could swear he heard beating amongst his own loud heartbeat, the heartbeat of the slumped body of Subaru grew quieter with every shake.

"I..I need to get Felix. Yes, he'll be able to patch you up. I'll fetch you help Subaru. I promise and when I get you out of there…I'll… I'll apologize for all the wrong I caused you."

The greatest of knights swore upon the body, as reality itself began leaving cracks all around him. Yet he didn't notice, as he just kept on shaking the dead boy's body. He wanted to run away and get Felix but he couldn't. He wanted to stay right where he was, just keep trying over and over in getting some kind of movement, a breath, something anything that showed he didn't kill someone who he considered a great friend.

Before the greatest of knights, there were cracks everywhere: On the ceiling, the floor, even next to Subaru yet he never took his eyes off him. Reality was breaking apart but even so with tears in his eyes, the greatest of knights opened his mouth and began to timidly say:

"I promise I-" Before the knight could finish his sentence, the knight felt a bright light shine through his closed eyelids.

Slowly he woke up and no longer was he in the cold prison holding the body of his dead friend, he was no longer in his knightly outfit, and his hands weren't stained in blood but he still felt the tears in his eyes. At first, Juluis wanted to stand up, and run as fast as he possibly could to the prison cell and release his falsely accused friend but he stopped himself before he got out of bed.

In just a few seconds after he woke up his memories were recovered in an instant, he first remembered the murky spots in his memories, such as who was leading the attack against sloth, and the murky and blurry holes in his memory were filled with the context of the hero who planned and organized everything. Next, he remembered all the times he visited the prison, all the times he tortured Subaru. Sometimes with a wooden sword and sometimes with a dull knife, and last he remembered when he walked back to the prison when he finally recovered the memories of his dead friend and entered the prison. Only to find his body slumped forward dead, and unresponsive.

He had hope in his heart that when Subaru was unresponsive, he thought Felix with the sacrament of the immortal king would revive his friend. However, fate was cruel enough to not allow them to get another chance and make things right. Felix's powers, his amazing healing ability, and his skill to raise the dead from the grave didn't work. Instead, there was just a bright light and a dead body when the healer attempted such an act. Later Subaru was taken to Crusch's home to see if he could be somehow revived, yet who was he kidding. If Felix couldn't do anything, there was no one except maybe the witch of envy herself able to bring back Subaru.

Oh how Juluis wished, he listened to his heart. How he wished, he could go back in time and slap himself in the face and tell himself repeatedly not to make such a mistake…How he wished he could see Subaru one more time. Just long enough for him to apologize for his sins, and beg for forgiveness when he very much didn't deserve it. Even taking out all of Julius's personal needs for forgiveness. He at least wished that his final sight wouldn't be a cold, empty, prison before he went off into the afterlife. Subaru should've been old, with his loved ones surrounding his bed, and smiling saying lived a life without any regrets. Instead Juluis… took that away from him, and he would never be able to undo what he had done. Ironic really, a person who saved countless lives without even asking for so much as a thank you, got killed by the people who owed their very lives to him.

"I…truly do…lack virtue.", was all the knight could mutter to himself as he began to drown in a deep bit of self-loathing, alone in his exquisitely made bed, in his elegant room. There he sat alone, unmoving as his mind kept replaying all the times he had punished Subaru while the words from his dream 'you couldn't protect what's in front of you' kept echoing in his mind.

Juluis Juukulius would've stayed this way for hours on end if not for a sudden knock at his front door, breaking him free from the recurring nightmare that had been playing in his mind for what seemed to be an eternity. He was thankful to whoever was behind the door, quickly the greatest of knights fixed his composure and stood up straight and tall. With a mix of both fake confidence and elegance, Juluis spoke.

"Come in."

"Master Juluis, forgive me for the interruption. I hoped you had a nice night of rest." The voice behind the door spoke once again, but this time more cheerfully as the doors slowly began to open. Standing in front of the greatest of knights who were still sitting highly on his bed, was a maid with violet hair, and green eyes that shone as bright as emeralds as it reflected off the light coming from Julius's windows. She gave a slight bow to her superior before straightening back up.

"I did thank you, I hope you've been doing well so far."

"I have, me and the others are doing some morning chores at the moment but breakfast will be ready in a few. A very special guest is coming to visit us soon."

"And who might that be?"

"Lady Hoshin has returned from her travels and will be coming to the manor to come and see you very soon Julius-sama. I recommend you put on your best outfit, but knowing you master Julius I wouldn't expect less." The maid disclosed cheerfully, the smile on her face grew brighter than the sun with every word she spoke.

Juluis on the other hand had fixed feelings, his heart raced with joy at the thought of seeing his lady again. The fact that he was able to remember Subaru meant that his lady had likely remembered him as well. No wonder she came back so much earlier than he had intentionally suspected, he would be honored to once again return to her services but this time his and her memories were intact. While his heart screamed with joy, his mind was still thinking back through the months of agony he caused his friend, all because he had forgotten about him.

How dare Juluis be jumping with joy on the inside, while the last few months of his fellow knight's life were spent in never-ending agony. Even still, as his mind and heart conflicted with one another, he never did show it. He still had his smile, and with compassion in his eyes simply nodded at the maid's words.

"Thank you for informing me. Prepare for our lady's arrival at once, so will I."

"As you command Master Julius" The maid spoke politely, trying and failing to hide the happiness in her voice as she gave a small bow to her master and closed the door. Her footsteps could be heard outside the room, marching at quicken pace and then what seemed like a full-on run.

Juluis couldn't help but smile and be thankful for all the hard-working members of his staff, especially when he lost his name and was forgotten by the world. They all took great care of him and attended to his every need, treating him with respect and spoils that could only be given by a king. Truly he wasn't deserving of them, he wasn't deserving of their care and their thoughtfulness and after what he's done. He knew that was the case as now more true than ever.

His lady would be arriving soon, ignorant to the sins he's committed behind her back, and he himself didn't have the heart to tell her of his atrocities. What exactly could he say, that her knight, and the one she trusted the most tortured and killed a fellow knightfrom another camp. Ruined her image and possibly any chance at winning the royal selection. His mind and body trembled with dread at just the image of his lady showing nothing but shock being disgusted at him and due his actions. Kicking him out of her services which he so rightly deserved. He couldn't tell his lady, no matter how much he wanted to, his mouth would probably automatically stay shut if he tried to utter a single word about Subaru. Yet that didn't matter, Julius knew the truth will be revealed soon enough and him not speaking a word about it would only delay the inevitable. Just like death, the truth and the consequences of what he's done will find him. He just didn't know when, where, or how, so for now while he waited for that coming day he will continue living with the pain burning his heart.

Juluis, after three minutes of staying in his bed, slowly but surely accepting the dreaded fate he knows will come. He got up, still feeling the black bags under his eyelids and the dried-up tears that once plagued his face. Juluis was not at all ready to take on the day. He silently wished that his lady wouldn't be arriving today so he could spend his day waddling in his shame. But fate was cruel and would not allow him such a privilege.

Once Juluis got out of bed, he went back to his normal routine, he first would get up and stretch his body for a few seconds. Making sure they were not stiff, just in case anything happened and he would need to quickly get out of the way. After that, the maids would hand him one of the finest towels that money can buy. Smooth on the skin and quickly dries up all the water on a wet body, only the finest for the greatest of knights.

After that, he got into the shower tried to wash away all the dirt, the grime, and the dried up blood from his prison visit. He wanted to wash away his sins with water, almost begging for it all to be a dream or be able to change what he's done. That once he gets out of the shower, he somehow, gain the ability to reset time to prevent all this from happening just so his mind could finally be at ease and not thinking about the pain he's caused his friend. Yet with each scrub, his mind couldn't help but think back to Subaru's condition.

Juluis always had a shower before starting the day, what did Subaru have? The dark prison cell, his blood staining each corner of his body, and his own vomit and waste. Julius's eyes quivered to close, for each time they did. Juluis would be back in the prison on that fateful day, the blood still on his hands, and the tears still streaming down his face when all of them would open them and be greeted with the water from his elegant bathroom.

After the shower came the hardest part for Juluis, he walked into his dressing room to put on the standard-issue Knightley uniform. Everyday Juluis would be proud to put it on, proud to serve his country, and protect his lady as the greatest of knights in all of Luginica…but now? He was hesitant, his knightly outfit sat before him in a closet, this symbol of hope and something people look onto for protection. It felt so out of each, his hand tried to grab it but like before back in his dream. An invisible force gripped on his hand wouldn't let him go further…no. This wasn't an invisible mysterious power preventing Julius from putting on his knightly outfit.

It was guilt, the guilt of his sins prevented him from just reaching out and even lay a finger on the white pure uniform. The outfit before him meant to give people safety, that they would be protected and cared for no matter what horroers the world had the store before them. That the knights of Luginica would stand strong and protect you, no matter, race, or background. But just like the voice kept repeating over and over in Juluis's head as he kept staring at the uniform.

'You couldn't even protect what's in front of you.'

He knew it was right, and he didn't deserve to even stare at hi-...the knightly uniform for even a second longer. So reluctantly with a great weight dropping on juluis's heart, he closed his closet door and instead went with a traditional outfit. One he would only wear during his time off, of course but he still looked elegant and professional. Juluis donned a suit matching his violet hair, with a black tie firmly in the middle, and wearing some black church looking shoes. Juluis on the outside looked ready for anything, all there is to do is to wait for his lady to arrive. He silently prayed to Od luginica that it would be a long while before his lady's return. He was still not prepared to face her, even after all this time.

Fate was once again cruel to the greatest of knights, but honestly what did expect? Time has a twisted sense of humor when it comes to the greatest of knights, first make it feel an hour of isolation and thought feel like 10 seconds, make 10 minutes of replaying the death of Subaru in his mind over and over for what felt like an eternity. And now as he hoped his lady would take her sweet valuables to reach him, so he could menatally prepare, he had gotten the news of his lady's arrival from the maids in what only felt like 30 seconds though it's been three hours.

Right now the knight was staring at the entrance to his manor, he knew his lady was on the other side. Waiting for him in the damp heat, waiting for her knight to greet her, and waiting for as she calls it 'that sweet knightley act.' Taking a deep breath, calming his raging heart beat, removing the sweat that came from worry on his face. Juluis Juukulius opened the door to his manor and was greeted by the sight of his lady speaking to Mimi and the cat twins were jumping up with joy and circling around her.

The merchant queen's hair sparkled in the sunlight, her lapis eyes still kind and gentle as he last remembered this time no longer filled with confusion when he first spoke to her, but instead fondness. The beauty of his lady took his breath away but he couldn't dwell on it for long, as the loud sound of his door opening alerted her and her kind gaze went from the three cat twins before her and directly onto Julius.

The greatest of knights could've sworn that her eyes shined brighter than ever under the sun as she gazed at him. The start of a smile crept on her face, almost as the emotions she learned to conceal were leaking out. Unable to be contained as she kept on looking at her knight, without warning the head of the Hoshin company skipped over to her knight.

"Julius it's you! You're not wearing that Knightley uniform you love so much, which is a total shocker but i-it's you!"

"Yes, it is indeed me, my lady. I am glad to see you unharmed in your travels." Juluis replied back with a perfect 90-degree bow.

"Oh don't be so modest, that Knightley act of yours still hasn't changed after all his time. Still the same old finest of knights act." She giggled.

Juluis could've sworn his heart stopped at his lady's words. Still the greatest of knights? His head ached with pain, the contradiction and his sins against a fellow knight was just much for him to handle. He wanted to open his mouth and tell his lady that he was no longer fit to be called the finest of knights but instead of words of truth the next words that spout of his nothing of the sort.

"I am truly honored, my lady, but please I don't deserve such praise."

"Come on Juluis of course you do! I should be the one being honored that the greatest of knights is my knight." The merchant replied back with a wink.

Juluis meekly lets out a smile, it was forced but unnoticeable. To the lady standing in front of him, it was the same elegant smile he would give everyone and anyone.

"Well, I guess there's a lot of catching up to do. It's been… months since I've last seen you. I've forgotten all about you, I'm so sorry Juluis. I'm sorry I left you behind."

"My lady, please, it is not your fault. It was the archbishop's fault for erasing my name and his alone. There is no need to apologize, I would've done the same in your situation." The knight spoke, heartbroken at the sight of his lady, one he had never seen going a single bad day, or even dropping her poker face that was used for many negotiations. But here she was, showing nothing but sadness and guilt in her eyes, for leaving him just for a few months because she didn't remember him being her knight. He didn't deserve her worries, she shouldn't spend time on someone who had killed her reputation and forever tarnish the image of the royal knight.

"I should've believed you Juluis, but now is not the time to dwell on the past. Time is money and spending too much time on one thing could leave you bankrupt after all." The merchant bounced back, the guilt and sadness in her eyes disappeared as if it was never there and she looked as cheerful as ever.

"Ok! Let's make up for all the lost time. Today, this greedy gal will do something that's not greedy for once and treat you instead. You already got your best suit on, and your knightly duties can wait for a day right?!"

"I guess so, my lady." Juluis mekely spoke, it was not like he could walk around performing his knightly duties when he already failed, did something unknight like and tortured one of his own anyway. He might as well for the first time in his life, leave his knightly duties unattended to. It won't matter anyway since he was undeserving of the title. Just like he wasn't deserving of being treated by his lady, but why not have a little fun. It might be the last day being a free man anyway.

"All right, let's go!" Anastasia spoke cheerful and with a clap of her hand. Before Juluis could even blink, thanks to the power of three cat mercenaries who appeared next to him. He was already on the ground dragon carriage, setting out with his lady together again after months of separation.

The ride to the capital was rather short and pretty uneventful, it was quiet and pleasant besides the usual short outburst of the hot headed mercenary Mimi who was going on and on about the amazing things she's done. How fired the biggest fireball in the history of fireballs, recounting how she helped face and slayed the white whale. And so much much more that if Juluis ever decided to write it down. He could make a 1,000 page book and several more after that, most people would've gotten annoyed and tried their best and fail to shut down the feline mercenary but with his lady by this side. Smiling and nodding to every word Mimi was spouting out of her mouth, as well his own otherworldly patience, mixed with the fact Mimi talking helped him not think the ride was bearable, pleasant even.

Thinking hurts, everytime he was alone with his thoughts and gets a second of silence. He was trapped back, time and time again. Unable to move, unable to breathe, yet still able to see what he's done. So Mimi's constant talking while annoying a lot of people, Juluis thanked Od luiginica for allowing him to escape the confines of his mind every time he felt himself being dragged in.

"And that wasn't even the best part! Boss lady, you should've seen Mimi, Mimi picked up her great staff and stared at the cultist! She then-"

However before she could go on another tangent, the dragon carriage suddenly stopped and a voice on the front cut her off. Saving Juluis, her two brothers from listening to another long story, and Anastasia from breaking her neck at just how many times she smiled and nodded at every 2nd sentence Mimi would speak.

"Anastasia-sama, Julius-sama. We have arrived at your designated location."

"Thank you kindly, your tip is in the back." The merchant queen spoke with a soft smile, as she, her knight and her three mercenaries exited the cart dragon. After that the driver and his dragon quickly rode off leaving the four in front of a large building. In front of them was truly a sight to see, in front of them was a tavern, but just not any traven. For instance the building was large, very large in both size and height, looking from the ground up. The tip of the building seemed to be reaching the sky, the exterior of the tavern had a smooth caramel brown color that contrasted perfectly with the lapis blue color.

The doors were not wooden but instead made out of pure clear glass, allowing the quintet to have a small peak inside. The interior of the tavern was white and almost void like, but what filled the void was the marble flooring on the ground, the lights being produced by magical crystals on the walls, and the building being filled to the brim with people of all races talking amongst one another. Laughing,drinking, playing games, and Juluis would've sworn from the back people were throwing something.

On top of the tavern laying there for everyone to see the name RYU'S BEST STOP was written in bold.

"This place…I've never seen it before." Juluis spoke completely bewildered at the sight before him. He had traveled the capital many times, to the point where it only became second nature. He knew where each restaurant was, the fastest path to a location, and even the stores with the most quality equipment. But he never seen this place before, nor even saw construction.

"That's because it just opened yesterday, my my, look at all the customers. The owner really turned this place into something big, the height of the building ain't just for show you know. Each floor has its own section, though walking up all those stairs is going to be a huge pain." She spoke with girmance on her face, for all her praises. Walking long distances was not her strong suit, even though she was a merchant and should be an expert at that.

"Mimi wants to go inside, Mimi wants to go inside right now Boss lady! Look at all the good food, please please let's go inside right now!" The Mercenary begged as she gripped onto her staff for dear life, almost as if it was the only thing holding her back from just bum rushing inside.

"Boss we should probably go inside, Mimi's about to…" Tivey began speaking as he stared at the ticking time bomb known as his sister.

"I want to go inside too!" Hetaro exclaimed with a smile.

"All right, you all can go inside. Make sure not to cause any problem you hear?" The merchant gladly told the three twins.

The words of her boss lady were music to Mimi's ears, with a large smile she yelled out.

"MIMI AND HER BROTHERS WON'T!"

In a blink of an eye, she grabbed both Tivey, and Hetaro. Then proceeded to bum rush into the building, it was lucky that man was stumbling out and opened the clear glass door. Or else Mimi wouldn't blow right through it, just like she blew right past the man before he even realized, the only thing left of the three mercenaries' existence was a cloud of smoke.

"Jeez, those three are always on the move aren't they, Julius? They never do change... Well, we should go inside-I don't want to have to pay damages~" Anatisa spoke, what followed was the loud sigh as she began calculating just how much money she was going to have to pay back for all the potential damages Mimi and her brothers she knew they were about to cause.

"Anywhere you go, I shall follow my lady," Juluis replied back with a small bow of respect.

"Can you not act like a knight for one day? Think of it as your day off, because it is!"

"I'm sorry my lady, this is just how I act."

"Sigh, still the same old Julius. Wouldn't change it for the world." She finished with a pearly white smile, before turning to the door and began walking. She gestured with her hands for her knight to follow and in unison, they walked inside and entered Ryus.

Juluis had been in his fair share of taverns and bars, whether that be for negotiations, hunting for information, or just going out after being forced to by his co-workers. But Ryu's this was truly a cut above the rest, for one instance it was loud, while taverns are known for this. This took things to a whole another plane, the noises of different conversations playing out of one. Made it impossible to focus on a single one, let alone allow Juluis to hear his own thoughts, which was good.

"J-"

"Ju"

"JULIUS!" A voice broke through amongst the confusion of different conversation, in an instant the knight turned his head and was met by the sight of his lady. Without warning grabbing his arms and began dragging him away from the large crowd. Slowly but surely the loud noise became fainter and quieter with every step they took. After a couple of seconds, the noise of chatter in the background could barely be heard.

"Sorry for dragging you, very unladylike but the noise was killing my head. The main area isn't pretty suitable for two people trying to catch up huh?"

"Not at all my lady, i was just about to recommend we move to another area." Juluis nods in agreement.

"Well good, I didn't just grab your hand and start dragging you to nowhere. We're over to the private area."

"Private area my lady?" Juluis tilted his head in confusion.

"I rented it out a few hours in advance, it's great. One for Mimi, tivey, and Heatero but something tells me that was a waste of money."

"They're probably out causing havoc as we speak."

"Have a little faith Julius I'm sure…they're…" Suddenly before Hoshin could finish speaking a loud crash echoed throughout the entire tavern, the sound was like 100 bottles of the most expensive wine ever to grace this earth all suddenly fell down at once and shattered into tiny bits and pieces. The sound was so loud, for the second everything had gone quiet. Even the faint noise from the main area went completely silent before the chatter continued on, as if nothing happened.

Anatisna could already feel the amount of money in her bank account draining the second her mind stopped to attempt to process what she just heard. She didn't know why. She didn't know how, she had this overwhelming sense of dread that the second she went home. The first thing she would see is a bill, Juluis meanwhile couldn't help but let out a loud sigh. Something in his mind told him automatically who was responsible for the loud noise. Still he held out a bit of hope that it wasn't the three,most likely Mimi who broke something…again…for the 100th time.

"Let's just go into one of the private areas before I jinx something, let's go. We have a lot to catch on after all." Hoshin spoke the second she regained her composure.

"As you command my lady."

With that the knight and the royal candidate walked side by side alone, no sound could be heard except their footsteps on the soft carpet and occasional mumbling from Anastasia Hoshin talking about her company, reputation, and most importantly of all her money at times. Just like how it used to be before gluttony struck, just him and his lady alone. Her company and him being by her side to defend her in case anyone with evil intentions showed up was all the greatest of knights truly needed. It's been months yet it felt like years…now an eternity after a certain incident involving a falsely accused cultist.

Unknown to the merchant queen standing right next to him, to trap in her own thoughts at the moment. Her knight let's out a small smile of fondness at the fact even after months of separation his lady didn't seem to change one single bit. She was still the same person he swore his sword to, after that his smile faded as he remembered, he changed too much. To the point where he almost couldn't recognize himself in the mirror and was at first a completely different person. Nevertheless, he needed to remain the greatest of knights. For the sake of having just one good day, he needed to act like nothing happened. He…wanted to go back to the main area now…he didn't want to hear his own thoughts anymore. But he just had to endure for now.

"The game room should be a couple of steps away, just look for a light green door that looks completely out of place." The merchant queen finally spoke after a minute of silence, her eyes lit up with excitement and her steps increased just a tad bit quicker.

"The game room, my lady. I apologize but I'm not very good at the games we usually play." He's played many different types of games with his lady, most usually involving mind games. As much as he used to pride himself at being the greatest of knights, he was the worst of the worst when it came to any game he played with his lady. His win is a 1%, even Mimi had a higher chance of winning…but he was sure that was because Mimi was cute and when she wins, she does a little dance.

"Don't worry Juluis, it has all types of games. I'm sure there are some that could improve that knightly training of yours. It's always good to shake off the rust, am I right?"

"I have been training my lady. I'm fairly confident I have returned to my old self, my body is once again used to the flow of combat. I would be happy to demonstrate that to you, if you wish."

"No need, but you can never have enough practice, am I right?"

"You are indeed correct, my lady."

"GOOD!" She exclaimed with a smile and a clap.

"The game room should be just a few steps away…and there!" The knight's lady yelled out the last word of her sentence. Her hand up and one of her fingers stretching straight out and pointing toward a lime colored wooden door. Her words were right, the door looked completely out of place in the tavern. When the interior of the building was nearly completely white a lime colored door was quick to catch the eye. The merchant queen respected the owner's decision and thought of it as a nice touch…she should do that one day.

"I made sure the place to rent this place for all 5 of us…though there are only two of us. Sigh what waste of a couple of coins, I should've expected that Mimi and the other two wouldn't stay in place. Looks like being away from you has made me lose my touch." Anastasia said with small chuckle under her breath.

"From my standpoint, not at all my lady. You've always been two steps ahead in everything you've done, and a master of surprises. Before I even heard of your arrival you-"

"I was joking Julius" Anastiasia quickly cut him off, knowing all too well when Julius starts praising her. He didn't really stop until he spoke out every single word he had in his mind had been spilled onto the floor.

Being suddenly cut off by his lady, Juluis couldn't help but narrow his eyes down onto the carpet floor. Feeling a tad bit disappointed in himself and embarrassed, but the expression on his face didn't show it one bit. Besides his eyes not looking directly at his mistress he still had that same old greatest of knight's poker face on. One that even impressed his lady, who was known as the master of having the most unbreakable poker face that ever merchant aspires to have.

"Just like you said, I'm always two steps ahead. The room was only for two. Even so…it's not like they'll find out if two or three extra people, plus triplets are too busy running around to cause us any real problems. Well, what are we waiting for, let's go in."

"After you Lady Anastasia."

Getting the ok from Juluis to go in, Anatinsa placed her hand on the front door and busted it wide open. Allowing Juluis and her to see the entire interior from where they were standing, beyond the lime-colored door. The game room was surprisingly large and had plenty of space. There were objects, self-made dragon heads, paintings that were all golden, shiny, and more importantly very very expensive plastered all over the walls, or standing on top of cabinets and desks. Other than that… the room was empty, there was nothing that could be seen other than the shiny objects and beautiful paintings. It would have been completely empty, if it wasn't for a large circular table right tab in the middle of it all. The was brown, smooth and glossy from where the knight and his lady were standing.

"This… does not look much like a game room my lady." Juluis was the first one to express his true feelings as looked all around the game room. Finding himself a bit disappointed at the fact the game room was more like an empty hotel room. Even the cheapest of taverns had some type of table games, and other attractions that could quel someone's boredom for 30 minute at the least, but this especially for a clearly highly well funded tavern just filled him with disappointment.

"It's a game room all right, just not the type of game room you expect. Remember how I said it was a private room?" Anastasia spoke confidently with a smile, that somehow reassured her knight that ever

"Yes, you've mentioned how it was a private room only a few moment pior but my lady-"

"Tsk tsk tsk, I know I've been away for a long while but you can't obviously believe that me of all people would not afford only the best." The merchant queen quickly cuts her knight, as she wags her fingers playful right up close to his face. Her own face, however, showing she was a little disappointed that her knight would doubt her like this.

"My lady, what are you saying?" Juluis asked, completely bewildered as he took a step back to get away from his lady's wagging finger. As a knight, it was very unknightly to do such a thing to your lady. Stepping back could be seen as a sign of disrespect and fear, but the greatest of knights wasn't himself today…obviously. Still, he recovered quickly and step forward once again quickly, almost as if he never moved from his exact spot.

Speed for you, it could help in dire situations. Though he wasn't fast enough to help a certain person when he had a chance.

"I know you Juluis, now better than ever before. now that I got my memories back in full. The game room was not as empty as you see it now, It is a private room after all. I can do whatever I want, but I had to pay the right price of course." She spoke to her knight as she delivered a single wink at the end of her sentence.

"Wait my lady does that mean?"

"Yup, I made the room just like this. I wanted to remove everything except the table, but the tavern owner made a good point about it looking dull and lifeless and I'm pretty sure he just didn't want to do extra work."

"But my lady, why?"

"Juluis, no offense. For having "the greatest" in your title, it's kinda ironic you're not really the greatest at games. Do you know the score of how many times I've beaten you?"

"It's a shame to admit, that you have bested me nearly every time, my lady." The knight reluctantly answered, while resisting every muscle of his eyes turn to look onto the floor and not directly at his lady.

"Yea, but no worries. Today is going to be different, it's not gonna be like the games we usually play. You can put up a good fight in chess, but winning every round can get boring, and the same goes for checkers but luckily….."

Ana paused for dramatic effect as she turned away from her knight for a moment, ruffling through her silk bag. Noises of different items could be heard as she kept grabbing items, inspecting it, and putting it back inside the bag until suddenly she stopped on one thing.

With a smile on her face, she took it out and it revealed… a strange red box with what looked like different colored cards on it. There was a name on the box (readers forgive me) it had tresin bright yellow text.

"Tada, here it is. This new one-of-a-kind game that I myself ain't all that experience with yet but I know the rules." The merchant queen disclosed to her knight cheerfully, as he took his hand began dragging him to the table.

"Ou no?" the knight asked in confusion as he couldn't help but tilt his head at what his lady had in his hand at this very moment. From just a glance he could tell the box was made out of a strange material he's never seen before. It looked sturdy enough to travel around with, after all it was in his lady's bag that he knew was filled with piles and piles of random items and some of her essential needs. Even after a trip by dragon carriage, it seemed perfectly fine. There was only a dent at the side of the box but after that no visible dents.

However while it did look impressive for travel, Juluis knew without a doubt he could probably crush it with his bare hands.

"Tres. It's a new game that I invented." Anatsasha followed up after Juluis, as the two of them began sitting on either side of the small circular table. There were no chairs, so instead they sat on the floor with they're

"You invented a new game?" Juluis remarked the words his lady just said, he was shocked at first at the news his lady created a new game. He knew for sure would gain the people's attention rather quickly, before letting out a small elegant smirk. What should he have expected? It's his lady of course only she would be one of the few people caple of such things.

"As expected of you lady Anatasha, even with our time apart you're always still hard working. Creating new games even amidst your travels." Juluis praised.

"Well, I'm not being entirely honest. Soon from the Public's point of view, I would be the one who invented it, this game was invented by somebody else." She quickly corrected, as she began to shuffle the colorful deck of cards in her hand. The rhythm she made with the deck was almost hypnotizing as she cuts, stacks, shuffles and repeats the process over and over again.

"Excuse me, my lady?"

"It's exactly what I said. You know the rules of business, and history in general. Someone may come up with the idea and original creation, but if someone takes credit and actively puts it out there. The people won't care in the slightest, because it's benefiting them in some way isn't that right?" She answered, still having the same soft smile on her face as her elegant finger kept shuffling the cards.

"Yes of course my lady, but still i do believe that-"

"Don't worry Juli, i'm sure to give him part of the income. Though he won't know I stole his idea before it was to late." The merchant queen quickly reassured her knight, almost as if she read his mind knowing exactly what he was going to say and planned the perfect words to get him to calm down. She knew her knight well, he would always agree and go with her, but sometimes he would be a bit disappointed in her actions and well…she can't have that. A disappointed knight hurts just as much as a knight disappoint his lady ya know.

Juluis meanwhile let's out a small unhearable sigh of relief under his breath, happy that his lady would give the original owner part of the income from his own idea. Though assured that the person who created this game would get what he deserved, a question plagued the back of his mind. One that escape his mouth unconsciously.

"I see, but my Lady I must ask. Who created this game?"

"Well it was a while ago, but you weren't there. But it was when I and the other camps gathered around for a small meeting back in Pristella before the witch cult attacked. While you were out doing your knightly duties me and the other candidates had a small little game knight. Of course, I've beaten them a few times, and lost a few times myself when one of the knights brought this weird game to us. We at first thought it was strange, but he insisted it would be great…"

She paused once more for dramatic effect.

"And you know what, he was right. The game was fun, I was lost at first but as I began understanding the rules it became even more and more fun. Though I have to admit, things did get a little heated between all of us. Especially Felt, from the look in her eyes you thought was about to kill someone. She lost every single game." She finished with a small chuckle, finally finishing shuffling the deck for what felt like 2 straight minutes of moving the cards around. She placed the black deck down on the table. Not allowing Juluis to see the numbers at the bottom but allowing him to see the black back of the cards.

Slowly Anastasha took out four cards for the deck and took a quick look, Juluis tried to analyze the emotion his lady was feeling at the moment but he couldn't. The poker face she had on was unbreakable, she looked and hid the card she had on her hand close to her chest. Not even battening an eye brow or having her mouth twitch slightly to show whether she was happy with what she got, or ultimately disappointed. This was a skill the greatest merchant in the world had mastered.

"You might want to contain yourself, but surprisingly it wasNatsuki-san who had the idea and introduced the game. Kinda surprising, but with his history he can do some pretty smart and great things if he wanted to." Ana finished, as she grabbed four cards and handed them face down to Juluis. Not seeing what he had in her hand, and him knowing damn he couldn't see what she had in hers.

Juluis froze, at the sudden mention of the name. The feeling of guilt that he got away from, the feeling of overwhelming sorrow he thought he escaped from now came back in the form of words. The words were sharper than a knife, as the name repeatedly stabbed itself back firmly in place in the back of Juluis's mind. And as if the word Natsuki-san opened Pandora's box, all the evil Julius had committed came flooding back into his mind.

He remembered the screams, the grunts of pain, the pleading. The voice of his friend screaming at him to stop, and that he was innocent. It all replayed back for what seemed like both a quick instance and an eternity. However, something that stuck with him and didn't seem to end, was the dream he had and every single word, every single correct word that came from Subaru's broken and deformed mouth. Playing over and over once more like a record, the only difference is that it wasn't calm and monotone. This time it was screaming at the greatest of knights, as if demanding to know why he was enjoying himself when he should be PUNISHED for his crimes.

He couldn't believe it, he knew lady fate was cruel but he never knew lady fate was this cruel. Even when he had the chance to spend time with his lady and forget it all just for a little while. She would pull the rug from underneath him and remind him of his sin again and again. Like a constant loop, and a joke that only fate itself could pull and was laughing at right this moment. The only people who weren't laughing were those unaware, those who were guilty.

"N-Natsuki-san, do…you mean Subaru?" He knew it was a dumb question, yet the words still escaped his month.

"Yup, the same Natsuki-kun you beat to a bloody pulp, and the same one who saved everyone. Kinda funny how fast people change huh? I wonder where he is now, probably still falling head over heels for Emilia huh Juluis.'' There after her sentence, Ana expected a snarky reply from Juluis when it came to Subaru however…. It never came; instead she was met by the silence of her knight. And what she could only assume was complete and utter fear and regret in his eyes. She watched with worry as the hands he held his four cards in trembled, his eyes staring down directly at the table not making eye contact with her.

"Juluis?"

"..." she was met with silence once more, but this time Julius seems calmer. His hands stopped trembling, but he was still not looking at her.

"Juluis?"

"S-s" He began muttering.

"Juluis are you ok?" She spoke aloud this time, very worried for her knight. She was prepared to get up when

"Subaru…that idiot!" Julius finally spoke through gritted teeth, he recovered in what seemed like an instant and stared directly into the eyes of his lady. Acting as if everything was normal, and what he did was to be expected.

"I apologize for the way I acted lately, how very unknightly of me. But alot happened while you were gone."

"And I'm guessing it pertains to Subaru?" She raised an eyebrow, suspicious of her knight's sudden change from seconds before.

"Yes, is injured himself and is currently. In a coma." A permanent coma caused me'" He thought the last part to himself, as he gave a fake sigh of disappointment. The exhaustion in his voice was clear for her to hear, but his tone, the way he talked all sounded normal for the merchant queen. However…something was off about her knight, he looked normal, acted normal but just a few seconds ago he was not being himself at all. Did something big happen? Even if Subaru was highly injured he wouldn't have seemed so guilt ridden.

For now, she would believe what her knight was saying. Today was the first day of their reunion. She couldn't ruin it by investigating on the matter, not right now at least.

"I see…so did Natsuki-kun fight you but you went further than last time at the capital?" She said with a small laugh, while she handed Juluis the down empty red box and turned his attention to the back. There was hand written instruction on how to play.

If it wasn't for the box he held up close to his face covering his eyes, his lady would've seen the regret and guilt that laid beyond.

"An accurate description, he wanted a small dual…wanting to avenge the dishonor he showed at the capital. He said he had new "tricks", he wanted to show me and in his own words 'he knows would surely kick my knightley ass.'" He let out a force but convincing chuckle under his breath.

Lying, right in front of his lady's face. Pretending everything is alright, and making up fake stories along the way? Oh how far the greatest of knights had fallen, if killing an ally and friend was already an unforgivable sin that would warrant nearly no form of redemption was bad enough. Lying to the person he swore to be a good knight for, lying directly to the face of someone who took care of him when he was at his lowest. Lying to one of the people that made his life truly bright in this dark world. Most importantly, lying to his directly in the face of his lady. He not only sent himself down the path to damnation in this life, but might as well put a stamp on it and personally send it to whatever god was watching over him with great shame. He… no longer even deserve to be called a knight after what he just did. He deserve no title, just.. One failure and murder. Those were the true one he thought in his mind he truly deserved.

He couldn't look his lady in the eye anymore without feeling some type of shame, the feeling of pride he had when he stared at his lady's beautiful face and reminding himself. 'Yes this is the woman I serve and I am honored to be by her side.' Just faded into dust, being stomped under his own feet as he knew this was his own actions, the words his brain processed and his mouth formed the words, and his vocal cords made them audioal. His mind began festering with the regret of his own actions, he just wished he could go back in time to prevent all this. Yet what done is done, while guilt ate him on the inside. He still remained the same cool and rational 'greatest of knight's on the outside'.

Ana stared at her knight for a moment, she did not let her suspetition show but it was there right in the depths of her mind. But she was quick to suppress it, this was Juluis she was talking about. The greatest of knights for crying out loud, he wouldn't lie to her. He was most likely just feeling a bit of regret for having to badly beaten the boy again. He saw the same guilt ridden face the first time he did it, blaming himself that he should've held back more.

This could be the same case, but as she kept on looking, and kept on attempting to suppress that thought. The notable detail that Juluis's eyes were hidden and the only thing she could see was the four black cards she had given him. She watched as skin muscles on his faced moved his mouth and caused him to bit his lips hard, but no blood came down. Maybe it did happen and it was because of the yellow light from the light crystals blinding her for a moment. Maybe she was just imagining things, doesn't matter.

What kind of lady would be suspicious of her knight, one who has done so much for her. She just needed to trust him, investigating his strange behavior can wait for now. Maybe tomorrow would be a good time, she could start picking at his brain.

"Oh, that does sound like Natsuki-san huh? Always the type to get into trouble, whether intentionally or unintentionally."

"You couldn't be more correct my lady, his foolishness and being rash will someday get him killed." it took Julius every he had to act normally as the word kill left his throat, flashes of the dead body on the bloody prison floor and the wooden sword he used to do the deed.

"You have to admit, that rash personality of his has been the reason a lot of us are alive. Heard he jumped off the horn of the white whale just to bring it down, so the others have a chance to knock it down." She chuckled under her breath, remembering the exact words Mimi spoke to her the second she got home after the white whale hunt. She went on and on about how big boss bro was so cool, running the white whale around in circles and bring it down. Even Ana questioned if this was the same Subaru who completely embarrassed himself at the capital.

"The Emilia camp even said that he was the one who ran head first into the battle with the great rabbit"

"Suicidal, sometimes I want to know if he has a habit of nearly killing himself." He sighed once more, this time adding a small eye roll really trying to sell the idea to his lady that he was tired of Subaru's antics. When in reality, his chest was burning in pain. Knowing that he will never be able to witness them again, there's a saying 'you truly don't know what you miss until it's gone' And now…hearing Subaru's snarky and annoyed response to every little thing Juluis did was something he truly would miss.

"He might. But you have to admit it does produce results. He went from proclaiming he's a knight to actually becoming one in just a few weeks. I wonder if he did it just to spite you." She chuckled softly, while she moved her hand towards the now face down the deck at the side of the table. She took out one card that was blue and had a number 2 directly in its center. She looked at it for a moment, processing her next move before placing it directly in the middle of the table.

"Yes, it's not out of the realm of possibilities for him to become a knight just to prove me wrong. Well, shall we begin the game lady Anatsasha?"

"Yea, you've been reading the box so i'm guessing you know how to play. Don't go easy on me now, I have experience. Experience goes a long way even when you don't have that much, isn't that right Juluis."

"Very much so my lady, and of course I would never dishonor you by going easy. Also, it's not even in my nature. Just like you my lady, I don't really like losing."

"Mmmm, that I know."

With a confident smirk from Anastasia and a piercing glare of focus from the greatest of knights. They stare each other down for a moment, looking in each other's eyes for any kind of hint on their current state of mind. Just one hint on how the other was feeling about their current hand could allow the other to gain the upper hand and take complete victory. No matter what it was important for the two of them to maintain their poker face, unless they wanted to forfeit victory right now. They held their cards close to their chest, while also trying to look at the other's. Like any battle in a war, information was king. Silence filled the room for two seconds, time slowed, the air stopped,...after a single milli second that battle began.

Anatsaha was the one to make the first move, she quickly placed down a blue 4. She remained Neutral in her expression as she handed it off to Juluis. Without a single doubt of hesitation coming from the greatest of knights, he followed up and placed a blue reverse card.

Shocking the merchant queen as she knew exactly what this means, a blue reverse card does that it says. It reverses the order of the game, in a group the reverse card serves as a way to reverse the order of everyone. The first is last, and the last person is first, however when it comes to a one on one battle. A reverse card was basically a skip card, allowing Juluis to take another turn. Just a second after placing down his reverse card, Juluis placed something else down. Something that Ana didn't expect, Juluis placed down a colorless plus four card.

A sly smirk could be seen for a second on the greatest of knight's face before it disappeared into thin air.

"Clever Julius, getting lucky with a draw four card and expertly done with the reverse."

"Thank-"

"Clever but not clever enough. A merchant needs a bit of luck to survive in this world, and I got plenty to spare." With a smug grin, she took out one card, it was yellow this time but without even asking Juluis for what color he would change the plus four into. She placed down the card, normally doing so would warrant a penalty and force her to draw two cards but there was something special about the card she placed down.

It was a yellow draw 2, and due to the rules ( the rules imposed by Subaru) placing down a draw card no matter the color on the floor on top of another draw card. It would add to it, and the other person must pick it up. Now because of his rash decision Julius must now pick up six cards.

"Well played my lady." He praised calmly, not showing disappointment on the fact that his plan had failed. His right hand slowly went towards the deck, he grabbed the tip of the first card on top and prayed to Od for a draw card to reverse this entire thing. If he just picked up one draw card from the top of the deck, his lady will have to pick up 8, maybe 10 if he was lucky.

But no, he was met with disappointment as he got a red nine card, in a sigh of defeat he picked up six remaining cards and it was now his turn. While he didnt get any draw cards on the first card before him, it was ironic he got another draw four on his second card. He looked at his lady for a second, who was just brimming with confidence at the fact she now only had four cards left. But oh that was about to change in just a second, with the wind seemingly coming out from his hands as he picked up a card from the middle of his hand.

"Don't think you've won, just let my lady, you of all people should know never celebrate victory until the enemy has been truly defeated." The knight spoke proudly, as he was quick to plus drown another draw of 4 card on the table.

Anastasha thought she didn't show it, was shocked at the sudden move. She looked at the two cards in her hand, hoping with baited breath that somehow one of them would turn to another draw card but she was wrong. She had no cards in her hand and with a sigh of defeat she went over to the deck and picked up four cards. She was a little mad, that the first card she picked yup wasn't a draw one but what could she do about it really? She just needed to take the hit and move on, just like when someone counter offers a better deal than you at the negotiation table.

Just plan around it, and do whatever it takes.

"Color…red." Juluis said slowly, his emotion didn't change.

"For the record I wasn't celebrating Julius." She gave a cute pout, as she placed a normal red card on the table.

"But, I'll surely win."

"You may try my lady." Her knight followed up and gave a genuine smile.

And there the game continued for hours on end, the (former) greatest of knights and the merchant candidate for the throne of the dragon kingdom of luginica kept their battle on going. Each game was more close than the last, sometimes Juluis would get the upper hand only for it to be swiped right underneath him by his lady's expert strategy and luck. Sometimes he would be the one who would be near the jaws of defeat, he always seemed to have another plus card on hand. Or some kind of trick to even up the score, making for a tense final death match against his lady.

For hours the knight and his lady, had nothing but pure smiles of joy on their faces. As the sands of the hour glass kept on dropping, and the magical clock on top of the wall kept on ticking. They enjoyed nothing but each other's company, for months they've been apart but it didn't seem to be that way. It was as if they were never even separated, they were talking to one another as if they were school friends who haven't seen each other for only a single day.

By the time they even knew it, their time in the private room was up and the tavern was about to close it's doors for the knight. Through its been hours, it only felt like a few seconds. Oh how fast time flies when you're having fun and oh how fast time slows when the guilt of what you've done keeps weighing on your mind. For the first time in a while, Juluis didn't have the guilt on his mind at the moment. He had completely forgotten it as he stood side by side with his lady. He did remember however, what it was like to be in the presence of someone he swore with every fiber of his body to protect and make sure their dream came true. For a knight, this was the greatest honor he could ever have.

The final score of the game of tres was 61 to Anastasha and 59 to Juluis. Ana being the winner but the true winner of this experience was both of them. Months of separation had all been drowned out by the few hours they spent together, the long gap and huge gap caused by time and gluttony was officially closed and sealed for good. To Juluis this was…complete bliss, without another word to each other and happy smiles the two and the three troublemaker mercenaries got in their dragon carriage and headed towards the Juukuluis manor.

"Did you all have fun?" Anastasha asked the entire carriage, however her question was more pointed at Julius. But one of the mercenaries didnt get the hint, even though her lady was staring not

"Mimi had so much fun! She first had a sandwich, then beat the big strong guy in an arm wrestling contest, and there was this mask magic guy right! He was all like, i'll better at magic than you' and i went like no way, no one can beat Mimi and we had a contest with B-"

Before the cat mercenary could say another word, one of her brothers wearing a monocle was quick to cover his sister's mouth with his hand. Clearly there was sweat dripping all over his face, as he stared frantically at his lady. He let out a forced trembling smile as he put pressure on his sister's mouth. As he could feel her hot ass breath, slipping through the cracks of his fingers

"W-we had a great time my lady, the-the-the, w-izard guy meanwhile. Mimi really showed him- wha- what's for and he went home in defeat! Nothing happened, nuh-huh, nothing bad happened at all."

When tivey was finished, he could do nothing but bread heavily through his teeth. His sweat production doubled as his lady stared at him suspiciously..

"So..you guys didn't break anything right? I ain't going to find a long list of bills to pay the next morning?" Anatsasha asked with a smile, and her head slightly tilted in thought. This little gesture completely scared the pants out of the ⅔ mercenaries.

"O-of course not. We were good very good, right Hetero!?" Tivey with a sweat filled smile, turned towards his other brother. Who nearly died of a heart attack, at the way his brother just suddenly tasked him with a life or death situation.

Hetero could already feel the harsh judgemental eye of his lady, staring down at him. The force of the glare being so strong, he didn't have the strength to even look up. No ,matter how much he tried, the weight was just too much.

"Yes we were the best! We cause no one any trouble." Was all that he could say, as he kept on staring at the carriage floor.

If Anastasha had the divine projection of wind right at the moment, she knew with 100% certainty that the weight of untruth wouldn't be blowing. It would be causing a whole tornado at the moment. She could do nothing but sigh in the depths of her mind, as she began calculating just how much money she would need to pay for all the potential damages they had cost. She felt her holy coin collection got a little bit smaller, god damn they were cute or else she would've kicked them all out right now.

She paused for a moment and turned towards her knight for his thoughts, who just gave a small shrug and looked outside the windows. A few awkward carriage rides later, featuring a Mimi who was struggling to breathe because of her brother. The mercenaries, the knight, and the princess finally arrived at the juukuluis manor.

"I had a great time, my lady." Juluis spoke with a smile, as he exited the carriage. Anatsasha was the next to follow, and then it was the three mercenaries. Who (with a very reluctant Mimi) Bum rushed their way towards the mansion as fast as they could. To avoid the potential wrath of their lady.

"Me to, I had a blast. We should play this Tres game alot more. We can even invite Ricardo in on the fun." The merchant queen agreed, meeting Julius with a bright smile that even seemed to glimmer in the moon night.

"Usually, his rowdiness would be something I would strive to avoid, but I don't see why not he can't come.'

"Oh~, so you have a soft spot for Ricardo as well. I thought you found him almost as annoying as a certain knight."

Juluis chuckled at this response, though his words were caught in his throat as he began to speak once more.

"No one can be as annoying as him, well my lady…it's getting late. The moon has officially reach its highest point in the night sky. Shall we get some rest? You will need plenty on your journey back home."

To that Anastasha responded with a small yawn.

"Yes, every gal needs her beauty sleep. Let's go, you need plenty of rest as well. Your knightly duties await next morning!"

"Yes…it does." Juluis muttered somberly to himself as he and his lady walked back inside the mansion, prepared to rest after a long day of fun…for Juluis knew while he enjoyed today. Tomorrow could be alot worse…..

….

….

As Everyone was preparing to go to sleep, the twins took turns reading each other a bedtime story, the merchant queen fixing her hair and getting to her dress. And lastly, Juluis who was just about to remove his uniform. A loud banging from the main entrance of the Juukulius manor echoed throughout the entire manor, waking up anyone already sleeping and certainly shaking off sleep deprivation from those who just came inside.

For a few seconds, no one moved. This could be a fluke. It was the middle of the night for dragon sakes, who would be knocking at this time of hour. However, it was not a fluke, as the loud banging from the entrance echoed through the manor even louder than ever before. If anyone was somehow still asleep even after that, they were certainly awake now. As the force of the soundwaves coming through the door shook everyone nearly off their feet, knocking everyone laying down, out of bed.

"This is the royal knights. We have urgent business with….. a resident of this manor. We demand this door to be open right this second. If we do not get a response, the next knock will feature this door being blown OPEN!"

A commanding voice screamed out from behind the door, though the words were spoken with almost no hesitation. The source behind it, almost sounded…. Reluctant. Almost as if he didn't want to be here, but was forced to as if it was his duty.

Juluis felt his heart sink once again, this time to the bottom of this planet's core. With a loud sigh, he walked outside his room and began walking towards the door. On his way, he was met with lady Anastasha already walking out of her room. Her hair is a mess, and black bags are under her eyes. She was well beyond piss if there was one thing to never mess with. Is a girl when she is prepared to sleep.

"Od sakes, who in their right mind could be there at this time. Couldn't they just come to investigate tomorrow!? For the love of the dragon they are acting like there's a murderer in our home!" She basically yelled out, as she marched towards the door. She couldn't wait to give this guy a piece of her mind. "Julius! Get your sword. I've decided that legal fees and lawyers are an acceptable expense to make sure these loud punks don't ruin my beauty sleep ever again!"

Juluis meanwhile could say nothing….it was almost comedic how spot-on his lady's instincts can be. Even when she was being sarcastic she somehow manages to get everything correct, there was a murderer in her own house. She spent time with this murderer, she laughed with this murderer, she smiled at this murderer, and most importantly she played card games with this murderer. Reluctantly, with his feet dragging across the floor. Almost trying to get himt os top moving, Juluis continued forward after his lady.

Anastasha was the first one to reach the door of course, as she was too fast and too furious to allow anyone to stop her. Not even the maids were only a few steps from the door could beat her to it. Before anyone could even blink, she flung the door open and opened her mouth to speak.

"Listen! Wh-...do..you think…" Anastasha was about to go on an entire rant, when she stopped herself from saying anything. Her mouth gaped open in shock as her eyes began shifting at the sight before her. At the moment, she expected two knights, one very annoying commander and one lacky who reluctantly was sent but no… she was wrong.

There were twenty royal knights, all armed. She only needed to take a look at the hilt of their weapons to know these were finely made. Probably made of the strongest metal the kingdom possibly had to offer…

"Lady Anastasha, is Juluis Juukuluis with you?" the source of the voice, a tall green haired commander spoke softly at the lady before him. Even giving a small bow of respect before standing up right.

"H-"

However before the merchant queen could say anything, her knight was already by her side in what seemed to be a blink of an eye. Doing something she had never expected him to do, but pushing her gently to the back of him and stared with…not fear… not worry but acceptance at the person before him.

At the sight of the greatest of knights, most of the 20 royal knights couldn't help but look away. Biting their lips in anger, and sadness anyone could tell that no one amongst the group outside the door, even the commander himself who was looking down at Juluis like a mother would give a child she was truly disappointed in, really wanted to be here. Or…do what they came her to do.

"Right….I'm guessing you already know." The commander spoke with a sigh, as he took out two heavy-duty lock cuffs from one of his subordinates behind him, who quickly made his way to the very back of the crowd. Hiding his face from the greatest of knights, Juluis could've sworn he saw tears fall to the ground.

"Yes." Julius replied with no hesitation.

"A shame really, out of everyone. I thought you would be the last person to do such a thing."

"I thought…the same thing myself." Juluis bowed his head in shame as he stretched out his arms.

Without another word the commander placed the heavy-duty locks on Julius's hands and made sure they were tight. He snapped it shut, and locked it up with a golden at the very top, before slowly placing it back in his back pocket.

"All right men, let's move out. We have what we came for, lets get out of here…it's already been a long night. I don't want to be here any longer." the commander said with exhaustion clear in his tone, the other royal knights simply nodded and began to turn around and walk the way they came from.

"Wait! What do you think you're doing Arresting Juluis like that he did nothing wrong!" Anastasha quickly shouted out in horror, as she ran towards the group of knights trying to dare take her knight from her. Her screams for them to stop shook the stillness silence of the night. reluctantly the commander sighed and turned around. He didn't want to do this, he had hoped his lady would stay out of this and let them do their jobs…however what did he expect? This was a candidate who cared greatly for their knight, someone who sees him beyond a shield and a tool. Ironic for a merchant.

"Lady Anastasha, Juluis Juukulius has been placed under arrest for the murder of Natsuki Subaru." The commander spoke clearly, not sugar coating anything in his sentence.

Anastasia blinked, her mind for the first time in ages not processing the words that came out of the man's mouth. It was like he was speaking a whole nother language, none of it made sense to her. Subaru being killed by Juluis? What kind of joke was that, it wasn't funny. It wasn't fucking funny to her. If this was one sick joke by the knights and the world it needed to fucking stop now. There was no way in her mind that Julius would even think about killing Subaru, let alone go through with it.

"What…no that can't be true Juluis would never do such a thing."

"My lady." Juluis turned to her, his hand suffered in the front and there was a sight she saw for the first time…. Juluis had tears streaming down his face as it reflected off the moon light. His violet hair blew in the night's freeze, as a somber melody could be heard faintly from the village in the background.

"It's true…I am not a knight. I am a murderer, I am a key player in the killing of Subaru. I admit to these crimes, my guilt is clear for the world to see. I would like for you to know that every day I've spent with you has been a true honor."

Anastasia could say nothing…her eyes widened wider and wider with fear and shock as she heard every word that came out of Julius's mouth. She was so shocked, she didn't notice herself drop down onto the floor. Almost as if the words carried real weight that she couldn't get off no matter how hard she tried. The maids around her tried their best to talk to her and get her to stand once against but no words reached her mind. As she began falling into the darkest corner of her mind, hoping that next time she resurfaced it would all just be one sick joke. The next time she finds herself back in the manor, Juluis would be by her side smiling.

I'm sorry my lady…. Let's go. I do not wish to trouble her kind heart any longer." Juluis once again turned away from his lady, for what he knew would be the final time. With his head slumped down, he matched in unison with the knights as she carried him off. The tears on his face never stopped flowing, as images of all the times he spent with Subaru, his Lady, and the mercenaries all went by in a flash. How…short life was…and how much you learn how much you have until you are one step away from losing it all.

Juluis Juukuluis was not the greatest of knights, he was the greatest of failures. That was something he knew deep inside of his core….and that was a truth he tried running from. Well it caught up now.

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the greatest of knights huh? if he's the golden example for all the knights of luginica i wonder... how the other knights are like. I wonder did y'all actually expect me, to end the chapter without suffering? Juluis just being oh so sad he killed Subaru NO. We don't do that here.

This is part 1 to something greater, the trial..., next chapter may or may not focus on a certain cat. Who is also getting put in prison? let's just say, I gave Juluis his own chapter for a reason, and Ana oh Ana, I hope she has money for an amazing lawyer. Phoenix wright level shit, I promise its going to get worst from here and I always deliver on my promises.

Once again thanks for reading, tell me what I'm doing right, what I'm doing right. Your ideas and I will see you on

Chapter 5.