Chapter 10 – Planning and Clowning Around
"…So." The boy raised an eyebrow at the man riding the blue ground dragon.
"…Greetings." The man nodded.
"…Hey."
"…*cough, cough*"
"…Hm."
"…Hmm."
"…Hmmm."
"…Hmph."
"…Yeahhhhh… This isn't gonna work, is it?" An exasperated Subaru groaned whilst rolling his eyes at the purple-haired man before him.
"Juukulius." Crusch stepped in-between the pair in an attempt to cut the existing tension in the air. "Thank you for coming. To you, as well as your fellow knights and your Lady in the carriage."
"With all due respect, Lady Crusch, we are not here in the capacity of… 'Knights'." The man and the knights surrounding him descended from their steeds before progressing with the conversation. "For MEN with the STATUS of KNIGHTS to be seen interacting with mercenaries as though our ranks were the same would be… most uncouth behavior." Julius and his comrades gazed directly at Subaru while making such remarks, some of them intensely glaring at the young man, much to his annoyance. "As such, for the time being, I go not by the name of Julius Juukulius but… Juli, the wanderer."
"Oh, c'mon! That has to be the most lame-o nickname you could've-!" As the headache reached its peak, the young Avenger made a complaint at the smug knight. However, such words went interrupted by the still speaking Duchess.
"*cough, cough* While I appreciate your assistance… 'Juli'-"
"And his merry troupe." Subaru interrupted back, making the people behind him chuckle at the banter and provoking the knights' glares even further.
"…" Julius narrowed his eyes at the boy's antics before attempting to relax once more.
"…As I was saying; whilst WE appreciate your assistance-" Crusch turned around to give Subaru a commanding glare, as if to tell him to remain silent, before continuing speaking. "Your codes of chivalry won't be affected just by you using your real names during such an expedition."
"Don't even sweat it, Karsten." The voice of the Kararagian candidate, Anastasia Hoshin, resounded from the carriage. "I tried ta' tell him and his buddies as much, but they stressed it so that they won't budge at all. A waste of time ta' convince 'em lot." She spoke as her head stuck out from the carriage's side-window.
"Hey my Lady!"
"Heya!" The duo of Ricardo and Mimi greeted their boss quite loudly.
"Hey you two." Anastasia saluted back before reproaching. "I'd appreciate it if you could keep the fact that I'm here a secret as well, all of ya in fact."
"Huh? Why?" Subaru made a confused face at this statement.
"Anastasia-sama is not a fighter." Before the young man could keep inquiring, a voice similar to Hetaro's responded from below him. "Hello."
"Uh, hey." Subaru waved at the Lilliputian below him.
"Tivey!" Mimi ran towards the cat-dwarf with glasses before hitting him over the head with her staff.
*BONK*
"YOWCH?! What the hell Mimi?!" The boy complained in confusion at his sister's actions.
"You missed all the action dummy! What took you lot so long?!"
"Like I was saying you airheaded buffoon, Anastasia-sama is not a fighter and someone had to guard her! Her and the road!"
"Then what are you even doing here Ana?" Subaru asked directly at the merchant that was still peeking over the window. He failed to notice, however, the pouting maid behind him who was now fuming at the nickname her hero had spoken to her Lady's rival.
"What did you just call her?!" Julius made a horrified expression at the diminutive directed at his liege. "You will apologize and properly address her-!"
"Juli, relax." The Lady called to her knight, trying to make him calm down yet earning his and his companions' surprise instead. "I told him back after the debriefing ta' call me that; after all, we'll be quite close business partners in the future. Him an' the other candidates of the alliance."
"Anastasia-sama…" A disillusioned Julius frowned at the notion of his Lady getting closer to this… 'Man-child' that would dress for battle in some odd skin-tight apparel.
"Now, back ta' topic." The merchant progressed. "Natsuki-kun? As well as Karsten an' Barielle, we've got a strategy ta' discuss!"
The forces gathered in a circle around the boy and the candidates; sitting down while laying documents on the targets and maps of the territory over the ground and makeshift tables, ready to talk about their plan of action.
"!" However, just as the people sat down, Rem's acute smell homed in on a target. It was a drastically lower sensation to the one provided by Subaru's odor, but three other people in the gathering were now exuding the scent of the Witch; specifically a merchant and his two companions, who had arrived with the other carriages Julius and his group had escorted. "…" She decided on the choice of keeping silent for the moment, lest she made the same mistake she once made with the boy.
"Okay… Now then! Look up people!" Subaru began the meeting with a loud shout, garnering everyone's attention. "We have succeeded in hunting down the White Whale! That was not, by all means, an easy feat!" As he spoke of the defeat of the monster, the recent arrivals looked at the young hero with suspicion whilst murmuring.
"He's probably leeching-off Crusch-sama or Priscilla-sama…"
"What a rip-off…"
"What a way to take other people's achievements…"
"…" Although most didn't even notice such whispers, Subaru remained stoic at the accusatory glances and words the men gave him before continuing. "…It didn't come off cheaply, though… We lost many a good men and women in the altercation." He gave a somber side-look at the bloody swords of the fallen soldiers, the only thing remaining as the proof of their existence. "Some were erased from history, never to be wept or lamented for."
"Nevertheless know that we, the living, shall keep the fight going in their stead." Crusch continued speaking after Subaru briefly succumbed to his melancholy. "As you already know, we have confirmation of the Witch Cult being behind the appearance of the White Whale." She addressed the still doubtful soldiers with the images of the cultists projected by her bracelet.
"As such, Candidate Emilia has been gathering information on the enemy whilst the army fought the beast." Anastasia spoke once the images were shown, choosing to project her own pictures as well to continue her explanation. "This is the Archbishop of Sloth, Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti." The hologram showed a man with putrefactive-greenish skin, maddened expression and widely opened greyish-black eyes. His neatly bowl-cut green hair contrasted his disgusting form from every angle.
"Disgusting…" Rem whispered from her seat with an irate scowl.
"From the information gathered, this man possesses the power ta' lift things with his mind. Not only that, he is well versed in earth-type spells." The merchant candidate explained. "However, this is not his most dangerous feature."
"We are told… that he is actually an Earth Great Spirit capable of possessing the bodies of others." Tivey informed from his seat beside his sister and Ricardo.
"Huh?" Subaru, Wilhelm and many others made a confused face at such a notion. "You mean, like, he can possess you just by seeing you?! That's way to OP!" The young hero suggested.
"The Great Spirit that guards the Margrave's mansion, Beatrice was it?" Anastasia ignored the boy's antics. "She explained that the Archbishop can transfer himself from one host body ta' another. These bodies, which he refers ta' as his 'Fingers', are all people with high Spirit Arts affinities that remain uncontracted ta' an spirit an' as such, the man can forcefully implant himself over them."
"…Hold it." Subaru perked up at the mention of Spirit Arts.
"What is it, monkey?" The Baroness, Priscilla, made an annoyed face at yet another of his interruptions.
"Um… How to say this…" The young man rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "The thing is… Beako, the Spirit of the mansion… She suggested that I have a high Spirit Arts affinity… Isn't that a problem?"
"You… don't have a contract?" Julius raised an eyebrow at Subaru. "I assumed you did… Then what about the Spirit in your bracelet?"
"Karen is not a Spirit though? She is an Artificial Intelligence, she-"
"So you are useless in this fight then?" One of the knights said whilst directing a derisive sneer at the boy, followed by his fellows' laughter. Most of the fighters that had come with the knights chuckled as well, but the merchants and the people present during the Whale's hunt all remained either scowling or annoyed by their banter. Julius, however, stood silent; he restricted himself to just stare at Subaru for some moments, seemingly deep in thought.
"…" Subaru remained silent at the insult, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Excuse me." Rem, at the edge of her patience by the mockery and the smell of the men beside her, addressed the knights. "We appreciate that you've come to help, but doubting the man responsible for this alliance reflects poorly on your tittles."
"Maid, who allowed you to spea-" Before the men could retort, the Duchess continued with the discussion.
"She's the Emilia camp representative, sir, so please treat her with respect. That goes to all of the fighters present in this mission." She finished the argument with a concluding tone, much to the knights' chagrin, before continuing with the strategy. "Natsuki, I'm afraid we'll have to leave you to deal with the rest of the cultists with the bulk of the army while the rest of us deal with the Archbishop and the 'fingers'"
"It's fine…" Subaru deflated. He felt disappointed that he would not be the one to deal with Petelgeuse, yet he would not risk getting possessed and turning on his allies just for the personal satisfaction.
"As for you sorry lot." Priscilla raised her voice, catching everyone's attention. "We shall march onto the Mathers territory and stop on the midway point clearing between the forest's entrance and the village. The half-elf detailed on the map that the Archbishop and five other cultists are resting on the cave near the clearing. If he is far from his fingers, logic follows that he won't be able to switch bodies."
"An' for the rest of the cultists, we shall deal with them once we can establish a base in the village. Without their Archbishop ta direct them, them' fools will run like headless chickens as we hunt em' down." Anastasia suggested while looking in Subaru and Rem's direction, earning a nod from the pair.
"Sounds like a plan, m'lady!" Ricardo grinned at the idea.
"Everyone, move out!" The Karsten noblewoman directed, followed by a yell from the soldiers present.
"HAH!"
As the forces boarded their steeds, the three candidates rendezvoused once more inside the carriage at the head of the convoy. Whilst using the satellite and drones to closely monitor the movements of the cult, the three ladies disclosed their thoughts in the meantime. "Well then…" Anastasia said to Priscilla. "I'm impressed Barielle. I expected ya' ta' mock the half-elf's attempts ta' a strategy from the get-go! Instead…"
"You took them at face value and decided to trust them." Crusch continued on this line with a smile.
"Why, I'm sincerely astonished ya' didn't even insult her!"
"*Sigh* Day by day I'm more disillusioned with you lower beings…" The Baroness sighed with resignation at the 'stupidity' of the women around her, much to their annoyance. "If she has been given tools of this caliber by the boy, then even a moron as incompetent as her ought to be able to hand out reliable information. I didn't trust her; I just trusted what I could see." She said amidst chuckles while fanning herself. "As for insults… Whether it was sheer luck or not it was her interactions with Natsuki Subaru that lead to us meeting him and gaining access to his resources. I'm just respecting that, nothing more."
"*Sigh*" Crusch dropped onto her seat at the words of the Vollachian. "And here I thought you had finally grown to respect your fellow candidates…"
"Excuse me?" Priscilla narrowed her eyes at the green haired woman. "Mine divine self shall only respect those that deserve so. The half-elf made the mistake of letting go of the boy in the heat of the moment; she fails to recognize potential and, had it not been due to the fool's compassion and devotion to the ideal of a 'hero', she and that whole village would have met their demise unbeknownst to everyone else. From the sensible point of view, she has failed as a ruler already."
"And what 'bout us?" Anastasia mused with a cocky grin. "It seems like a general consensus that we hold Natsuki-kun in high regard thanks ta' his value as an asset… But what about your fellows' here, hm?"
"Ha! You think me your fellow, Hoshin?!" Priscilla laughed aloud at the notion of the merchant being an equal to her. "I'll acknowledge that you possess numerous resources, indeed! But don't for one second consider you and I even comparable. My opinion of you is mostly similar to that of everyone else: A pebble on the road to my rightful throne. You two just happen to be larger than the norm."
"…You see now what I had to deal with?" Crusch commented to the merchant princess in a tired voice. "And we have an entire day ahead filled with it."
"…Yes, she is definitely special, for sure." Anastasia wiped the sweat from her forehead with equal reluctance.
"Nevertheless, merchant." Priscilla continued after ceasing her giggles. "What reason has brought you here?"
"I'm interested as well, Anastasia." The Duchess, likewise, dug in and asked. "We are aware that, unlike Barielle and myself, your expertise in war and battle is lacking. Hence why you have a mercenary group and knights to take care of such matters."
"…So it's my turn ta' express disappointment now, huh?" The Lady affirmed cheerfully while rubbing her scarf.
"Huh?" The two noblewomen expressed with annoyance at the insinuation. "Explain yourself, mongrel." Priscilla barked at the merchant, irritated by the suspense.
"Ya' ARE aware that Natsuki Subaru left his belongings in the property of the Margrave, right?" She reasoned as the eyes of the other two widened.
"…His belongings…" Crusch's thoughts stopped for a moment before she managed processed the information properly. "His technology!"
"Exactly." The mauve merchant then directed her gaze at the bracelet in her wrist before continuing speaking. "Karen?"
"Yes, Anastasia." The A.I. responded in a monotone voice.
"Would ya' allow us access ta' the artifacts and information Natsuki Subaru holds?"
"No."
"And if we were granted permission by the man himself?"
"Yes, to all of it."
"I see then." Anastasia grinned from ear to ear. "Do ya' realize now? After dealing with the Whale and the Cult, the public's focus will shift towards the alliance. That Felt gal will most likely seek to join-in as well, if only ta' suck-off from our success."
"And with that… independent of the fact that he didn't do it for the prestige, Natsuki Subaru's name will be at the center of it all…" Crusch voiced her prediction in a pensive manner.
"The alliance will prevent the Candidates from openly declaring war to one another, preventing a bloodshed scenario." Priscilla spoke as well, genuinely engaged in the conversation. "Which means that the only road to becoming King would be through achievements, like hunting the rest of the cult and Great Mabeasts down... or the development of the country."
"Disregarding the manhunts; with technology beyond our years in sight… the Selection essentially becomes a race of which candidate can develop the Kingdom the best by using the boy's knowledge of an advanced civilization."
"*Sigh* I must correct something, Anastasia." Crusch spoke with confidence at the merchant. "The idea of… 'Using' him isn't exactly appreciated. What if he disagrees with your methods? He would most certainly distance himself from the Selection as a whole and restrict the use of his metias."
"He can't." Priscilla reasoned, interrupting the Duchess. "It's him against an entire country… He can't say no, especially so with the nobility and the knights being so petty and irritated by his attitude that they would use anything as an excuse to kill him."
"Are you, by any chance, threatening him?" Karen interrupted the conversation as well with an ominous tone.
"It's not a threat, it's a reality." The Baroness stated in a monotone voice at the program that talked back from her wrist. "We could stand back and do nothing and the fools will still seek to put his head in a pike; it's the consequence of him defying their egos so openly. You witnessed how the knights just now condemn and mock him still, even after the Whale's death. Who is to say they won't pin some stupid crime on the boy the moment we return to the Capital just to have him arrested and executed somehow?"
"He is already part of the Selection, no matter what." Anastasia continued in her still cheerful voice. "In order ta' prevent it from breaking apart and the Selection devolving into a bloody mess, he has to continue cooperating with us, whether he likes ta' or not. An' that means whosoever makes the best use of his knowledge will come out on top."
"So it all comes down to twisting his hand in our favor, huh?" Crusch brought a hand to her head, holding herself with a tired and regretful expression. "In truth, I would have been fine with him remaining a third party; just focusing on his own objectives… forcing him into a position in which he has to listen to all of our orders, not unlike a slave, would be rather cruel."
"It's not as though he'd be a slave." Anastasia perked up at the notion with a worried frown. "I'd never let a man with the achievement of slaying a calamity be degraded to slavery. Working as the driving force in a peace treaty between all five candidates would earn quite the hefty sum. He'd have a home, clothing, food, financing; anything he asks for. The sole requirement is that he shares his knowledge and technology with us."
"Still… Why would you voice out these thoughts, merchant?" Priscilla pondered whilst directing a doubtful glance at the woman in white. "You do realize that you could have made use of him under our noses, much like the half-elf could have, had you not said a word? You even were boisterous enough to imply it when you arrived."
"Regretfully, Natsuki Subaru has demonstrated to be a goody two-shoes." The merchant princess rubbed her temples with a dejected expression. "If I could buy his silence, then that'd be great! However, the boy puts others before himself and as such, he is bound ta' slip up an' turn against me if he feels like I am doing the wrong thing or trampling over my subjects and the like. I'd rather just share him as a resource with others than have him potentially selling a project ta' someone else or sabotage it just because we disagree on something." She then returned to her cheery self in an instant. "Plus… this just gives me time to make him warm up ta' me. By the end of the first year, I'm sure his vote an' trust will be mine."
"…" Crusch narrowed her eyes at the woman before leaning on her seat once more. For the Duchess, her heart and romantic needs all lie at the end of her path to the throne. However, seeing another woman get close to the boy that had captured her attention for the sole purpose of using him just irritated her. Sure, she was now in an equal position to the merchant; deciding the boy's destiny without his knowledge and having to get closer to him for something other than the friendship she had promised. This did not mean that she agreed to such a path, but it was necessary to a 'peaceful' and organized Selection. After Vollachia's own Royal Selection rumors, she knew such altercations could get bloody at the drop of a hat. If Natsuki Subaru was the pawn that prevented lives from being sacrificed for the throne… then she'd just have to swallow her guilt and use him like she knows the other two will as well. My apologies…
Otherworld technology, huh… Priscilla sat in silence, sinking in her own thoughts with a smile while monitoring the cultists. She was quite content with the outcome, even if she wouldn't voice it. While the boy's obsessions with heroism and saving others proved annoying in her eyes, the fact that he was useful went unquestioned. She was convinced that, by commanding him to create items for her commodity and advancement, the boy would eventually realize her superiority and throw away such useless notions for her sake. She could not care less about the alliance; even if she would abide by the implied non-aggression pact it was still because she saw her rivals as too irrelevant of ever becoming a real threat. All she cared was the fact that now, from a certain point of view, Natsuki Subaru was her underling and she would use him for all he is worth, mentally and physically. And by the end of the Selection, he would be glad to have the honor of being her servant. …You will be mine.
"Now then…" Anastasia relaxed whilst keeping watch over the hologram. She had pondered over many a possibility in regards to Natsuki Subaru after the debriefing. Wary of his good nature, she had developed a plan to have him serve under her, but it always backfired in her mind. In retrospective, she guessed a mistake was made when she warned him about the wants of the Vollachians back in Crusch's mansion. After all, she could be just as merciless in her approach if it implied victory in the end. Therefore, taking advantage of the animosity the knights escorting her possessed for him, she resolved that making Subaru subservient to all candidates would cease their bloodlust and prove the boy, in a manner of speaking, inferior to the nobles. She didn't believe such a notion for a second; how can someone who is hailed a hero in his own homeland and had proven his worth even in another world be inferior to a bunch of old fools obsessed with prestige and image? It was utterly ridiculous and yet necessary for him to be perceived in such a way in order to shake away such annoying people. But it was an image she was willing to impose on him if it meant the opportunity of interacting with his technology and maybe, just maybe, gain a business partner capable of measuring up to her high standards. Truly a thrilling endeavor…
"…" Karen had remained silent upon hearing such a discussion. Although she would have liked to report directly with Subaru the intent of the women in the carriage, she had made the promise of not spying. Even with the previous loop running through his mind, Subaru was adamant about not hearing on others or observing them, leaving them to their privacy. Karen, of course, did not know about time turning back, but it still annoyed her how good natured her master was. Then again, such a nature drove him to accomplish the impossible; hence, she would trust him even if she didn't trust the others.
As the three candidates were trapped in their own little world, Subaru and the others rode behind their carriage, sticking close and guarding it from every angle. At the helm of their formation stood the knights and the new arrivals, at the bottom the mercenaries, foreigners and adventurers. As the group at the back mingled with one another, Julius decided to deaccelerate and interact with the man of the hour. "A moment, Natsuki."
"Huh?" The confused Subaru turned to the man that was now riding beside him. "Oh… Hey. What's up?" He asked in an awkward voice.
"…" Rem, who was hugging the boy from behind, stood silent as her hero and the knight discussed. An indifferent yet serious expression painted her face as she stared at the purple haired man intently.
"…Did you really beat it?" Julius asked the boy while looking at the road ahead.
"Er- What?"
"The White Whale…" He turned to look at the hero with a serous gaze. "It was a foe all nations in this world despised. Its subjugation was one of Lugunica's order longest standing wishes, especially so after the passing of the previous Sword Saint."
"Wilhelm's wife…" The young man muttered before deadpanning an answer. "Well… you saw the beheaded corpse, didn't you? Kinda hard to miss."
"I… I owe you my thanks." The knight bowed his head in respect. "In my behalf and that of my brothers-in-arms, I thank you."
"…Don't force it, man…" Subaru looked away from him, some embarrassment coloring his face red before his tone turned serious once more. "You might mean it… but you don't have to thank me for the other knights as well. It's clear what they think of me, really."
"...I must ask that you forgive their behavior." Julius lamented on the conduct of the men before him. "While it's true that your defiance is not well taken, and rather poorly timed, their hate for you is driving them blind to the facts before us. You defeated a calamity, and now you are leading us alongside the Royal Candidates to battle against the Witch Cult, a four-hundred year old plague. These are no small feats, especially so considering the fact that you've been in our world for less than a year."
"Ugh… Look, I…" Subaru struggled with speaking to the man. He felt remorseful about beating him up, especially so in front of his Lady and fellow knights. Sure, he disliked their overly inflated attitudes and rigidity, but he still felt like he did nothing but annoy everyone with his actions. He didn't regret his speech that day… But the duel and the argument with Emilia are things he would have liked to avoid, as they did nothing but drive a wedge in relationships that could have perfectly blossomed into friendships otherwise. "I'm-I'm sorr… 'bout…"
"…" Julius stood silent, staring silently at the boy who was struggling with his words.
"…AGH! Okay, fine! I'm sorry about-!"
"Don't be." He immediately answered with a stoic face.
"Beating you the other- Uh, what?" The Avenger's semblance fell into a confused expression.
"I proposed the duel and lost. It's a miracle Anastasia-sama still chose to forgive my arrogance and allow me to continue serving under her. Moreover, you are the one that lost the most from such an altercation. Your liege abandoned you and you lost your chance at becoming a knight. Needless to say, the fact that the entirety of the nobility wanted you executed." He chuckled at the thought of uppity nobles holding pitchforks and sticks, calling for the head of the mean-eyed hero.
"…Uh-huh…?"
"My words and actions… I apologize for them." Julius closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. "I cannot take back what I've said and done… But, from the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry nonetheless."
"…HGHK!" Subaru grunted at the man; he felt as though he had been stabbed with a knife on the back. The feeling of him apologizing, although satisfactory, immensely irritated him. "Lo-Look man… I'm sorry too. And I'm not letting you not letting me apologize, just to be clear!" He cleared his throat before speaking once again. "I'm sorry… Having said that, I-I just… I can't see me being all buddy-pals with you. I… UGH! I hate your guts! That's it! I hate them!" Subaru's face scrunch up at the notion of someone like Julius even being in the same category as Ned, making his expression quite a repulsed one. "I'm fine with being acquaintances but nothing more than that! Hmph!"
"Hmph, as am I." Julius smiled and nodded. "Quite frankly, I cannot fathom being friends with someone so… Lax and scattered such as yourself."
"…Subaru-kun maybe lax and scattered, but he is most certainly amazing." Rem, who stood silent the entire conversation, pouted at the man.
"Oi, shouldn't you be denying those claims?" A baffled Subaru answered at the girl's words.
"My apologies for the behavior of my fellow knights during the reunion to you as well, my fair maid." The knight bowed to the oni, flipping his hair elegantly as he stood back up.
"Hmph!" She huffed, looking away from the man.
"Now there's the similarity to Ram…" The boy commented off-handedly.
"So… Natsuki-san? Can we talk?" Just as the conversation between the two prideful idiots died down, a third-party carriage poised itself besides the boy's left. At the helm, in the driver seats were the O'Connell siblings, directing a carriage filled with the Vollachian mercenaries employed by Priscilla.
"Hm? Oh, Flop, Medium. Yeah, what do?"
"Um, what?"
"What's going on? Need something?"
"Yeah!" The sister, Medium, answered energetically. "If the knights and the candidates are the ones that are going to kill that Sloth guy and his fingers, I wager the mercenaries and us will take on the rest of the cult, right?!"
"Well, yeah. That's the general gist of it, I guess." Subaru reasoned with the loud girl. "What is it, then? You want to discuss a strategy with more detail?"
"Well actually… I was wondering if there was a way to lure the cultists out." Flop answered with a curious face.
"Luring them out?" Julius, who had yet to return to his formation, chimed in on the conversation. "How do you figure we could do it?"
"Oh, it's just…" The blonde man weighed his words before continuing. "You know how there's a rumor that people involved with the Witch can attract mabeasts?" He gave a nervous glance at Subaru.
"Are you implying that Subaru-kun really is somehow related to her?" Rem spat in a growl. Julius and Subaru, on the other hand, pondered over such words.
"I'm not trying to implicate him as a cultist or anything! I swear!" Flop defended himself. "But if he used his smell to attract the calamity… Am I wrong in assuming you smell like a cultist?"
"Is this true, Natsuki?" The knight gazed at the boy quizzically.
"Well… You did imply it when I first arrived to the mansion, Rem." Subaru chuckled, confirming the suspicions.
"…*Sigh*" The oni maid gave out a defeated exhale at the memory of wanting to kill her beloved. "It's true… Subaru-kun does smell like a cultist; Beatrice-sama in the mansion confirmed it so."
"And yet…" Medium reasoned. "He is not a cultist."
"Exactly." The blue haired girl continued. "To begin with, he has no gospel. And his actions, mannerisms and origin speak to someone so opposite to the Witch Cult that it makes no sense for him to be affiliated with them."
"So it's a mystery as to why you smell like them then." Julius said in a monotone voice. "Still… I fail to see how such information could prove useful."
"It's because, if I smell like a cultist, then it's probable I can infiltrate them and create an opening." Subaru deadpanned in response.
"Infiltrate?! Subaru-kun that is a bad idea!" Rem protested at the notion.
"I must simply agree with the maid, Natsuki." The finest knight nodded along. "We know now that there's a potential for your body to be snatched; would you really risk it all just to lure out the cultists?"
"To begin with, we have them located already; what would be the point in luring them?!" The maid, panicked still, spoke frantically.
"Catching them off-guard." Subaru concluded, earning back the attention of the two. "Julius-"
"Juli."
"…What are the possibilities that the cultists aren't aware of the army? Or that they at least know someone's on their tail?"
"It's not likely, but… it's not impossible either." The man admitted with reluctance.
"Then there IS a chance we are not dealing with an enemy completely in the dark…" Flop frowned at the implication.
"…Actually…" Rem frowned as well as she made a comment. "The truth is… I think that they might be aware we are coming…"
"…Wait, what?" Subaru, Julius, Medium and Flop all asked at the same time, baffled by her statement.
"The truth is, Subaru-kun…" She made a worried face before explaining her reasoning. "When the other part of the convoy arrived, the one that was guarding the road with… Julius-san-"
"Juli, please." The idiot stressed with a smug grin, much to the other's boredom.
"…Juli-san, a group of merchants alarmed me because they too share Subaru-kun's smell." She admitted with guilt the information she could not muster to say during the planning.
"What?!" Julius expression turned confused by her answer. "But why would you choose not to reveal such a thing during-?!"
"For one, it's because she made an assumption that almost got her into trouble the first time I came to the mansion." Subaru reassured the girl with a pat on the head while trying to calm down Julius. "And for two, she's not a Great Spirit, unlike Beatrice, so the credence of her words could be questioned. Hell, even she doesn't know why she can detect the smell of the Witch!"
"Rem just knows she's been able to smell it since her village was raided by the bastards…" She justified whilst hugging the boy's back tighter, uncomfortable with the memories.
"Your village…" The knight lamented her tragedy with a frown.
"She probably just wanted some assurance before making a decision that could get someone into trouble."
"My apologies, Rem-sama." Julius bowed once more. "It seems I have brought up an uncomfortable subject to you."
"It's fine… Rem has to confront the situation eventually." She stated in third-person, straightening her position on the dragon.
"So… Who exactly are the lucky bastards?!" Ricardo pulled up beside Julius alongside Al. It seems the two had been talking with each other right before hearing the troubling information. "Seems like you need some help here! Might need a hand with 'em fools!" He said cheerfully.
"…" Rem looked behind her, trying to diminish her presence, before indicating to the group the suspicious men. "It's the three on that carriage over there."
"Ketty Muttart?" Julius raised an eyebrow at the group. "Hmm…"
"Anything odd about them, pal?" Aldebaran asked as he took a quick look at the merchant as well.
"…Ketty and his men offered themselves for the job, actually." The purple knight explained. "Unlike most of the other merchants, who had contracts through the guild or Anastasia-sama and came for this mission under instruction of their employers, Ketty and his group said they wanted to help out in our efforts. Something about being inspired by the 'black-haired boy'. I didn't think much of it at the time, but…"
"In this context, that makes them suspicious…" Medium frowned at the conclusion. "A merchant wouldn't normally agree to something this dangerous, unless he is required by another employer, they are paid handsomely or they are some too trusting fool guy like Flop here."
"Need I remind you that you also wanted to help out due to 'good intentions' rather than just payment?" The elder brother retorted from his seat.
"Ehehehe!"
"Look, point is: They are suspicious." Subaru and the others agreed to this point.
"We could restrain them later and check their possessions. If they don't hold anything incriminatory, we let them go and dismiss it as being just as unlucky as bro here. What do you guys say?"
"I'd agree, but just to be sure…" Subaru deaccelerated Patrasche's pace and ran up right beside Ketty's carriage, much to everyone's collective surprise.
"What is the moron doing?!" Julius whispered to Ricardo in alarm.
"Like hell if I know!" The Wolf-man answered back with just as much panic.
"Hey, Ketty was it?" Subaru asked the merchant in a relaxed fashion.
"Hm? Oh, it's you!" The man answered back, alerting his companions of the hero's presence. "I have to say kid, nice job with the Whale! We never really expected someone so young to fell such a creature!"
"…Yes, I see." Subaru nodded to the praise, ignoring the nervous Rem who had chosen to look away from such improvisation, trying to hide a clearly disgusted face from the three supposed cultists.
"So? Is there something you wish to say?" One of the men asked, rising the tension in the air.
"Well… I was just discussing with Julius and the knights, you see… And we figured what the exact time the cult will attack might be."
"Oh, really now?" Ketty's face turned serious.Did he work our plans out?
"Yeah!" Subaru smiled at the man. "We wager they'll attack by the evening in the end. That gives us some time for planning, so we are going to evacuate the village in the afternoon now."
"Ah, I see…" The merchant's expression relaxed. "Well then, if that's all then I'll tell the other merchants as well."
"Ah, don't worry!" Subaru kept talking, trying to deviate his attention from others. "I'll tell them instead. After all, being part of the organizers and all, it's my responsibility to oversee some things. I'm not a candidate or a knight, I'm an outsider, and as such many are still wary of me. I figure I have to make my best effort in order to gain their trust!"
"Hmm, thank you then. I'm sure everyone will come to appreciate such a diligent young lad!" Ketty smiled in relief.So our plans were not thwarted… if anything, this fool has made quite the opening to attack!
"Also…" Subaru gave one last indication to the man before returning to formation. "We might need some assistance moving stuff once we arrive to the clearing. You see, it is actually two clearings divided by a small thicket. Can I count on you and some other merchants to stay with the group that will deal with the Archbishop?"
"Oh, absolutely! Don't worry; we came here to help after all!" The merchant reassured with a smile.
"Thanks!" Subaru nodded along. "I'll tell the others now, see ya!" He waved back as he rode back to his position beside Julius.
"Subaru!" Julius muttered in a low tone but clearly alerted by the boy's actions. "What do you think you are doing?!"
"Chill man, will you?" Subaru smiled before making his reasoning clear. "I just told him we think the cultists will strike by the evening."
"…But I thought they were going to strike at around noon?" Ricardo made a strange face at the words before he and everyone else realized the true meaning of such a statement. "Wait, you don't mean-!"
"You fed them wrong information?" Flop raised an eyebrow at the notion.
"If they are cultists, then they probably have a way to communicate back to the Archbishop."
"And if they tell HIM the wrong information…" Rem's face lit up, realizing what the boy had just done.
"The schedule of their attack will be delayed as well!" Al concluded with an impressed voice. "Goddamn! You came with that one on the spot?! You Avengers really work quick!"
"I also convinced him to isolate himself from the other merchants. Although… now I have to hurry and tell them some false info as well, in case Ketty decides to talk and figure something's up."
"*Sigh* This all still under the assumption that they are cultists themselves…" The finest knight suggested in disapproval.
"Sometimes you don't win unless you risk it, Julius-!"
"Juli." The purple man stressed.
"…Ugh! Fi~ne, Juli…"
"…You have locked us into this path now nevertheless, so there's no reason to complain anyhow. Do that then, inform the other merchants." Julius concluded with a nervous exhale. "We'll arrive to the Margrave's territory in short, so be quick about it."
"Okay, mom…" Subaru, annoyed by the man, rolled his eyes before retreating towards the merchants once more.
Meanwhile…
Dwelling within a cavern near Arlam, isolated by the surrounding forest and observed only by a lone espionage drone hidden as an insect perched on a tree, the group of deranged killers and torturers known as the Witch Cult stood on standby. They awaited for the call of their sect's leader, the Archbishop of Sloth, to massacre the village as an offering to their most precious figure, the Witch of Envy.
"Ahh… Cometh the hour… rejoice my fellow believers! The day has come to prove our love once more… DESU!" The green religious fanatic stated in a twisted, maniacal voice. "The Gospel's Guidance! The caravan approaches! And with them… one of my fingers! At his signal, we shall know the concrete hour for our attack! Stay wary… for among them is the so called 'boy' that would deny us..." He grabbed his face, twisting it in frustration as he imagined the visage of the man that would interfere with his plans. His mystical book did not detail on it, but it warned of a youngster that would endanger his mission. "Truly diligent to his motives he is… BUT! But, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but… We shall demonstrate whose cause is the fairer once his lifeblood is spilled! His and his companions! One more offering to demonstrate our adoration and devotion… The trial shall be performed! DESU!" He screamed in euphoria to the ceiling, followed by an ear-to-ear grin and maddened laughter.
"Hngh!" In horror to the man's mannerisms, a grey-haired green clothe merchant whimpered. The gag on his mouth would not allow for speech and the rope around his body impeded his escape, but his wide eyes, bucketful's of sweat and fearful twitching were more than enough to show his fear. How did I even get myself in such a situation?! He thought with panic. Alongside him, inside the cave, was also a scared earth dragon with muzzle on her snout, restrained by chains to the walls of the cavern.
"NOW THEN!" The black-cloaked Archbishop yelled once more, capturing his servant's attention. "For the time being… We shall observe the comings of the road going back and forth into the village. Everyone else… Move to your assigned locations and await for your guidance to be granted. In all her mercifulness… the Witch will most certainly show the path to the future… to her love… LOVE! HER LOVE! SATELLA'S LOVE! LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELO-!" As he shook from side to side, hugging himself whilst chanting with an ecstatic smile, Petelgeuse's cheers were cut short by one of the cloaked servants.
"…" The cultist approached his ear, murmuring some sort of advice.
"-VE! *GASP* …AHHHHHHHH! HOW SLOTHFUL OF ME!" The green-skinned man lamented while trembling, biting his lip hard enough to force blood out, before bashing his own head against the rock wall of the cave.
*BLAM*
"TO LET-"
*BLAM*
"-MY CHANTS-"
*BLAM*
"-INTERRUPT-"
*BLAM*
"-MY DUTY!"
*BLAM*
"FORGIVE-"
*BLAM*
"-MY-"
*BLAM*
"-SLOTH!"
*BLAM*
After the last strike, the Archbishop stood still for some moments before turning to his subordinates once more with a now bloodied face. "BELIEVERS IN LOVE! MOVE OUT!" He instructed before elevating himself, dragging his body in a fetal position through the air towards his destination. Apart from a few who stood guard on the poor Otto, the rest of the cultists followed suit by fusing through some sort of odd magic with the shadows of the cave.
Needless to say, the tied up merchant and his fearful dragon companion both cried in silence from such a sight. Please… whoever this monster was talking about… beat his ass!
As these events happened, meanwhile inside the manor of the domain's lord, Ram and Beatrice stood guard as they analyzed still the movements of the cult.
"They are moving again…" Ram frowned at the floating man and his minions in the display. "Beatrice-sama."
"I know maid." The Great Spirit pondered on the footage for a bit. "The Archbishop and all the cultists moved before, they all reunited in that cavern and now they are returning to their original positions… chances are, the Gospel has handed out guidance once more…"
"And they have grouped up to discuss it?" The maid concluded in a worried tone.
"Most likely." Beatrice nodded along. "You should go and wake up the half-elf, I suppose. She is tardy as it is already, someone must receive the army once it arrives. I'll keep them updated meanwhile."
"Understood." The pink oni answered with monotony before departing the office in the direction of Emilia's chambers. As she did so, the elven girl could be seen tossing around in her slumber, a preoccupied Puck by her side.
"Mngh…" She mumbled with an uncomfortable face.
"Lia…" The Great Spirit murmured in worry while pressing a soft paw to her forehead, massaging it.
"Half-devil!"
"Witch…"
"Filthy half-elf!"
"Devil!"
"I shall, if you apologize for being born, half-elf."
"She matches the appearance of the Witch, for Od's sake! Do you not comprehend that even allowing her to enter the Throne Room is a tragedy?!"
"…No…" She mumbled again as the memories kept flooding her.
"My name is Natsuki Subaru!"
"You have my brother's silver hair…"
"Not only am I completely clueless, I'm also completely lost! But if you need a hero, you've come to the right gu-!"
"But your kind features come from your mother. Everyone in my family has mean eyes."
"I, your rescuer, saved your life. Wouldn't that mean you ought to repay me somehow?"
"This is quite a problem."
"Tell me your real name."
"Ah, please forgive me!"
"Just doing my part."
"…Doing my part…" Emilia opened her eyes slowly before getting up groggily, apparently still in confusion about the voices and people she witnessed in her dreams.
"Emilia!" Puck beamed at his daughter-figure, relieved to finally see her awake from her nightmare.
"…Puck." She mumbled with a dubitative expression.
"Lia… I'm glad you finally woke up…" He stated in a reassuring voice.
"Wha…?" She processed the words for some seconds before realizing what was supposed to happen that day. "!"
"Lia?"
"PUCK!" She energetically screamed as the situation dawned on her. "WHAT TIME IS IT?! WE HAVE TO GO AND-!"
"Emilia, calm down!" Puck attempted to ease her tension. "Beatrice and Ram are keeping Subaru and the others up to speed. What you have to focus on right now is-"
"BUT THE CULT! WE-WE HAVE T-!"
*SLAM*
"Emilia-sama?!" The door to the bedroom opened with a loud sound as Ram came to check on her Lady. "Is everything alright?! I heard yelling…"
"Ram!" The still tired Emilia gazed at the maid nervously. "How long was I asleep?! We have to go and-and help Subaru and the others!"
"Emilia-sama… It's still some time before noon even, so please calm down." The oni managed to appease the half-elf. "While it would be appreciated for you to prepare yourself, the main task of battling the cult is the army's responsibility, not yours."
"H-Huh?"
"She's right Lia." Puck supported Ram's claim. "Your priority should be to steer away from trouble and protect the villagers from the main conflict once the evacuation carriages arrive."
"O-Oh… that's right…" Emilia's thoughts and the strategy planned out finally synchronized with her mind, reminding her of what the purpose of the army and Subaru coming were in the first place. "…To protect the villagers…"
"…Having said this, Emilia-sama." The oni maid continued. "We must organize the villagers still, let us go to Arlam once you are ready."
"Y-Yes, of course…" She said with a stutter. "I'll… I'll go down in a second…"
"…Very well." With the confused resolution from the girl, Ram retired from the room.
"…Lia…" Puck patted her head, trying to dispel any conflicted thought she might be having at the moment. "Calm down… Let's get ready to receive the army."
"…" Emilia stood silent before nodding, wanting to calm her trembling and drown the confusing memories from her dreams. She could remember her meeting with Subaru and all his words and actions. How he was kind and helpful before his brutal honesty about her attitude broke their relationship. She remembered… a time when there were people who acted just as kind towards her.Fortuna… Geuse… Who are they…?
"…" A nervous Puck felt a tug, as though something was wrong. He realized… that Emilia was remembering. And once she does… What will happen to him? Lia…
As Emilia and Puck drowned in possibilities and what-ifs, Subaru and is party finally arrived at the clearings of the Mathers territory, standing on the road between Arlam and the Lifaus Highway.
"Archbishop-sama." From inside a merchant's carriage, the man named Ketty pulled out a pocket mirror and whispered into it. "We have arrived."
"…" A murmur was heard in response, indicating that the one answering was not Petelgeuse but one of the 'Fingers'.
"I see…" The fake merchant nodded with a smile. "Inform the Archbishop that we have arrived and we have good news. The fools have misinterpreted the images of the boy's metia and have predicted the raid for the evening. Their evacuation of the village will be carried out in the afternoon, so they plan to attack our bases then at the same time they make the residents flee."
"…" The murmur whispered back, indicating the man to elaborate on the plan of action for the cult.
"If we vacate now, the bulk of the army's forces will be at the empty caves as we attack the village. We want to regroup on the forest now and attack in the afternoon, pass it on. Also… they plan on placing a detachment with their strongest on the clearing deeper into the forest, near the Archbishop's cave. We can take them by surprise and get rid of three Royal Candidates in one sweep if the Archbishop would like. I'll send my two fellow cultists to report with all the details now, meet them in the path to the main cave."
"…" An affirmative murmur finalized the conversation. With the exchange ended, the man turned off his communication mirror and pocketed it, exiting his carriage to see the assortment of soldiers and mercenaries disembarking their own as well. Amongst them were the candidates themselves: Crusch, Priscilla and Anastasia.
"The thicket separating the two forces was bigger than expected…" One of Ketty's companions suggested as the 'Finger' got off from the vehicle.
"…Yeah." The other companion nodded. "The first clearing was near the road… this one's quite near the Archbishop's cave…"
"Moreover…" Ketty looked around, noticing how they were the only merchant carriage amidst the elite force. "Didn't the boy say that he needed help carrying things around? Where are the other merchants?"
"Hmm…" The companions stood still, analyzing the situation. All around them there were soldiers, and their carriage… it was slowly being surrounded by the other stationary soldier carriages.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…You…" Ketty stood still with a tense aura about him as the truth of the situation dawned on him. "You don't think-"
"!" As his mind caught up with what was going on, a blade poised itself on his neck. He turned his eyes back up to see that his companions were in the same situation. Ricardo, Al and Medium were holding the three immobile as Subaru, Julius and Rem stood up to them. "What the hell is going on?!"
"You didn't really think your little act was so infallible that I wouldn't catch on to it, did you?" Subaru smirked.
"What are you- What?!"
*BZZZZ*
As Ketty stood restrained by Ricardo, a small drone whizzed over him and flew into Subaru's suit, integrating itself on the symbol on his chest.
"That was indeed a marvelous metia, I must admit." Julius expressed with astonishment. "Do you really carry it everywhere?"
"It's as much part of the suit as the mask and the web-shooters!" Subaru smiled at the impressed knight.
"Natsuki." Crusch stated from behind the hero, catching his attention. The three candidates approached the situation and inspected the three restrained men. "The display of your drone… Are these the three cultists?"
"Ya' are… the man that offered himself." Anastasia mused with a raised eyebrow.
"So… You would dare try to set me up. As though I was just a pig on a silver plate… to a filthy Witch cultist of all things!" Priscilla yelled with rage before materializing her Yang blade. Her expression was of pure unadulterated anger as she threatened to swing her sword down.
"Um, can someone calm her down?!" Subaru warned, alerted by the reckless action of the noblewoman. "Priscilla-san! We can't get any info out of them if you cut them in half!"
"Don't toy with me, boy! We already have enough with the display just now!" She dismissed his words away as the edge of the Yang sword shone in flame.
"L-Look! We can't kill him, not yet at least!" Subaru kept protesting. "Yes, we know he just reported to the cultists about the position of this force, but they don't know that the others are on the clearing just beyond! If we can pry out some more Intel on the cult, we might be able to organize an ambush!"
"…Keep talking, boy." An impressed Priscilla raised an eyebrow at the proposal. She found the idea of the boy defending the cultists' lives moronic, but if it forced him to put his brain into action then she figured she might at least give him the chance to say something smart before actually going through with the killing of the bastards.
"…This guy? He is one of the 'Fingers' of Sloth." He pointed to Ketty. "Maybe we could interrogate the man and have him disclose numbers, powers, everything he might know about-"
"I won't tell." The restrained man said in an ominous voice as he glared at Subaru.
"Huh?" The boy and the others turned around to look at the cultists.
"Her love…" Ketty and his companions smiled creepily, earning everyone's stupor. "…Shall surely grant forgiveness!"
*SLASH*
*SLASH*
*SLASH*
"WHAT THE-?!" Ricardo yelled in confusion.
"What is-?!" Medium followed with her own cry as well.
"This guy-!" Aldebaran said with a pissed off tone.
"GHLUGHK-GHK!" Ketty chuckled as he gargled on his own blood.
"They…" Crusch stood in complete shock at the visage. "They slashed their own throats…"
"They used us… to kill themselves?!" Medium reasoned in anger. "What the hell!"
"Ugh…" Anastasia made a disgusted face as she looked away. She was never one to tolerate gore.
"Anastasia-sama!" Julius quickly covered the vision of his liege.
"…R-REM!" Subaru yelled for his maid companion.
"H-Huh?!" The oni looked at him, worried for a second. As she locked eyes with the boy, she understood what he wanted of her. "…R-Right!" She nodded with some hesitation.
"…GH!" The convulsing man looked at the servant kneeling to him with wide eyes.
"…You scum don't even deserve healing… But we can't have you dying before actually doing something useful with your pathetic life." Rem glared at the man whose throat she was healing. She honestly couldn't care about his life, but his death could prove problematic to the man she loved, especially so when he just argued with a Royal Candidate to spare him. Her efforts however were useless.
"Ghhhh…" Ketty's eyes rolled backward as he passed away. Soon after, his followers died as well with an unceremonious exhale.
"…He's gone." Rem stated matter-of-factly.
"…TSK! Disgusting bastards!" Priscilla's scowl turned her face terrifying. As she threatened to pop a vein from the pressure, the Baroness turned to the Avenger once more, demanding a plan of action. "What now, boy?! The cultists you wanted to interrogate are dead!"
"…" Subaru's face was still aghast from the experience. It was one thing to see someone die, regardless of them being foe or friend. But seeing them take their own lives… was just appalling for the boy, especially so when such an idea had once before crossed his own mi-
"BOY!" Priscilla yelled in anger, finally capturing his attention. "ANY. IDEA?" She glared with fire in her eyes, igniting the alert of everyone around her as she poised her sword above the hero.
"Subaru-kun!" The oni maid called him to speak up as well with worry in her eye.
"…" Subaru turned to her finally before speaking in a calm yet disturbed voice. "…W-We should leave some empty carriages here, to fool the cultists that will come later into ambushing the place. As for the cultists that are to rendezvous on the forest…" He turned his gaze to Ketty's carriage, trying to ignore the bleeding body at his feet. "Th-There should be cultists robe's in the carriage still, check for his stuff and maybe we can disguise someone to lure the cultists out…"
"…" Wilhelm stood silent as Subaru gave his indications to the group, limiting himself to stare at the boy.
"…That could work, but…" A worried Anastasia tilted her head at him, reasoning that it was solid plan theoretically but still with some flaws. "What about the smell?"
"What?"
"The Witch's scent." The merchant princess continued. "If the spirit of the Margrave could detect it, then the Archbishop can as well, right? I mean… he's a Great Spirit too… AN' a cultist. An' don't forget that these guys carry 'round a Gospel or whatever too."
"…For the moment, let's just search the carriage." Subaru, who was clearly stressed out still by the stomach-churning actions of the cultists, gave a tone of finality before turning around and showing his back to the group. "I-I'm sorry… I need a moment, please."
"?" The Vollachian candidate made a confused face at his behavior before mocking. "What's the matter 'hero'? Did the corpse scare you so? Where did the confidence of a moment ago vanish to?"
"…Barielle." Crusch called out the behavior of the other Lady. "Let's restrict ourselves to continue our duty. It seems Natsuki Subaru has some things he must sort out still, most likely." She gazed at Subaru with worry. She had seen him act with absolute defiance and confidence a Royal Knight and a Calamity. What was so different about these cultists? She didn't know… But she certainly didn't like seeing him like this.
"Hmph! For how smart he can be, he can certainly be a handful. The world doesn't work like your fantasies of idealism, boy! Stop dwelling on their deaths and focus on the kill!" She yelled before turning around and returning to her forces.
"…" Julius gazed at the diminishing image of Subaru walking in the distance. He didn't know what to say, and he didn't really care for these cultists' lives either. To him, these were cowards that didn't deserve to be lamented, yet Subaru seemed remorseful about something. He stood silent for some moments more before turning to inspect the carriage of the deceased, keeping his thoughts to himself.
"…Subaru-kun." Rem made an attempt to walk towards him but she was suddenly stopped by Wilhelm, who rested his hand on her shoulder and ceased her advance. "Wilhelm-dono?"
"…Please leave this to me, Rem-dono." He bowed before walking in the direction of the boy.
"…" She gazed in worry. Subaru…
Sitting under the shade of the trees, Subaru contemplated on the events that just transpired with frustration. He looked at the buzz of carriages and soldiers, men and women who could see the death of their enemies with indifference, with envy. To him, killing a monster or some weirdo alien was no problem; after all, in his experience, these monsters were obsessed with either eating people or disintegrating them without remorse. How do you empathize with that? Yet human enemies… It was one thing to beat them into submission; it is another altogether to see them kill each other or themselves. He had upheld a code of giving the opponent the chance at redemption… but the cultists turned out to be so far the deep end that they could die with a manic smile as they committed attrocities. Subaru just couldn't stomach such malice. It reminded him of-
"Subaru-dono." The old swordsman stood in front of the resting boy with a calm expression. "May I sit here?"
"Wil… of course." The young hero nodded and move to the side, allowing the butler a seat.
"Thank you." He nodded back and smiled, sitting down with a regal air. "…Young man."
"…Yeah?"
"Have you ever…" He turned to lock eyes with him. "…Killed someone?"
"…" The boy was silent for a moment before scratching his head with doubt and answering. "I… I have, actually."
"And the people you killed… were they your enemies?"
"…Yeah." Subaru answered with dejection. "They were… They weren't human… I mean, they weren't demi-humans either, but… they were people as well. It's just…" He lowered his gaze with some shame. "They were trying to kill everyone… like, literally everyone else! So… I HAD to do it, but… looking back…"
"Then you did the right thing." Wilhelm smiled and nodded.
"!" The young man looked at him with surprise. "But I…"
"Subaru-dono. We are soldiers, knights, mercenaries, adventurers…" The butler breathe-in with a stoic face before continuing. "We didn't come to capture the enemy… We came here to exterminate them."
"…"
"You understand this, don't you?"
"I-I do…"
"From what I've seen, when push comes to shove, you WILL do your absolute best to save everyone. You are as much a hero as the rumors about your origin said. But… When it comes to the circumstances of this world, we can't allow idealism and the mercy of sparing the enemy cloud our judgement. This land does not work like yours."
"…"
"What was it that you wanted to achieve by sparing the cultists?" He asked with a softer voice, goading the youngster into opening up to him.
"…I… If I have to choose between killing or not, I do not wish to kill…" Subaru swallowed with nervousness before talking once more. "I understand that the Archbishops might be irredeemable, their reputations as indiscriminate murderers and torturers precede them… But I wished that wasn't the case for all cultists."
"You wanted to grant them a chance at redemption, then?"
"…I did." He closed his eyes with shame about his foolishness.
"…You are a good lad, then!" Wilhelm laughed, earning the boy's surprise. "Truthfully, everyone else in this world would like such people dead and rotting on the ground. The idea of sparing them and teach them the errors of their ways would be unthinkable. You are no moron though, I can attest to that, so the only place such actions could come can only be kindness. Otherworldly kindness."
"Wilhelm…"
"But…" The old man turned serious once again. "You must understand. If you wish to save people in this world, just as you did in yours, then you must be willing to kill your foe. MAYBE there will be situations in the future in which you can show your mercy and grant compassion, but in our current state of affairs… It is imperative to BE strong and fight."
"To be strong…" Subaru's eyes widened at the wise words.
"You are not a lesser man than you were as you arrived to this land for killing a cultist. These are not robbers you can put behind bars; they are deranged and sickening killers. The exact same you killed to save everyone else at home."
"…" The boy's eyes regained their shine.
"They are people too, of course. Never forget that. But… They made their choices, and they have chosen to kill and torture innocents for their deity's adoration. We must stand strong against them now and show that their acts cannot go unpunished."
"…I…"
"Subaru-dono." Wilhelm stood up and stretched a hand at the boy on the ground. "Would you allow me the honor of fighting beside a hero?"
"…" Subaru grabbed the man's hand and stood up, firmly clenching it as he regained his confidence. "Of course!"
"Hey!" Tivey shouted from Ketty's carriage, calling for the young man's and the butler's attention. "Hey you two! We found something!"
"Hm?" The boy tilted his head as he got up. "What is it?"
"The cultists' robes!" Mimi peeked her head out from the back, holding black cloaks on her arms. "These things are heavy! I think there's stuff on the pockets!"
"We are about to search them too, just so you know." The cat-boy readjusted his glasses as he spoke with a smug grin. "Spoils of war are a mercenary's privilege, you know?"
"I can't really say I approve of ransacking a dead guy's stuff…" Subaru made a disappointed face at the giggling cats as they dug their hands on the robes.
"We also, hng! …Found this stuff under the planks." Flop lifted with some effort a sack as he descended the vehicle. "It seems to be filled with fire pyroxenes…"
"Be careful with that." Julius indicated as he helped the merchant getting down. "Those things were most likely set up as a countermeasure in case we caught onto them. Fire pyroxenes are quite volatile…"
"Countermeasure how?" Medium made a confused face at the knight's implication.
"They were set near the carriage's wheels. Most likely, if the Divine Protection of the Wind of the carriage's Earth Dragon wore off in the middle of a running, the pyroxenes would activate, triggering them into a chain explosion."
"And with these many…" Subaru got near the sack and opened it to appreciate the amount of stones inside it. "You could blow the entirety of Arlam…"
"These bastards really weren't taking any chances, huh?!" Ricardo said as he got off from the carriage as well.
"…Natsuki." Julius called for the boy's attention as he set the sack of stones on the ground. "Are you fine now? You seemed… 'Perturbed' by the recent sight."
"…I'm fine now, thanks." The young man answered the knight with a surprised face. "Didn't think you of all people would be worried."
"Hmph. I was just worried your lack of character in the face of a disturbing sight would lead to conflict, is all." The finest knight answered as he flipped his hair aside elegantly.
"Gee, thanks." Subaru rolled his eyes at Julius retort and mannerism. "Remind me not to invite you to my wedding in the future."
"Wouldn't come even if invited."
"Oh, you-!"
"Hm? What is this?" As Subaru and Julius bantered, Mimi's acute voice resounded with curiosity. "A book? I can't read it at all…"
"I can't make sense of it either…" Tivey lamented as his sister produced a black book from the cloak the pair was handling.
"!" The candidates, as well as everyone who had witnessed the drone's monitoring, quickly turned pale as they gazed at the book on the cat-girl's hand.
"Mimi…" Anastasia said in a panicked yet calm manner.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Don't lose your head… Just… lay down the book and come over here." The merchant signaled to her side. "Ya' as well, Tivey."
"My Lady? Is something wrong?" The cat-boy asked, perplexed about her and everyone else's reaction.
"Eh, you guys are making too much a big deal out of this." Subaru made a tired expression to the people around him as he took the book from the girl's hands.
"A-Ah! S-Subaru-kun!" Rem's face turned even paler as the boy grabbed the book.
"Chillax, Rem. This Gospel or whatever is just a book. My brain ain't gonna implode from holding it."
"Gospel…?" Mimi and Tivey's eyes widened before their pupils shrunk in horror. "HUH?!"
"You mean to tell me I was holding that thing open?!" The cat-girl screamed in terror.
"EWEWEWEWEWEW!" The Pearlbaton boy yelled as well as both him and his sister hid behind Anastasia, the trio becoming a trembling mess in the process.
"Natsuki… Just, lay down the book on the ground and-" Crusch warned as Subaru started flipping over the unreadable pages.
"Subaru-dono… Please…" Even the normally stoic Wilhelm seemed altered by the situation, much to the boy's annoyance.
"Oh, c'mon! Not you two as well?!" Subaru yelled in exasperation as he pocketed the grimoire. "Look guys, I've seen crazy crap already. Some book isn't gonna turn me into a zombie, okay?"
"Subaru." Julius seemed quite stressed as he uttered the hero's name. "The Witch's Cult Gospel… Rumor has it that just touching makes you one of the Witch's adherents."
"Huh?"
"Do you… not feel any different?"
"Am I supposed to? Well… Not really. I mean, is constipation a sign of evil? I have a knot in my gut since yesterday and I-"
"Too much information, mongrel." Priscilla made an absolutely disgusted face as everyone's tension was lifted by Subaru's stupid remarks.
"*Sigh*…I guess I was a fool for thinking that such a book could even corrupt your mind." The finest knight decided to dunk on the boy as well. "After all, you can't exactly defile what doesn't exist."
"You fancy-pants piece of-!"
"Back to topic, you pair of buffoons." The Vollachian Lady stressed. "That cultist posing as a merchant reported to the Archbishop that his men were going to meet up with him, right?"
"Oh, shoot! You are right!" The boy's face turned nervous as he remembered that, with the cultists dead, Sloth could get suspicious and attack the village earlier. "What do we do?!"
*FWIP*
"Hmph! While you wallowed in your own self-pity, boy, I devised quite the godly stratagem to deal with our predicament." Priscilla smiled as she produced her fan from her breasts. She then giggled in silence at her own 'marvelous' mind as the rest just stared in confused silence. "Fufufu~!"
"…So are you gonna explain or just expect us to read your mind as you fan yourself?" The Avenger asked.
"You and Al are going to be the ones disguise yourselves in those robes and meet the Archbishop." She proudly stated with a grin on her face.
"…Uh, what now?!" The baffled Aldebaran freaked out at the proposition, or rather, order from his mistress.
"Don't question me Al!" The Baroness growled at the surprise of her subordinate. "I've made my statement, obey it so!"
"Barielle!" Crusch protested with an irritated face. "We specifically discussed that Natsuki Subaru is vulnerable to the possession powers of Sloth! Why the hell would you force him into a situation where-?!" As both her and Rem glared heatedly at the noblewoman, Subaru spoke up.
"I think that might actually be a good idea!" The boy concluded with bewilderment.
"No, it's not!" The blue oni yelled in retort. "It's bad enough that you'd approach that… madman! But if you were to get possessed by him, Rem would… I would…"
"Look Rem, just… Listen to me on this one, okay? I think I have a solid idea about what Priscilla is saying here!"
"How exactly do you think this suicidal strategy would amount to anything, Natsuki?" Julius questioned as he gave a disapproving side-glance at the still smiling Baroness.
"Priscilla." Subaru turned to the woman herself, catching her attention. "You proposed that Al and I be the ones to approach the Archbishop… Because you don't think the Gospels could corrupt us, right?"
"Not just that, boy." She smirked even further. "It's already proven that you smell of that foul bunch, isn't that right? In the case that the Archbishop too can detect such an odor, then sending YOU of all people would ensure gaining his trust. We can set up the perfect trap for them and they shall be none-the-wiser about the fact that they are being duped! Simply, a most divine intervention from mine part!"
"Add to that the fact that Sloth WILL know he can possess me right away… Which will ensure he will believe us to be on his side…"
*CLACK*
"No risk, no reward, peasant." The Lady made a loud sound as she closed the fan, her face turning serious; she then got uncomfortably close to the boy and pointed to his chest with the item. "Let me be clear about this; I'm here for the glory and the technology, nothing more. I intend to use you, so-called hero, for all that you are worth. If you get possessed and we have to kill you, then I shall make the person behind such a blunder pay for costing me a waste of my time and resources. Were it to be YOUR blunder, however, I'd toss your body aside, as such a death would show how truly incompetent you really were. Having said all of this, taking care that you don't get possessed isn't my responsibility in this situation, it's yours. Show yourself capable, meet with the bastard and come back without being taken over; THEN I'll recognize your life worth my time and resources."
"Geez, you honor me…" The boy groaned at the woman's harsh words.So even after the Whale I'm not worth your time? Damn, these are some standards.
"And what do I figure in this situation, huh?!" Al continued protesting. "I'm pretty sure the Archbishop will question as to why I'm lacking an arm?!"
"You are my assurance he doesn't get possessed." Priscilla explained to the weirded-out Al. "If he gets taken over, then I'm punishing YOU accordingly."
"But didn't you just-?! I mean-! I-!" Aldebaran's helmet threatened to blow up from the fumes of steam coming out of it. Priscilla first said that it was Subaru's responsibility to not get possessed and now she was passing the blame of the boy potentially losing himself onto him. "I… Okay, fine. Got it, Princess…" He deflated in defeat.
"Hmph!"
"Your mistress is playing some 4D chess with your brain here, man; I don't think you should try arguing. Al, just stay silent and follow my lead buddy." Subaru reassured as he readjusted his mask and passed a cloak to the knight.
"…You'll be following our lead, actually." Anastasia spoke up, having finally understood the situation. "Natsuki-kun, we can give you instructions from here so long as you have the mask on, right?"
"You actually can, yeah!" The boy nodded in approval to the merchant's suggestion.
"…If that is the case, we should move to vacate this clearing immediately." Crusch commanded the other soldiers. "Move back half of the carriages to the first clearing, the one past the thicket! Everyone else, await to ambush the cultists once they come to raid the empty carriages!"
"YES!"
"Natsuki Subaru." The Duchess turned to the boy once more. "I'll be adamant and say that I still don't approve of this plan, so…. Make sure you return, understood?"
"Crusch…"
"If things go south, make it your priority to draw distance from Sloth. Do not engage; you HAVE to live through this." Crusch stated with a serious and commanding tone, betraying the desperate worry in her eyes.
"…I understand." The boy nodded again, feeling somewhat giddy over the fact that the Karsten noblewoman felt the need to express the importance of his life. "Karen?"
"Yes?"
"Activate interrogation mode! The Archbishop is expecting an older man as the informant, can't go around saying stuff in my normal voice! Too youthful!"
"Perhaps too youthful, indeed." Wilhelm nodded. "If he confused you for a woman whilst expecting a man, the whole operation could end compromised."
"…What was that?" Subaru's face turned into confused mess as he looked at the butler.
"Well, it's just…" The old man coughed a little before continuing. "*cough, cough* Your grunts during the battle with the Whale… They were easy to confuse with one of the female fighters."
"Oh, Please! My voice isn't that girly! It's clear that I sound like a guy even with the mask on, right?!"
"…" Everyone stood silent at the boy's words.
"…Right?" A desperate Subaru turned to his left. "Rem?"
"…Even if your grunts and voice can be girly, I still think you are quite manly, Subaru-kun!"
"…Al?"
"…Yeah, they were pretty girly, pal."
"Medium?! Ricardo?!"
"…For a while I thought you were Rem until I actually looked in your direction!"
"Sorry, man! You really do sound ambiguous at times! Gahahaha!"
"…Karen?"
"Oh, yes, your voice can be quite androgynous at times. If you dressed as a woman, you'd be inconspicuous."
"Gyahaha! You sound like a girl!" Mimi laughed as well from behind her boss' legs.
"Pft… Girly voice… Not to mention the apparel does nothing for your silhouette either." Julius giggled briefly before his expression turned stoic once again, Subaru being the only one to notice his jab at him. "*Cough Cough*"
The betrayed boy then deflated as he reached with a hand to his throat; realizing that EVERYONE thought his voice and figure could be confused as girly under the tight suit destroyed the image of manliness in his mind. "Just… Just turn on the threatening voice, Karen…"
"With pleasure."
"…OKAY, LET'S GO AL." Subaru signaled to the one-armed knight as he put the cloak's hoodie over his head, signaling to the forest.
"PFT- R-Right behind you pal!" Aldebaran tried to stifle a laugh as the grave tone of the voice took him by surprise. He then remembered that his life was at stake here, falling into a pit of hopeless thoughts. Please, let this one end fine! No need for Re-Do's!
"Take care! Subaru-kun!" The oni maid yelled as the boy disappeared into the sea of trees.
"WILL DO!"
AUTHOR'S NOTES
HEY PEOPLE!
I'm sorry chapters are taking longer than usual since last month. As I've said previously, life's been rough the past couple of months. I wanted to make this chapter longer and get into the battle already, but that would pass over the 20K if I did it in one go and it would take longer to upload, so I decided to just upload a chapter with lots of setup before the actual fight. I hope that, come the next week, I'll be able to upload more regularly, and if not, the chapters will still update every two weeks on Monday at least.
A-N-Y-W-A-Y
Having said that, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, even if it's not your favorite, and I look forward to the comments and reviews!
See ya!