3rd Person POV
Meanwhile back in the underground tavern...
Schlizirkel's Hideout
"Where are the others..."
Kolonstyl was lazing on the couch while Cal was reading a book and giggling hysterically. Rey, on the other hand, was polishing her sword in the corner. Although the Archbishops of Schlizirkel never agreed with each other's actions and ideals, they managed to put their differences and work better than the Witch Cult, according to their leader.
But they were just as a mess as their weaker counterparts, save for the fact that they all knew something more. Something more about this world that should be considered taboo by the gods.
Just when Kolonstyl was about to activate the meteor to call the other Archbishops, the door flew open and in walked 4 of his colleagues.
"What took you guys so long?" Kolonstyl asked in annoyance before he motioned them to hurry inside and closed the door behind them.
"I was having fun taking out a bunch of pests! You know, they were trying to stop me from getting what I needed for Vanity's mission! How annoying!"
"There she goes again..." Cal joined the conversation before giving a slight giggle as if no one here already knows he's the most hysterical out of all of them.
"But that's all I had to do! Just erase them from existence! Gehehehehehehehe!"
"But that's all I had to do! Just erase them from existence! Gehehehehehehehe!"
Aimato Vamménos Manjusaka (Saka)
Schlizirkel's 18th - Sin Archbishop of Massacre
"Oi, Gretos, did you finally manage to get her under control?"
"Don't even start on that, Styl... she and her brother are both annoying beyond measure, and I'm not their babysitter. It's just that their actions can prove to be more disgusting than the filthy low-lifes who won't stay out of my way on missions." A young man in his early twenties responded, shaking his head in annoyance.
Taking off his hood, he wore a face of displeasure before sitting down beside Cal on the couch. "Get me some booze!"
"Oooo... Gretos, you're looking quite crazy today! What got you so stirred up, hm~?" Cal laughed as he teased his comrade, but that only ticked the man in need of alcohol even more.
"Get it, now, twerp. Or would you like me to bash your head in?"
Or would you like me to bash your head in?"
Gretos Ellā Biḷi Ghiraṇā (Gretos)
Schlizirkel's 15th - Sin Archbishop of Repugnance
"Okay, okay... we all know you hate everything anyways..." Cal muttered before getting a bottle of sake out of the container nearby and handing it to him. A/N: Almost wrote fridge instead of container before I remembered there are no fridges here. Lmfao.
"Hey, Gretos..." A young man emerged from the shadows, trailing behind his sister. "Don't talk to sis like that. You wouldn't want your next mission to fall apart, do you?"
"Shut it, loudmouth. It's her own fault for doing such sinning in broad daylight and failing to get away with it." Gretos guzzled down his beverage, but the boy only got more furious. Picking up his greatsword, he slammed it into the table beside Gretos, piercing through the wood and glaring at the man.
"Apologize. Now."
Shin Katastrofa Razrusheniye (Shin)
Schlizirkel's 19th - Sin Archbishop of Desolation
"Make me, you brat." Gretos said to Shin, and both unleashed their aura before an unusual sense of dread hang over them, targeting their very souls. Beside the couch with Kolonstyl, a woman laid there, half-asleep but clearly observing the current situation. With a flick of her hand, both lost their will to fight, and sat down before being snapped out of the trance.
"What in the-"
"It's you again! Stop using that on us! It feels weird whenever you inflict your powers on your teammates, you know?"
"Then teammates... shouldn't fight over such small things. If you do it again to disturb the peace we have here currently... I will make sure you'll be strictly...punished."
Freesia Rozpacz Gip-Eun Sadica (Freesia)
Schlizirkel's 17th - Sin Archbishop of Despair
"Fine..."
"Listen to Freesia, both of you." Kolonstyl said before agreeing with his comrade, but only because she sent him a glare beforehand to tell him to back her up. Freesia always treated Kolonstyl as a younger brother ever since she joined, but she needed a younger brother who can follow orders.
"Okay... we're missing Phobia and Egoism. Rey, have you seen Connie? She went out with you last time, did she not?"
"She did... but she ran off and started gathering stuff for her Authority... as you know very well, it is beyond my abilities to stop her.
"Great! We now have 3 problem children!" Gretos threw his hands up in annoyance just as the door opened once again and a corpse was thrown inside.
"Eh?"
"What the hell-"
Before anyone could react, a large, grosteque creature bounced out of the corpse, effectively scaring everyone in the room although they were not supposed to be scared. No, really. They weren't supposed to be scared of something popping out of the dead body, but they're still scared. Which means-
The fire mana crystal rekindled itself, and a young girl stood there with a childlike grin on her face.
"Gotcha all! Teeheeheeheeheeheehee!"
Connie Gracie Adamentia Solomon (Connie)
Schlizirkel's 14th - Sin Archbishop of Phobia
"Damn it, Connie! It's not funny when you keep scaring us like that!" Kolonstyl shouted in annoyance.
"Too bad, so sad~ it's not like anyones stopping me, hehe... you know what happens if you try to even lay a finger on me..."
"Why, you!" Kolonstyl summoned dynamite out of thin air and was ready to throw it until Connie was bonked on the head by a stick and fell to the floor with a 'oompf!'.
"For once, Styl is right about something."
Everyone turned to the voice at the door and immediately tensed up as their strongest member walked into the tavern.
"What are you all doing, fooling around like laughingstock?! If Vanity sees you guys like this, I get reprimanded first, you know! So y'all better behave... our Imma whoop all of your asses right here and now."
Qihou Yidao Karahane Malum Mors (Karakihou)
Schlizirkel's 20th - Sin Archbishop of Egoism
"Now that we've all finally arrived... let's begin, shall we?"
"WHAAAAT?! Vanity isn't here? What is the point of us being here and she's not here when the messenger said she'll be attending the meeting herself?!"
Gretos' statement incited uproar in the room, but Karakihou's feathers fluttered in the air and a cold wave of air silenced the remaining archbishops. "Vanity said that she had important business to take care of so she changed the plan only recently. It seems that we are moving through Phase I a bit too quickly."
"You mean... the Gluttonies might fail?"
"With Deceit there, nothing is impossible. We just need to make sure either the Gluttonies die or they will not be converted to Deceit's side if they do live. After all, our greatest tools to cover up our actions cannot end up in the hands of our opponents." Freesia noted, and the siblings nodded in agreement.
"Whatever the case, she went there to interfere with the situation herself. The last time she did that was..." Karakihou looked towards Kolonstyl. "Your last encounter with the traitor."
"Ah... the 11th, Solace, was it?"
"He could've been such a good asset of ours... shame he didn't understand what's to come. But speaking of that, do none of you feel weird with our aging stopped?"
"No." rang across the room from everyone as Kolonstyl let out a sigh.
You're all weirdos to the bone...
"Speaking of the Wizardum Improbius, where did his Witch Factor go?"
"Vanity said she never found it." Saka said as she recalled from 50 years ago. "It seems that Bishop Ars Goetia hid his cards well. It's not like we need it right now or anyone is compatible with it anyways..."
"You're absolutely correct on that, Saka..." Shin supported his sister, but uncertainty laced his voice with concern. "But why do I sense... someone down in the south just might?"
"What?! Shin, you better not be making random propehcies again-"
"I'm not, Connie... just a thought."
"Then let's get down to business." Karakihou stated. "We still have a multitude of reports to go over, specifically the ones classified only for us to see."
"We'll continue to most important topic after Vanity returns."
3rd Person POV
"Hm..."
Floating above the dunes of sand, the lone girl with platinum hair smiled as she gazed upon the rampaging witch beasts that made their way towards the Pleiades Watchtower along with the two boys leading the charge.
"Lye Baitenkaitos and Roy Alphard... and Louis Arneb. I look forwards to your performance. Although it is almost certain you all will lose, make this fight at least somewhat entertaining, okay?"
The Witch of Vainglory smiled down at the sand before flickering her gaze over to the boy who stood at the balcony, calmly observing the desert. Pandora wasn't sure if he knew of the witch beasts' advance, considering that the sandstorm that raged on devoured all sound to be heard, and masked all presence to be sensed.
He swept his gaze through the sky, and Pandora immediately darted out of the way before he could spot her. His gaze paused on her for just a fraction of a second, but didn't seem to mind her existence. Sighing, he went back into the tower and Pandora let out a sigh of relief.
"Honestly..."
"Seeing you like this reminds me of Bishop Solace..."
"...although I regret it somewhat... but his death is necessary, or else..."
"...that woman of hellflame would come for us all."
80 Years Ago, Re: Zero World
A boy was transported to this world.
Being the son of a major corporate company, much expectations were placed at him since the beginning of his childhood, and his parents hope he could succeed their company so that the family business could continue down for generations.
Unfortunately, with the restrictive schedule and constant pestering on the topic, the boy never felt at ease for his entire life, and even considered killing himself. While the suicidal thoughts were not particularly prominent, he just wanted a simple life at the end of all of it. Sure, he was studying diligently everyday, but does that mean he likes it? No!
As a means to an end, he threatened his parents to 'set him free', but obviously, they refused. However, unlike most abusive stereotypes in stories, they said they'll talk to him about it after much discussion with themselves, but it seems that the boy could not wait that long in the end.
He ran into an alleyway in the southern district of his city, and decided to try his luck by doing some parkour to win a competition held in the area. What he didn't expect was...
...that he landed on a field of sand after leaping off a building.
Bewildered, the boy took quite the time to realize that the world he currently was in is not the same one as he was in before, and decided to improve his lifestyle by all means. Using his economic and mathematical talents, he set off on an adventure to make a name for himself in this world of chaos, distress, magic, and potentially success.
"Tenrai Kanna is a thing of the past. But I'll hold onto it's meaning dearly. I don't need gods to cast thunder out of the sky. My existence will strike this world faster than lightning."
"Solace Ars Goetia... that sounds like a fitting name for my isekai identity."
Solace Ars Goetia started out his journey very roughly. Being slammed into the Augria Sand Dunes day after day just for delivery work didn't exactly make his life easy. But after suffering through so many months of pain, somebody came to him bearing something that contained power.
"Greetings, Bishop Ars Goetia."
"Huh...? Who-"
"Shh..." The woman in white hushed his voice as she descended from the ceiling, as if appearing out of nowhere. "My presence should not be one that is announced to the world."
"What do you want, miss? It's rude to barge into one's home at night without warning."
"I'm here for only one thing:" She said as she took out a black box, and Solace could clearly feel something pulsating within the box. "I want you, the compatible one, to absorb the Witch Factor that has recognized you as its owner."
"Huh, what do you mean-"
Without warning, she shoved the box into his chest, and Solace felt like vomiting as the thing within the box started fusing with his entire body. Everything feels numb and hurts to him, but the girl seemed to not be worried. She then left without making a sound, just as quietly as she came.
The next morning, Solace realized he was able to utilize Earth Magic and Wind Magic, and wondered deeply within himself if he was truly able to utilize magic. Using his powers, he helped block and shield multiple merchant carts from sandstorms using basic spells such as Dona and Fura.
Coming from a world where fantasy things are fiction, he knew the power of magic and travelled to the capital of Lugnica, where he managed to land in as a student of the top mage in the country, Roswaal I. Mathers' pupil due to his double affinity. Within 2 years, he passed with flying colours and bid farewell to his teacher in order to start his business.
But for that... he needed funding.
This is when the white-haired woman came to him again and advised him to make connections with the country's royalty, since he had to potential to do so with all of his eloquence and business managing skills his former parents forced him to study all those years ago. With confidence, he presented his first product to the kingdom's council, but they didn't find it appealing at all.
And thus he was rejected.
But he never stopped trying to appease them, failing over and over again before one day by chance, the arrogant and haughty princess of the kingdom strolled into the room by accident, and took interest in him, who she thought was a 'poor commoner who could potentially become her slave' and told the council that they were stupid before defending Solace.
Using her connections, she helped Solace start his first ever stall, but she never directly lended him assistance unless Solace begged on his knees or helped her with anything she needed, sometimes including her own work as a royal.
Over time, however, Solace's flair warmed up to the princess eventually, and she took interest in him for being so loyal for so long that it almost seemed unnatural. And once Solace's company, Auriga, which was famous for selling magical tools, grew famous, Emerada decided to uncover a doubt she had for a long time.
"So, Solace..." Emerada spoke softly as they laid on the roof of Auriga's main building. "You said your homeland was where you got all the ideas from, right? So where exactly is it?"
"Hmm... where do you think I came from, Emerada? Like by just judging my looks."
"Well, I would say Kararagian, considering that you even use some of their dialects sometimes."
"What if I told you the person who created Kararagi actually came from my hometown? Just a long, long, long time ago."
"What?!" Emerada sat up quickly in astonishment.
"Yeah, that's right. 400 years ago, Alec Hoshin, also known as Hoshin of the Wastes, was a travelling merchant just like me. He was a companion of the Great Erudite Flugel, who travelled with several strong teammates. I just wish that when I finished my business foundations, I can go adventuring with others as well."
"Will you.. take me as well?" Emerada whispered, and Solace didn't seem to hear it clearly.
"What did you say?"
"Will you.. take me to go adventuring as well?"
"C'mon, Emerada, you can say it louder-"
"Will you take me to go adventuring as well?!"
"Of course! We're friends now, aren't we? I know we've been through your phase of... sadism, per say... but you're a nice girl now, aren't you? I know now that most of your evilness was simply because of your family's constant pressure on you due to your standing as a princess. But don't worry, I'll help you tough through it all, because we're friends, right?"
And oh boy did Solace not get friend-zoned.
Unfortunately for the newly made couple, their period of happiness lasted a mere short month.
Solace had discovered something regarding to the Schlizirkel's goal, and he needed to report to Vainglory about this amazing find. After all, he remembered Pandora telling him that it was her lifetime goal to find out about some kind of 'higher being'. And after he finally found some evidence recorded in a meteor, he thought he had it.
He never particularly agreed with Pandora's methods, of course. Her other subordinates, including Kolonstyl, one of his good friends, have been assigned to tasks to either beat people up or murder them, but since he wasn't into killing, he was just a supply provider to them. It's not like they're murdering innocent civilians, either, but rather certain people with too much magic power. Most of the time they're actually just sitting in a room playing games and practicing their abilities.
So Solace was very surprised and shocked when Pandora decided to attack his main building with Kolonstyl when he worked so hard to find evidence for what we all wanted to discover.
Solace POV
"Boss... run!" He screamed at me, but before I could even ask what was going on, he was stabbed from behind, revealing a figure I knew all too well.
"Kolonstyl..." I regarded my colleague in shock. "Why are you doing this? What did my men do to you?"
"I'm sorry, Solace. Vanity's orders."
"Pandora told you to come and kill me? What did I ever do wrong? I was always working diligently to repay the generosity that you've all given me!"
"Please calm down, archbishop." Pandora appeared out of nowhere once again, staring down at me.
"Calm down? CALM DOWN?! You're trying to kill me!"
"This is the only way, unfortunately. I will deeply regret this decision, but it must be done. I'm sorry, Wizardum Improbius. Kolonstyl... I'll leave this to you."
"Wait, Pandora!" I cried out in desperation, but Kolonstyl blocked my path.
""Wizard Ars Goetia, I think you're misunderstanding here. I never would send out any kill order for you, since you are quite appealing. However, it was mostly because you are in the path of the creation of my new archbishop."
"New archbishop... what do you mean?" I stuttered, unable to believe what I just heard.
"Sloth, Wrath, Greed, Pride, and Gluttony are all assembled, so all that's left is Lust. And unfortunately, you're protecting the one who's compatible with it."
"You... you think you can make Emma into one of those maniacs?! In your dreams, Pandora!" I said as my anger erupted, and I dashed towards Pandora upon mention of my Emma.
"Wizard Solace should be smashed into a wall."
And in that instant, Vainglory's authority activated, sending me flying into the stone wall. However, she didn't expect me to know what's coming, and I performed a flip in midair that allowed my foot to step into the wall and jump back to my original position.
"Oya? What is this? You can counter that? How you've grown, Bishop Ars Goetia."
"You... don't get to decide my fate, PANDORA!" Auriga's building roof launched off, and tornadoes full of sand rushed towards Pandora, along with new spears of metal and concrete forming out of the air, ready to strike.
"Stop it, Solace."
Bombs exploded midair and dispersed my sand and metal, revealing Kolonstyl who took out his bow. He aimed an arrow with an explosive attached to it at me, when my arms were suddenly immobilized due to Pandora's authority. Frustrated, I moved my fingers, and a sand blade struck at Kolonstyl, causing him to accidentally unleash the arrow and it shot straight onto my chest.
"Shit-"
BOOM
"Krgh... blegh..."
I coughed up dust and debris in pain. I could feel my heartbeat slowing down.
"Kolonstyl... you..."
"Sansyīn."
"What the-" I coughed as the world went silent, but Kolonstyl didn't seem to mind.
"It's a silencing barrier spell. Nobody can hear our conversation. Not even 'them'." Kolonstyl shot a gaze towards the sky, but quickly returned his eyes back to me.
"But I brought you guys the evidence! You must know what it entails!"
"Sorry, Solace. We know. The sole reason for your execution today, is for our safety... and yours. If that woman detected that you possessed knowledge that contained evidence of her divinity, she'll come and burn you to death, with her flames that destroys even the soul. If we kill you now, you can at least live on in your astral body inside your Witch Factor, where another chance might come for you. Also, this way, it solidifies our organization's purpose, at least that's what it seems to 'them'. Now that they won't suspect us of the deed anymore, we can carry out our missions without risk of 'them' coming down."
"Heh... hehehe... fine. I understand. If you say so, Kolonstyl... then I'll trust you for the last time... for being my best friend in this life."
"I'm sorry, Solace... I truly am...but there's no other way."
"Don't leave regrets behind, Kolonstyl. It was also partially my fault for not being able to perceive this possibility when I received the relic from the family in the dunes. Hey..." I took out a piece of paper from my pocket, and handed it to Kolonstyl. "Give this to Emma. Tell her the royal family killed me. They wanted my death after all, since they knew of my authority due to a mistake of mine. I'll see you in the future, Kolonstyl..."
Kolonstyl POV
"Solace is dead, Vanity."
"Good. Let's return, then." Vanity grabbed my arm and we vanished out of sight before teleporting into a shack that was protected with Sansyīn. "You told Solace all about it, right?"
"Yes... he asked me to give this to Emerada Lugnica..." I fished out a piece of paper from my pocket, and allowed her to read over the contents.
"This is such a shame. Solace..." Pandora sighed, and for the first time in decades, I saw her shed a tear. "He was the first of us, you know? Before Cal, Rey, and all the others... I can't believe that one of my first archbishops is dead."
"So... what do we do now?"
"Find the 17th, 18th, 19th, and the 20th. Once we have them, we can start moving towards Phase 2."
"Understood. I'll go fulfill Solace's request first, then."
"Go ahead."
As I took off, I heard Vanity mutter a few words.
"We'll definitely avenge you, Solace..."
Present Time
Pleiades Watchtower - Astral Realm
Solace Ars Goetia's consciousness
That Louis Arneb brat is really getting out of hand.
But I suppose Y/N has a way to deal with it. After all, he seemed so confident when he allowed Louis's split clone enter him.
"I'm sorry for not giving you the pure truth version of events... Y/N..."
"All for the sake of Schlizirkel's final plan. So please play your part, Y/N, lest we all be doomed."
At the end of this... this world will finally be free from divinity's shackles.