Chapter 4: The Warlock's Punishment
"The Witch of Frost and the Warlock of Shadows…" Emilia said her and Subaru's titles from that world. She could already sense the "oohs" and "ahhs" from everyone else.
"Tha's so fuckin' cool…" Garfiel was amazed his Cap'n and the princess got such cool titles.
With the episode having concluded, everyone within the Cast agreed: It was something.
"Still… I can't believe Puck would threaten to destroy that town," Emilia commented on her adoptive father, not wanting to believe he could be that… cold.
Oh, you better believe it, Emilia-tan, Subaru thought to himself.
Everyone had enjoyed that episode, when…
"Oh, hey! We got new options!" Ricardo pointed out.
Everyone snapped back to attention, as they read the two new options:
What if the Witch of Envy never existed?
OR
What if Subaru Natsuki was born the opposite gender?
It was at that moment, Garfiel bursted into laughter.
"BAHAHA! CAP'N COULDA HAD BOOBS?! HAHAHA!" Garfiel soon got the laughs out of his system. However, the blond demi-human noticed that everyone had gone silent and hadn't said a word. His sister didn't even slap him for his crude language.
It was then that Garfiel re-read the options, and realized what had caused the Cast to be sent into silence. "Oh."
Yes, indeed. Oh.
So far, the stories the Cast had seen were mostly self-contained stories. One of them showed them an insider look at Subaru's original world, while the other one showed Emilia's experience growing up in Elior Forest, even if that version was younger and with another Subaru.
Here, however, one of the stories they had the choice to watch could show them the actual consequences, or lack thereof, of such an impactful character upon their world and throughout history.
The Witch of Envy.
The monster that destroyed half their world.
And for one person… the girl he vowed to save.
Satella.
Naoko and Kenichi, like usual, did not know much about the world their son was currently residing in, and were very confused.
Looking at the two Japanese elders, Crusch immediately understood, and quickly explained. "Oh, uh, in our world, the Witch of Envy is a monster beyond human comprehension, who destroyed half our world. It was only through the efforts of the Divine Dragon, the Great Sage, and the Sword Saint, that she was sealed away. She was said to be a silver-haired half-elf with purple eyes. Her name is… Satella."
The locals all shivered at the name, with a few exceptions.
The most notable ones being a helmeted knight, and a black-haired teenager.
"Sounds like a happy camper," Kenichi joked sarcastically.
"Kenichi!" Naoko whispered in anger, elbowing her husband.
"All right, we're getting off-topic," Felt said, before looking at everyone's favorite one-armed knight. "Yo, Al. What are the conditions this time around?"
"Right, pulling them up," he said, grabbing the remote.
Conditions: References "the Original".
Conditions: Subaru arrives earlier.
Everyone was confused at what they read. While they understood that some realities only had the main change as their only defining feature, such as in the case with Emilia going to Japan, some of the other conditions they read were more… vague.
The "loops" were one of them.
"Th' fuck iz th' 'Original'?" Garfiel asked in confusion.
"Garf!"
"Oh, so th' boob joke gets a pass, but ma question doesn't? Tha's sexist!"
Frederica merely ignored him while Ram punched him.
Out of all the people in the theater, Subaru was the most anxious to see this timeline. While he was worried that no Satella meant no coming to Lugnica aka everyone dies, he had a feeling that wasn't what they were going to see.
At least he knew what everyone was going to watch this time, unless they were all super horny, for some reason.
Maybe, just maybe, would I finally have some answers about her. Why is she so obsessed with me? How does she know me if I've never met her? Hopefully I can find out, Subaru thought to himself.
"All right, I'm sure everyone knows what we're gonna watch?" Anastasia said.
The majority of the Cast solemnly nodded, with a few exceptions.
"But… boobs!" the Shield of the Sanctuary protested.
"Al, just press the damn button." Subaru didn't want to hear any more about him having tits.
"Roger, roger," Al said, despite the fact he really wanted to see his Bro as his Sis.
And so, the lights dimmed for a third time, and everyone watched with bated breaths.
What if the Witch of Envy never existed?
Conditions: References "the Original".
The scene opens in a vast desert, with no sign of life for miles and miles.
Suddenly, the camera begins to move forward, as a tall, white structure in the middle of the desert comes into view. Suddenly, the camera cuts to black.
The majority of the Cast was quiet for the opening, when there was nothing but sand, but as soon as the white structure appeared, Reinhard let out a pained gasp.
"Rein, what is it?" Felt asked.
"The Pleiades Watchtower…"
"Uh, could you tell us what that is?" Naoko asked. "'Cause, y'know, foreigners."
"That is the Pleiades Watchtower. It was constructed by the Great Sage many centuries ago and serves as a place of operations for the Great Sage," Reinhard explained. "It is also said to be where the Witch of Envy is sealed to this day."
"Pleiades, huh…?" Kenichi thought aloud, looking to his son and noting the coincidence.
Why do I have a feeling that I'm gonna have to go there one day? Subaru wondered in confusion and concern.
"On that day…"
The Cast were surprised to hear a voice come out of nowhere. It sounded an awful lot like Emilia's voice, but something was off about it. Like… there was a lack of life in it.
Subaru, on the other hand, had a pretty good idea on who that voice belonged to.
The scene changes to a balcony on the Pleiades Watchtower, looking over the sea of sand. Noises could be heard, like grunting and yelling, along with sounds of some kind of struggle.
"If our positions were switched…"
The scene changes to a large white, cubed-shaped room. The room was littered with blood, purple crystals, and remains of Mabeasts. The noises could be heard louder as well. Suddenly, a flash of purple and a violet wave swept across the room.
"Would our fates be different as well?"
The scene showed Subaru standing in the middle of the white room, surrounded by dozens of Minya crystals floating, ready to be fired at a moment's notice. Mabeasts of many differing species laid dead or dying on the floor, half of them crystallized by what looked to be Minya crystals.
Everyone was shocked to see that Subaru was inside the Pleiades Watchtower, and wondered why he was there. Others noticed that Subaru wasn't wearing his signature track suit, but instead was wearing darker clothes that seemed to fit him quite well.
The knights and other fighters couldn't help but be shocked and impressed by this Subaru's combat abilities, if all the Mabeasts they were seeing were slain by him alone.
Subaru also couldn't help but feel slightly jealous that his counterpart is actually good with magic.
"Would I have your life, and you mine?"
"What does that mean?" Reinhard wondered what the words meant.
No one in the Cast had an answer to give.
Subaru gasped for air as he looked over the dead and crystallized Mabeasts he had slain, dematerializing the crystals surrounding him. Although he had achieved victory, it certainly didn't feel like one.
"DAMMIT!" Subaru yelled in frustration as he punched the floor hard enough to create a crack the size of his hand. His hand was mostly uninjured, besides a small bruise at the impact point.
Everyone was surprised to see Subaru in such deep frustration, despite his victory.
"Why is he angry? He won!" Petra didn't understand why her hero was acting like that.
Subaru had a suspicion on why, but he wasn't sure.
Reinhard, on the other hand, had his eye caught by something else. It was almost unnoticeable, but thanks to his Divine Protection of Detail Analysis, he was able to make out a small, silver ring on Subaru's right hand.
Could that be… a wedding ring? Reinhard didn't have enough information to go on, so he decided to think on it later.
"I'm still… not getting anywhere," Subaru seethed in frustration, completely ignoring whatever pain he was feeling. Subaru then sat down to recover what stamina he could.
"No matter what I do, I don't feel like I'm getting any stronger." Subaru had felt he hadn't been gaining any progress to increase his magical capabilities, even if it meant mastering his Yin Magic, he didn't feel any stronger than… that day.
He could still see her image, as if the Witch was standing right in front of him, mocking him for his weakness.
"I swear, I will find a way to end you. No matter what, you wretch…" Subaru still hadn't let go of the grudge he developed for the Witch that ruined his life. He doubted he ever will.
Never in all their lives had the Cast heard Subaru speak so hatefully about someone, and it shocked them quite a bit.
Subaru, on the other hand, was reminded of the time he was determined to end Petelguese, and like that time, this grudge felt personal.
Everyone couldn't help but wonder who Subaru hated so much in this timeline.
What he needs is a game-changer. Something to even the odds. But what and how is the question…
Subaru gasped as an idea made its way into his head, as he was debating as to whether or not he should go through with it.
"Could that even work?" Subaru wondered aloud, as he was thinking about what potential consequences would come from such a decision, he came to a conclusion.
"Well, if anything, I guess the only thing I would be losing is being Master's successor to his position as Sage."
And that sentence, everyone lost their shit.
"WHAT?!"
"He knows Shaula?!"
"This Subaru is the Sage's successor?!"
"FWEEET!" came the sound of Subaru whistling, getting everyone's attention. "Listen up! I know you all have questions, I do, too. But we're not gonna get them answered if you guys keep screaming your heads off! So pipe down, and focus on the screen!"
Sure enough, everyone grumbled in submission, as they turned back.
Coming to his decision, Subaru stood up, and walked out of the training room.
"That sounds acceptable to me."
Everyone, minus Naoko and Kenichi, was shocked beyond belief that Subaru would be willing to give up such an important position. To be the Great Sage was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, for Subaru to give it up for something else…
Sunaru, however, knew the look on his counterpart's face. It was the look of a Subaru who had nothing to lose anymore. "Oh, no," he quietly whispered to himself. "This is gonna be bad…"
Unfortunately, he didn't take into account Beatrice overhearing him.
The scene changes to Subaru making his way through the halls of the Watchtower, or more specifically, the floor below the Watchtower. Subaru had stopped by the Green Room to heal his injuries and recover his mana and stamina.
Soon, Subaru stops at a certain door at the end of the hallway. He hesitated for a bit, but Subaru entered the room, which turns out to be a laboratory.
The was full of strange devices and artifacts from all over the world, and even some attempted recreations from Subaru's original world, Earth.
"Oh, hey Big Bro!" A chipper, female voice startled Subaru a bit, he turned to see none other than Shaula in her usual attire, cleaning what looked to be a map of the planet they were currently on, Lugnica.
"Oh, hey, Shaula. What are you doing here?" Subaru asked his sister figure, who jumped down and tackled Subaru into a tight hug.
"THAT'S SHAULA?!"
"This can't be right!"
"But Shaula's a man!"
"She's… she's…"
"SHE'S HOT!"
Seeing said "hot woman" hugging Subaru tightly made Emilia and Rem quite jealous, with the latter feeling more of it. Crusch also felt mildly uncomfortable at the sight.
"Oh-ho!" Ricardo smirked. "How does Bro always get into such enviable situations?!"
"Hey, wait!" Otto called out. "She called him "Big Bro"! I'm sure nothing shady is going on here!"
"Wait a fuckin' minute…" Felt processed what Shaula said. "Calling Subaru "Big Bro" is my thing!"
Meanwhile, Al did everything in his power not to make an Alabama joke.
"If you're about to say anything stupid," Prisiclla warned. "You're going to be tasting mine shoe."
Al tried even harder after that.
"Master told me to clean his stuff while Master was on his trip to the kingdom. Yep!" Shaula explained before letting Subaru go, "What about you Big Bro? Why are you here?"
"Wait a minute, "Master"?" Julius did a double take. "Is Shaula not the Great Sage yet?
"Perhaps she never was the Great Sage to begin with…" Wilhelm mused.
"Then who was…?" Reinhard couldn't help but wonder the question on everyone's minds.
Subaru gave a sigh. He wondered if his Master predicted his decision and put Shaula here in an attempt to stop him. "I needed a break from training and decided to… see what else I can do to increase my capabilities."
Hearing this made Shaula frown. Subaru didn't like lying to his adopted sister, but couldn't tell her the true reason why he was here.
"Big Bro, you've been training non-stop for nearly… uuuuhhhh…" Shaula had to look at her hands and count with her fingers to try and remember how long it's been.
"She ain't very bright, apparently." Al commented on the fact that Shaula, the supposed Great Sage, had to count on her fingers.
"Two months."
"Two months! Why do you keep doing this to yourself? Me and Master are really worried about you." Despite asking this, Shaula already knew why Subaru was pushing himself too much.
"Jesus! Two months?!" Subaru said, surprised.
"Yes, that's two months more than you've ever trained, Barusu." Hearing this, Barusu couldn't help but feel like he got stabbed in the heart, and pretends to go limp.
"Sister! Why?!" Rem called out her twin.
Subaru himself stayed silent, allowing Shaula to continue. "Is it… because of what happened to Big Sis…?"
Now, everyone was wondering who "Big Sis" was.
Shaula noticed Subaru's clenched fists at the mention of their loss. "I'm sorry, Big Bro. Master told Shaula not to bring it up, but –!" Shaula was cut off from a surprise hug from Subaru. Shaula was a bit surprised and returned the embrace.
"Aww…" Many members of the Cast thought the moment was sweet.
Emilia and Rem on the other hand? Yeah, they were still jealous.
"I swear Shaula, I will find a way to end that wretch. One way or another," Subaru swore as he continued to hold his adopted sister.
"That's fucking ominous." Al commented.
"Which is why I can't have you here for what comes next." Shaula was confused by what Subaru was talking about, but before she could say anything, "Al Shamak."
A portal opened up beneath Shaula, and she ended up falling through with Subaru letting go of her. Once Shaula went though, the portal closed up, and Subaru continued to search for what he needed to gain his revenge.
Beatrice and Roswaal were shocked that Subaru was capable of using a spell that not even Roswaal was capable of casting. What kind of training did he do, I suppose?
"Isn't tha' wha' th' midget used ta get rid o' th' Great Rabbit?" Garfiel asked.
"I'm sorry… THE WHAT?" Crusch asked, not trusting her ears.
"Garf… that was supooooosed to be a seeeeecret…" Roswaal grit through his teeth.
"Oh… well fuck."
"AND I'M NOT A MIDGET, IN FACT!"
At the entrance of the Watchtower, the portal Subaru opened appeared and Shaula fell out, landing on her hindquarters.
"Ow! My butt!" Shaula shouted in pain as she quickly got up and realized what Subaru was about to do.
Everyone couldn't help but chuckle a bit at Shaula's misfortune.
"She does have a nice ass…" Garfiel whispered to Otto.
Why do I feel so… offended? Subaru briefly wondered.
Meanwhile, Priscilla threw her shoe at the aforementioned blond. "OW! WHY ME?!"
"Aldebaren, go pick up mineself's shoe. I seemed to have dropped it," Priscilla ordered.
The one-armed knight gave a sigh, before doing as he was told.
"Oh no! I gotta stop Subaru or Master will be really upset! BIG BRO! STOP!" Shaula bolted back down to the laboratory as fast as she could.
Back at the laboratory, Subaru made his way to the center of the room, and at the center was a glass cylinder, but what Subaru's attention is on is what's inside the glass casing.
It was a small heart shape, of all things. It was pitch black with purple outlines, and there was a clawed hand grabbing the heart. The hand was the same color as the heart, with it being black and having a purple outline. Yet the most unsettling thing about the heart, is that it seemed to be beating, as if it was alive.
No one could keep a straight face after seeing… that. Petra and Meili hid behind Frederica, as Mimi and Tivey did the same with Ricardo. Felt gestured her hands to her mouth, like she was about to puke. Naoko held her husband's hand as tight as she could, and Subaru merely stared at that… thing, in recognition.
This is what it looked like whenever his heart was grabbed by her. The shadowy claw, the veins, the fact that his heart was constantly beating even if there was a literal fucking claw grabbing at it… No, now is not a good time for a panic attack. I'll do it later.
"The Envy Witch Factor," Subaru said as he stared at it, "The key to ending that wretch for good."
Oh no, both Roswaal and Beatrice thought simultaneously.
OH NO, the Japanese teenager screamed within his own mind as he realized exactly what his counterpart was planning on doing. NO, NO, NO, NO –
"Subaru-kun, are you all right?" Rem asked, her face full of worry.
"Yeah, Rem," Subaru said, with a strained smile. "Just peachy."
Subaru knew that he could no longer waste any time, and held out the palm of his hand.
"Minya." Three Minya crystals materialized out of thin air and launched themselves at the glass casing. Surprisingly, while the crystal did break through the casing, they did not shatter it. Until…
The Minya crystals transformed the entire casing into a similar material to what the crystals were made out of, and without warning, shattered the whole case.
Subaru created a multi-colored barrier to protect himself from any glass or crystal that could hit him.
Once the casing was no more, Subaru reached out a hand to the Witch Factor, but before he could reach it…
"BIG BRO!" Subaru turned to see Shaula standing at the door to the laboratory.
"Yes! Shaula to the rescue!" Mimi cheered in victory.
"Please don't touch it! If you do, you'll lose your qualifications to be the next Great Sage!" Shaula attempted to reason with Subaru, reminding him of the duty he was chosen to take on one day.
Subaru however, was undeterred. "You mean the position that got that bitch's attention in the first place?"
"Who is he talking about?!" Petra asked, holding onto her older colleague.
"I don't know, Petra-chan," Frederica said. "I really don't know."
Shaula was about to say something else, but was cut off before she could. "I have tried everything I could to get stronger, to end that wretch, but nothing is working! I'm not getting any stronger!" Subaru turned his attention back to the Witch Factor, resolute in his decision.
"If it means ending Pandora once and for all… then so be it!"
Emilia's heart stopped as she heard that name. The Witch that ruined her life… also ruined this Subaru's life as well?
Meanwhile, no one noticed as Priscilla's knight stopped moving.
Roswaal and Beatrice knew about Pandora. She was basically Hector's boss, and the only Witch who seemed to be on bad terms with the other Witches. Her entire goal and backstory was shrouded in mystery… more than the usual Witch.
But to everyone else, they only had one question:
Who is Pandora?
Subaru grabs hold of the Envy Witch Factor, which immediately flies into his chest and enters his body.
Suddenly, a powerful, dark aura begins to be exuded by Subaru. With the pressure around him increasing exponentially, so much so that Shaulua had to resist being pushed back. Once the pressure died down, black fog begins to come out of Subaru's nape and shoulders, forming some type of cape made of shadows.
With a sigh of getting adjusted to what just entered his body, Subaru turns back to look at Shaula, but not as the Sage's apprentice, but as the newly named Warlock of Envy.
"""THE WHAT?!""" the Cast screamed.
Subaru was most horrified as he heard his counterpart's title: the Warlock of Envy. He then recalled what he heard earlier.
"Would I have your life, and you mine?" If it was Satella that said those words, then that means… this is a timeline where we swapped roles. I would have her life, and she would have mine. Subaru thought as he began to consider the implications of how such a change could impact the history of that world, he also cut off by the intro.
Opening Theme: Bursty Greedy Spider
"OH, NOW IS THE TIME FOR A THEME SONG, OF COURSE!"
Subaru is seen rising from the floor of the screen, as if time itself was reversing a fall, all while blood seems to be returning from a wound on his chest.
"Hey, can we skip this, nya?" Felix asked, kind of bored.
"I would, but… LOOORE!" Al said, jokingly. "Also, the song is pretty banger."
The next scroller shows a rogues gallery worth of villains, from Sin Archbishops, to actual Witches, all with a platinum-haired loli laughing maniacally in the center.
"Still creepy," Petra shifted.
"Agreed," Meili spoke. After all, she kept seeing Mama's evil grin.
The third image is of three individuals: A red-haired man wearing an eyepatch, a large blue dragon, and a brown-haired woman wearing a bikini and hotpants.
"Hey! It's the sexy lady!" Mimi pointed out, causing Tivey to blush.
Tales from the Multiverse
Subaru, in his school uniform, hugs his parents and then runs off, waving them good-bye, as the screen splits into four windows with four individuals: A woman covered by shadows, a black-and-white lady, a melancholic clown, and a platinum-haired loli.
"Question: Who are all these assholes?" Garfiel asked.
The next scene is a continuous shot, showing a black-robed Subaru fighting against Pandora, launching a shadow tendril in an attempt to impale her, only to have her vanish and appear right behind him, ready to chop his neck. Subaru dodges, and launches a plume of black fire towards her, continuing the fight, as the Subaru looks at her with intense rage in his eyes, while she looks at him with an expression of "love".
"HEY, WAIT A FUCKIN' MINUTE!" Garfiel yelled. "Tha's the guy we jus' saw!"
"You're right!" Meili agreed with the blond demi-human.
"Al! Rewind and pause!" Subaru ordered.
"Okay, okay… bringing it back… and freezing it… there!" he said, as he paused the image of the shadowy Subaru fighting the platinum-haired woman.
As more people inspected the image, they could definitely see the similarities: They both used Yin Magic in their fighting styles, and they both wore the same dark colors.
"So, by that logic, the woman is Pandora, correct?" Wilhelm asked.
"You're correct," Emilia answered, her tone cold as ice. Everyone couldn't help but notice Emilia's tone, and were a bit concerned.
"Okaaay…" Anastasia said, slightly concerned. "Al, you can resume the opening."
"Roger, roger."
"Are the droid "roger, roger"s really necessary?" Subaru asked.
"Absolutely."
The next scenes are various still images, as the music and lyrics keep playing, starting with Zarestia and Halibel, then a shot of Kenichi and Naoko, followed by Theresia van Asterea in a realm of shadows, Reid Astrea relaxing with Volcanica, Vincent and Cecilus, a younger Emilia who is crying, an attacking Elsa and Meili, Fortuna and a sane Geuse defending Elior Forest, and an image of Shaula, tapping her foot.
"Why does Shaula look so antsy?" Tivey asked, seeing the final image.
"Maybe she's getting impatient?" Meili suggested.
"But who is she waiting for?" Julius counterpointed.
As their conversation went on, Subaru couldn't understand why he felt his heart grow heavier.
The scenes become a light brown in color, as it's revealed that the camera is zooming out of Subaru's eye, revealing that he's bleeding and wounded, but still smiling with his classic maniacal smile, and ready to keep on fighting.
Episode 3:
The Warlock's Punishment
300 years later…
"Oh, hey! We have a time card!" Naoko pointed out.
"But this isn't Spongebob…"
"Other shows can have time cards outside of Sponegebob, Al," Subaru groaned.
"Bishop Corneas should not be here. He should be at his Mansion with his wives." That was all Pandora had to say for her Authority to do her will. While Bishop Corneas was helpful, he is now becoming detrimental to her mission. That is something Pandora cannot tolerate.
Emilia recognized the scene from her trials during the Sanctuary, and was shocked to see this. "Why… is it showing that day?"
"Emilia-tan? Are you okay?" Subaru asked in concern for his liege.
"This… is the day…" Emilia's eyes widened in horror as she thought she would have to see it all over again. "The day I froze Elior Forest."
The Cast were shocked to learn that, but confused as to why they were seeing it.
"But, wasn't that a hundred years ago? Why are we seeing it?" Subaru wondered how they went from him, supposedly, becoming the Warlock of Envy to seeing something that happened a century ago.
"It would seem that we are about to find out." Reinhard said with his eyes focused on the screen.
"Wai–" Was all the Sin Archbishop of Greed could say before he was just… gone. As if he was never there to begin with. Not only that, but all the damage Regulus had caused to Elior Forest was also undone. Trees were put back into place and the dirt path was smooth once again.
Everyone was silent for a moment, as they witnessed… that.
For Rem and Crusch, seeing the destructive monster that was the Sin Archbishop of Greed simply… disappear… thanks to a little girl was… nerve-wracking.
Emilia grimaced at the memory, as she recalled this event back at the Sanctuary.
And Al… was afraid.
"What th' fuck was that?" Garfiel asked, in a whisper.
"That…" Roswaal said, in a serious tone. "Is the Witch of Vainglory's power."
At the sentence being dropped, everyone immediately turned towards the clown.
"What?!"
"A Witch?!"
"This has to be a bad joke!"
"QUIET, I SUPPOSE!" Beatrice yelled at the audience. "Good. Now that the bucket knight was smart enough to pause the viewing, here are some answers: Yes, THAT is the Witch of Vainglory. Yes, there were more Witches than just Satella. Nine of them, if I recall correctly. And yes, she was one of the more powerful ones."
Everyone was shocked at the information, and no one knew what to say.
Subaru was quite confused. He met the Witches during the Sanctuary event, but there were only seven. One for each Sin. Now, there was a Witch of Vainglory? Why didn't Echidna or any of the other Witches tell him?
"Wh-who are the n-nine Witches of Sin?" Meili asked, quietly.
"Well, you all already know about Satella, the Witch of Envy. There's Minerva, the Witch of Wrath. Sehkmet, the Witch of Sloth. Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony. Carmilla, the Witch of Lust. Typhon, the Witch of Pride. And Echidna, the Witch of Greed," Beatrice gave the names and titles of the seven Witches. "However, there were two Witches who were not affiliated with the others. Pandora, the Witch of Vainglory, and Hector, the Warlock of Melancholy."
"Wait, Warlock? Isn't that the title of this Subaru?" Emilia asked for clarification.
"Yes. The male term for "Witch" is "Warlock", but there is no other difference besides gender, in fact," Beatrice explained.
"The good neeeeews is that the majority of these Witches died," Roswaal spoke.
Everyone smiled at that notion.
"The baaaaad news is that their powers now belong to the Sin Archbishops," he continued.
Everyone's blood sugar spiked at that notion.
"Are you kidding me?!" Tivey yelped in horror.
"Wait, what are Sin Archbishops?" Kenichi asked, with Naoko nodding.
"Oh, right, you guys are from another world. Let me explain," Otto said, before continuing with, "Actually, let me summarize: You remember how in the last viewing, everyone was making jabs at Subaru "worshiping" Emilia-sama?"
Said Subaru's parents both nodded at that.
"Well, that's because, in our world, there's an insane group of people that worship the Witch of Envy, called the Witch Cult. And in the Witch Cult, the highest-ranking members are the Sin Archbishops. They're said to be the most powerful of the group… and now we know why…"
Everyone shifted uncomfortably at the new revelations.
"Hey, wait, how did you two know all this?" Felt asked.
"We're both… veeeery old…?" Roswaal… answered?
"All right…" Crusch nodded along, as she didn't sense any lies.
"All right, everybody, back to your seats," Subaru commanded. Everyone grimly nodded, as they sat back in their seats, and Al pressed "play" on the remote.
Both Guese and Fortuna looked in shock at how everything was back to normal in an instant, all while the Witch of Vainglory's calm smile and demeanor never left her face.
"I sent the noisy young man away. Now, we can talk at our leisure." Now that Regulus was out of the way she could finally begin the process of converting Bishop Romanee-Conti to the new Archbishop of Sloth, and have the key open th– No…
"She's afraid?" Emilia thought she was seeing things when Pandora's face betrayed a twinge of fear.
Al was equally curious. What can scare that monster?
The sky grew dimmer around the forest and the temperature of the forest became lower than usual, something Fortuna was not doing, and did not go unnoticed by the two.
Pandora knew what this meant…. He… was coming…
Acting fast, Pandora knew that if he were to appear, he could ruin everything, so she needed the key here. NOW. As if responding to her will and very rare panic, her Authority activated without Pandora having to say anything, and suddenly, Emilia was back in her Aunt's arms, surprising all three of them.
"Emilia?!" Fortuna didn't know how her niece was back in her arms, but she suspected the Witch had something to do with it.
"Momma!" Emilia cried as she embraced her mother figure. Before any other words could be said however…
CRACK!
"Am I seeing things?" Julius asked, shocked.
"If you are, we're both seeing things, nyah," Felix said.
Before the Witch and the pseudo-family, appeared a crack in thin air. This was followed by another crack. And another. And another. Until the cracks burst a hole open into physical space itself, and out stepped…. Him.
The figure was covered in a cloak of shadows. With dark smoke and mist pouring off the man. The reason they knew he was a man was because his head was the only part of him not covered. He had pitch black hair which looked swept back and was rather unkempt. Although the Witch was the only one that could see his face, the rest didn't need to guess for long until Fortuna and Guese realized just who it was in front of them…
Subaru Natsuki. The Warlock of Envy. The Devil who destroyed half the world over the loss of his wife. And now, he was here… right in front of them…
Both Emilia and Al couldn't help but be shocked that the one that even a monster like Pandora feared… was Subaru. Then again, if Subaru was the Warlock of Envy in that timeline, it would make some sense.
Petra and Meili held close to Frederica. While Petra knew that her Subaru was a hero, she wasn't too sure about the one standing right in front of them. Something about him felt… wrong. Like that he could attack her at any minute, even from across the screen.
Wilhelm felt the same thing, but to a finer degree. He had been a warrior for most of his life, and he knew the thing on screen was something not even he could beat. All of his instincts were telling him, screaming at him, to run away, to save himself. The worst part was not even whatever power this Subaru possessed. It was the hatred he had.
Reinhard stared at the screen. The power that this Subaru was exuding… it was nothing like he had ever seen. He could even feel his power in the theater, or perhaps a phantom feeling of it. He wondered for a moment if his sword would have deemed this version of his friend worthy. However, a smaller part of his mind was also telling him to run.
Rem analyzed this version of her hero in detail. His skin was pale, like he hadn't seen the sun in years, and there were black rings under his eyes, almost like he hadn't slept in… who knows how long. And the shadows surrounding him didn't help, either. Just what had happened to him?
Subaru was… a mix of emotions. He stared at his counterpart for what felt like an eternity. Nothing felt right. It wasn't the fact he was essentially the Witch of Envy, or the dark aura he was constantly emanating. No, it was like he was looking at his complete opposite. He could feel nothing but rage from the Warlock. No love or compassion left…
…And that terrified him.
The Warlock stood in front of the three behind him, his back turned to them as he glared with a burning hatred towards the Witch. She looked rather annoyed at his sudden interruption, but she knew he was of no concern. Despite all his power, he couldn't stay here for long. Pandora was worried at first, but after realizing that Subaru would not be able to stay out of his seal for long, she knew that it was only a matter of time before everything went back to normal.
"I'm not sure if I should be surprised that you manifested yourself here. That seal must not be doing its job," Pandora said in her usual monotone speech. Every word spoken by the Witch only succeeded in infuriating the Warlock even more. Even the ones behind him could feel his wrath.
"Three hundred years… that is how long I have waited for this... Now tell me… What did you do with her?" The Warlock spoke, his voice distorted in his rage but still understandable, demanding to know what this wretch did with his beloved. Pandora knew what the Warlock was referring to.
"What the fuck…?" Felt whispered, under her breath.
"S-Subaru…?" Beatrice asked, her eyes threatening to tear up.
Everyone felt a chill go up their spines as they heard the Warlock speak. There was none of the goofy warmth and love of the one in the theater. The only thing left was the rage.
"Who knows. I merely wished to send her away. Past? Future? It doesn't matter. Once Satella was out of the way, I cou–" Pandora was cut off as she was ripped into multiple bloody pieces by the Warlock's black tendrils, the sight greatly unsettled the three behind him, especially the young Emilia, as they watched as the Warlock brutally murdered the Witch.
"HOLY SHIT!"
"SUBARU!"
"CAP'N!"
In an instant, everyone saw how that version of Subaru instantly tore the on-screen Pandora into shreds. His parents felt like they were gonna be sick, while the little ones hid behind their parents. His friends' faces twisted into something foul, and Emilia…
She was calm… because she knew that not even Subaru could succeed.
Yet, she was scared… because she just saw Subaru slaughter someone without hesitation.
Subaru himself couldn't help but feel lightheaded seeing himself mercilessly slaughter someone in such a brutal fashion. Even if she did deserve it.
"You're not allowed to say her name..." He growled at the Witch, his rage boiling to the surface, yet he kept himself composed so as to not hurt the ones behind him. Even after all this time, he still wouldn't wish harm on anyone who doesn't deserve it, especially an innocent child. Even though his hands were already stained with so much innocent blood…
Hearing this, the Cast couldn't help but be confused after regaining their composure as they remembered what name was said that angered Subaru: Satella. This was supposed to be a timeline where the Witch never existed. So, why did Satella still exist in this timeline?
Ahhh, I get it now, Roswaal smirked, something Subaru noticed.
"I know that look. Mind sharing with the class, Ros-chi?"
"It's quite simple, Subaruuuuu-kun. The screen said that this is a tiiiiiiimeline where the Witch never existed, but I belieeeeeeeve we were purposefully mislead." As Roswaal explained, the Cast were a bit confused on what Roswaal meant.
"I believe this is a timeline where Satella never claimed the Envy Witch Factor, which meeeeeeeans she never became the Witch of Envy."
"Wait, what are Witch Factors?" Kenichi asked.
"Witch Factors are, let's say… objects of power, with each one of them representing one of the niiiiine Sins. When a person absorbs one of theeeeem, it manifests as a pooooower known as an "Authority". These are the powers of the Witches and theeeee Sin Archbishops."
"Indeed. Authorities manifest themselves based on the desires of the users. Because of this, no two Authority users have the same abilities. One also must be compatible with the Authority they absorb, or else there could be dire consequences, in fact," Beatrice further explained how the Witch Factors work.
"Wait, so th' Witch jus' started out as a normal person?" Anastaisa asked, gobsmacked.
"Indeed," the clown smiled. "Most people are corruuuuupted by the Witch Factors, due to their lack of compatibility with the respective Sin, so it staaaaands to reason that it was what happened to Satella. But it appears that in THIS reality, sheeeee never came into contact with the Witch Factor of Envy."
"Hence the Witch of Envy never came to be," Julius finally understood what Roswaal meant.
"Yeah, but it seems the multiverse needs to fulfill the status quo, so I took Satella's place," Subaru groaned at the fact that he became the Witch of Envy in another timeline.
"You're still as wrathful as ever."
The Warlock of Envy refocused his attention on the Witch of Vainglory. Her death had been undone by her Authority. She wasn't able to react fast enough to avoid all fatal attacks, so she figured out how to automatically undo any death done to her. It was very useful indeed.
Everyone who didn't know what Pandora was capable of had their jaw dropped on the floor. The Witch stood there as if Subaru didn't just tear her apart. Was this another ability of her's?
"But she-! How-?! Why?! I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!"
"I'm surprised you were not titled the Warlock of Wrath. You do have the Authority of Wrath after all," Pandora commented as she nonchalantly stated that he was not only in possession of the Authority of Envy, but Wrath as well. Something he gained after Minerva's death. Something that happened by his hands.
"He has two Authorities?!" Felix yowled in fear.
Almost everyone else also gasped at the revelation, with a few exceptions. Subaru, for starters, because he himself also possessed more than one Authority, so it stood to reason that an alternate version of him would be able to do the same thing.
However, Al, but more specifically, Roswaal, were thinking over the implications. How is he not dead?! the clown questioned. In order to have multiple Authorities and not die in an instant, you would… have… to be… OH NO.
It was at that moment that Roswaal realized that, if he was correct, then he fucked up big time.
Guese and Fortuna couldn't believe what they heard. Subaru had two Authorities of Sin?! Not only Envy, but Wrath as well dwelled inside the Warlock. No one has ever wielded more than one Authority before, and yet it would make sense the more they thought about it. Not only did Subaru envy those with power far beyond him, due to his old feelings of self-loathing and believing himself to be useless, but with the loss of the woman he loved more than anything else in the world… there was only so much a man could take before he snapped.
"I do. Would you like to see it?" Subaru mockingly asked. He raised his right hand and focused his Authority of Wrath. Tiny amounts of smoke began to emit from the Warlock's palm, but it quickly grew as the ones around him realized that it wasn't smoke he was creating, but fire. Pitch. Black. Fire.
"Authority of Wrath: Gates of Hell." Subaru stated the name of his ability, as he simply held his palm out and blasted a black fire ball at the Witch of Vainglory, who simply smiled in return, something that she would soon find to be a big mistake…
As soon as the fire hit the Witch, Pandora was consumed by the black flames and suddenly screamed in agony as a pain she had never known entered her body. This was no normal fire, it felt like it's only purpose was to cause her as much pain as possible, something that the flames had succeeded at. Her poker face immediately dropped as she willed her Authority to be rid of the flames. Once the black flames dispersed, Pandora, gasping for air, looked up to see Subaru holding a very sadistic grin with an almost satisfied look. Her widened eyes staring onwards as she realized that Subaru had found a way to actually hurt her, something she hadn't thought possible.
As everyone heard Pandora's screams, they became more and more horrified.
They just watched that monster of a woman, who even Roswaal said was one of the most powerful Witches, simply brush off the concept of death itself, and with a smile on her face. But now that she was facing off against Subaru… this happened. He managed to make her break her facade and scream in utter agony.
Emilia wanted to be happy. She wanted Pandora to suffer for what she did to her adoptive parents, but the way this was done, it was sickening. She didn't want it to be THIS excruciating, much less have it be done by Subaru of all people, and he… he…
By the Od… she thought, almost crying. He's ENJOYING it…
Subaru, on the other hand, felt very pleased to hear the Witch he loathed so much scream in pain. Gates of Hell worked like a charm. The Authority of Wrath manifested in him through his hatred of Pandora, and it granted him the perfect ability to use against the Witch of Vainglory.
"Quite the contrary from Minerva's ability, isn't it. Her power was to take away a person's pain and heal their bodies, whilst my power is to make someone feel as much pain as possible." Subaru explained with his sadistic grin never leaving his face. He could get high off hearing Pandora scream even more. In fact, why not do that right now?
The Cast felt like they were about to throw up.
This was wrong. This was not Subaru. Subaru was a good person, someone who would do everything they could to help everyone. This… monster was someone who was ENJOYING the pained screams of their victim.
And he was supposed to be there to help…?
Rem and Petra were beyond horrified. This was Subaru, their HERO, and there he was… torturing someone. Even if that person deserved it.
The Japanese teenager himself felt sick. He didn't like the fact that he was torturing someone, no matter how evil. And the fact that he was doing a literal villain monologue while burning her alive didn't make him feel any better. He knew he wasn't supposed to compare himself to an alternate counterpart… but it was so hard to do when they both have the exact same face.
Subaru channeled his Authority again, but this time creating dozens of Hellfire spheres floating above him. Flicking his index finger forward, the fireballs immediately launched themselves at the Witch. Pandora saw the attack coming, and acted fast. As soon as the fireballs hit their target, they created multiple strong explosions upon impact. Subaru was unaffected by the backlash of his own attack, while Guese tried to use his Unseen Hands to shield Fortuna and Emilia, with Fortuna holding onto Emilia tightly.
"Sloth?!" the purple-haired knight said, surprised at seeing the Unseen Hands again.
Everyone who was on the Subjugation Squad back at the Mathers Domain immediately understood what Julius was saying, and squinted at the green-haired individual on-screen.
"Hey… he kinda does look like the creepy man!" Mimi squeezed out.
"To be honest, he does have a similar height and build," Otto confessed, remembering the time he got abducted. "However, he seems far less insane right now."
Meanwhile, Emilia looked at the green-haired man painfully.
Geuse…
The dust began to clear up, as a bunch of small craters were seen, but no body. Subaru stayed alert, ready for Pandora to reappear, but after nearly a minute of waiting, nothing happened. The Warlock knew that Pandora wouldn't just give up, so it's likely that she falled back to strategize.
Subaru decided to turn his attention to the three behind him. Subaru had not come into contact with a living being in three hundred years, so it would be quite refreshing. The three noticed the Warlock approaching and immediately went on the defensive. Guese and Fortuna knew very well of the destruction Subaru was capable of, and they knew that even if Guese could use his Authority without issue, they would stand no chance.
Fortuna put Emilia behind her to protect her from anything the Warlock might do, while Guese stood in front of both of them. Emilia looked at the Warlock's face, and felt very scared. She hadn't seen them before, but Subaru had very scary eyes and it only added to his terrifying visage.
"Subaru-sama? It's me, Guese…. Do you remember me?" Guese asked Subaru very carefully. He knew the boy in front of him before his ascension to become the Warlock of Envy. Subaru looked confused for a second, before his eyes widened in realization at the one who was speaking to him.
Julius couldn't believe that the insane Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti he had met a month ago and faced off against was the same, kind-looking man that was merely trying to defend his family. "What happened to turn him out like… that?"
Meanwhile, both Roswaal and Beatrice looked at their old friend with pained expressions.
"Geuse…" Emilia couldn't help but shed a tear at seeing her old friend and father figure again.
Meanwhile, Subaru had already pieced together that Emilia knew Petelguese before he became the insane Sin Archbishop he faced off against. He hoped that he could talk to Emilia about it later.
"Guese? It really is you. I can't believe you're still alive…" Subaru spoke in a much softer tone than before. His voice was no longer distorted, but still had a sort of 'echo' effect to it. Guese relaxed a bit to hear that Subaru recognized him. The Warlock turned his attention to Fortuna, who tensed up at the his gaze.
"Fortuna. It has been some time…" Subaru commented upon seeing the Elf.
"Hello, Subaru… Is it true? Was Pandora responsible for… what happened to Tella…?" Fortuna asked the question that she had been holding onto for 300 years. She needed to know if Pandora had taken away not only her brother and sister-in-law, but –
Emilia couldn't believe what she heard. Her own Aunt Fortuna… knew Satella? And from the sounds of it, they were on good terms.
Hearing this, Subaru himself wondered if there was any relation between Satella and Emilia's family. It would explain the physical similarities.
"Yes." Fortuna clenched her eyes and fists in frustration. This Witch had taken away too much of her family, she won't allow Pandora to take away anymore of it. Emilia looked up at her Aunt in concern.
"Momma?" Emilia asked, but recoiled in fear when she noticed the Warlock looking directly at her. Subaru continued to stare at the girl for a good 10 seconds, before kneeling down to be at eye level with the girl.
"What is your name?" Subaru asked with an unreadable expression on his face. Emilia didn't know if she should answer or not, but she decided that she needed to be brave.
"E-Emilia…" Subaru continued to stare at the girl, before giving a sigh.
"No... You're not her…" Subaru said in disappointment, shaking his head in the process. Before any of them could ask what he meant, Subaru's eyes widened slightly as he felt a certain presence behind him. Using his shadows, the Warlock covered the three in a dome and pushed them out the way before his body was violently ripped to shreds by an invisible force and reduced him to dark, red mist.
Guese, Fortuna, and Emilia watched in horror as the Warlock of Envy was reduced to dust so easily.
Everyone could only look in horror as the Subaru they were seeing had, supposedly, been killed somehow. Even if he was a monster beyond their comprehension, he was still Subaru.
The Subaru in the theater looked like he was about to have a heart attack. He thought it was over, that his counterpart would use Return by Death to reset everything and then suspicion would be placed on him. Subaru hoped he could pass it off RBD being an ability exclusive to his counterpart, until…
However, something… unsettling happened.
A few seconds after Subaru's "death", the dust that was once his body began to condense and reform. First bone, then flesh, and finally skin. Even the clothes he wore began to pull themselves back together. After a few moments, the Warlock of Envy stood completely unharmed, as if he had never been damaged to begin with.
Once again, the Cast was speechless. They just saw Subaru be reduced to mere clouds of his own blood, and now he just… pulled himself back together like it never even happened.
"I'm gonna throw up…"
"So, the rumors are true. You are immortal."
Subaru turned to the familiar voice. His rage once again returned to him. The Warlock looked to see the man Pandora sent away right before he got here. He held a satisfied grin and relaxed posture… Subaru would soon fix that…
"Of course, how rude of me not to introduce myself. After all, someone of your status has the right to know who I am. I am the Sin Archbishop of the Warlock Cult, representing Greed: Regulus Corneas." Regulus introduced himself to the Warlock.
"Wait, "Warlock Cult"?" Ricardo asked in confusion.
"Well, since I'm technically the Witch in this timeline, and I would be a Warlock, so… yeah…" Subaru gave as good an answer as he could.
Rem and Crusch were very unsettled to see the Sin Archbishop of Greed again, but there was something… wrong. It was until they remembered their encounter with the Sin Archbishop that they realized something.
"But how?! He looks exactly the same!" Crusch exclaimed in disbelief.
"Maybe his Authority has something to do with not taking damage?" Subaru theorized.
"No, not that. I mean he doesn't look a day younger than when myself and Rem encountered him!" Crusch explained her confusion.
"Maybe he's immortal? I mean, Satella doesn't age," the Japanese teenager suggested.
"Wait, how do you know that?" Anastasia asked skeptically.
"Oh, uh, I read it in a book!" Subaru quickly covered his ass.
Yeah, I totally didn't see her face-to-face and saw that she still looked like a real 11/10! Subaru then realized what he just thought. AH CRAP! I hope Satella can't hear my thoughts!
She could, and she was currently blushing.
Envy, Wrath, Sloth, and Greed all in one place… all they need now is Lust, Gluttony, and Pride and they'd have the whole party…
Subaru laughed internally at the horrible, horrible, inside joke.
The Witch's Tea Party really fucked him up. But for the better, at least.
Emilia's fear returned in full force. The bad man was back, and she saw how easily he "hurt" Subaru. The young half-elf looked to her Aunt for some form of comfort, with Fortuna noticing her niece's distress.
"Don't worry Lia, everything will be fine. Subaru will protect us…" Fortuna assured her Niece. In actuality, Fortuna was just as, if not more worried than Emilia. She didn't know if Subaru could even harm the Archbishop of Greed, let alone beat him. Even so, she had to have faith in him that the Devil will get his due… After all…
"He will do anything to protect his family."
Hell yeah, he would, everyone thought, as they remembered their friend's actions.
Hell yeah, I would, Subaru nodded in understanding.
The Warlock of Envy ignited his hands with the black flames. His shadows stretched and reformed themselves, ready to attack at its Master's command. Regulus looked rather irritated at the act of aggression the Warlock was displayed, as if he was offended by it.
"You display such acts to try and ward me off? I do believe that's a violation of my rights! Do you point a sword at another person when they're on business? No! I am merely a just and benevolent being merely fulfilling the request from Pandora-sama, and you dare to interrupt my mission when my quarrel is not with you?! Even if you are the infamous Warlock of Envy, I will not stand by and have my rights violated by you!" Regulus ranted about his rights being violated, his rant only added fuel to the fire of the Warlock's Rage and annoyance.
"If you didn't want me in your way… then you shouldn't have pissed me off and threatened the people I care for…" Subaru's words only succeeded in infuriating the Archbishop more.
"How dare you! I will –!" Regulus didn't have a chance to finish his sentence before being interrupted by the Warlock.
"Enough talk! Time for assholes to die," was all that was said before the Battle of Envy and Wrath against Greed began. By flames and shadows, the Warlock of Envy would bring retribution…
"I'm gonna use that line every time ma amazin' self goes inta battle!"
"Dude, don't you have to worry about copyright?" Al asked the blond demi-human.
"Copy-what?"
"Nevermind."
Suddenly, a wave of black flames was launched towards the Archbishop of Greed, engulfing him in the process. Almost half of the forest was engulfed by the attack, drowning in a sea of hellfire. As the flames stopped their advance, the black fire turned into normal orange after a few seconds.
Reinhard, and by extension everyone else, couldn't help but be surprised at how powerful the attack was, and the Sword Saint could tell that Subaru was holding back. Just how powerful is this version of you, Subaru?
With Regulus temporarily blinded, Subaru turned towards the Guese, Fortuna, and Emilia and chanted "Al Shamak!" Causing a rift in space to appear behind them.
"Go. I can't fight unrestrained with you three nearby, so I'm sending you back to the village," Subaru explained before turning his attention back to the Archbishop in the sea of flames. "I'll deal with Greed."
The knights in the theater couldn't help but approve of Subaru's decision to evacuate the civilians away from the oncoming battle.
Guese understood the situation, and grabbed Fortuna's hand while she was holding Emilia and headed for the Portal. "Understood, I wish you the best of luck Subaru-sama."
"Subaru…" Fortuna got the attention of the Warlock, causing him to turn back to look at her. "... make him pay."
A small smirk made its way onto the Warlock of Envy and Wrath. "That's the idea."
"Oh, this is gonna be good…" Ricardo said, hyping up both Mimi and Tivey.
Even Priscilla was looking forward to that fight, even if she didn't show it.
"Mister Subaru…" Subaru's attention turned to the half-elf girl in her Aunt's arms. She had not known Subaru for very long, but he had gone out of his way to protect her family, and she knew that he was not a bad person.
Aww, even a young Emilia-tan would trust me, Subaru softly smiled at that.
However, there would always be a small part of him, in the back of his mind, telling him that her judgment of him is wrong, as is everyone else's.
"... please come back safely…" Those words struck deep into the Warlock. He had heard those words before… a memory of one of his greatest regrets began to surface.
"Please come back safely, in fact!" A certain Great Yin Spirit cried as she couldn't bear to see her best friend leave. While Subaru gave a reassuring smile to comfort her.
"Don't worry Beako, I promise I'll come back in one piece." Subaru said as he pulled the Spirit into a hug while she silently cried on him.
That day… he broke a promise. A promise that meant the world to a little girl. He swore that he would never make another promise he couldn't keep, and he intended to abide by that oath.
Beatrice was surprised to learn that Subaru knew her. From the looks of it, they were very close, as it should be. Did Betty's contractor know Mother in that reality? It would make sense why he would know Betty, I suppose.
"Don't worry about me… I'll be fine," was all the Warlock said before the three ran into the Portal, once they were through, the rift closed and Subaru now didn't have to worry about casualties.
Well, except for the guy who was about to get his ass kicked.
"This is gonna be fuckin' good…" Garfiel smiled.
Frederica didn't smack her brother for his language, as she was also looking forward to the ass-whooping that was coming up. Of course she was also preparing herself to cover Petra and Meili's eyes in case things got too graphic.
She didn't want them to see Subaru turn into a red paste a second time, after all.
Subaru turned back to the fire as he saw a figure, which Subaru assumed was Regulus, walking through the flames, seemingly unharmed. Regulus exited the flaming grounds with an irritated expression. Subaru was surprised to see that not only was Regulus unharmed, but not even his clothes were singed in the slightest.
"Now listen here! Are you so moronic that you can't even respect someone's basic right on not being set on fire? I take such a careless affront personally! Did I ever try to incinerate you like you just attempted with me!? Obviously not! I find it repugnant that a scumbag like you was ever granted power in the first place! You're a complete buffoon who would throw his weight around as if his words held any significance in this wretched world, caring not whom he tramples on his eternal quest for validation. It's so abhorrent facing such a distasteful human being such as yourself!" Regulus waved his arm horizontally, and before Subaru knew it, his torso was cut clean in half. His arm severed at the elbows as well.
Subaru's sliced up body fell to the ground, but Regulus knew that after his first attack, the Warlock wasn't dead yet. Seconds later, Subaru's body began to pull itself back together via an invisible force, like magnets attracting each other. With his arms reattached and torso in one piece again, Subaru stood up from the ground and decided on a new approach.
Everyone was unnerved by Subaru getting sliced into four pieces, but now got another look at this Subaru's immortality.
"So, I can heal myself?" Subaru wondered aloud.
"Forgive me Subaru, but I don't believe that is the case," Reinhard interjected, "The way you "heal" seems rather unnatural. You reattached your severed body via some invisible force, not by an advanced healing ability. My best guess is that you seem to be utilizing some of… Temporal manipulation to rewind yourself to before the damage occured."
Everyone was stunned at Reinhard's analysis. "Wow, Rein, you really know your stuff," Subaru complimented the red-haired Sword Saint.
"Thank you Subaru, it was mostly thanks to my Divine Protection of Detail Analysis," Reinhard explained how he was able to guess how Subaru's Authority worked.
Huh, I guess my Authority of Envy will always be time-based, Subaru thought to himself.
"Pretty sure nyot even I wyould be able to come back from that, nyah!" Felix nodded.
Meanwhile, Felt had a question for her knight. "Hey, wait, when did you get that Divine Protection?"
"When the viewings started, Felt-sama."
"My apologies. Allow me to rectify my mistake." Subaru now understood that Gates of Hell was useless against Regulus, but from what he saw during Regulus' fight with Guese, the Archbishop of Greed could be moved around.
Focusing solely on his Authority of Envy, the Warlock shot forth dozens of black tendrils at the Archbishop, intending to restrain and possibly crush him. Regulus responded by quickly picking up some dirt and throwing it. The dirt stayed still in the air for a mere moment, then shot forward like bullets and shredded the shadows.
"And yet still you defy me. And yet still you resist me. And yet still you deny your rightful punishment. Why do you exist? Why do people like you exist? Why can't you just lay down on the dirt, rot away for eternity and become food for the bugs? Only then might you have some worth in the natural order! But no! That's not ENOUGH for you, is it!? It's not enough to have life, to be able to breathe and walk normally, speak with fellow members of your species and live a life of peace and tranquility! You have to aim for more! You have to turn your ugly eyes upwards, daring to believe that your ambition could be sated if you continued climbing! Someone like you is not worth someone like me! Me! Me! Me! Me! Me! I go about my life as content as I can be, as satisfied as I may be, as complete as I am! I neither desire tragedy nor fortune! I neither desire sadness nor happiness! I do not desire anything! I am a simple man, with a simple property, living a simple existence! That is my perfection, the fact that even with so much power, I desire so little, that even with so much strength, I require so little, that even though I have the means to cross this world in an instant, I use it to only propagate my tranquility and peace. I don't want anything more, because I don't need anything more, I'm a satisfied existence. Nothing like a base-born mongrel such as yourself can comprehend, I'm sure. You, who's entire existence is myth and legend, in the pages of a children's fairy tale, destined to forever only be spoken about, vilified, romanticized, or imagined by others that have no regard for your true identity. I'd pity you but currently I can't even muster enough effort to actually care. That is how insignificant you are, and how little the world actually wants you. You're an overestimated idiot who can never exist properly in this world!" Regulus ranted about his perfection, with the spoken words only annoying the Warlock more with each passing second.
"Okay, show o' hands," the purple-haired merchant princess said. "How many of y'all went to the bathroom during his long an' boring as heck rant?"
Nearly everyone raised their hands.
"I went and got myself a large soda, too!" Al whooped.
"Give me that, Aldebran," the strawberry blonde demanded.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Oh? You think I'm nothing but a fairytale meant to scare children into behaving? Well… the thing about legends…. Is that sometimes, they're true…" The dark aura around Subaru increased in size, but not intensity. The shadows grow and stretch as the Warlock's rage increases ever more.
"You wanna know why I hate you so much? We're both monsters with all the power in the world, invincible to anything that gets in our way… that's something we do have in common, but you turned out even worse than me, and that's saying something…" Subaru spoke in a soft tone, but his words radiated with hatred.
"I believe that if I was given a power like yours when I arrived in this world, I could've ended up just like you: A self-entitled brat that doesn't like being told 'No'." Regulus looked particularly enraged at the last statement.
The Subaru in the audience had his eyes raised by what the on-screen counterpart said. And after thinking about it for a few seconds, he was right.
He did indeed have an all-powerful, well, power. It was Return by Death. It allowed him to alter reality in any way he saw fit, providing that he was brave enough to try again and again.
Originally, he believed that he was owed affection, that he was deserving of the "isekai protagonist" treatment because he suffered due to his power. But after losing Rem, he went to the opposite extreme of the spectrum, where he believed that he was nothing more than a tool to help others.
However, it wasn't until Satella herself, the "ultimate evil" this world had to offer, told Subaru that he needed to love himself more, and that people did indeed care for him.
"You'd so much as kill your own allies if they even slightly annoyed you, because you love yourself and no one else. However I was given friends and people that loved and cared for me, even when I have no love for myself, and they changed me, made me a better person. And even though most of them are gone, they all still hold a special place in my heart. That is why I hate you, because even with all the power in the world, you have no one that will help you when it matters," Subaru finished his statement, with Regulus looking very infuriated.
Hearing the ground crack below him, Regulus looked down to see a small crack in the ground. With only a second to observe it, a shadow constructed in the shape of a hand shot out and quickly wrapped itself around the Archbishop's leg and held on tight. Regulus was swept off his feet and flung into the air before crashing down to the Earth, and the process occurred again and again. Regulus was unable to slice at the tendril with his body being flung around and how eratic it was moving. After about 20 seconds, Regulus stopped crashing against the earth, but Shadow tendril started spinning him faster and faster until it finally let go.
Regulus flew into the air straight up with no sign of slowing down, until he was too small for the Warlock to see. The battle was nothing more than two immortals that cannot kill the other. A stalemate. So Subaru just needed to get rid of his opponent from the battlefield.
"Holy shit…" Everyone was in awe at the fact that Subaru literally threw the Sin Archbishop of Greed as far as he could.
However, Subaru did not relax and instantly began to think about what made the Archbishop of Greed tick; specifically his ability. From what Subaru knew, Regulus' Authority of Greed appeared to grant him flawless invulnerability and seemingly let him slice through space itself, but Subaru knew that Authorities were never that simple. There was always a twist to them.
The Cast had their heads leaned in as they heard the narration. Apparently, all Authorities had a twist to them. If that was the case, then perhaps this would help them figure out the powers that the Sin Archbishops have in their reality.
Echidna's Greed was for knowledge, and was granted the Tomb of Wisdom which could tap into the world's memory instead of giving her omniscience.
Minerva's Wrath was at war, and was given the ability to reverse the effects of her strikes to heal rather than harm. It did not give her advanced healing magic.
Even Typhon's Pride was directed to her father, an executioner. Her power was to judge a person by breaking them into pieces and see if they feel pain. It didn't instantly give Typhon the knowledge of whether the person was evil or not.
Subaru's Authorities were also examples. His Envy was towards those who were stronger than him, so it amplified his Yin Magic to achieve things that were not possible, as well as making him Immortal. His Wrath was to Pandora, so it gave him a power to generate black flames meant to cause as much pain as possible in an attempt to bypass Pandora's self-resurrection.
So what was Regulus' Greed for? Well, he wants to be perfect, seems pretty Greedy. Then there was his name… Regulus. It was the same name as the brightest Star in the Leo Constellation. In Latin it meant "Prince" or "Small King"... that didn't seem to fit with the invulnerability, but it was something to think about later…
Crusch, Rem, and Subaru were all paying close attention to the information given to them regarding Regulus' Authority, hoping there would be a weakness that could be exploited.
What else is there about his ability? Well, on top of being Invulnerable, Subaru noticed that Regulus' clothes were also undamaged by his attacks in the slightest, and when he grabbed Regulus with his Shadows, his leg was neither hot nor cold, not to mention that Subaru felt a similar… resonance to himself…
Wait… Subaru stopped thinking as he realized something. There was a time when he could touch an object and it would neither be hot nor cold… or rather 'no time'.
That birdshit son of a bitch… He stops his own time… The more Subaru thought about it, the more it made sense. Why nothing could seem to touch him and how he was able to slice through space. However, it doesn't work like Subaru's own stopped time, but rather it cuts Regulus off from the flow of time. That's… terrifying. It meant that unless you could also do the same thing as Regulus, or if you're like Reid and can cut through anything, you can't even touch him.
Crusch and Rem couldn't help but feel a strange combination of disappointment and… relief?
"At least we now know why our attacks did nothing to him," Crusch commented on the situation her and Rem were in.
"We never stood a chance…" Rem was downcast at the fact that even if she managed to kill or mortally injure Lye, Regulus would have simply wiped them out.
However… Subaru did have one attack that might work, and if it doesn't… then back to the Seal he goes.
Without warning or any indication of it, something crashed down directly in front of the Warlock of Envy. The ground shook and caved in from the impact, as a 20 meter wide crater was left in the aftermath from the crash, and out stepped a very livid Archbishop of Greed.
"I've had ENOUGH of you! How dare you!? How dare you!? How dare you!? How dare you!? How dare you even think of it, you INCOMPETENT worm! Here I am, trying to HELP you even though you DESERVE none of it, none of my generosity, none of my kindness, none of my charity! This is exactly why I don't get involved with others! Because they'll inevitably succumb to their disgusting Greed and try to take advantage of my standing! Well, no more! None of it will stand a second longer! I'm done with you! Filthy! Disgusting! Stomach-churning! You represent everything that is wrong with the world! You're a parasite leeching off the attention the people give you because you can't settle for anything else! And you've VIOLATED my very freedom, my actions, my thoughts, my personal space! You've infringed on my basic rights. And it's the last thing you'll ever be able to do again, you BRAT!" Regulus' fury was at its limit as he had enough of the Warlock, a feeling that was completely mutual.
"DOES THIS GUY EVER STOP TALKING?!"
"WE GET IT, DUDE! YOU'RE INSECURE!"
Subaru knew that he only had one shot with his technique, but whether he could land it is the question… well, it was now or never…
"I can see we've both had enough of the other, so I think it's time we end this, don't you agree? Your Royal Assness?" Subaru mockingly asked as raised his right hand and pointed out his middle and index fingers. Channeling his Mana, Subaru prepared his final attack, and he could only hope that it would work. Regulus was more than happy to be rid of the Warlock, and raised his hand to reduce Subaru to dust once again, but soon noticed sparks of violet, electrical Yin energy emanating from Subaru's fingers.
"What is this supposed to do? Are you seriously still trying? How stubborn. Then again, I suppose a wretch like you can't comprehend the concept of 'defeat' since you must be so used to stepping on others to satisfy your incomplete self. You know that nothing you do will ever put me down. So why do you continue trying? Just drop dead and let existence progress in peace, but who the hell am I kidding? You're obviously too much of a leech to even consider anybody else's thoughts and feelings except your own. You force your own ideals, your own views on others because you can't stand the person they really are. You're so disgusting. Why can't you realize that you can't win? What are you trying to do?" Regulus couldn't help but question the Warlock's thinking. Was he really just trying to send him away again? He must know that wouldn't work, he could just return and finish the job, but instead Regulus saw a smirk making its way on Subaru's face.
"Well turns out, I think I just figured out how your ability works. You can cut yourself off from the flow of time, which grants you your invincibility. I know because I have something similar. While you're in that state, it's like an impenetrable force field covering your entire body and putting you in suspended animation, all while leaving you conscious and able to move around freely. That's why your clothes are undamaged and why your body isn't hot or cold," Subaru explained his reasoning and suspensions, and while it was subtle, Subaru could see Regulus's eyes widening in shock, confirming the Warlock's suspicions.
"Hey, I'm back from the snack bar, what did I miss?" Otto asked as he sat back in his seat.
"Absolutely nothing," Garfiel groaned. "Meanwhile, ma ears are bleedin'. Oh, also, evil Cap'n figured out how ta beat the talkin' fucker, it's about ta happen."
"Evil Cap'n", really? Subaru thought, dejectedly.
"Even if I'm wrong, this attack should do the trick." Right as Subaru finished his explanation, His attack's charge-up time had finished. As if it was a duel, both Warlock and Archbishop fired off their attacks.
"Omen of Disaster." Subaru spoke the name of the Technique as Yin Energy focused itself into his fingers, and fired a thin purple beam at light speed towards its target. While Regulus was slashing the air, something told him to move his head out of the way of the attack, which he reluctantly did, if only to not have his view interrupted. Regulus managed to react fast enough to avoid the beam from hitting his head, but…
The Yin beam managed to slice right through Regulus' left forearm, completely ignoring his invulnerability. Regulus couldn't help but stare in absolute shock at what he just witnessed, and though he couldn't feel pain while his time was stopped, the shock that he had actually been harmed in such a way was enough to shake the Archbishop to his very core.
The Cast was silent, at that display of power. They even saw the beam effortlessly punch through a nearby mountain with no indication it was even slowed down.
Slowly but surely, however, they began to speak.
"Such power…" Julius gupled in amazement. If this was what the actual Witch of Envy was capable of, then the purple-haired knight knew he would never stand a chance.
"That was fuckin' awesome…" Garfiel whispered in awe. He knew his Cap'n was amazing, but this took it to a whole other level.
Rem and Crusch stared in amazement at the sight of the man they couldn't even lay a scratch on getting his entire hand severed. They also felt very hot under the collar right now.
Heh-heh, why do I feel like I'm in danger? Subaru wondered.
Subaru on the other hand, felt very satisfied that he actually managed to literally disarm the Archbishop of Greed, but his victory was short lived as a dark rift began to form behind him, and started pulling him in with a powerful force. Subaru's Mana was completely depleted, and although he couldn't physically exert himself, his Mana capacity was a different story.
The technique he used, Omen of Disaster, was created by him during his time with his master, the Great Sage. He and Beatrice had developed a technique similar to Regulus' Temporal Invincibility at the cost of not being able to move, and Subaru came up with an inverted version of it that was "Omen of Disaster". It worked similarly to how Reid attacked. The beam could slice through space and time itself and obliterate all matter in its path. It was powerful, but the long charge up time and massive mana consumption made it a weapon of last resort.
"Beako. We need to learn that technique."
"Of course, Betty and her contractor will master it in no time, I suppose."
"MA AMAZIN' SELF WANTS TA LEARN IT, TOO!"
"Garf, you don't know Yin Magic," Otto quickly jumped in.
"Oi, Greed!" Subaru got the attention of the Archbishop who looked at him with absolute fury and shock with Subaru flipping Regulus off. "See you in Hell…" Was the last thing Subaru said before he was pulled into the Rift and back to his seal in the Pleiades Watchtower, leaving the Archbishop of Greed to his own devices.
With the peace and quiet to process what just happened, Regulus did one thing to relieve his anger… He screamed.
Most of the people in the Theater, especially those with sensitive hearing, quickly winced and covered their ears at the thought of hearing the human trash that was Regulus Corneas.
"Such putrid noise!" Priscilla hissed.
"Is he trying to make us go deaf?" Al asked, clutching onto his helmet.
"He sounds like a kid throwing a temper-tantrum," Kenichi groaned.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! CURSE YOUUUUUUUUU! CURSE YOU TO GODDAMN HELL, YOU ABSOLUTE SCUMBAG! COME BACK HERE! DO YOU HEAR ME!? COME BACK HERE AND TRY TO DO THAT AGAIN, I DARE YOU! YOU BETTER HAVE RETREATED TO A SPACE BEYOND THIS WORLD BECAUSE IF I FIND YOU AGAIN, I WILL PULVERIZE YOU IN A MANNER THAT WILL MAKE YOU WISH YOU'VE NEVER STARTED EXISTING AGAIN, YOU BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!" With his rage being vocally released, Regulus clutched his head with his hands as he... wait…
"Hey, wait a minute!" Ricardo barked. "Why's his arm there?!"
"Yeah! Big Evil Scary Bro just cut it off!" Mimi agreed. "What happened?!"
Oh, so I'm evil and scary now, huh? Subaru hung his head down in disappointment.
Regulus looked down to see that his left hand had been restored, with no trace of it ever being cut off…. But that could only mean…
"Well done Bishop Corneas." Regulus looked to his right to see Pandora standing nearby with her usual sly and satisfied smile. It soon clicked for Regulus that Pandora had used her Authority to restore his hand. This managed to abate a good amount of his rage as he composed himself, even though annoyance was still etched on his face.
"THIS BITCH AGAIN?!"
"SHE FUCKING CHEATED!"
"You are one of only five beings who have dealt a victory against the Warlock of Envy. You should be proud of your accomplishment," Pandora congratulated her Archbishop over his victory against her greatest enemy, even though he was not dead, it was understandable.
"Hey, wait, who are the other four?" Petra asked.
"They're most likely the Divine Dragon, Sword Saint, and the Great Sage, just like in our reality," Reinhard harbored a guess.
"But that's three. There's one more."
"It's probably that bitch, Pandora," Al huffed.
"While I have no complaints about your praise towards me, I wish you wouldn't treat me like a child that just managed to do something extraordinary. I am the Sin Archbishop of Greed, and my power is second to none. It was only obvious that I would drive away that abominable dog for his crimes. Don't you realize that you've subconsciously classified me as "inferior" this way? That's a violation of my very being, you know. Still, I'll let it slide for now since I have bigger concerns to consider. Yes, I have won, as I always have, but that is not enough, that ignorant fungus must suffer in blood and brimstone for his follies right here. I will find him eventually and when I do, I am going to contort that face into one of terror. I'll strip him of any chance at happiness. I'll make sure he learns that no matter how much power, nobody can interfere with me. I've made sure of that for years and I'll continue to preserve that everlasting perfection. I am, and always will be the paragon of satisfaction, standing against the tyranny of time and all that would try to threaten that virtue," Regulus ranted, swearing that if he ever saw Subaru again, he would pay in blood for what he had done today.
"Tiny dick energy?"
"Tiny dick energy."
"Definitely tiny dick energy."
SMACK!
"DAMMIT RAM!"
"However, in the meantime, I would be pleased if you were to celebrate your victory with your wives. You have achieved an incredible feat today, so I believe you have earned some relaxation. Meanwhile, I will convert Bishop Romanee-Conti to the Archbishop of Sloth, and have the key open the seal," Pandora suggested her thoughts to the Archbishop.
Regulus merely smirked and bowed to Pandora. "Very well then. A pleasant evening to you, Pandora-sama, may your efforts prove fruitful. If that is all, I will waste no more time in this forest." Regulus began to walk back to his mansion to celebrate his victory.
Right when the Archbishop of Greed left, Pandora activated her Authority of Vainglory once more. "Bishop Romanee-Conti and his companions should be right in front of me, as if Natsuki Subaru had never sent them away." And as her words were turned into reality, Guese, Fortuna, and Emilia appeared in front of Pandora once again.
"Now, where were we?"
"Shit!" Subaru cursed to himself.
The Cast couldn't help but feel dejected as they realized Subaru's attempt to help was pointless.
97 years later...
"Oh, hey, another time card," Naoko smiled.
"So, is the whole viewing just showing what I've been doing for the past four hundred years?" Subaru wondered aloud.
"Well, following the timeline, if the freezing of Elior Forest happened over one hundred and seven years ago, then this would make the next event over a decade old," Crush theorized.
"But what was so important that happened this time around?" Al asked.
And an even better question, Subaru wondered. Did Satella also not interfere in this?
"Everyone, shh!" Petra commanded. "It's starting!"
The scene opened to a dark, foggy void. There was no light, no sign of life anywhere, and only one inhabitant. Such has been the case for nearly 400 years. Until, out of nowhere, a portal opened up, and a red haired woman fell down from it.
Theresia landed on her feet just in time. She didn't know what exactly happened. First, her Divine Protections of the Sword Saint suddenly vanished from her, then the White Whale was ready to feast on its next meal, being her. Then out of nowhere, a portal opened up beneath her and she fell down to... actually, where is here?
Everyone quickly looked at the screen as soon as they saw that flash of red hair.
Especially the grandfather and the grandson within the audience.
Theresia.
Grandmother.
The former Sword Saint looked around to the dark void around her. Despite the feeling of lifelessness in this... place, Theresia sensed no danger. It was... almost relaxing.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" Theresia called out to the darkness, hoping for a response, and soon got one in a distorted voice.
"So, this is what has become of the line of Sword Saints. I must admit, I'm not impressed." The voice put Theresia on edge, as she suddenly felt a near overwhelming pressure of power. However, the pressure vanished just as quickly as it came, and the fog around her began to form a humanoid shape. The figure had a fizzling shadowy body and piercing white eyes.
Theresia looked in horror as she realized that she was standing before the Warlock of Envy himself: Subaru Natsuki.
"Had Reid been facing that overgrown Moby Dick, He could've killed it with one swing of that sword." Subaru spoke, gesturing towards the Dragon Sword that Theresia was carrying. The former Sword Saint couldn't believe that the Warlock was speaking to her, but immediately got into a fighting stance and prepared for a battle Theresia knew she couldn't win.
"What is this event?" Kenichi asked.
Sensing the serious tone, Al decided it'd be best to pause the viewing for this.
"It appears…" Wilhelm gathered the courage to speak, "That this is the day I lost my wife, Theresia, to the White Whale. During the Great Expedition."
Reinhard could only look away in shame at the mention of his grandmother.
"The White Whale?" Naoko asked.
"The White Whale is one of the three Great Mabeats, alongside the Great Rabbit, and the Black Serpent. Created by the Witch of Envy, it terrorized the world for four hundred years, until a combined attack by the Crusch, Anastaisa, and Emilia Camps, led by your very own son, managed to slay the monster."
Both Natsuki parents looked over to Subaru with questions of "Really?!" and "What?!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I helped kill the thing, now can we please continue?"
"Wait! Ya still didn't tell 'em about th' Great Rabbit!" Garfiel said.
"We're not talking about the Great Rabbit! Now can we PLEASE continue?!"
"Oh, okay," Al nodded, grabbing the remote.
"So, have you come to kill me? Get rid of the Sword Saint of Lugunica?" Theresia questioned the Warlock, only to receive a scoff in response.
"You aren't the Sword Saint anymore, and if I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have brought you here." Theresia refused to drop her guard, but his answers did confuse her.
"Then where is 'here'?"
"'This' is my seal. Where I've been… trapped for nearly four hundred years…" Subaru gestured to the void around them. Subaru clearly voiced a sense of tiredness.
"You did this to yourself. Destroying half the world, creating the Mabeasts, leading the Warlock Cult. This is a luxury compared to what you should've been sentenced to, with the sins you've committed." Subaru, instead of getting angry or frustrated, started chuckling which unsettled the former Sword Saint.
"Wow, that Cap'n has zero fucks to give. He just laughed at a sword to th' throat."
"You would, too, if you were trapped for four centuries and unable to die."
"Aight, fair enough."
"Allegedly. Truth be told, I'm only guilty of my rampage four hundred years ago. I did not create the Mabeasts, nor do I lead the Cult," Subaru responded to her accusations, which confused Theresia. Her first thought was that Subaru was lying… but why? Why would the most powerful being in the world need to lie? To escape his seal? He doesn't really seem keen on getting out…
"Then who did create the Mabeasts?" An easy question for the Warlock.
"Daphne. The Witch of Gluttony. From what I can remember, She created the Mabeasts in an attempt to end world hunger. Though she definitely could've gone about it better…" Theresia was surprised, not expecting that response.
"Wait… the Witch didn't create the Mabeasts?!" Julius, and almost everyone else, were frankly shocked. The only ones not surprised by that were Subaru, Beatrice, and Roswaal, who already knew that.
"Yes. Daphne was responsible for the creation of the Mabeasts, with Satella having nothing to do with it, I suppose," Beatrice explained the truth behind the common misconception.
"Then, why was the Witch blamed for their creation?" Otto couldn't help but wonder.
Subaru, however, saw an opportunity. "Well, think about it like this, guys: Some random girl accidentally destroys half the world, and ends up being sealed by three random dudes. People tend to mythologize historic events, so it would make sense for the random girl to be portrayed as some sort of monster, while the three random dudes get portrayed as some heroes. Then enter these… wild animals that attack people, so it would make sense for them to blame their existence on someone universally everyone hates. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if Satella was made the scapegoat for a lot of things."
Everyone could see that Subaru made some very good points. Satella was universally hated, so naturally if something bad happened, they could likely blame it on her.
"And the Cult?" Theresia asked once again, but suddenly felt a burst of energy from the Warlock, who held an expression the former Sword Saint could only describe as rage.
"They are led by that vile wretch Pandora!" Theresia could feel the hatred the Warlock emanated, and it was almost… suffocating.
"Make no mistake, that woman is the reason for all of this! The Cult only claims to worship me, and even if they really did, I don't want or need it. They merely use my name to hide behind while that bitch can do whatever she pleases because the world doesn't even know she exists!" Theresia was surprised to hear the Warlock speak in such rage. It's mostly due to the fact that people tend to tell the truth when they're enraged, and Pandora's appearance to be rid of her with the White Whale lends credibility to the Warlock's words.
"Wait… so the Cult isn't actually worshiping me?" Subaru asked in confusion, "Not that I want it! Before any of you start something!"
Cue Petra and Rem pouting, and Ram huffing about a usual Barusu insult.
"It appears that you're being used to divert attention away from Pandora's true goals, whatever they may be," Reinhard harbored a guess.
"And if that's the case in this reality, then isn't it possible, or even likely, that it's also true in ours?" Julius wondered aloud the possibility hanging in the air.
"Hold on Julius, are you seriously suggesting that the Witch Cult… isn't actually worshiping Satella?" Subaru asked for confirmation, but in truth, he was hoping this could help clear up Satella's name of being affiliated with the Witch Cult.
"Well, the upper brass certainly aren't," Al said, pausing the viewing, getting everyone's attention. When all the eyes turned to him, he quickly explained. "In the previous scene, we saw that Greed dude attack evil Bro, so it seems like the Sin Archbishops, or at least most of them, don't actually care for their "god", or "goddess", or whatever. In fact, it seems to me that Pandora is actually the one pulling the strings."
"Tha'… makes a disturbin' amount o' sense," Anastasia said.
Score! Subaru internally cheered, as one by one, everyone agreed with Al.
"Wait a minute, what about Petelgeuse?" Julius remembered the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, "He seemed rather devoted to the Witch as I recall, right Subaru?"
DAMMIT JULIUS! Subaru had to compose himself from saying something he'd regret.
"I can answer that one," Emilia raised her hand.
"Oh, the half-elf has something to say?" Priscilla smirked.
"I do," the amethyst-eyed girl answered with authority. "I knew Geuse before he became… Sloth. He was like a father to me, and when Pandora attacked… he gave himself the Authority of Sloth in order to protect us… but… it drove him insane."
"I can vouch for that, I suppose," Beatrice spoke up, "I knew Geuse. He was a hard-working person, the exact opposite of slothful. So, when he took an Authority that was incompatible with him… Well, let's just say it was a miracle that he wasn't instantly killed."
That would have been a mercy for him, the black-haired knight thought grimly.
With the conversation done, Al quickly resumed the viewing.
"What do you mean when you said Pandora was 'the reason for all of this'?" The Warlock merely stayed silent for a few moments before answering.
"She is the one who took my beloved wife from me." Theresia's eyes widened in shock, and began to lower her sword. Pandora was the reason the Subaru caused the Great Calamity? But why?
Everyone in the theater was silent as they processed what they heard.
"My beloved wife". It was at that moment that everyone took notice of the Warlock's wedding ring, and the dots connected.
"I… got married…?" Subaru said in a stunned fashion.
And now everyone had one single question on their mind: WHO?
Kenichi and Naoko wanted to celebrate the fact that someone was smart enough to marry their wonderful son, along with the possible fact that they could have had grandchildren.
Emilia felt a certain pit in her stomach, but she wasn't sure why.
Rem, meanwhile, wanted to know the whore's name, find her if she was still alive, and strangle her.
Ram gave a look of pity for the poor girl who chose to marry Barusu.
Petra also wanted to kill a certain hoe.
However, some of the more perceptive Cast members, like Reinhard, Wilhelm, and Roswaal remembered an earlier scene, and already had a pretty good idea of who Subaru got with. They only hoped that they were wrong, because if their prediction was true…
…it would open a whole OTHER can of worms.
"That's why you caused the Great Calamity? But why try to destroy the World?" A question which caused Subaru to look away in… shame?
"Originally, the world wasn't my target. It was… just in the way." Theresia was confused, so Subaru decided to elaborate.
"After I absorbed the Envy Witch Factor, I went to go look for Minerva, the Witch of Wrath." Theresia had only heard of the name before, but didn't know much beyond her title.
"She was like a sister to me… all the Witches were. I found her captured by an unknown faction of bandits, and was… ultimately forced to put her out of her misery." Theresia could see that Subaru was clearly saddened at the memory, which made her wonder what the Witches were actually like if Subaru was anything to go by.
"Wait, Subaru knew the Witches?!" Petra screamed in shock.
"And from the sounds of it, they were very close." Wilhelm thought about the implications.
"Well, at least we're getting some exposition." Al commented.
"After that, I end up absorbing the Wrath Witch Factor. Being this World's incarnation of Wrath itself, combined with my own hatred of Pandora, I went completely out of control… and then I found her." Subaru explained as he recalled his second encounter with the Witch of Vainglory, and his fury at his inability to end her.
"Pandora noticed my increase in power and came to investigate shortly after I had begun my Rampage. I did everything I could to put her down, but it was useless. Had I been able to use my Authority of Wrath at the time, things might've been different…"
It was at that moment that Subaru understood why his counterpart developed such a horrifying ability.
"He couldn't kill her." The Cast turned to Subaru in confusion. "When Beako said that Authorities manifest themselves based on their users' desires, I wondered why he got… Gates of Hell."
"..." No one could comment on the ability they remembered this Subaru having.
"But now, I think I get it. He hated Pandora so much that his Authority of Wrath developed an ability to try to get around Pandora's resurrection ability, because he couldn't kill her," Subaru explained, giving the Cast a new perspective that the Subaru they were seeing wasn't someone who enjoyed his victims screaming in pain.
He was someone who wanted revenge, and couldn't have it.
"However, she said something to me, 'Eventually, you will have no one to go back to, and that is a fate worse than death', and that's when it hit me. Pandora took everything from me, I would take what she wanted most: the world."
"So in my infinite stupidity, I decided that I would destroy the world to deny Pandora her greatest desire, to even the score between us. I would make her lose everything and leave her a hollow husk of her former self that would never be able to get what she wanted!" Subaru's rage had soon subsided once he was finished, only to cover his Shadow form's face with his hands.
"Not my greatest decision… and I regret it to this day." Subaru could only feel shame and regret when he thought about the destruction and death he caused. Only that wretch deserved to die, no one else.
No one knew how to process what they heard. Apparently, Subaru went on a rampage to find Pandora, couldn't kill her, and decided to destroy the world to get back at Pandora.
Subaru, as much as he hated to admit it even to himself, could see himself in the Warlock's shoes. It was clear that his counterpart cared immensely for his wife, whoever she was, similar to how he feels about Emilia and Rem. If Subaru lost them forever, with no way to save them or even be able to go back far enough, he would likely end up similar to the Warlock.
And, from what he's getting, Subaru's counterpart seems to want to make things right. With going out of his way to help Emilia and her family, and saving Theresia, he wondered what else he's been try to do to make amends, as well as how successful he's been.
Knowing our luck, this may be his most successful attempt. Subaru made an assumption.
Theresia honestly didn't know what to think anymore. She could feel the guilt and regret from the Warlock, and now, when she looked at who was feared and hated as the Devil who caused the greatest crime in history, all she could see was a broken man who lost everything. What would she have done if she lost Wilhelm, or Heinkel, or even her little Sword Angel, Reinhard?
"Your wife…" Theresia started, catching the Warlock's attention.
"..."
"What was her name?" Subaru was surprised to hear her ask such a question, but remembered that the woman before him was also married. She had a husband, a son, and even a grandson.
Yes, Subaru-kun, what's her name…? Rem was eager to learn who she was planning on beating the shite out of. Petra was having similar thoughts.
"Satella…" That was the first time in years Subaru had spoken his wife's name, and it was still as beautiful as ever.
For what feeled like an eternity, everyone was silent.
Then, the screaming started.
"WHAAAT?!"
"THE WITCH IS HIS WIFE?!"
"YA FUCKED SATELLA?!"
SLAP!
"GARF!"
Everyone was, for a lack of a better term, horrified that the Subaru they were seeing married Satella, with Emilia and Rem were taking the worst of it.
Emilia was as distraught as can be, almost as much as when she believed Subaru abandoned her at the Sanctuary. Subaru has been a constant light in her life, and Satella was someone Emilia unfortunately resembled. To hear they fell in love with each other… it hurt more than she thought possible. The half-elf took some comfort that Subaru only had eyes for her… and maybe Rem.
Speaking of Rem, she was livid. Subaru was her hero, the man that saved her. So, to hear that he married the woman that was worshipped, or supposedly worshipped as she wasn't sure anymore, by the terrorist group that ruined her childhood and stole her sister's horn was not comforting in the slightest. Rem could only take some comfort in the fact that Subaru does not, and will never have feelings for the Witch.
Oh, if only they knew.
Crusch felt like the wind was taken out of her sails with such a revelation. She still remembered Subaru saying that if it weren't for the existence of Emilia and Rem, he would have followed the green-haired Candidate to the ends of the world. And, okay, MAYBE she interpreted that as a sign of affection, especially after the whole "losing your memories" debacle. Still, the idea that he was married to another woman, especially Satella, hurt her.
Petra felt something sour in her mouth. The idea of Subaru marrying the Witch was the equivalent of the idol singer you have a crush on marrying the monster under your bed: Complete nightmare fuel.
Meanwhile, complete idiots like Garfiel, Otto, Ricardo and Al, were now secretly worshiping Subaru in the back of their minds for being such a legendary mad lad that he was able to take to bed such a dangerous and powerful woman, and was successful enough for her to become his wife. They would make sure that the tale of that god among men would not die with them.
Subaru knew what he heard, the only problem was that his brain was having trouble processing those words into reality. He was married to Satella. HE, the complete loser from another world was married to, like, one of the most objectively beautiful people in the world.
Sure, he was smart enough to know that this was probably before the Great Calamity, and that version of Satella never became a genocidal maniac, so it probably made sense that a dumbass like him would be able to score such a beauty. If he somehow managed to meet her standards.
But no, that wasn't the problem, the problem that he was having was what HIS Satella told him back at the Sanctuary.
"I love you, for giving me light, for showing me the outside world, for holding my hand when I was lonely, and for kissing me when I was all alone. I will always love you, Subaru Natsuki."
It did not make sense. It still didn't make sense. How did Satella know about him? It's not like Return by Death could evolve into time travel. And even if that was the case, it still wouldn't explain a bunch of the inconsistencies Subaru saw throughout the episode.
If the what-if scenario was accurate, it would have Subaru going Warlock during the time he was summoned, not four hundred years prior. Why would Satella not becoming the Witch of Envy bring him to four hundred years into the past? Why didn't the conditions –
The conditions.
"References "the Original"."
If… If Subaru was summoned four hundred years prior, it would make sense for Satella to fall in love with him. It would also make sense why all of the other Witches even tolerated him. But then, that would make his time here in Lugnica, right now… was his second go around…
The Subaru from four hundred years ago WAS "the Original".
It all made sense now. The original Subaru got summoned four hundred years ago, fell in love with Satella and vice versa, then… Pandora does something, like kill him… Satella becomes the Witch of Envy out of grief and anger, destroys the world, gets sealed away… and then when HE arrives, she gives him Return by Death in an effort to not lose him again, and goes out of her way to proclaim her love to him, even going so far as to bump off her other love rivals –
Subaru's brain grinded to a halt at that thought. In the timeline they were watching, he and Satella were married, but he didn't know the relationship Satella and his "original self" had, though they were obviously romantically involved. If the original him and Satella were married…
Oh God… does that mean… I'm technically cheating on Satella by pursuing Emilia and Rem?! Subaru thought about the horrifying implications of his relationship with the three girls and what that means for him.
But that would open up a whole other can of worms: Throughout these episodes, Subaru saw how different Satellas all interacted with their Subarus. In the one where Emilia went to Japan, Satella followed her, and even attacked her Subaru outside of the sushi place. In the Eilor Forest one, there was a good chance that the kid Subaru also had Return by Death…
All of those Subarus never showed up before the Great Calamity, they came afterwards. They were never "the Original". The Subaru on-screen, the Warlock, he was. He IS the original, or a variation of him who destroyed the world in Satella's place, hence why he would be a reference to "the Original", instead of being the genuine article.
Am I… just a replacement for the Subaru she lost? Thinking that, Subaru decided to sit back to alleviate his headache, and possibly heartbreak.
But now, he knew one thing for certain:
I wasn't the first Subaru to be summoned to my Lugnica.
This was all too much for him to take, and decided to stop thinking about it before his head explodes.
Satella-tan, I don't know if you're listening, but we NEED to talk when I get back! Subaru could only hope she heard him. Satella did in fact hear him. Whether she was looking forward to that conversation or not was still a mystery.
By the time he was done, hopefully, telepathically telling Satella to NOT hunt down his potential time-travel mistresses, Al already calmed everyone down and they continued the viewing.
"Satella… that's a beautiful name. She must've loved you very much to leave such an impact on you." Theresia spoke with a smile, and was shocked to see tears on the Warlock's Shadow, to which he quickly wiped them away.
"Yes…" While the moment had passed, Theresia still had one more question for Subaru.
"Subaru, if you don't mind me asking, why did you save me?" Subaru had finished wiping his tears away, to which he gave his answer.
"I guess… you can consider this my… apology to Reid." Theresia was surprised to hear the Warlock, no… Subaru, speak of her ancestor in such a way.
"Oh, great, are we getting more truth-bombs dropped on us?" Al asked. No one was over the revelation of the Warlock marrying Satella.
"I… wasn't always like this. Reid was… well, not like your stories say, but he was loyal… and a true friend. When I faced him and the others, my mind was clouded by rage and revenge. So, I guess you can consider me saving you as an apology for what I did, considering you are his descendant." Subaru explained his reasoning, which Theresia couldn't help but ponder. He was friends with her ancestor, the first Sword Saint? This information went against everything she thought she knew…
"I believe our time has come to an end. I will send you back to the capital." Subaru prepared an Al Shamac spell, while Theresia was ready to return home.
"Wait, are you really content with staying here?" Theresia questioned Subaru's willingness to just let her go with no strings attached. Doesn't he want to be free of his seal?
"The only things that would make me want to leave this place is Satella somehow returning, or killing Pandora, neither of which is possible now. Besides, It's best that I stay here. I don't cause a panic and no one gets hurt trying to stop a threat that won't attack, and that doesn't even count the fact I sacrifice almost 90% of my mana just to get out temporarily..." Subaru explained his logic, which did make sense to Theresia, but it felt like she was just abandoning him.
"Al Shamak." The portal opened, and Theresia was ready to step through the Portal and return home. "Oh, before you go, a word of advice."
Theresia looked back at Subaru.
"Try to spend as much time as you can with the people you love, and always treasure the times you have with them, because you never know when they could be taken from you." The Warlock of Envy gave his advice, to which the former Sword Saint smiled back at him.
"Thank you, Subaru." Theresia stepped through the portal and back to the Capital to where her family was waiting for her.
As the Cast watched Theresia van Astrea run through the city gates, they were all quiet. Theresia, the one in their reality, never got such an opportunity. The Witch of Envy never interfered, and never saved her life. She was dead and gone.
Two people in particular shed a tear at the scene.
One of them did so, while blaming himself for his grandmother's stolen life.
And the other did so, while blaming himself for wasting his own.
There was one more being that, while not physically present, saw the whole thing and also felt regret and guilt. Regret for not attempting to save the former Sword Saint's life and the lives of so many others, and guilt for allowing Pandora to do whatever she pleased without even attempting to stop it. Satella vowed on her beloved's name that she was going to change that.
Once Theresia was gone, the shadow the Warlock was using dissipated, and Subaru's real body was shown sitting on a throne of shadows. His head resting on knuckle, and his eyes clearly tired. Seeing the former Sword Saint leave, he couldn't help but recall the last day he felt happiness.
"I'm so proud of you, Subaru! Becoming Master's successor is the grandest of honors! I have no doubt you'll make a super great, Great Sage!"
The Warlock lifted his hand to feel the orange scarf he wore. His last gift from Satella.
"You aren't gonna get rid of me that easily! I'll always be there for you, Subaru! Even when you don't want me!"
A lone tear streamed down to the darkness.
"Till death do us part… my beloved."
Everyone was silenced once again. The revelation of this Subaru marrying Satella was very… well, earth-shattering. They wondered how that relationship played out, that maybe Subaru was brainwashed or manipulated to fall for the Witch.
But now, they realized that they were wrong. The Warlock of Envy and Wrath, who took Satella's place as the Devil that destroyed half the world, genuinely loved his wife. There was no manipulation, no brainwashing, no mind games of any kind. Just love.
A love ripped away too soon, leaving only bitterness, anger, and regret.
As the lights came back to life at the end of the episode, everyone was recovering from what they witnessed, and had to think on many things. On how much of their history had been a lie, how to exactly combat Pandora, and what will be their newfound view of the Witch.
Subaru however, knew one thing for sure, Whatever past me and Satella had, I have to find out.
Author's Note: It's enough to make a grown man cry, huh? And that's okay.
The original story is called "The Warlock's Punishment" by Infinite the Celestian, yes, the guy that has been helping me with this series, on . You can find the story with the link, s/13928416/1/The-Warlock-s-Punishment. Now with that all that hullabaloo out of the way, on with the comments!
DashingSlayer101: The story you're looking for was called "The Early Arrival", which I can understand your confusion on. I have read it, and it was pretty good.
RandomGuest: I personally think that Subaru would have been summoned regardless of the Witch's meddling or not, hence why he still exists in this story. Also, Rim is an actual character from an isekai anime who looks like the oni twins, but with yellow hair. Though, I'm not sure if I will be able to update these stories as quickly as I usually do.
Datnoob: While, yes, it is true that Japan does have a monarchy, the people still elect their government officials via a democratic process, similar to Great Britain.
Chuck B. Winanaki: Yeah, a lot of people tend to read the second story first, since it updates more recently. And while, yes, the Theater itself is in a multiverse, it won't collide with a parallel version of itself. I hope you enjoyed this story so far!
wilson chenyauwei: A version of the Wrath If featuring Subaru and Ram will happen, but it will be in the future. Please be patient, we writers are human beings, too.
5queso: Did you just impersonate Felix?
Pryd: While I would have loved to show the Witch of Frost and Warlock or Shadows as adults, the original author hasn't done so yet, so I hope you can be content with the Warlock of Envy instead. Thanks for the compliments, see you next time!
12GC12: No, I'm not going to be using Re:63 for the Fembaru fic.
calderoneric758: Well, guess what? You get both! Enjoy!
Deathenglegamers1144: I didn't actually give young Emilia and Subaru their titles, the original author did. Killing is pretty much a checkmark in the Re: Zero world. Also, Subaru is in for a wild ride of suffering in the future! See you in the next chapter…
FakeA: Yeah, last week's story is one of the greats in terms of fanfiction, and I'm glad that you think that my story is on its way to become that, too. While I may take breaks on this, I will be continuing this until the bloody end!
Abel Barbosa: Glad you find the writing and the reactions good. See you next time!
Flex_on_writer: Fembaru is in the other story. This is Warlockbaru.
Soleil_VAR: This isn't Subaru's drag persona, it's the same character, simply with their biological insides switched up. Her name is Subaru Natsuki.
Princegeoge: It's perfectly fine if you prefer one story over the other. Option Two is quite popular. As for the continuity error, Subaru doesn't feel remorse for killing Petelgeuse back there, but he definitely does after this viewing.
leymax2021: Yeah, that's the thing about the multiverse. If you look hard enough, you'll find a lot of realities that are similar, and well, some of them can't be shown. And while yes, I have seen "Path of the Blessed Stars", I'm not adding that one unless one of the previously-scheduled stories has to get pulled, kinda like the ending one.
Don_Tico11: I never thought of adding "Wish Upon A Sin" because it seemed boring to me, and there is now way I'm touching the Vainglory If.
Banananaboy: Yeah, the beginning of last episode's story was basically a lot of cure fluff, and I'm glad you're excited to see Warlock Subaru. See you again soon!
(Hey guys, this is Infinite speaking. For those unaware, I'm the author of "The Warlock's Punishment" Ernalore is using for this chapter, and I haven't posted anything about it for a while outside of these special collaboration events we're doing, and for that, I would like to sincerely apologize for my slothfulness. Life just keeps getting in the way, but I want to change that. I do plan to post the next chapter of TWP before the end of the year, and I hope I'll have more time to do it. Ernalore's been a great guy, and I hope to continue supporting him in the future, as he's giving me motivation to continue writing. So, please show him some love, he deserves it. -Infinite)
And that's a wrap! A special thanks to Infinite the Celestain for helping me in making this story, and for being an all-around great guy! If you want to join my Discord server, the link is /u23PTjYM. You can chat with others, post memes and fan art, and I'll drop by with announcements and chat with you all every now and then! If you want to add me as a friend, my username is Ernalore#8663! If you want to read more, check out my other stories! Thanks for reading, and we'll see you all next time!
- Ernalore
Next time:
What if Subaru survived Rem's attack?
OR
What if Subaru refused to kill himself?
