After a short moment of silence which followed the words of Echidna, the witch was stared at the confused boy whom the truth was just revealed, her chin rested on her hands with a contemptuous smile.
"You shouldn't make this face. I believe I have been clear enough, did I not?" The witch waved her hand at the boy, waiting for his reaction.
Which Subaru answered by grabbing the table and sending it flying with brute force, as he grabbed the white-haired witch by the collar of her dark dress and lifted her, his wrath channeling an unusual impressive inner strength.
"You did what?!" He growled, her face so close they could share a kiss without any effort would the situation not be filled with such animosity.
Echidna simply smiled at him even more, her eyes showing no hints of fear towards the boy, which was impressive on its own, as very few people would be able to hold a similar stance would they be face to face with the wrath of the sharp-eyed young man.
"…" His breathing becoming faster and louder, Subaru's eyes began to widen as he came to the realization he was struggling to see.
Slowly, the grip he had on Echidna's collar began to lessen. He was trembling, shaking.
His confusion was so great, his mind such a maelstrom, that it was impossible to put a finger on what he felt, on what he wanted to think of, or say.
The questions and doubts he had, the pain he felt down his stomach every time he thought of the faces of his wives…
The culprit was there.
She was right in front of him!
Echidna!
"Ahah…"
The witch tilted her head in interest at the curious laugh that Subaru let out of his mouth.
"That's it…!" He breathed loudly, "it's you! It's your fault…!"
"Mh?"
"You're the one who did this!" with unnatural eyes, he pointed out to her, his voice high, "Emilia, and Rem! They…They did this because of you!"
Closing her eyes in disappointment, Echidna sighed loudly at the sight of the black-haired knight, visibly drowning in his delusions.
"So, they didn't…They didn't…Betray me…" as the weight of his thoughts started to grow heavier, his legs seemed to have lost their strength, making him fall to his knees with a hand on his heart, "All of this…Is just…Because of…"
"No."
The loud and sharp answer of the witch echoed everywhere in the plains of this fictional dream, cutting Subaru in his thoughts as he was forced to raise his head at her.
For the first time…Echidna wore an expression that wasn't like anything else Subaru had ever seen.
It wasn't cunning.
It wasn't haughty.
It wasn't a smug smile.
It wasn't an expression of deep interest.
Or even temptation.
She seemed…Mad. Upset…Or perhaps disappointed?
"Look at you, immediately jumping at a conclusion that would offer the past events you lived some sort of redemption," she shook her head, "as if it was the only thing you were waiting for."
"…"
"Let me tell you something, Natsuki Subaru," putting a knee down so she could be closer to his face, making sure that he would see and hear what she was about to say, Echidna's eyes stared at those of the boy, "the only culprits here are nothing but these two loose women you called 'wives'."
"But…You-"
"Ordered Roswaal to bed them through the gospel? Is this what you are about to use?" with a usual soft voice, shivering, haunting, she continued, "Is this the cornice you are handling upon with what is left of hope for those you loved?"
"…"
Subaru remained silent, listening to the witch with fast-paced breathing, a pressure on his heart growing as if it was about to burst.
"But why would your…Magnificent, beautiful, amazing, angels of wives ever do this, Subaru?" She questioned.
"…B-Because y-you must have done something…! Roswaal! He had to do something to them! Something you told him to do, brainwash them!" He yelled in despair, gritting his teeth, "I'm sure he can use magic to do so! This is too obvious for you to never make a spell akin to it!"
"Brainwashing does exist," Echidna nodded her head, "with the use of water magic…An element Roswaal was never able to control."
"CUT THE CRAP!" his voice becoming hoarse, tears about to fall off his eyes, Subaru yelled once more, "there's no way they willingly jumped on his bed just by Roswaal's demand! And you're included in this! That just shows how rigged this entire thing is, he must have done something, you must have done something!"
"I didn't say nothing was done," she calmly replied, smiling at the attitude of despair the boy was taking, as if she was expecting it, "of course precautions had to be taken."
Subaru widened his eyes at her response…An odd smile on his face.
Yes, a smile.
As terrible and haunting one could be.
For such a fate than the one he was bound to live, it seems he smiled at the last glint of hope that could offer him some form of salvation…Hoping to bring his past happiness back.
"A spell of temptation," Leaning forward, she told the boy, "This is what Roswaal used."
"Temptation…" confused by these words, Subaru tried to understand the meaning behind them...
"Roswaal used a spell that aliments the temptation of carnal desires within one," she continued, looking at Subaru's desperate expression growing darker, "if someone has an interest, the spell will amplify them."
"What…" he said in a hushed tone, fearing the worst to come.
"But the final choice…Is only within their hands." The witch concluded.
The world seemed like it just stopped for the black-haired knight. This was too unreal.
How ironic it was…Since all of this happened, Subaru has already gone through the many stages of grief. The sadness and self-loathing he felt was cast away by the undying support and loyalty his close ones brought to him, steeling himself into facing this last challenge, and a moment ago before meeting Ram, he was even ready to put an end to everything.
All of this was just solemn proof that Subaru Natsuki was nothing but a giant with feet of clay.
He built up so much strength…Only to be brought down by something so minor. All of this determination, crumbling with one single revelation, that just showed how unprepared Subaru truly was.
He wasn't ready to put everything behind him, not at all.
Like he still wanted to go back at them.
Like he still wanted to love Emilia and Rem, to go back at his past life of happiness with the two women he vowed to.
Because after everything he lived, it was the first time he felt truly whole, and a part of him refused to let go of it. Truly, Subaru seemed to be…
"You're lying…"
He was pathetic.
"You make no sense…"
He was hopeless.
"This is wrong…!"
He was weak.
"YOU'RE WRONG!"
He was broken.
Or…?
"For someone who wished to stand tall after all of the support he gained, you surely don't live up to what you attended to be, don't you think?" She replied with a soft voice, hearing the boy's cries about his crushed hope, "Let me make all of this clear for you one last time."
"The spell Roswaal used didn't brainwash them, manipulate them, alter their feelings or anything else that you would try to grasp upon to justify what happened. It did nothing more than make them feel temptation, attraction…Do you get it?" Subaru didn't have the strength to raise his face as he came to the realization.
"The final choice…Was all theirs."
A long moment of silence took place once more. Subaru didn't feel like saying anything while Echidna…Observed.
She was waiting for something. She wanted to do something. Of course, for someone to go this far, there had to be a reason.
This was the sole question that remained in Subaru's mind now. Echidna did order Roswaal…But to what purpose? What goal? Certainly, a witch lacked common sense, and her thoughts were considered alien for any sane human. Wanting to understand one, would be a tremendous task even for the most knowledgeable scholar or sage.
Yet, knowing what the witch of greed was…The doubt remained, of a possibility, a chance, of her doing all of this simply…By curiosity. Nothing else than that, nothing more.
And Subaru needed to know.
"So…Why." Breaking the silence and keeping his head down, Subaru questioned the witch.
"Why did you do that…Why did you order that" his voice hollow, voicing his dread thoughts, he continued, "why couldn't you just…Let me live my life…"
"Is this really what you wished for, Subaru?" she simply replied, allowing herself to caress his cheek, "this was proof of their loyalty. They broke your matrimonial oath in the end…They broke your faith."
Subaru remained silent.
"See what you feel at the moment, and think about what you would have felt in a far future, with even more memories of fake smiles and 'joy' by their side…Imagine how greater and unbearable would be your pain…" she whispered to him, trying to soothe him with her delicate touch, "When a disease is crawling under your skin, the sooner you are relieved from it, the safer you are. Before it grows to a dangerous height, and before you suffer too much…Even if it is painful, something has to be done."
"So, you did all of that…" Subaru whispered as Echidna lifted his chin.
"To protect you…" smiling with soft eyes as she murmured these last words, both of her hands on the young man's cheeks, Echidna gently brought her lips closer.
"There we are," Reinhard announced to the group as the carriage was coming closer to the Miload domain.
"Let's go then!" Felt exclaimed, "we lost enough time like that!"
Wilhelm was the first to go down the carriage, lending a hand for his lady to come down safely, followed by Felix, Reinhard, and Felt.
At the entrance of the domain, the group met with the pink-haired maid who was waiting for them, bowing in respect to them.
"Reinhard-sama, Felt-sama, Crusch-sama, Felix-sama, Wilhelm-sama," she elegantly spoke with respect, "welcome to the Miload domain…And thank you."
"You are thanking us?" Crusch raised an eyebrow in wariness.
"I believe you are here in support of Barusu," she redressed her head, gazing at the Duchess, "this is why it is natural for me to thank you, for being by his side."
"Well of course!" Felt nodded her head, "there ain't no way I'm leaving him behind…But…"
Felt stopped talking, an uneasy expression on her face as she didn't know how to proceed with her next words.
Of course, Ram already understood. All of them certainly assumed that she would have been by her sister's side in this situation.
"I believed that you would find a way to defend Rem's behavior, Ram-dono," Crusch sternly spoke, "which is why, if I may ask…"
"There is nothing to explain here, Duchess-sama. Ram's sister was simply, definitely the one in the wrong," she calmly replied, "while I love her as a sister would…This truth remains the same."
"…I see." Crusch nodded her head,
"Well, this is a surprise nya…" Felix twitched his ears, still a bit uneasy about this situation, or in other words, not wishing to be in Ram's place.
"Ram-dono is simply not blinded by her familial bonds," Wilhelm sighed as he turned to the catboy, "it demands a lot of courage…"
"Where is Subaru?" The sword saint demanded, his voice showing his worry for his friend, fearing to be too late.
"He went to the sanctuary at the west from here," Ram answered, "also…"
Reinhard noticed the eyes of the maid focusing on him, as she came closer.
"Barusu tasked me to tell you to join him once you will reach the manor, Reinhard-sama."
Widening his eyes as his heart skipped a beat, Reinhard turned to the group and of course, his lady, who nodded her head to him.
"Go Rein, we'll take it from here!" the little princess shouted to him.
"What do you plan to do, my lady?" Curious and worried to not be by his lady's side for the future actions she was about to take, Reinhard demanded.
"Well, I guess the same as the Duchess," she crossed her arms, turning to the verdant-haired woman who had her eyes staring at the manor.
When everyone turned towards her, Crusch looked at her side and nodded firmly to the little blonde.
"It is time to have a word with Roswaal and his candidate." She said as Felt acknowledged her words.
"Will it be alright…" While he trusted his lady to take the right choice, Reinhard couldn't help but feel a bit warry about this decision.
"There is nothing to fear, grandson," Wilhelm stepped forward, "and if a fight would be what lies at the end, I shall be there."
"You seem to forget that I'm here too nya! Maybe fighting is not my forte, but there's a lot water magic can still do!" Felix pointed out, winking to the sword saint.
"You heard them," Felt smiled," go to big bro Rein."
Reinhard silently looked at his lady, who saw in his eyes that he still was doubtful, but not for long.
"He needs you," she concluded as she turned around, "don't give up on him now."
And like the last words he needed to be pushed forward, Reinhard nodded his head with a smile of his own and began to head west, where the sanctuary was.
"And there he goes…" Felix whispered, not sure of what he felt at the moment, "I wonder if the worst of the job is left for us to do nya…"
"You're free to walk away if you're chickening now," walking forward, Felt spoke in a disinterested tone, "I do need to have a word with big s-, with…Emilia."
Everyone glanced at Felt for the second she corrected herself, remembering very well the way she used to call the silver-haired princess, giving evidence that the little blonde decided on her own.
"Then, please come this way." Ram nodded to them, leading the way inside the manor.
"What about the other residents?" Crusch asked the maid, as Felt scouted closer to hear since they were talking about the people she was here to house later on.
"Otto went to the village of Costuul to retrieve Petra-chan," She explained, "she…Isn't aware of any of this since she had been at the village the whole day."
"…This is going to be quite the shock for her…" Crusch lamented with a wince.
"As for my sister, Frederica-san, Garfiel-kun, and Beatrice-sama, they are all waiting inside for Barusu to come back…Along with Emilia-sama and lord Roswaal."
"I see…" Crusch took a deep breath, nodded to the maid," thank you."
As everyone began to follow the maid inside, some could feel an uncomfortable feeling rising in their chest the closer they would come. For Felt and Crusch, it was first because of the sheer incomprehension that this situation still held to them.
They both knew Emilia, and the fact that she went on her way to cheat on Subaru was not something that they could have believed to happen even in a dream filled with nonsense to the roots.
And while it was not the case for Felt, the Duchess had her questions about the blue-haired Oni as well. During the whale fight, during their talk in the aftermath and the fight against the bishops, she saw with her own eyes the undying loyalty she had for Subaru Natsuki, the love she carried in her for him, at a point that Crusch felt a bit envious of such feelings.
So the "why" of these past events was something that couldn't leave her mind.
"Crusch-sama?" Felix called her, noticing the uneasiness in her eyes, "Is something the matter?"
"…We are all determined to make them pay already…But I wonder if there is not another side of this story," not hiding her confusion, the Duchess held a hand on her forehead in frustration, "this just doesn't make sense, Ferris…The more I think about it, the more…"
"I guess we'll have our answers by asking the culprits themselves, Crusch-sama," understand what his lady meant, Felix replied in an expressionless tone," I'm confused about everything too nya! You're not the only one! But we already expressed our support for Subaru-kyun."
"That I cannot argue with," Crusch answered, feeling a sudden chill down her spine as if the air grew colder and colder as they came closer to the manor.
"H-hey…" Felt shuddered, calling the maid, "what the…"
"It is Emilia-sama," Ram narrowed her eyes, "mh..We should hurry."
Ram suddenly hurrying her feet inside, the group glanced followed her in haste, entering the manor where the source of this chilling aura was.
Inside, all of them widened their eyes to the sight of the entire main hall turned into a winterly battle ground.
Arrows of cold, sharpened as a steel blade planted in the walls, the atmosphere freezing, shivering, while the steam out of people's breath could be seen.
At the center, Frederica knelt as she held her wounded brother in her arms, glaring at the culprit of this attack with her fangs out in anger.
"What the hell is happening here?!" Felt yelled, all the eyes turning to her, including Emilia and Frederica.
"Emilia-sama!" the pink-haired maid shouted in shock, running to the tiger boy's side.
"Felt-sama…? Crusch-sama?!" Widening her eyes as a feeling of relief shined through her voice, Frederica held her brother tighter.
"Felix!" Crusch ordered, the catboy not needing to hear more to know what he had to do, as he hurried to the tiger boy's side and cast his healing magic.
"Ah~? Crusch-sama! Felt-chan!" with a voice that could be described by some as angelic, soft, Emilia beamed in happiness at the sight of the two other candidates present in the room, "Wilhelm-san is here too! How glad I am to see you all visiting me!"
"The hell is that…" Felt murmured, higher enough for the green-haired candidate only to hear, "she's disgusting…"
It didn't take more than a second for the little blonde to understand that this woman wasn't sane, was different, and far from the one she used to call 'big sis.'
Her voice wasn't soft, wasn't pleasant to hear, or anything of the sort.
It was rather unsettling, creepy, unhealthy, pathetic, unsettling, sad…
"The fuck is this…" She spat as she strengthened herself, feeling that there was more to come.
"Have you lost your mind?" Crusch narrowed her eyes, the sight of Emilia attacking her own camp member being proof of true insanity," Am I addressing myself to Emilia, right now?"
"Mh? And why would you not, Crusch-sama?" the silver-haired princess replied.
"Because with this sight before my eyes, I feel like this question is more than legitimate!" She stepped forward, a hand on the hilt of her sword, "What is the meaning of this, Emilia!"
"He tried to get in my way! I asked him to move, he didn't listen!" Emilia defended herself, still with an innocent voice, "I know I am rather kind but even I have my limits, you know?"
"And this was a reason to nearly kill him?!" Felt angrily yelled, "what the fuck happened to you!"
"Felt-chan! Your language!" Emilia cut her.
"Don't you da-"
"STOP!" A voice echoed from the side, coming from the blonde maid still holding her brother.
"Felt-sama, Crusch-sama! Do not get any closer to her!" a clear resent still present in her voice, Frederica warned them to stay where they were, "Emilia-sama has gotten mad! She will attack anyone who approaches her too much!"
"Do not call me mad, Frederica!" Emilia pouted like a child, "I just don't want anyone else than those I allow to touch me! Isn't this normal?"
Frederica only answered with a growl towards the amethyst-eyed princess, wanting nothing more than to jump at her throat and make her pay for what she did to her brother…But she also knew it would be nothing more but suicide.
"Sis…" Garfiel grunted, coming back to his sense thanks to the renowned blue's magic," Don't let her come out…Don't let her come close to capn'…"
"Uh…Subaru-kyun?" Felix noticed, looking at Frederica.
"What does that mean, shield of the sanctuary?" Crusch demanded, her eyes not straying away from the silver-haired princess.
"My brother…Wanted to prevent Emilia-sama from meeting Subaru-sama earlier…" Frederica explained, "This is why this fight happened…"
"Yes! Because he wanted to get in my way! Between me and my husband!" Emilia nodded her head as she felt like pointing out something obvious," See? This is why I had to attack him!"
"So that's why…" Ram grumbled on her own, "You have truly gone mad, Emilia-sama."
"Ram?" Emilia titled her head at the maid.
"Attacking your friends…Acting as if nothing happened, wanting to see Barusu feeling like everything will go well after what you've done…" Ram slowly got up, turning around with glaring eyes of hatred.
"Even I can feel hurt when I hear a friend speak to me like that, you know…" Emilia closed her eyes with a sigh, "I just wanted to see my husband! I haven't seen him since this morning and there's still a lot we need to talk about! This is a completely normal feeling, I haven't changed!"
"No," Ram replied, "you did."
Emilia only remained silent, waiting for Ram to say what she wanted to say.
"Because the Emilia-sama I know, wouldn't have discarded the feelings of the others so easily."
"…"
"You do not care about what Barusu might feel, you do not care about why Garfiel decided to shelter him from you, you do not care about finding a proper explanation and keep putting upfront your unsettling belief that Barusu will forgive you as if nothing happened," her voice going higher and higher as she spoke, Ram kept her wrathful glare directed to her so-called candidate, "I do not even believe that you have thought a single second about my sister into all of this!"
Upon hearing these words, everyone in the room remained either surprised or shocked by the maid's words. By the bravery she had, to speak like this to her master and others, unknown of the details, in shock to the revelation of what truly happened.
Between all of them, Felt was certainly the most troubled and disgusted one out of the whole lot. How torn she was between not recognizing Emilia, and coming closer and closer to the fact that she was the one she knew couldn't be described.
She couldn't hide that she still hoped for all of this to be a farce, that she hoped for things to end in a more peaceful note for everyone, since deep down she still cared a lot for the silver-haired princess to whom, in a sense, she owed her life as much as Subaru.
But in another, Felt wasn't one to beat around the bush and try to find a thousand explanations for something that has so little worth.
Emilia changed. There was nothing she could do about it, is what she began to feel.
"Mh…." No smile was seen on Emilia's face, no expression either…
It was just a cold, dangerous and dead stare.
"Emilia." The Duchess called from the side, stepping forth in front of her and earning the half-elf's attention," Is this all true?"
"…"
"Have you broken your oath to Natsuki Subaru? Have you laid down with another man?" the verdant-haired Duchess demanded, not faltering, without fear…
"I did," Emilia nodded her head, taking a more ashamed tone, "b-but it was an accident! I will never, ever do that again! The only one I love is Subaru, after all!"
"Nonsense!" Wilhelm cursed out loud, clear signs of anger on his face, "how could you claim to love Subaru-dono after the pain you made him go through?! The betrayal he had to feel?!"
"Wilhelm-san? What are you saying?" Emilia continued, startled by the old man.
Honestly, few of the people felt a shiver down their spine as they heard the wrathful voice of the old man. As if he was the one which was betrayed.
"The words you speak as of now are nothing but selfishness, Emilia-sama!" pointing her with his finger, the old man continued, "if you were able to look at someone else the same way you did your husband, even for a second, the love you claim to be genuine is nothing but a flat out lie!"
"You…Dare to doubt my love…For Subaru?" raising her eyes to the old man, reflecting the void that was her soul, Emilia spoke in a hushed and chilling tone," do you…"
"Why would I doubt something that which never existed." The old man mercilessly spat, "I will say these words, and you shall better listen to them Emilia-sama. Even if this disregards my position as a mere servant towards royalty, I shall face the consequences and lose my noble title if I have to."
Emilia's face began to grow more and more dangerous.
"If this is the faith you decided to portray, you never deserved Subaru-dono." He announced, loud and clear, "nor him, nor his love for you."
"SILENCE!"
Her sharp and strident voice echoing within the walls of the manor, Emilia's hair began to elevate as the temperature of the room drastically went down, nearly freezing the people inside on place.
"Aaaaaah! She's going to turn us all into statues!" Felt yelled with a barely perceivable voice, a small blizzard forming in the center of the room.
"Ghk…!" Crusch grumbled as she painfully reached her sword with the only hand she could move.
As she managed to take her weapon out, its blade began to shine as Crusch channeled her magic in it, raising it towards the silver-haired princess.
"Crusch-sama! If you attack another candidate of the throne…!" Wilhelm yelled in panic…
Even though it was already too late.
"What is happening, in fact?!" Beatrice growled as she heard the loud noises coming from outside the room she was in, noticing how the walls were turning into a cracked shape of ice, along with the door, "what is that girl doing?!"
"B-Beatrice-sama?" A frail voice called from behind, as scared and worried as the spirit.
"Tch! The last thing Betty needed was to be trapped inside a place with you, I suppose! What is the meaning of this!"
Although the words spoken by the spirit hurt the maid's heart, she was sadly enough already accustomed to such behavior coming from her…And from most of the people who'd know about her sin.
"I'm sorry…"Rem said in a hushed tone.
"…Tch!"
She hated it.
No matter how much she hated this girl for the pain she inflicted on her contractor…
She still felt pity for her.
She felt bad for her.
Beatrice only wanted to berate her as much as possible, make her pay! In the name of some sort of justice to be served!
And Rem would take it all, either way, believing that she deserves every last bit of it.
But still…When she looked at this girl, Beatrice couldn't help but remind her contractor.
How he cared for her, how he said he loved her.
How he stayed by her side every day, every night, while she was in a sleeping beauty state.
How he swore to save her no matter what, to bring her back.
It was undeniable that Subaru cared for Rem a lot, perhaps as much as he cared for Emilia, that she held a willing place in his heart for what she did for him in the past.
And even now, she remembered the face Subaru made when he faced her and Emilia in this bedroom a few hours ago. How betrayed he was…
And for a betrayal to happen, for such pain to take place…
There has to be trust and love.
"Why…" Beatrice whispered, her face hidden as she looked down.
"Uh?" Rem gasped, hearing the little spirit's voice.
"Why did you do this to him?" She slowly turned around, her expression reflecting the internal conflict she felt towards her, "after everything he did for you…Why did you do such a thing to Betty's contractor, in fact?"
Rem choked on her breath in shock and fear at the question, tears falling of her eyes as she gritted her teeth, angered towards her own self.
Because this question was the one she didn't know the answer to.
"I…I don't know…" She silently cried, holding her head down, "even now…No matter how much I think about it, the idea of…D-doing this with someone else than Subaru just seems impossible…"
"…"
"But…When Roswaal-sama…I-I just accepted…" She tightened her grip on her clothes, "Even though I knew what I was doing, even though I understood all of it…I…"
"Enough."
The piercing voice of Beatrice put an end to the conversation, as she turned around without saying another word.
And everything that was left to hear in this room, were the sobs and agony of the blue-haired maid.
Crusch Karsten had token her decision….And sent her wind slash right to the half-elf, who had to interrupt her freezing magic to defend herself from the attack, freeing everyone in the room from her cold grasp.
"F-F-Fuck t-t-this cold!" Garfiel gasped loudly, having recovered a bit with the healing magic.
"Crusch…" Emilia looked at the Duchess with a dead stare, "I think I preferred you when you had lost your memories, after all…"
"Should I act as if I would care of your preferences regarding my person, Emilia?" Crusch growled as she swung her sword on the side in a mighty manner.
"You forgot to add the 'sama' at the end of the sentence, Crusch," Emilia smiled, "after all, soon enough we will not share the same position."
"…"
"How dare…" Felix growled as he understood what she meant.
"I-is this what you were waiting for?!" feeling the fury rise within her chest, Felt spoke out.
"Mh…Not really, but I cannot say that I dislike it," Emilia smiled wide," after all, Crusch and her followers showed more and more a will to go against my wishes, just as much as Garfiel-kun."
"What the hell?!" Garfiel growled, struggling to stand up.
"Garfiel!" Frederica exclaimed, standing up to lend him a hand.
"How despicable…" wiping the ice and small trace of snow of her arms, Ram spat out, "This is how you are about to act now?"
"You were the one who instigated this fight nya!" Felix snarled, "Crusch-sama did nothing but save us all from your madness!"
"I don't remember directing any attack towards her, Felix-san." Emilia replied, still smiling.
A short moment of silence took place in the room, as everyone stared at the elven princess which seemed to be growing more and more mad right before their eyes.
"You know, one of Subaru's main goals is to make me queen of this kingdom…" putting her hands behind her back as she closed her eyes in nostalgia, Emilia remembered," and if I become queen…He will become king of the nation, right? I think it would be a greeeeat way to show that I love him if my apology is not enough like you seem to claim!"
"What is she saying…" Felt whispered in disbelief, "she thinks big bro can be bribed with something so trivial?!"
"She seems to act more and more like a foreign person to him, while she is supposed to have spent 2 years by his side…" Crusch replied, narrowing her eyes to the madness taking shape in front of her.
"This is her insanity, I believe," Wilhelm spoke out to his lady, "she isn't believing what she says herself…"
Both Crusch and Felt turned to Wilhelm, who turned to them with a wary expression.
"She thinks about anything that she can use to redeem herself…And does her best to believe it would work," he shook his head turning back to her, "in the end…She doesn't even know what the results shall be. But…She is willing to believe in anything if there is hope for Subaru-dono to forgive her…"
"She refuses to accept that what she did is unforgivable…?" Felt growled in shock.
"…She refuses to believe that Subaru Natsuki could leave her." Crusch voiced out her thoughts, widening her eyes in revelation.
"…That's…"
"Well, well weeeeeelll" The iconic voice being recognized by everyone resonated from the floor above, showing the lord of the domain opening his arms at the top of the stairs.
"If it isn't Felt-sama, Crusch-sama and her camp who decided to visit our huuuumble manor?" Roswaal smiled, "I deeply apologize for my delay to greet you aaaaaaall"
Many were those who grunted in distaste at the sight of the man showing up. Even though they knew he couldn't hurt them for official reasons, they still have little to no trust in this man and his shenanigans.
"I do not know if I would have rather seen you or not yet, Margrave," Crusch spat out, pointing at Emilia with her sword, "regarding what you were an accomplice to."
"I am teeeeeribly sorry, Crusch-sama," Roswaal sighed, looking at the elven candidate who glared at the Margrave with all of the wraths he could muster in her pupils, clearly warning wordlessly that he would be better off not steeping further towards her.
"It seems like Emilia-sama is nooooooot herself for some odd reason."
"No shit!" Felt growled," I wonder why!"
"Aaaaaah~, anyways, let me handle this for now," Roswaal smiled as he began to use his hands to create some heat, melting the remaining ice in the room, along with a warm up for everyone, "there, no need to thaaaaank me."
"I will be sure to thank you when you will be done answering for you crimes, Roswaal." Not impressed by the mage's minor display of magic, the Duchess used the Margrave's arrival to obtain more answers to this situation.
"While I belieeeeeeve that I should not refuse an order coming from a candidate of the throne..." Roswaal smiled, his eyes taking a more threatening shape as if to show he wasn't impressed as well," What would giiiiiive you a right to meddle in the internal affairs of another camp, Crusch-sama?"
"Mh...It is true," as much as the idea of siding with the Margrave disgusting her no matter the shape or form, Emilia found herself agreeing with this statement, "what happened here is ours to deal with and fix, Crusch-sama, Felt-chan. You two have no business here."
"You're wrong," Crusch swiftly replied, her expression one of determination, "if someone that I hold dear is hurt, then it is not a question of camp matters, but my own will."
"You seem to care a looooot for Subaru...Crusch." Emilia narrowed her eyes, a voice filled with malice.
"Because I do." Raising an eyebrow in surprise, as if this answer was the most oblivious response she could give, Crusch scoffed at the elven princess.
"Isn't this a bit too late to wonder that?" Felt looked at Emilia with a deadpanned face, "we already made all this way here...We aren't going to go this far if we didn't care for big bro."
"All of this is extreeeemely noble coming from you, but I will still remain on my staaaance," Roswaal bowed his head, "what happened heeeeere is ours and ours alone to work out."
"Then you shall do as you please, but what will Natsuki Subaru decide, I wonder?" Crusch shot back threateningly.
"Subaru-kun..."Roswaal thought for a second, clearing his throat," Subaru-kun will most certaiiiiinly be comprehensive of-"
"Like hell!" Felt cut him short," Big bro ain't going to be comprehensive of you and accept shit! I will personally seek to that! You guys are going to pay for what you did, may you want it or not!"
"..."
Feeling much better now that their bones didn't feel like cracking under the frost, Frederica, Garfiel and Felix all joined up the candidates and the old man in their corner of the room, clearly showing to the lord and Emilia that sides were made.
"Mh…I see," Roswaal narrowed his eyes, noticing how Ram remained in the middle, facing Emilia, "and you, my dear Ram?"
Ram closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she thought back of everything that happened.
"You're damn annoying, you know that?" Felt spoke with her arm crossed.
"Mh?"
"You always act as if everything was fine...As if you were higher than everyone, that you're always ahead," she spat out, glaring at him, "that fake ass and disgusting smile of yours is about to make me gag."
"How unwelcome it would be for me to-"
"And now you're trying to somehow guilt trip the maid into picking a choice, even though it's more than obvious for everyone here," She cut him, not willing to hear what he had to say anyway, "you're just done for. And you know it yourself."
"…"
"You fucked up!" She pointed her finger towards him, "and there ain't no way I…We, are going to let that fly!"
Crusch couldn't help but smile in confidence to the correction of the little princess, looking at Roswaal with the same contempt as her.
"What you did was unacceptable in many ways," the Duchess continued, "no matter what your intentions behind it were…The fact that you hurt someone dear to all of us remains. And for that, we shall state our will of avenging him."
The smile on Roswaal's began to fade, understanding that he had several powerful people that were about to step in his way…And his goal.
How strange…This was not in the gospel. These people, these events, were completely contrary to what was supposed to happen, to the outcome that was supposed to be reached, which would bring him closer to his teacher.
Was something wrong?
"Roswaal," Ram spoke out loud, catching everyone's attention in the room as she raised her eyes towards the Margrave," Subaru had a message for you."
The expression that Ram held was…Unknown to him. A mix of…Self-assurance, and danger. For one of the very few times in his life, the first time he ever witnessed such an expression from her being when he brought her and her sister in, Ram looked at her master with a threatening glare.
Showing, or rather confirming once more to Roswaal, the path she decided to take.
"He is at the sanctuary at the moment, along with the Sword Saint."
"The sanctua-" Roswaal widened her eyes in shock, his lips trembling as his voice cracked down to the sheer fear of what he just realized.
And without a single second wasted, he dashed towards the nearby window as he flew in peak speed towards the west.
"W-What the…" Felt looked back and forth between the window and the maid.
"What is this…Sanctuary, again?" Crusch questioned, bewildered by what she has just seen.
"He seemed to be afraid…" Wilhelm mused to himself, "his eyes…Reflected distress just now…"
Sighing with a hand on her chest as she seemed to have finally lifted a weight from herself, Ram looked up at the window in question.
And everyone else, still in confusion, turned their eyes to the silver-haired candidate who stared at the window with wide and horrific eyes.
"Subaru is at the sanctuary…" She whispered in a dread tone, "What is he doing there…?"
Was he with another woman? Was he with her? The thought froze the silver-haired candidate in fear, trembling at the thought of her Subaru going to someone else, at the thought of leaving her. Of replacing her.
"I must go…" She whispered, looking at the group standing before the door, "I-I-I have to go…"
"What is she-"
Before Felt could voice her confusion, a loud noise was heard from outside, like a crumbling from afar.
"…"
"Uh?"
While she closed her eyes at the thought of sharing an intimate moment with the black-haired young man, Echidna opened them back in surprise, as she felt a hand on her shoulder pushing her back…
And seeing Subaru's expression.
"…"
For the first time in a long time…The witch was genuinely surprised. She wasn't faking it, she wasn't putting up a façade.
She was truly taken aback.
A second ago, there was a pure look of despair on Natsuki Subaru's face. A look of someone broken, just wanting someone to save him…Much like the first time she saw him crumble down his knees before her.
And in a split of a second, his expression changed back to a more…Serious one.
"So 'protecting me' is the pity excuse you're using uh?" he narrowed his eyes, his voice having lost every last bit of sadness it previously had, "I was used to your lies, but I guess that's a new low."
"What…" Echidna took a step back, getting off the boy and allowing him to stand up, "You…"
"You think you're the only one who can put up a face?" He off-handily commented as he brushed his tracksuit, "Ironic, isn't it? I got the idea when I saw you again, after all."
"…"
"In a way or another, you had the answers that I wanted too." He nodded to her, "thanks, I guess."
"You used me…" Echidna titled her head as she began to smile, "Aaaaah! My, how sly of you to take advantage of a maiden's heart, Natsuki Subaru?"
The knight remained unfazed by her comments.
"But I must say that I am surprised…Everything you just did now seemed as…Truthful than the first time we ever met…" She closed her eyes in remembrance, "you have truly grown, didn't you?"
Keeping his stare at the witch, as he heard the portal take shape behind him, Subaru turned around and walked towards it, leaving Echidna in the lonely plains of her fictional dream without a glance or a word spoken.
"…This path…" She thought out loud, sitting down at her desk as she gazed at the plains in front of her, "is it the right one…"
When he woke up on the ground inside of the sanctuary, Subaru stood up slowly, taking heavy breathings. In the end, he was determined to do what he had to do, but knowing Echidna…He could never be sure of anything.
However, regardless of her true goal, the decision rooted in her remained true.
"It is too soon for regret anyways…" he grunted as he got on his feet, turning around to exit the place, where he saw Reinhard approaching.
"Subaru!" The Sword-Saint exclaimed.
"Reinhard, you're here…" Subaru smiled as he went to meet him, "are the others here too?"
"Felt-sama is waiting at the mansion, along with Crusch-sama, Felix…And my grandfather."
"What?" Subaru blinked in surprise, "Crusch-sama's camp is here too?"
"Crusch-sama…Insisted to come with us and provide assistance," Rubbing the back of his head, Reinhard explained, "she was pretty adamant about not leaving you behind…"
"I-I see…" Subaru stuttered in surprise at Crusch's behavior.
Honestly, he didn't know what to say or feel about it. He was of course happy that she would show such support for someone like him, but he still felt like she was going to unnecessary heights for something that was supposed to be so trivial to her.
"Subaru," Reinhard called him, his eyes directed at the sanctuary, "what is this place?"
"…It's the tomb of a witch," Subaru replied, standing side by side with Reinhard as both admired the age-old place, "the witch of greed."
"The tomb of a witch of sin…?" Reinhard widened his eyes, not knowing how to properly react, "she is…Buried inside?"
"Yep," Subaru nodded his head, a look of contempt in his eyes, "and her soul remains alive in it too."
Reinhard widened his eyes in shock when he heard what his friend just revealed, instantly understanding what implied him being inside of this place.
"Subaru…"
"She had answers to give me," he closed his eyes, "that woman…Was Roswaal's teacher. She taught him everything he knows, and keep ordering him through a book, a gospel."
"A gospel?!" he repeated, even though his confusion remained by how Roswaal could be the student of a witch who died centuries ago.
"Not the same kind of the one you're thinking, but…" the black-haired knight sighed, "yeah. Since her soul was still alive, she had been ordering him and showing him a path to her resurrection through it…"
"Resurrecting a witch of sin…" Reinhard shook his head, "For how much time did you know about this…Subaru?"
"A year," Subaru admitted.
"Why didn't you inform the kingdom?!"
"What was I supposed to do exactly, Reinhard? Take out Roswaal and make Emilia lose all of her chances for the candidacy when I was head over heels for her?" Subaru replied in a dry tone, "if it meant the candidacy of Felt, wouldn't you make an exception over something too? Or would you still choose the kingdom?"
Averting his gaze away when such a comparison made him realize in what position Subaru was in.
"Anyways…I have what I wanted from her," Subaru sighed, looking at his friend.
"I suppose it is one more sin that Roswaal will have to face, I have been witness to it-"
"No…Reinhard, this is not why I told you to come here," he cut him.
"This is the tomb of a witch of sin, still alive and giving orders to Roswaal through a gospel…" He resumed, the Sword Saint listening carefully, "she is also responsible for bringing the grate hare here a year ago."
"Is this why you had to…" Reinhard bit his tongue, remembering the tale of the self-proclaimed knight fighting another calamity not so long after facing one…And how the Sword Saint himself didn't do anything.
"Yes…She had ordered Roswaal to bring it here through the book. Just like she…Ordered him to do what he did…" He grunted in distaste, making Reinhard understand the meaning behind this.
It all made sense now.
"So I need you to put an end to this," Subaru raised his head towards the sanctuary.
"Very well." The red-haired knight answered, taking his sealed sword from his belt and raising it over his head.
Inside of the sanctuary, still in her illusion, Echidna closed her eyes.
"So this is how it ends..."
And Reinhard slashed towards the place in one swift slash, destroying the building down to mere pieces of rocks flying in every direction, the grumble being heard everywhere around, even at the Miload mansion.
The smoke poured at the sheer destruction that took place, slowly dissipating to reveal a pile of dust and debris…
Subaru began to walk closer from what was left of the sanctuary until he saw pieces of wood and glass scattered in the middle.
"…Wha..."
Subaru turned around when he heard this voice behind him, as Reinhard was already on guard, having heard him coming.
"Roswaal." Subaru narrowed his eyes at the sight of the trembling man.
When the Margrave met with the remnants of his teacher's coffin, he began to desperately walk towards it, making Reinhard step forward, only to be stopped by Subaru's hand.
"Let him…" He whispered to the Sword Saint, glancing to the side where the pieces of black clothing could be seen.
Reinhard nodded his head, stepping back to make place, as the clown-dressed man walked past them with heavy footsteps, eyes wide and shaking, until falling down his knees right in front of what was before where his teacher lied.
"T-teacher…" he whispered, his trembling hands coming closer to the piece of black clothing.
"No…No no no…!" He grunted in despair, tears falling from his eyes as a sharp pain took place in his right pupil, "Argh…No…No!"
He couldn't tell what was worse between his physical pain and mental pain, a horrible mix he was subject to…
"Reinhard, can you give us a moment?" Subaru spoke to his friend, staring at the kneeled Margrave.
Reinhard only gave a nod in response, walking away from both of them while still keeping an eye on Roswaal.
"…"
"This is how it goes, Roswaal." Subaru told him in a disinterested tone, looking at the horizon, "I don't know…What you thought would happen after all of that."
"…"
"Did you think I would have just sat down? Bent to your will as you fucked me over?" He scoffed, shaking his head, "I thought you knew me better than this after all the time we spent together."
Roswaal just kept caressing the piece of dark clothes, mouth open in shock, staring at the ground.
"You know…When I was left alone in Vollachia after the tower…I even missed you," Subaru sighed, "I…Was beginning to truly forgive you, to think that even after that, we could get along, both working to help each other's goal…"
"…"
"I just…You know, I just want you to realize…" Subaru put a knee down, coming closer to Roswaal's pitiful face, "how bad you fucked up."
"…"
"This? It wouldn't have happened if you decided to trust me…Like we planned before, instead of relying on your witch," he whispered maliciously, "I countered you before, you should have known that I'd have done it again."
"…Loo…"
"Mh? What are you saying?" Subaru squinted his eyes.
"Loop…" Roswaal murmured in a trembling voice.
"Loop…You want me to reset all this?" Subaru replied.
Roswaal only nodded pathetically in response.
"Ah…This won't do Roswaal," Subaru sighed," this is not how you're supposed to ask."
"…"
"Come on Ros…Show me…Show me how bad you want me to reset all of this…" he sounded evil, his voice was filled with malice and bad intentions, "ask for it properly…"
Despite his mind going blank, Roswaal still managed to understand what Subaru wanted, as he slowly moved around, and put his forehead down the pile of debris that was left of the Sword Saint's strike.
"Please…" he began to whine in a weak voice, "I beg you…Undo this…"
Subaru only watched with a dangerous stare, like a hunter looking down at his dying prey.
"I beg you…" Roswaal began to cry in silent agony, "do not…"
His tears began to be more and more visible, as his voice cracked at every word.
"All these centuries, all of these years…Cannot end this way…" breathing in pain, the Margrave continued to beg, "We…will find a way…I…"
What else could be done? Attack Subaru? Beat him and force him to bend to his will? Even if the Margrave's mind was deteriorating, enough reason remained for him to know that the Sword Saint would never let that happen.
There was nothing else he could do…Roswaal was at the precipice of the road, standing on a single foot as the void of despair towered behind him...
How? How did everything come down to this…?
This wasn't written in the gospel…! This wasn't the future that was promised to him if he would follow every command of the sacred book!
So why?!
Why did his teacher…Betray him?
He was supposed to be the hunter, not the prey…
He was supposed to win...! To earn his reward! His salvation!
The reason he had been living all of these years! The reason he did all of the crimes he committed!
The deaths, the sacrifices, the blood on his hands...
If his voice still had power, he would scream his lungs out in pain, in agony, for the sheer suffering that went through his entire body was worse than the fires of hell he was promised after his inevitable death.
His goal, his reason to live…All of it was now a thin line, left for Subaru to decide.
Roswaal's fate remained in this boy's hands…
Breathing heavily, hoarsely…He raised his head at the boy, noticing his eyes that reflected nothing but resentment…
Subaru couldn't help but be disgusted by what he was seeing. A broken man with fading makeup because of the man's tears, his eye trembling, a face that translated itself the amount of pain he was feeling at the moment.
Such a sight would have pitied anyone in the world enough to consider helping him…
But Subaru was not anyone, and his answer was set in stone.
"No."
Roswaal's eyes widened, his entire face paralyzed by the sheer pain rising from within.
"And you're going to live…" he dangerously growled in a low voice, "You're going to live so you can spend every single last day of your miserable life, knowing that all of it, every single bit of suffering that you're going through…Is your fault."
And just like that…Breaking the last bit of hope he had…Subaru began to walk away from the broken magi, having given his answer which forever broke the mind of Roswaal L Mathers, left behind contemplating his failure once more.
"Ah…Ahah…" a broken smile formed on his lips, as he raised his eyes to the darkened night sky over his head.
"It was all...In vain..."
And slowly…he put his hand on his chest, tightening the grip around of his heart.
Reinhard widened his eyes in horror when he realized what was happening, shouting the name of the black-haired young man in distress as he dashed forward to grab him.
Hearing his name, Subaru abruptly turned around, seeing a small light growing from the knelt clown…As he murmured his last words.
"Al goa…"
Through the darkness of a moonless night, an explosion of raging fire took place in the remnants of the sanctuary…Burning everything in sight and reducing it so cinders, the monstrous cyclone of hellfire resonating within the forests and fields of the Mather's domain.
"Subaru!" Reinhard called him, as the black-haired knight slowly opened his eyes, finding himself at the exact limit of where the fire stopped, courtesy of the Sword Saint's sheer speed making them evade the blast.
Both of them stared at the parts of the forest turned to coal-like blackness, as small embers and ashes remained in the air, no sign of life in sight.
"Did he need to go this far…" Subaru grunted, shaking his head as Reinhard winced in distaste.
He had envisaged the possibility of him taking his own life...But certainly not this way.
"I apologize…Perhaps if I had been fast-"
"You couldn't have countered that," Subaru tapped his friend's shoulder, "he was done. If not now, he would've ended his life somewhere else…I guess we'd rather have him do it where no one was hurt…"
Even though Subaru was right about this, the Sword Saint still couldn't hide his bitterness about how the situation ended…
But there was nothing to do here, and if he had to think about something, he would rather think about the lives spared like his friend advised.
"Come on…It's not over yet…" earning a nod from Reinhard, both of them walked away from the burned area that replaced the sanctuary, as Subaru glanced at it one last time.
"I guess this is Karma's revenge…" he whispered to himself at the thought of how Roswaal ended.
But there was still one last task to accomplish...
And as he made his way towards it, the dark clouds allowing the moon to shine over them, Subaru still took a moment of silence to close his eyes and bid his goodbye.
"Farewell…Echidna."
Hey there, I just want to correct a few things for all of those who follow me and expect me to write other stories than this one.
I want to try and reassure you a bit, by telling you all that I'm working on all of them. It's just that Karma's revenge is faster to write than any other since I don't have much thoughts process to give into it. this chapter right there was written in like 5 hours maximum for example.
When it comes to writing my other stories though, I take more time, more preparations...I want something that is well made and well written, so I have a lot of stuff to check. (And on the side, I'm a third-year law student so writing becomes more and more difficult, by I'm still here for a while. Just waiting for the times when I get to have a break.)
Chapters of Karma are literally improvisation for most of it. I have an idea in mind, and when it comes to writing it I just wing it, which is why the chapters here are lower quality than the others, or even not to the standards of the other stories such as Dragon Candidate.
As I said before, I never expected Karma's Revenge out of all my works to be popular. I expected to be bashed even more than Herion and planned on deleting the fiction after he stopped his...
Guess we went a long way uh?
Anyways...Two chapters to go, and Subaru will finally have taken his revenge.
I hope you enjoyed your read! Don't hesitate to review this chapter.
Link to the Discord server of writers and fanfiction: https / discord . gg / ytyVcNk9Tf