AN: HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY Y'ALL! It's America's 242nd Birthday! Go drink, eat and play dangerously with fireworks!
Ahem. Anyways, here's a short but important chapter! Also I agree with reader "Night Vanguard" and say that Red Alert 2's, "Hell March 2" is the official theme song for Arc 2, and "Devil Trigger" by Ali Edwards is Subaru's new theme song for this story, heh, good stuff sir.
This chapter is named after the song by "Havok", as it should be!
Anyways, go have fun and...ENJOY.
Arc Three: The Bloodstained Roses War
Chapter Nine: Point of No Return
There was fire all around, the smoke rising high above, even seemingly passed the clouds that graced the evening sky.
There was loud metal clashing, crashes of attacks and booms echoing the mountainsides.
An entire mountain was on fire, all the trees engulfed by it. And in the main forest below, it too was being quickly enveloped by the spreading flames.
A Morningstar broke apart a tree.
A spear flew across the fire, covered in blood.
An ice spear shot through the smoke.
Wind slices collided, breaking apart the ground on impact.
A purple spear of magic collided with a sword.
Blood flowed down a stream.
Earth spikes splintered into the river.
Lightning bolts shot through the chest of a soldier.
Someone, something; flew across the flames burned in a red light. With the flames surrounding him dissipating viciously into sparks, it was shown who it was.
The Red Lantern: Natsuki Subaru.
And he now met face to face with the woman who was in a mortal struggle against him. Wearing an elegant red armor etched with almost egregiously beautiful rose designs.
The Sun Princess: Priscilla Barielle.
Using her magic enhanced fan, she collided it with an axe construct Subaru made. She fumed with rage, almost as much as his.
"Look around you! Look at the chaos you have wrought, you filthy pig!"
"ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS SURRENDER! NONE OF THIS HAD TO HAPPEN! YOU CONCEITED BITCH!"
They both knocked each other back and landed on their feet, breaking the ground into craters. Glaring intensely at each other...seeing that both were bleeding across the face, as if it were their war paint.
They both let it out.
"WRAGGHHHH!"
"URYAHHHHH!"
Both charged at each other, as the fires swept around them, drowned out only by the sheer agonizing screams of pain, the pleas of mercy and cries of despair.
This war was coming to an end.
TWO MONTHS EARLIER...
Emilia ran through the empty halls, in her sights was the back of a man she had to stop. The meeting earlier had ended abruptly, and everyone split up to prepare for further steps to be undertaken.
Yet-
"SUBARU!"
Subaru turned around, seeing Emilia finally catch her breath as she slowed down her pace to simply walking.
Ahead of Subaru, Beatrice was walking side by side with Genau, both turned around to see what was occuring.
"Um, hey Beatrice, Genau, could you two both just go on ahead, I'll catch up in a bit."
"Okay, but hurry, Betty is not going to be pleased waiting around with Roswaal all night, I suppose."
"Thanks."
Beatrice and Genau kept going as Subaru faced a dazed Emilia.
"You okay Emilia?"
"H-How on earth am I going to be okay?! Do you realize what you are suggesting we do?"
Emilia was trembling at this point.
"Subaru, you're suggesting we fight with Priscilla?! How did we reach this point?"
"Look, if you are really against this…"
Subaru took Emilia's hand, startling her a bit...but relaxed enough to hear him out.
"If you want, I'll send her a letter. Ask to talk this over, only if communications break down, will we be forced to act."
"Really?"
"Yes, anything for you."
He then caressed her, comforting her inner turmoil, if for just a moment.
"Go on, I have a few things to discuss with Roswaal."
"Okay, just please...try and talk things over."
"Of course."
Emilia let go of his hand and made her way to her room, smiling at the fact she was able to deescalate the situation…
Subaru made it to the room. There, Rem and Ram were standing guard over the proceedings. Rem looked a bit melancholic about it, but a quick tender patting on her head, eased her. Ram squinted her eyes at Subaru.
"Barusu. The room is ready."
"Thanks."
He entered Roswaal's study and found Genau laying on the ground, all the while Beatrice was petting him on the head.
"Oh? You don't seem to be playing with your bro anymore?"
"Q-Quiet! Nii-chan is simply busy with that Emilia girl...he doesn't have much time to play, I suppose!"
She then humped as she looked down at the relaxed Wolgarm.
"Though his fur isn't as soft...it is nice to pet, I suppose."
She made a small smile, before being stern again and looking to Roswaal.
"So, we're all in agreement here then?"
"Yes oooooof course we are. All of us heeeeere wish to defend our home do we not?"
"Heh, like you tried to a few days ago, huh, I suppose?"
Roswaal made a wry smile, making Beatrice more annoyed than anything. Roswaal himself turned his attention to Subaru as scratched his nose.
"Well, Subaru did you discuss something with Emilia?"
"Yup, she wanted me to send a letter to Priscilla, to put up a conversation between the two camps. She doesn't want this fight to happen."
"And you…?"
Subaru let out a small breath, squeezing the tip of his nose with his fingers, trying to figure it out. He then pinched between his eyes, right at the bridge of his nose and sighed, blood floating out of his mouth.
"I'll send a formal demand of surrender, that's all I'll do for that woman."
"Ohhhhhh, and do you think she'll do it?"
"Pfft, no. But I at least have to keep my promise with Emilia."
"Ehhhhh, even I think sending the letter is a chooooore...but I agreeee that we have to keep up appearances with Emilia-sama."
"Leaving Emilia aside, in case of a strike, do we have any defenses?"
Roswaal shuffled through some papers and set down three sheets in particular.
"I have a contract to employ a mercenary group."
"How many?"
"At least 350."
"...I don't think it'll be enough will it?"
"...Doubtful. The current Barielle Estate has ties with Vollachia as well, they can always call upon favors to get reinforcements."
"How many were you able to see, Genau?"
Genau shook his ears and lifted his head from the ground.
"...Um, sssseee...I'd sssssay about 400 or more."
"Plus the cannons and carriages right?"
"Exactly."
"With her ties with the southern kingdom...what do think we're looking at Roswaal?"
Roswaal closed one eye and used his only remaining arm to rub his chin.
"Hmmmmm, unfortunately my most modest guess would be...2000 at the most, with 1,500 being the most likely number."
"Damn, that's a lot."
"This also means that Priscilla-sama has access to powerful gladiators, much like her knight Al."
"Do we have any muscle we can put out?"
"...This paper here is from an old colleague within the family."
Subaru was handed the paper and he read through it.
"Sarah Remendis?"
"Yes, she is the granddaughter of Carol Remendis, an old bodyguard for an ancestor of mine."
"But wouldn't that mean she works for the Astrea house?"
"It would, but she has expressed interest in joining our camp. Soooooo…"
"...Okay, I think we should let her know she got the job."
"Greeeeat."
"Now, that leaves us with the issue of protecting this area."
"I have access to some flowers that cause mass hallucination."
"Cool, anything else?"
"Weeeee have some mines filled to the brim with magic stones."
"...I have an idea in how to use those, but leaving that on the wayside, anything else?"
"We have access to only a small amount of magical items, but none that can topple an army."
"Gather them, anything can help when you put your mind to it."
Subaru looked out the window and saw the section of the forest that was still burnt to the ground…
"And Irlham Village?"
"Other than the stooooones that keep Ma-Beast out, they have little defense against an actual invasion."
"Okay, the plan I have for the stones will be implemented with that."
"Hmmm?"
"Nothing, um...I'll need a map of the area, see where we have to set up blockades and such to stop an invasion."
"It'll be done Subaru-kun."
"Also…"
"Hm…?"
Subaru grew a stern face as he had the sun reflect in the dark pits of his eyes.
"I may need to know where the Barielle territory is…just in case."
In the early morning of the next day, a secret meeting was being held.
"With the signing of this contract all parties here are in agreement then?"
Russell Fellow, a high class merchant within the Kingdom of Lugnica smiled, being the handler of this important meeting, he handed the pen over to the first person in the party.
Crusch Karsten.
She hesitated a bit as she looked down at the prepared papers...then she glanced at her knight.
"What do you think, Ferris?"
Ferris took some time to think about it, but seeing the defeated look of her master, the depressed state of Wilhelm flash across his mind...and then the vile shadows of those two Red Lanterns, made him not look back.
"Ferri-chan thinks this is for the best. Those two especially are too danygerous to allow runnying amok. "
"If you say it is, then I'll be by your side, thank you."
Ferris smiled back at her kind words.
As such, Crusch signed her name. She then handed the pen over to the next party.
Anastasia Hoshin.
With no hesitation she signed her name as well.
"Julius would be really upset if he found out about this, ya know? I hope he doesn't blame me."
"My lady, if it's to protect ya and the rest of us here, then I can't blame ya for doing this. You got the muscle to back you up! Besides, Julius will understand in the long run."
A large demihuman, Ricardo Welkin said this with a gruff but energetic voice. Hoshin herself smiled a bit, hoping after today, she would never have to deal with Natsuki Subaru ever again.
"I guess so. Nothin to do but kick back and see the results."
She then handed the pen back to Russell. He took it and looked over the three signatures and nodded.
"The deal is made then. I am hopeful to a bright future in this alliance."
Crusch stood up along with Anastasia.
"I have agreed to give you a regiment of 200 men. Though I intended to use these men for the White Whale Subjugation...they too have intent on getting revenge on the one who took away their life long goal."
"As for me, I'll give ya 105 of my best mercenaries in exchange for what we all agreed on. Even trade, I'd say."
Russell continued on their behalf.
"All three of you have agreed on equal trading rights, access to assets of each party and an alliance of non agression. Is that correct?"
They all nodded.
Including the third party, Priscilla Barielle.
"We have come to an understanding then? With this, everything will work out as the world intended."
She crumbled it in her hand, the letter that was delivered to her, this morning.
On it:
"To the Barielle Camp,
On behalf of the camp aligning with Emilia, we have discovered aggressive movement against us.
We now issue a demand for your unconditional surrender.
You will dissolve all of your forces and keep them out of any territory of ours for the next two days before we meet to finalize the treaty of surrender.
You will also surrender half of your territory and pay a sanction fine.
Failure to do so, will lead to outright conflict. There will be no bargaining afterwards.
This is your first and only warning.
Surrender and live."
Priscilla felt insulted.
So now with the backing of these two other camps, she was solely intent on destroying the Emilia Camp and the actual beasts it had birthed into this world.
"With this, that camp is done for."
And so Russel Fellow announced it.
"The alliance between these three camps is finalized."
The three ladies walked out and were now looking out to the world as a new day had risen. Priscilla fanned herself with her usual splendor...and smiled.
"With this, I now have...4,000 strong."
Licking her lips, satisfyingly.
"You are now doomed, Natsuki Subaru."
With the letter dissolving in her hands, burnt away by her magic...this was it.
The point of no return.
Two days had passed since the letter was sent to the Barielle Estate…
Ram finished washing the dishes from breakfast and began heading out of the kitchen, where she unfortunately ran into-
"Ah, Pink Haired Rem."
"Oh joy, if it isn't the Ma-Beast."
Ram of course gave an annoyed expression to Genau, even after a week of living together, she had no positive stance on him.
"Going to see Subaru right now, coming?"
"Let me guess, it has to do with the possible conflict with Priscilla-sama?"
"Exactly."
Ram scoffed at him and began walking away.
"As if I have any interest in seeing that man."
"Ssssstill angry about losing?"
"It's not a matter of losing or winning, you mutt. I just, do not wish to converse with him is all."
"...He only ordered ussssss to ssssstop you two."
"Me and Sssssister Beatrice doing what we did, was only-"
"-Necessary?"
"Exactly."
Ram finally turned her head and glared at the Ma-Beast.
"My master lost his arm, because of you three."
"Because he nearly got everyone killed."
"How would-"
"-All of us knew the Sssssizable Hare was coming, had he affected that area with his ssssspell, the Sssssanctuary would be dead."
"You don't know that."
"...You deceive yourself, Pink Haired Rem."
Ram shivered a bit, hearing the sudden harshness in his voice, but the large canine sighed, blood floating out sparingly.
"Come, you are also part of the pack, you need to hear too."
"..."
With him leading the way, Genau said one last thing to the maid he had no interest in calling by name.
"Pink Haired Rem, even if you don't like usssss, jusssst know one thing….YOU CAN TRUSSSST USSSSS IN PROTECTING OUR TERRITORY."
"...?"
"Any who would have the gaul to attack...will agonize over it in their final momentssss."
Now in the room with Subaru, Rem and Emilia; Genau and Ram had entered.
"Genau, Ram, come in."
Ram sat next to her sister on the bed, Emilia leaned on a wall with Puck floating around and Genau sat on the ground, next to the bed, just by Rem. The afternoon sunlight gracing this new meeting through an open window.
"Beatrice and Roswaal are not with us, as they are getting some things done. In particular, Roswaal is hiring some helping hands, while Beatrice is setting up some surprises for any intruders in the coming days."
Emilia got off the wall and went to Subaru, more than a bit flustered.
"But, didn't we agree we didn't want to escalate things further?"
"We don't...but after I sent the letter, there has been no attempt by anyone in their camp to contact us. They are not willing to comply, so we have to brace for the worst."
"I knew she was stubborn, but this is-"
"-She is very arrogant and prideful person. Once she sets out to do something, there is no convincing her. If she wants a fight, we'll give her one."
Emilia immediately seemed quite unsure of what to do. She couldn't stop this from happening, and going to see her was out of the question, with Puck even warning she could be kidnapped and used as a ransom by the enemy.
"Why do we have to fight?"
"Emilia-sama, I would say it's inevitable."
"Rem?"
"...From what I have learned of the woman in question, she has nothing but animosity for Emilia-sama and Subaru-kun. If what Subaru-kun and Genau-kun have been saying is true, then we have no choice. We have to protect ourselves."
"...But the Selection."
The PR nightmare from having even one of the Camps annihilating the other would not be a mere isolated scandal. There would be huge ramifications from such an event...however.
Should the Emilia Camp pull a win against the Priscilla Camp, they would definitely cement themselves as a small, but POWERFUL force and contender for the throne.
Especially them.
Subaru and Genau.
If they were victorious, no doubt in anyone's mind, would it be suggested that they were the driving force of the coming battles. Subaru himself was now already famous for his exploits, this would raise their pedigree, even if by dirty means.
"Barusu, do you really want to fight head on with them?"
"I actuality, I would like to end this fight in one fell swoop. But it ain't going to be that easy."
"You're a Red Lantern right, you can manage something so simple right?"
"...Wait."
Subaru's eyes opened wide as Genau, could almost feel the aura within Subaru, panting much like a dog would, excitedly.
"Oh shit, you're right. Thank you Ram-chi!"
"F-For what?"
"You might've saved us a war!"
Subaru clicked his fingers and grinned happily. He then went and grabbed Emilia's hand and led her out of the room, but stopped at the door.
"Rem, Ram, Genau! Take care of the mansion while I'm out, make sure Emilia is well taken care of!"
"Y-Yes Subaru-kun, but where are you going?"
"No worries, this guy has an idea so great, it's making him fanatical like a Oni!"
"Ah."
Subaru winked at her and left the room with Emilia and Puck.
Genau yawned as he stretched his arms and legs. Shaking his head and twitching his long ears he could only moan one thing.
"I'm hungry."
Both sisters, were annoyed to no end.
In the halls, Emilia walked side by side with Subaru, she wanted to ask him...but he answered it for him.
"Emilia, do me this big favor."
"Anything, if it's in my power."
"...I NEED TO BORROW SOMETHING."
Subaru masterfully hid his vicious smirk.
As Ram was finishing slicing up some chicken bit and Rem finished boiling some rice, all for the gluttonous canine, they both looked as Genau was...looking at a picture book of other kingdoms such as Gusteko and Kararagi.
"The world issss sssso big. I wanna ssssssee what food they have!"
While Ram scoffed at him, Rem silently giggled seeing the Wolgarm wag his tail, even if he was the same species as the ones who tried to kill them a while ago...he was different and for her, was somewhat a welcome member of their camp...even if she would never forgive him for huritng Roswaal and Ram. Such inner turmoil was nothing new for her.
Then, Ram tensed up and closed her eyes.
"Nee-sama?"
"My clairvoyance."
"What is it?"
"...It's detecting something."
Genau heard this and straightened his posture up.
"Where?"
"At Irlham Village."
Genau narrowed his eyes and growled, blood floating out of his mouth.
"It'sssss happening."
At the edge of Irlham Village, Petra was gathering some flowers, remembering to shake them a bit, in order to get bugs of just in case. She smiled and made her way to her waiting mother...unaware that in the very far distance...they were being observed.
"Let's move."
The bustling of the city was continuing to move as hectic as ever. However, among that bustling of the streets was a an oddly dressed man with a steel helmet, Al and his master, Priscilla Barielle.
"Should we really be out like this?"
"It's fine, we are given luck by the world."
"Sure, but things are different-"
"-Squashing a bug is still the same as it has always been, hasn't it?"
"...Of course Princess."
Priscilla continued her proud stroll through the streets, as Al scratched his neck, defeated by her words and forced to stand down. Even with almost every single man staring at the beauty of her very being, she simply smiled at the helplessly entranced people around her.
"Let us get some Appas so that the cooks may make some Appa Risotto."
"That does sound good."
"Of course, we have decided the meal, so why wouldn't it?"
"The Princess hits the mark per usual."
"Hmph."
She smiled with her usual elegant scoff as they both passed a corner.
Passing by them, was a man in a white robe, with ear on the top like rabbit ears. Purple tips. He calmly and politely moved aside so Priscilla and Al could walk past them...Priscilla nodded proudly at the observant peon, while Al waved apologetically…
As they continued, the man aimed a fist at the back of her head, even if they were already a at least a a yard away...a red ring adorning his ring finger.
"Cut off the head, the rest follows."
Subaru made a cross-hair construct above his clenched fist, aimed it at her gorgeous hair...and readied the shot, the light beginning to shine.
There was no turning back from this, not for anyone involved. Even a blind man could see that fact clearly.
He would now take the chance.
Victory or defeat; these were their only options left.
To Be Continued...