AN: And now, the war that has made up the majority of Arc 3 comes to an end.

Chapter title comes from the song of the same name by Barry McGuire.

Please, ENJOY!

Arc Three: The Bloodstained Roses War

Chapter 14: Eve of Destruction

She let out a long drawn out sigh, bored out of her mind.

This pink haired maid was waiting for the baked yams to finish, one of the dishes she was best known for...maybe her only one.

Yet, something bothered her about the state of the mansion.

"It feels, far too empty today."

The mansion was quiet, to the point one might assume not a single living being was in the halls.

So Ram finished her work with the food and headed to the halls, first entering Emilia's room.

"Excuse me, Emilia-sama…?"

No one was there, papers and books left on the table for work undone.

So Ram became a bit concerned as she exited and headed to her sister's room.

"Rem, are you-"

No one was there, and thus Ram became unnerved by this.

So she began opening the doors of every room in the mansion hoiping to find the Library.

After a few minutes, she was now truly afraid. Even after having found the Library; the Comfort Eagle, was empty of life.

Now she ran through the halls and down the stairs, out the main entrance and desperately used her clairvoyance to try and find the three ladies.

"C'mon, C'mon, please, be at the village or something!"

Even using her Divine Protection...she did not find them.

Now this maid was in a full panic. She ran back to the mansion, only to see her now one armed master arriving from the sky.

"Roswaal-sama!"

Running into him, he held her close, confused as can be.

"Ram, what happened?"
"I can't find them!"
"Who?"
"Emilia-sama, Rem, Beatirce-sama! They're not here!"
"...Then, it is quite obvious where they went."

Ram went wide eyed, even now, she had an idea of where they must have gone to.

She tried to race off, but Roswaal floated in front of her.

"Ram, calm down."
"I can't! My sister is in danger! Her obsession with Barusu is about to get her killed!"
"Ohhhh, and with Subaru-kun and Genau there?"
"Those idiots are so blood hungry, they'll forget about her!"
"Such little faith, Ram."

Ram stomped her foot down, an enraged expression plastered on her face.

"I can't wait around while Rem is out there!"
"Either way, we booooth know that the mansion cannot be left unprotected. If Subaru-kun found out we left it unguarded...whoooo knows what he'll do."
"...Damn it."
"Ram, let's trust the stars that your sister will be alriiiiight."
"R-"

Then they both heard strange noises, so they looked up to the sky...and saw slow moving shooting stars shooting down, smoke trailing behind them. After a while they picked up speed and vanished from sight in the horizon.

A small breeze blew around these two.

Until they felt the ground shake violently and a loud banging sound was echoing around them.

They looked again, and could now see the rising plumes of smoke, though far away, were quickly rising.

"It's started."
"...Rem…"

The pink haired maid, stood there trembling, as she had a dear family member on her mind. A horror of the unknown.

Rem swung her arm and fired an ice spear out at her opponents, stabbing one, before hopping over and punching off somebody's head clean off.

Beatrice kicked a guard in the shin, before kicking him in the groin and having him get drop kicked onto a sharp rock.

Emilia summoned an ice sword and sliced open a soldier's chest, the wound began freezing over...until he was completely encased in ice.

"We have to keep going! I saw red streaks of light up ahead! It's probably Subaru and Genau!"
"Keep close Emilia-sama, we have to get there in one piece!"

Beatrice turned her attention up at the smoke filled sky as she saw the single magic cannon's payload continuing to curve over them and land ahead, where explosions, metal cracking and other audible proof of battle came from.

"Then, let's go! We seem to be moving ahead bit by bit, I suppose! Even being outnumbered, Genau and Subaru's plans have effectively turned the tide of this war in our favor!"
"Okay! Here we go!"

The three ladies marched forward again, as the fires kept their own pace and began blanketing the area with smoke, allowing the terrifying spectacle of this war be seen only by those who were there.

The nearby villages of the Barielle territory were rushing to the border of Vollachia seeking refuge from the chaotic battle. Guards tried to keep them back, only following orders.

From the far sights of where the giant plumes were...everyone turned around to see electrical sparks seen within the fires. All of them were aware of the fact; this battle was now intensifying.

Several of Priscilla's men fired their crossbows; only for their projectiles to break apart on impact with Ovidius' aura.

He tilted his head at them, before pulling out a small rod...a metia, he created years ago.

"Ul Paigio."

Lightning bolts shot out of the end of it, blasting through these men. An earth spike shot out of the ground and hit him in the face, but the magic attack broke instead, and not his helmet.

So Al jumped back as Genau tried to cut him to pieces with his claw mark constructs, but he noticed he was back at the starting point of his attack, and so was Al.

"Damn."

But before Al could retaliate, Ovidius was already behind him and fired a large lightning bolt through the back of his head.

But time was yet again rewinded.

"Hmmm, so he can even prevent his own death if he feels the need to. I would think this is not magic, but something else."

Ovidius glanced at Genau, who nodded his head.

"Okay, then let's begin the experiment, Genau-san!"

They both flew into the air, looking at the men scattered around the area. Doing some counting with his twiddling fingers, he gave good 'ol breath of confirmation.

"Here we go!"
"Exactly!"

They made a plethora of spear, javelin and club constructs shoot down and stab everyone within...a ten meter radius.

With their quick actions over, they looked down to see Al and a good amount of men around him alive and well...but further away from him, there was men dead.

"Alright! I got it down!"

Using his ring to make ring constructs and using a hologram of Al in between the rings, he looked to Genau.

"His power only works at about a seven meters radius, that's the range of his powers."
"We got it!"

Al trembled a bit as he gripped his sword tightly, glaring at them, even with his helmet in tact.

"Bastards...they did that just to see how far it goes?!"

Ovidius nodded happily, clapping his hands.

"All we got to is keep him over that radius length away from Priscilla, while, um...who was it? OH! Natsuki Subaru takes her down."
"Exactly! Eassssier than jusssst fighting over and over again!"

Soon enough, Genau made it to the side of Al, blocking his strike with antler constructs. But Al noticed Genau was grinning, making the knight eat a kick across the head from Ovidius. Ovidius then made a rope construct wrap around his neck.

Then time resetted again.

Al jumped back a few times, readying his sword just in case.

"Aw man, he figured out I was going to hang him and fly his corpse off into the sky."
"Bad luck, I guesss!"

Genau shot himself into the air and had a barrage of sword constructs rain down on Al, who did his best to dodge them. But he saw Ovidius show up next to him, so sliced his sword in a heavy curving motion...only to hit another Metia rod he had in his possession. Ovidius ducked down spinning and jabbed the Metia into Al's sides. The resulting impact made a shockwave bend his body and flung away.

Realizing the danger he was in, he restarted time again.

As he stood his ground uninjured he glanced at Genau who was charging at him, with his ring glowing brightly.

Then, he noticed Ovidius quickly flew behind him, surrounding the helmeted knight.

Genau hurled out a soul shaking roar...as a blood portal appeared behind Al, and in front of Ovidius. Al tried to react, but Ovidius created chain constructs that wrapped him up tightly. So Genau created ram horn constructs and tackled him, making the knight grunt in pain.

With that, Ovidius pulled the chains and forced Al, through the blood portal...as his feet barely made it through.

"NOW!"

Genau shut the portal.

The chain constructs snapped and dissipated.

Genau landed safely as Ovidius walked over to the spot where Al was sent away.

Al crash landed onto the dirt ground. He quickly shook his head and got up...just to notice his surroundings.

"No…"

This was an area close to the border with the Gusteko nation, far in the north. It was apparent that Genau and Subaru had passed by here several times, thus Genau sent him there. Just to stay out of the fight.

"NO!"

He slammed his fist onto the ground and decided to reset time...only for him to restart at the point of him falling through the portal.

"SHIT!"

He tossed his sword away and slammed his fist onto the ground.

"NNNNOOOOOO!"

His scream echoed, with not a living soul in that barren land able to hear him.

Ovidius squatted down and high-fived Genau's paw.

"The plan was executed!"

"Incredible! Brother Ovidiussss is a geniussss!"
"Well, it can't be helped."

He rubbed the non existent nose on his metal mask, feeling some sense of accomplishment.

"But to think that Brother Ovidiusss had the idea come to him sssso quickly!"
"Well, as you know we already deduced that his ability was extremly range based, so it came to reason that ability was mostly useful when his feet were touching the ground, and adding to that, because of the fact his ability only resets time within his own 'territory' that means only the radius around him would be affected within a certain amount of time as well."
"Sssso when you tried to hang him?!"
"Yup! I finally deduced that even if he could use his ability endlessly, it was limited by the amount of time he could go back."
"Sssso sending him outside of this territory made his ability unable to go back enough?!"
"Yup, if he landed on the ground. The amount of time that he had to shake himself awake and get his bearings would make it so that he would only be able to make time reset around when he got flung out of the portal!"
"Ah! So if he tried to reset time again, he'd be stuck!"
"Oh yes, he'd be looping forever, even I think he's not idiotic enough to be trapped in such a fate."
"Well, I sssent him far away, sssso we don't need to worry about him!"

Ovidius nodded as he cracked his neck and shoulders.

"Now then, how's about we help Natsuki-san wipe away these pests?"
"Ex...act...ly!"

Genua licked his fangs as Ovidius cracked his neck bones in masculine manner. Both Red Lanterns flew fast into the army. Genau stabbing through them with spear constructs, while Ovidius created constructs of nuts and bolts, shooting through many of them, with ease.

Subaru side flipped away from his enemy's shining sword, then blocked a high kick from her. Priscilla then had her speed increased with a magic boost, but Subaru hit the ground, and sharp vine constructs shot out of the ground, slicing her cheeks at several times. But when she made it over to him, the constructs dissipated and he created a Wolgarm tail construct which slammed into her blade, making it shatter but giving the opportunity to make a Witch Cultist dagger and rush her. Before she could kick him away, he stabbed her rapidly in the abdomen at least six times.

As he was in the air, she tried to slice him apart, but he flew rapidly, dodging all her attacks. Tossing the dagger construct, she tilted her head away from it...but he grinned, showing the dagger was connected with his ring, the handle elongated and stretched, so he pulled and the dagger plunged into her shoulder.

Priscilla fumed with anger as she charged at Subaru, slamming her sword down, but missed as he sidestepped. Then, she planted her foot down and spun kicked him, landing the hit on his chest, but kept at it and used the same foot to kick him rapidly. She put more force into her last kick and sent him flying through her vineyard and several trees. He crash landed, but collected himself and hovered in the air, blood seeping down his face and the crack on his face still glowing yellow.

He flew forward and created whip construct, whipping it several times at her, with only one strike hitting her injured cheek, opening the wound more.

"Like that you self-centered ass! R-Remember how when we first met, you said the world was made for you?! That all the luck was on your side! Now that I think about, that was NAIVE!"
"Silence!"
"You have to know better than anyone, NO, I know better than anyone, the ultimate lesson!"

Subaru dissipated his construct, before getting a baseball construct...covering the the tip in nails.

"LUCK RUNS OUT, PRISCILLA!"

Priscilla spun into the air, aiming her fan down at him, light collecting at the tip of it. Subaru's eyes widened as a large beam shot down at him, so he created a sphere construct around himself, forcing the beam to break apart, destroying the area around himself, uprooting trees and cracking the very earth.

With the attack over...Priscilla began elegantly coming down, only to turn her head and see a construct of Atrocitus begin winding up a powerful punch. She was ready to block, but from the dust cloud below many dagger constructs rocketed to her. So she used her sword to swipe them away, but now she left herself open, which got her punched back to the ground.

As she got up, she noticed in the distance, lightning was striking down at her army.

"Yeah, looks like Genau did his job and got us some help!"

Priscilla got up, as Subaru walked over to get closer, but stopped his advance when he saw Priscilla ready her two weapons.

"Another filthy Red Lantern?!"
"If it means being a pain in your ass, I don't mind being called that...but yes, we have another Red Lantern with us…"

Genau made spike constructs stab out of the ground and impale several men, before more began charging at him from behind. But they got blasted into fiery bits by lightning from the Metia owned by Ovidius. Seeing more coming behind him this time, he charged back to them, spewing his napalm blood through the side slits in his helmet. As he passed by them, they caught on fire or simply melted, he kicked off the ground and ceased his blood attack. He then shot down and landed in the middle of a regiment.

He made his ring shine, before tapping it twice with two fingers.

Several finely thin string constructs shot out of it, zigzagging in perfect shape, he was surrounded by them; and of course, they stabbed through all of their heads.

He dissipated the construct as these men all fell down dead.

"I'll call i, Revenga Art 1: Shrikhande Connection."

He then joined back with Genau as they flew forward, ready to continue fighting.

Subaru leapt out at Priscilla, recreating his spiked baseball bat construct, trading missed hits with her. Until Priscilla got her regular light sword to stab Subaru in the shoulder.

"Payback, huh?!"
"NOT YET!"

She then lifted Subaru over her head and slammed him down with complete and sheer power, creating a massive crater underneath.

She then made orbs of light blast and strike down at where Subaru landed.

She then panted and heaved, waiting as he got up as well.

"Your selfish desires have left all of this in flames and decay! Whatever impure intentions you had back then, have festered into this chaos all around us!"
"...What did you say…?"

"It's as I said! I do not know what you truly desired of me that had led to this!"

Subaru's eyes went white, bloodshot on the sides, as blood oozed out of snarling mouth.

Priscilla, got on the defensive.

"You bitch...I…"

He then jumped out of the crater, as she put up a barrier in front of herself.

"I JUST WANTED YOUR HELP!"

Subaru spewed out a heavy amount of his blood at her, the shining mass of liquids started breaking her barrier, pushing her back.

"ALL I WANTED FROM YOU, WAS TO HELP ME SAVE EMILIA AND REM!"

"Gr…!"
"I WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING YOU ASKED! PAID BACK ANY FAVOR! BUT YOU LEFT THEM ALL TO DIE, THREATENED THEM! THAT IS WHY I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"
"All of this is-"

Her barrier broke apart, but she dashed under his napalm blood and got practically in stabbing distance. So she was ready to curve her blade and decapitate him instantly.

Subaru stopped his vomiting attack, and saw the hopelessness that would come to him from her oncoming attack.

His mind raced with thoughts of his death, his defeat and the inevitable restart he would have to undergo once he perished.

All the struggles he forced himself and the others to face, would have to be repeated.

All the plans he had, would have to be altered.
Everything would be set back to the starting point.

Yet.

He was too enraged to accept it.

"Why the fuck do I have to repeat all this, all over again?!"

His eyes went back to normal, even if they were bloodshot.

"I'd rather eat shit than let this woman get the best of me!"

He imagined the world around him dark, leaving only Priscilla lit...a shadow covering the top half of her face...but leaving her mouth to be seen, grinning gleefully.

This let Subaru tap into the innermost hatred he had for this girl, just to feel something in his chest.

"I swear, I am going to do it."

A darkness was creeping around his chest.

"I'll kill you."

It began letting out it's low moaning groan. A noise Subaru would instantly recognize, but simply too invested by his rage to care.

"I…"

The darkness took shape as it crawled out of his chest.

"I will FUCKING KILL YOU!"

….An Unseen Hand, made it out of his chest….

Snarling at this woman, the Unseen Hand, an ability given to him by the defeat of Petelgeuse and the transferring of his Authority into him, had acted of his own accord.

Rage filled, but it was his will.

The Unseen shot forward, facing downward through her chest.

"Let me check Priscilla…"
"Huh?"
"Let me check, if you even….have a heart."

The Unseen Hand found her beating heart and snatched it shut, ceasing it's beating.

That very action made Priscilla convulse for just a second, making her sword falter in it's outrageous mana consumption, making her lower it.

"NOW!"

He created a katana construct and used both hands to grip its handle. He then pressed his foot down, leaning his body into as he swung with all his might. Evey muscle tightened, every vein coursed his fury and nerves nearly bursted from all this.

Not a single wasted movement. He swung the sword with all his being, watching as a surprised Priscilla watched on...for a moment of singularity, Priscilla shifted her eyesight to look up at Subaru, and he did the same for her.

The world was quiet for them, as time slowed to a crawl.

Letting out a quiet, humming breath, she closed her eyes.

And Subaru made...an almost sympathetic expression...until he let loose, gritting his teeth and furrowing his brows.

And with one sharp swipe...it was...pulse pounding.

A large clump of sun orange hair landed softly onto the bloody, dirt covered grass.

Something made a thudding sound as it fell, while something rolled to the ground.

Subaru made his way over and picked it up with one hand.

Priscilla Barielle, her hair cut short, eyes closed, almost as if she was asleep...her head cleanly detached from her body.

.

.

.

.

.

She was dead.

.

.

.

.

.

Subaru inhaled a supremely deep breathe.

"GROOOOOARRRHHHHHHHHHH!"

A victorious roar. One that echoed everywhere, somehow silencing the battle going.

When the soldiers on both sides looked to the source of the sound, they lowered their weapons ceasing their battle. Subaru flew up into the air, showing off the head, to all who could see.

"I HAVE KILLED PRISCILLA BARIELLE! THIS WAR IS OOOOOVERRRRRR!"

The soldiers panted and heaved, Emilia, Rem and Beatrice were close by, hearing the news as well.

Beatrice seemed pleased with the results of this battle.

Rem was quiet, gazing up as Subaru floated there.

Emilia was...not saying or doing anything, but staring at Subaru, her hand to her chest.

"All of you men, put down your weapons and surrender! Or do you all want to suffer the same outcome?!"

The soldiers compiled and they began dropping their weapons, even the most hardened of veterans, knew this battle was not theirs to win any longer.

The sounds of battle ceased even as the fires continued to rage unchecked.

Genau slobbered out chunks of flesh and blood from his fangs, his face completely covered in blood.

Ovidius removed his knife construct from the back of someone's head, and put his metia back in one of his pouches.

Everything, just, settled down.

Subaru finally landed back onto the ground and tossed her head, letting it roll to be next to her body. Subaru's crack, the one on his face, unilluminated and his composure calmed down.

He sighed as blood floated out of his mouth.

He rubbed his neck, feeling the stress of battle slowly build up in him.

"Subaru-kun."

He then realized he had let his guard down, but that also...this voice was too familiar.

He turned his head, slowly, hoping his worst suspicions were not to be taken form.

His hopes were dashed, when he saw three individuals there, that had no business to be there.

"R-Rem?"
"Yes! Subaru-kun's Rem is here, to help!"

He looked down.

"Beatrice?"
"Betty was too bored at the mansion, so we decided to come and assist you, I suppose."

The little spirit made a per usual annoyed look.

But Subaru looked at Emilia, his face still warped in confusion.

"Emilia?"
"Hey Subaru, sorry we just showed up but-"
"-WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ALL DOING HERE?!"

All three were stunned by his yelling, letting loose his disappointment.

"Why did you three come...come...Emilia, what happened to your hair?"

She noticed his sharp stare, so she played with her hair a bit.

"Um, it's a new look, do you-?"

He then forcefully grabbed her hand and looked at the back of her neck, seeing the newly formed scar across it.

He turned his attention to Beatrice, finally noticing the torn bottom of her dress. He began sweating profusely as he looked at Rem. She cowered a bit, unfortunately showing her burnt arm to him.

In a flashing hit, his memories, sparked by the sight of her burnt arm raced through his mind. That day of death, misery and losing everything in a simple stroke.

A voice echoed in his head.

"Don't look...at me…"

Subaru simply walked past Rem and away from them.

"Rem knew it, he's mad at us."
"Hang on Rem, s-something is not right."

Concerned she made the others follow, as they saw some of their own soldeirs forcing captured soldiers forward.

Then, Emilia's eyes widened in panic as she saw Subaru slowly create an axe construct in his hand.

"SUBARU!"

She grabbed onto his sleeve, then hugged his arm trying to stop his movement.

"What are you doing?!"
"I am going to kill them."
"That's not necessary-"
"-THEY HURT YOU! REM AND BEATRICE! THEY TOUCHED YOU!"
"Subaru…"
"I am going to kill every last one of them!"

The soldiers also began to panic, fearing the reprucussion that was about to occur, and Subaru's enraged expression didn't help matters.

"Wait! Stop! We surrendered, we won't fight back!"
"SHUT UP!"
"Eeek!"
"...I am going to kill you, your families, friends, anyone who sold you a GODDAMN SLICE OF BREAD! I am going to rid the world of your existences-!"

Subaru was suddenly kissed on the cheek.

"Huh?"

He gazed down, and saw Rem.

"Rem thought that would calm Subaru-kun down."
"Rem?"

Rem got in front of him, blocking his path.

"Rem, move!"
"Rem will not, Subaru-kun needs to calm himself down."
"THEY HURT YOU! And I will make every last one of them pay!"
"Rem appreciates your diligence Subaru-kun, but we ask that you don't do that."

She then hugged him, nuzzling her head to his chest.

"Subaru-kun, you have accomplished so much...but the time to continue this, is over. "
'But!"
"No buts, Rem doesn't like that."

Subaru lowered the axe in his hand.

"I…"
"Subaru-kun, there has been enough bloodshed. Rem wants to go home. We all want to go home."

"Let's go home."

Subaru had his mind sink as he saw the radiant smile coming from Rem, so he dissipated the construct in his hand. Letting her hand cup his cheek and he simply rubbed it with his hand.

"I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. Rem is here, Emilia-sama is here, so is Beatrice-sama. We are alive and well, thanks to you."
"But your beautiful arm. Emilia's hair…"
"Are we not still gorgeous to you?"
"O-Of course, no one can compare to you...two…"

Subaru turned his head and saw Emilia blushing madly, but smiling nonetheless.

"Then there's no problem right?"
"...I guess not."
"Subaru…"

She then rested her head on his shoulder, even this physical contact made her feel the surging stress filling up his body.

"Please let this be over."
"...Yes, it's over."

Subaru took a deep breath, almost content in the fight being over.

"Brother Sssssubaru!"
"...Genau…"

Genau flew down to meet with the others.

"Ah! I thought I ssssniffed Sssssister Emilia and Rem'ssss sssscents."

The wolgarm then cuddled his head to Beatrice, who returned the favor and began petting him.

"But you are all ssssso injured."
"Helping Subaru does run some risks, but in the end...Betty is glad she came, I suppose."

Genau had turned his attention back to his leader, one whom he further respected in his triumphant win against his foe.

Subaru looked over and saw a certain masked someone floating down.

"Hey, so you're the new recruit?"
"That's right Natsuki Subaru. Let me introduce myself."

Going for it, he did a proper elegant bow, the kind one would expect from a gentleman.

"My name is Ovidius Loman. And as you can see, I am the newest member of your Red Lantern Corps."
"I don't really know how to say thanks in this regard, but I can welcome you."

Subaru put out his hand, and Ovidius nodded, shaking hands with the young man.

"We can go over the specifics of my involvement with this team and what I require for my services."
"Driving a bargain, huh?"
"Well I'm only human, right?"

The two chuckeld, neither of them noticing the apparent looks the others had.

Beatrice was seemingly interested in the process in which a Red Lantern was chosen, but she turned her attention back to petting Genau.

Genau himself was panting, much like a dog would, though no one would ever tell him that.

Emilia let go of Subaru and went to introduce herself.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Emilia.."
"Well, it is great to meet a lovely lady like you."
"Huh? You're not s-scared of me?"
"Oh, because you are a half elf with silver hair?"

Emilia became anxious when she heard that, but seeing Ovidius being quite nice to her…

"I have no prejudice over something I wasn't even around for. So I have no personal fear or hatred against the WItch of Envy, or a woman who bears a resemblance to her."

"So…"
"Let's get along, Emilia-san."

Emilia beamed with happiness, not noticing Subaru pouting behind her.

"Ah, no worries Natsuki-san! I'm not a homewrecker."
"Huh?! No, that's...um, n-never mind."

He tried to hide his blushing face, but noticed Emilia was also blushing, and instinctively turned to look away from him.

Rem...was utterly quiet, only whispering one thing.

"...Another one…"

But she shook her head and went to introduce herself…

Subaru watched as Ovidius and Rem were chatting, then he felt it.

"Oh."

It was beginning to rain.

Subaru welcomed the blessing onto his bloody face. Rem began working on healing his wounds, all the while looking down at her burnt arm.

Emilia sat on the grassy field as did Genau and Beatrice.

The rains washed down the blood, putting out the fires that engulfed an entire mountain.

It was now truly and completely over.

Emilia Camp Casualties: 315

Priscilla Camp Casualties: 3,912

Civilian Casualties: 112 (12 from Dunharrow, 100 from neighboring city near Vollachia)

Injuries: 415 for both sides

Length of War: 2 months

Property Damage: 60,000 holy gold coins worth

Result: Victory for the Emilia Camp

"CRUSCH-SAMA!"

Crusch ceased her paper work as a guard came running into her study room, before bowing to her. Wilhelm and Ferris who were preparing some workload for her, were also surprised.

"What is it, speak freely-"
"-The war is over! We have just received word just this second!"
"The war...you mean those falling meteorites and where the smoke was rising?"
"Yes! Crusch-sama…"

The guard lifted his head, sheer panic was strewn across his face.

"Priscilla Barielle-sama, has just been killed by Emilia's knight, Natsuki Subaru-dono!"

Silence filled the room.

The sounds of raindrops, permeated from the outside, almost drowning out any other noise.

Crusch simply stared, dumbfounded.

"He won?"
"Yes, not only that, but it seems...they have inducted a third Red Lantern into their group."
"Another Red Lantern?!"

She slammed her fist onto the table, reeling in panic of what could possibly happen next.

"Then, could they…?"
"Crusch-sama."

Crusch calmed down as she looked at the ever present Wilhelm.

"If they had vile intentions on us, knowing the speed these Red Lanterns have, we would have been attacked immediately after Priscilla-sama's death."
"...True, we'd be in the middle of a battle right now, instead, they've done nothing."

The guard stopped his bowing, and stood up and continued….

At their own home, Anastasia was absorbing the information she was given.

"This is bad. This is really bad."

She was now nervous, if these Red Lanterns became her enemy, even she wondered if the forces she had, would be enough to stop them.
Julius stood by her master.

"Anastasia-sama, do not fret, it is as we said, the Red Lanterns have announced their victory, but we also have not been attacked in weeks."
"They could be plotting something...that Natsuki-kun hates me, so I wouldn't be surprised if he already formed plans to take me out."

"We will stand by you, no matter who we have to face."

"...Geez...thanks Julius."

The maiden that ran the show here, gave him a big bashful grin, as the ever faithful knight nodded proudly. Yet the guard stood there as he had one more thing to tell them.

"The truth is, there is something else you have to be informed about-"

"-Huh? An emergency meeting?"

Felt asked this as she sat, inelegantly on her chair as the guard spoke further.

"Yes! We have been asked by the Sage Council to inform the Candidates of a meeting that will be held in a little over months time."

"A month?"

Felt pouted as Reinhard quickly explained.

"I personally think some of this time is needed to repair and survey the damage caused by the war. Also to help any victims that were caught in the fighting."
"...Yeah, those Red Lanterns made rocks fall out of the sky, ain't no telling what sort of crazy damage they did."
"And with reports and interviews needing to be handled for the Emilia Camp, it will take a while."
"Oh right! Ahem. Will the Emilia Camp be at the Meeting?"

The guard nodded.

"Originally the Council was against them being present, but eventually they realized...that.."
"That?"
"That trying to keep secrets from them, after all their accomplishments would not only diservice them...but could draw their ire."

Felt let out a long drawn breath.

"Yup, after today, people will think twice about making Nii-chan angry."

"Many of us guards have also heard rumors about them."
"Ohhh! I wanna hear!"

The young lady beamed with ever present excitement, as Reinhard gave a concerned smile.

"Well, firstly that they drink the blood of their victims and absorb knowledge from them."
'Blegh. Sound like vampires."
"Indeed, it is also said that they praise a demon."
"A demon?"
"Yes. One person who was around when they attacked a Witch Cultist base, overheard them talk about a being known as THE BUTCHER."
"Butcher?"
"A demon of rage...and the suspected secret to their powers."

At this point, even Felt was feeling a bit uncomfortable about these terrifying rumors.

"Um, anything else?"
"...The last thing I heard was that, they can see the future."
"WHA?! Is that possible, how?!"
"...The rumor states…"

The guards eyes grew darker.

"They sacrifice victims to their demon god, in order to accomplish this."

Now the room went silent, as the rain poured hard outside.

"W-Well they're just rumors right? I mean, this just seems mean spirited! Ahahaha! Like there's a demon god, c'mon! That something out of a children's book! Ahahahaha!"

But even as Felt laughed off these details, Reinhard and everyone else in that room, certainly weren't.

Now it was nighttime at the Roswaal Mansion, and while their remaining mercenaries were left at a neighboring village to the battlefield in order to rest...the rest of our heroes made it home.

"Rem!"
"Ah, Nee-sama."

She practically tackled by Ram as she hugged her tightly.

"How could you do something so stupid!? Why did you follow Barusu into that battle?"
"Rem simply wanted to do her part for her Subaru-kun, it's as simple as that."
'Rem…"
"Ow. You're squeezing too hard, Nee-sama."

She let her go, but noticed that not only was her sister arm burned and she had a scar on her cheek, but the injuries the rest of them had as well. Including Subaru and his crack scar on his face.

"...Barusu, tell me this is over."
"...Oh yeah, we won."

Ram breathed a sigh of relief, until she flinched in abject terror...seeing Ovidius chatting with Beatrice.

"Who...is that?"
"Oh! Ram this is our newest Red Lantern, Ovidius Loman, please treat him well."

Ovidius noticed their gazes so he waved hello to her. Ram did a bow, but with her emotions of anger and anxiety hidden.

"Welcome to the Roswaal Estate, Ovidius-sama."
"Hey thanks for that, Ram was it? Lovely to meet you."

Ovidius then looked at the mansion in front of them and tilted his head.

"So I'll be staying here from now on, huh?"
"Well, it' more like some days we'll stay here and depending on mission vicinities, we can stay at the Priscilla Villa."
"Nice. Things are looking up. Tomorrow I'll go and pick up my stuff and bring them here, sound fair?"
"Absolutely."

Ovidius and Subaru chuckled, then turned to see Beatrice riding on top of Genau's back, asleep. Genau himself yawned loudly, blood floating out of his mouth.

"Let's get some rest, everyone inside."

And of course everyone began making it inside...leaving Ram alone with Subaru.

"My sister nearly died."
"Trust me, as long as I'm here, that'll never happen."
"Can I really believe that?"
"...Look at my face and say that again."

She stared at him and the cracked scar on his face, his tired looking eyes and the sharp scowl he was making.

"I'll try my best to, Barusu."
"Believe in me."
"...Hm."

The two then began making their way to the door.

"Hell, I bet Otto would've scolded me for being this brazen."
"Otto, huh?"
"Yeah, he'd be a nervous wreck, trying to hide behind someone-"
"-Barusu?"
"Hm?"

Ram opened the door, and looked back at him...a small breeze making her hair flow in the air.

"Tell me something."
"Sure, what is it."

The moon and stars illuminated the sky above them.

.

.

.

.

"Who is Otto?"

.

.

.

.

Subaru just, stared at this girl.

"Huh?"
"Who is Otto?"
"...O-Otto, the merchant from two months ago?"
"No idea."
"Th-The guy who took you to the Sanctuary?!"
"I rode a carriage there by myself."

Subaru shook his head, not being able to believe her words.

"You couldn't have forgotten him so easily!"
"Barusu, I never forget a person, even if they were the most boring human being in the world, I'd at least know their names."
"...This, doesn't make any sense!"

She then roughly patted his shoulder.

"You're tired, not thinking straight, come inside and rest."
"...But…"
"In the morning, you should have your head cleared up."

Ram entered the mansion, as Subaru looked behind himself, at the emptiness that was there. He thought about, going to search, at least make sure...but he shifted his foot only once. A breeze blew, and he turned back around, entered through the door and closed it behind him.

The night winds blew around the quieting mansion.

They would finally rest, as their fight was over...for now.

In the middle of a forest, was a dead ground dragon and a wrecked carriage.

Further there, deeper into the brush, laid a slumbering young man in green garb. Yet he would not awaken, and he would not be remembered by anyone but a certain Red Lantern.

He looked peaceful.

Even with half his body already having been eaten by the wild animals that occupied that forest.

And with his eternal slumber uninterrupted...rose petals, as crimson as blood, landed on his face. Then, they were blown away, high into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.

TO BE CONTINUED...

AN: Next time we'll have a special intermission chapter, before heading into the Fourth Arc. Stay tuned you beautiful people!