AN: Sorry for the week of no chapter, but I got sick because of the heat and took some time off. But I should be back all fine and sparkling.
And here we continue with the Bloodstained Roses War.
Something I'd like to mention was that Genau is inspired by a pitbull I had growing up named Sisqo (yes, named after the artist of same name). I initially was gonna name him that, but I decided Genau sounded cooler, and the song itself is one of my favs.
One other aspect to Genau's creation other than being Subaru's Dex-Starr in his Red Lantern Corps, is the manga series, "Inugami", which is a tale about an empowered dog, it honestly helped me visualize more in creating Genau. So I think you all should check it out.
Chapter title comes from "Bombshell" by Powerman 5000, I recalled how this song was something I loved to rock out while working out to. So there ya go.
Anyways, enough of that...time to roll. ENJOY!
Arc Three: The Bloodstained Roses War
Chapter 12: Operation Bombshell
It had been more than a month, since the death of Sarah Fauzen nee Remendis.
At one point, during his slumber the very same night she was taken away from this world, Natsuki Subaru had thought of killing himself, just to go back and save her.
That would have been the choice made...had thoughts of the Trial not come into his mind.
"If I did that…"
NO.
Learning that his own power was just the ability to mind leap into another version of himself in another parallel timeline, did prove he had the means to put right what once went wrong.
A Quantum Leaper, of sorts.
But that was it.
Another timeline.
If he did this, if he had gone through with it, he would leave behind the others dependent on him for guidance and protection, leaving them to fates he would have no knowledge of. It would pain him greatly, constantly left to be agonizing over the thought of leaving Emilia, Rem, Beatrice, Genau and the others behind, to quite possibly, lose the war.
All for one person?
A person he did not know for that long?
"...I can't do it."
So he decided to press forward.
He would no longer use Return By Death so easily. Only for the most dire and extreme emergencies would he ever consider tapping into it again.
Abandon.
He would not do it them.
He would move forward...
And with it, the escalation of conflict also commenced.
Once, when Ram and Roswaal were at the capital to retrieve some utilities, they were beset by assassins, but killed them off.
"They really don't want this toooo be easy do they?"
"No, I think not. We should hurry and head back before things become more chaotic."
In another instance, Kadomon was with his daughter just outside their little store, his wife was seen in the distance, coming back from some business venture.
"Oh mama! Wel-"
Right there and then, someone screamed as they pointed up in the air.
Looking up they saw a red streak of light zip across the sky.
"A...A Red Lantern."
They then heard a deafening clap, looking over his shoulder he saw a huge plume of debris rise up from far away. Seeing some people running for it, he was able to stop one young man.
"The hell is going on?!"
"Man, a Red Lantern just attacked a Barielle financial institute!"
"Did-"
"-No, no one died, but the building is all sorts of messed up. I'm gonna get as far...oh, oh look there he is!"
He pointed up and they once again saw the red streak dash across the sky.
Plum ran to be with her dad, as did her mother. They all worried about it, the fate of their kingdom with this rising tension. Everyone in those streets hoped the fighting would stop at some point.
Anastasia was taking care of documents that needed her signing, when her ever trustful Ricardo, commander of her mercenary group appeared.
"My lady, are we still seriously not going to get them back?"
"We may have lost a good deal of men, but Tivey is still alive, so we have that going."
"Like hell that makes things better! Our men died out there!"
"And if we make another bold move? No doubt, Natsuki Subaru already knows we're involved. If we..."
She placed her pen down and fully turned her attention to Ricardo.
"If we keep at it, then there is absolutely a chance, he'll come at us."
"I can take them on!"
"...I wish that were the case."
Ricardo didn't follow what she was saying...then she passed the papers across the desk.
"Do you know what I'm signing?"
"Not really?"
"...Papers from some of our ventures in Kararagi, remember how we plan to have the Juukulius clan use their resources to make dealings with them, furthering our trade expanses?"
"Sure..."
Now, her voice grew dire, serious...dreading.
"They were attacked yesterday."
"WHAT?"
"No one was hurt, but the workers there all said the same thing...they saw the same thing..."
She got up from her chair, slamming her hand on the papers.
"A MA-BEAST! A WOLGARM WEARING A RED OUTFIT, FLEW AWAY FROM EVERY ATTACK!"
"THEY MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO KARARAGI?!"
She nodded and twidled her fingers on the papers.
"Signing here some insurance forms...but that is the least of our worries. Even if the buildings only took damage, can you imagine how much danger we'd be facing by straight up fighting them?! It took them less than a day to travel to Kararagi and back!...Even you should know what message they're saying."
"...Sadly I do."
Ricardo looked away, as Hoshin stared at her desk.
"If we do continue our support with Priscilla...no matter what we do, or where we go...they'd attack us."
"So we're backing out?"
"No, we're limiting what soldiers we'll send to them, but we ain't sending our main strength...it almost cost us Tivey."
Both said nothing for awhile, before Ricardo sighed loudly and rubbed the back of his head.
"Welp, I can't refuse your orders, so I'll stay put."
"Okay."
But as Ricardo turned away.
"But you know..."
"Hm?"
"That, Natsuki Subaru, hates you right?"
"How long before he begins plotting against us?"
"...When the time comes, we'll be ready."
"Yup."
Ricardo left, as Anastasia quietly got back to work.
Crusch sat comfortably at her diner table, snacking on some soup Ferris made for her.
"It is quite soothing, thank you Ferris."
"Even with Ferri-chyan's skills, I'd make anything with all my nyight, to please Crusch-sama."
"And I will always appreciate it."
Then they turned their attention to Wilhelm, who had been mostly quiet for days now, especially after learning of his friend Conwood's death.
"Wilhelm if you wish to talk-"
"-No, it is quite alright."
He looked out the window, gazing up at the blue sky.
"Conwood was a good friend of mine, but I always feared he would go before me. It came true, but the circumstances around it, are still painful. But I will survive and-"
Wilhelm silenced himself, as he felt it...KILLING INTENT.
"CRUSCH-SAMA! FERRIS!"
"HUH?!"
Wilhelm tackled them away as something was thrown into the dining room, smashing thw window apart. As they got up, even with a few grunts and moans. They looked...
And saw a jet black ground dragon, dead.
One of her prized Ground Dragons whcih had no name, who had striking orange eyes and though was a member of the Diana species, was an ever faithful one.
Now this female, was gone from this world.
A guard rushed in.
"Crusch-sama, are you alright?!"
"Yes I am well! What is happening?!"
"My lord...ALL THE GROUND DRAGONS IN YOUR STABLES ARE DEAD!"
"WHAT?!"
"Not only that...but I have received word that several of the House of Karsten's backers, have had their Ground Dragons killed as well!"
"WHAT?!"
Then, they noticed it...
"The dragon's skin...it's carved..."
"Crusch-sama, Ferri-chan thinks it's a message."
They wlaked over and all of them gasped at the carved message on the Dragon...
"MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS."
"So...they did this."
"What do we do?"
"...We keep the resources flowing to the Barielle Villa...but we stop sending men. We must keep them here to guard myself, my father and our backers."
"Of course, Ferri-chyan will inform them!"
Ferris left in a hurry, as Wilhelm looked over the situation.
"They know we are supplying them."
"This was a warning to us specifically. No doubt the Hoshin Camp has received threats as well."
"So we are imiting ourselves?"
"Yes, until we can fully acertain what the power the Emilia Camp has...we have to."
Wilhelm stared into the lifeless eyes of the Ground Dragon...
"Understood."
And then, a few days later...
"Subaru-kun, the mercenaries have been fed, they are awaiting orders."
Rem entered the library known as the Comfort Eagle, once known as the Forbidden Archive. Sitting there, Genau, Beatrice and Subaru were looking over some notes, seeing the maid enter, they quickly hid them.
"...Um, sorry."
"No it's okay Rem, come here, sit down, please."
Rem nodded and sat next to him.
"So how many was it again?"
"We have three hundred and ninety four men, and one cannon."
"...Shit. Way less than we expected."
Rem made a guilt ridden expression.
"It would seem the prejudice against Emilia-sama was simply too much to overcome."
"We figured that, but...I won't let this get me down."
"Subaru-kun?"
"I'm not the kind of guy who let's himself give up on some minor setbacks, right?"
Rem nodded happily, just as Beatrice patted Genau on the head.
"Subaru, I think we should discuss with these men the plan."
"Oh, right."
Rem tilted her head hearing of such a thing.
"OPERATION BOMBSHELL."
Rem muttered those unfamiliar words in response, confused about what that strange word meant.
"Okay, let's inform the men. Genau, can you head out with the Lewes Clones and check to see if everything is safe?"
"Do I get to eat afterwardsss?"
"Sure."
"On it!"
Genau floated up and flew out of the library, even then they could hear the men outside gasping and freaking out, seeing Genau fly into the air.
"Come on ladies, let's get everything ready."
Both of them nodded and each one took one of his hands, even if they felt his metal gauntlets, they enjoyed holding hands with this man. Rem smiled, while Beatrice kept up a calm composure, even if her cheeks were slightly pink.
Now out there, they saw all these men, from different walks of life out there awaiting orders. All of these men were truly silent as they saw Subaru.
"Bro, look, Natsuki Subaru.", "Wow! He's real!", "That's the guy who killed the White Whale?", "I thought he'd look more scary, but his eyes are creepy."
Hearing the whispering and muttering, Subaru sighed, making blood float out of his mouth...further creeping out the new hires.
"Okay, um, listen up everyone. I think you all know why you are here, to help in this war effort of ours."
"We are currently in the middle of a long standing conflict against the Barielle Camp. Though we have been fortunate to not lost any lives, we have been quite strained. Currently, it appears four different divisions of platoons, are about to converge on our territories."
"Ho-How do you know that Subaru-sama?!"
"Easy, I sent a group of mine to locate them, and had Genau verify it from the sky."
"Now, that means you will be split into three different platoons. Thus, you men will be sent to Dunharrow, the Miload Territory and a place called the Sanctuary. We'll keep the village near here closely guarded."
"But what of the fourth division?"
"...I'm already taking care of that one."
Genau raised his face, fangs drenched in blood, turning his head, he saw a carriage begin to light up from the inside.
"SHE HAD MAGIC STONES! EVERYONE GET OUT-!"
The carriage exploded as the men inside began evacuating too late, one man's body was flung yards away from the carriage. Several other men ran out, all covered in flames, screaming and begging God for help. One man...simply shambled around, not making any noise as the flames engulfed him. He fell to the ground.
Genau turned to the other side and watched as two Lewes Clones executed seven men with beams of light shooting out of their hands, even as they pleaded for mercy.
Genau howled into the air...all around him, six other carriages were aflame.
The fourth platoon was wiped out.
"Okay, so meet with our lovely onee-sama Ram, and find out what platoon you will be accompanying."
"Listen, I'm not gonna sugar coat this. Some of you are probably gonna die."
"...That's-"
"But if you try and run away, or betray us at any point starting today...I will personally see to it that you die painfully. I promise you that."
"...!"
"But if you fight with all your might, I can assure you will survive! So do it! Fight! When we win this war, I promise each and every one of you will obtain stake in Priscilla's lands."
"Our own land?"
"Having her land, other than her main estate, is clearly unimportant to us. In the end, we want her dead. End of story. So if you fight and survive, you will be rewarded for your efforts!"
"...!"
"FIGHT! Help us win this war and become remembered in history as the real underdogs of this war! Well?! WHAT DO YOU SAY?!"
The accompanying thunderous applause was all Subaru needed to know.
So the men began making their way to see Ram who gave them the information they required.
Subaru quickly noticed a now arriving Emilia.
"Sorry, I was with Roswaal for a bit. Oh, did the meeting end?"
"Yeah, seems the men are willing to comply for now."
"Well, is there anything you want me to do?"
"...Come with me to the village."
Subaru nodded to Rem and Beatrice, they let go of his hands and went about their business.
But as they left Rem had a question for her.
"Beatrice-sama, may I ask you something?"
"What is it, I suppose?"
"H-Have you ever noticed Subaru-kun and Genau, ever leave the mansion at night."
"...Yes, Betty has seen them fly away at night."
"D-Do you know where they go?"
"Not at all...and it's strange."
"How so?"
Beatrice looked up at her.
"There is always a chance I can sense Subaru's mana, almost anywhere, especially if I do so in the library."
"Then, what do you mean you can't sense him?"
"It's just that, I suppose. When he and Genau leave...I can no longer find them...it's as if, they disappear off the face of the world."
"...You are correct, even at times, Rem can no longer smell him."
Rem turned her head to gaze at him as he spoke with Emilia.
"Where do you go, where we can't find you, Subaru-kun?"
"Emilia, we'll have to check on the status of everyone there, and make sure everyone knows what could happen."
"Okay."
As she walked up to him, she noticed him holding out his hand to her, she hesitated for a moment. Then, she breathed softly and took his hand. Thus, they began walking to the village…
"Subaru."
"Yes?"
"...Do you think, I'm doing my part?"
"...Studying and getting you skills ready to take the throne is just as important."
"But we're in the middle of a battle, and I haven't done a thing."
"I don't want you to. Finding out Rem had to deal with those intruders already got me mad enough."
"But we also want to help-"
The vision of said day...Rem dead, Ram dead...the snow covering everything….hit his head like a thunderstorm.
He squeezed her hand, before turning his body and hugging her tightly.
"S-S-Subaru?! What's wrong?!"
"No...No Emilia...Please…"
"Huh?"
"I can't...I just can't...I can't let you do it. No...I don't want to lose you."
Emilia relaxed, even as her cheeks flushed. So she gently stroked the back of his hair.
"I promise, you will never lose me."
"...Sorry about that."
Subaru let go of Emilia, looking onto the ground.
"It's okay Subaru. You've been working so hard I'm surprised you haven't snapped yet. The Witch's Cult. Atrocitus-san's visit and now this war. You've had to deal with so much Subaru."
"I do feel like my head is spinning at times."
"Then, just let us help once in awhile. We...care about you too."
Emilia patted his head and giggled at him...then she noticed Subaru stared directly into her eyes.
"Hey, um, Su-"
Subaru stepped over a tad.
And kissed her forehead.
"WH-HUH-WH-?! Su-Subaru?! What are you-"
"-Sorry, couldn't resist. Let's go."
Subaru took the lead, as Emilia quickly caught up.
In her head she heard Puck's voice speak to her.
"Lia, what happened? I'm getting a swirl of emotions from you!"
"S-Subaru, he...kissed my forehead."
"WHAT?! I'll have to talk-"
"No-No it's fine...I...I kinda liked it."
"Lia?"
"He hasn't shown his softer side in a while now, so I'm happy he was able to do that, for me. Selfish I know…"
"..."
"But, something else…"
"Hm?"
"...It...It looked like it hurt him."
Sure enough, Subaru hid his hand...his ring was glowing violently, as Subaru scrunched his face in pain.
"That's...a no-no huh?"
Subaru and Emilia arrived at the village, just as-
"Subaru look!"
"Genau! The Lewes Clones!"
Genau was flying to them, as he carried the Lewes Clones in a orb construct. They landed safely and Genau rushed over to Subaru.
Petra peeked her head, hiding behind a tree in the centre of town.
"Well?"
"All good Brother Ssssubaru! We wiped them out!"
"Good job!"
Subaru gave him a thumbs up.
"But...the other platoonssss are making it there."
"Right...which one you want?"
"I kinda want the Miload Territory."
"'Kay."
Subaru pointed at the Lewes Clones, ready to give them orders…
A blue light flew over them and hit the forest near the village.
The resulting explosion snapped them out of it. Petra fell on her behind as she saw the rising smoke within the forest. All the villagers screamed as they saw the blast.
Subaru looked to the direction where the light came from.
"That way would be…"
"Subaru! That's where the Sanctuary is isn't it?!"
"Shit. That platoon must be close enough to fire those kind of strikes, yeah, like an artillery strike!"
"We have to do something!"
"Don't worry Emilia, we got this!"
Subaru pointed to Genau.
"Genau! Take the mercenaries meant to be positioned there and take them to the Comfort Eagle!"
"What do you-?"
"-The Library can connect to the Sanctuary with Beatrice's magic...so…"
"WE CAN TELEPORT THERE!"
"Yes! Now go! Take Beatrice with you...and tell her, that it's time to test THAT."
"Really?"
"YES! NOW GO, HURRY AND ANNIHILATE THEM ALL!"
"EXACTLY!"
Genau flew at great speed to the Mansion as Subaru saw another oncoming strike. So he flew up and created a construct of a giant shield in front of himself. The strike impacted and broke apart into separate beams, of which hit every other spot, minus the village. Emilia watched as the dirt road they were walking on earlier, now had a huge hole on the ground.
Subaru landed back as blood streamed out of his mouth.
"Emilia, we're gonna stay here and protect the village!"
"Okay! I'll help in any way I can!"
Emilia nodded with determination inbedded in her spirit.
Genau made it as the rest of the mansion was in an uproar from the sight of the rising smoke.
Ram rushed to Genau.
"Ma-Beast! What is-"
"-They're attacking from near the Ssssanctuary!"
"A long ranged attack?!"
"Yesssss! Get everyone that wassss meant for that platoon! We're teleporting there through the Comfort Eagle!"
"Okay! Head inside!"
Later, Genau led a contingency of sixty men through the halls, before they turned the corner and he saw a door open.
"Genau, here!"
"Ssssister Beatrice! Thankssss!"
Though cramped, they all made it inside and Beatrice focused. A wave of energy swathed over the room and then…
"Open it, I suppose!"
A mercenary opened it and the door opened to reveal a different cabin interior.
Genau rushed out and opened the door. Sure enough he saw that they were in the Sanctuary. He looked over and saw the streams of blue light launching over the town and towards the Mansion's direction.
"Damn!"
Beatrice came out with the men.
"Ssssister Beatrice! We have to launch it!"
"Really? Are we really going through with this, I suppose?!"
Genau simply nodded.
"Alright, you men, come with Betty, I suppose!"
Beatrice hurried with the mercenaries as they rushed to the cabin, that once held the crystal that the original Lewes Meyer was in.
In fact, the commotion made a decrepit Lewes come out, just to see the commotion. She saw Beatrice and those men hurry off...all the while she watched Genau run on all four of his paws, with intense ferocity.
In the cabin, they ventured down the spiral stairs and finally to a shut off door. Beatrice tapped the doorknob, it glowed for a moment then opened.
She hurried everyone inside and there, the lab was. Looking as if it was still in use or at least having been utilized just yesterday.
"There, I suppose."
She pointed, and sure enough there was several barrels all standing near the corner of the room.
"Carry those outside...but be careful, one misstep, or if you drop one…"
The spirit turned her head and gave a grim stare.
"All of us here could die horribly, I suppose."
The mercenaries gulped down their fears and carefully helped each other carry the barrels upstairs. Beatrice sighed as tipped over a vase of a failed batch. It broke the glass, and the liquid melted a hole through the floor.
"This is the destined day, isn't it, I suppose?"
Now outside, they placed the barrels all around Genau as per ordered, Beatrice hurried to be next to him.
"Do you have it?"
"I have a rough idea of where they are."
"A rough idea is good enough for this weapon, I suppose."
"Okay...READY!"
Genau growled as all around him constructs of shapes were being created. Little by little they connected and formed around him, and soon even the mercenaries realized what it was.
"A-A Catapult?!"
A trebuchet type catapult, made of red construct energy was created around Genau.
"LOAD IT ON!"
The mercenaries instinctively knew what to do. They hurriedly grabbed a hold of one of the barrels and loaded it onto the pad and ran back, not wanting to get caught in the momentum.
"Alright. Sssssister Beatrice."
Beatrice nodded and waved her hand at the barrel from a safe distance. Her hand began glowing white, just as the barrel, began glowing, green.
"It's ready, Genau!"
"LAUNCHING!"
The winches and such spun and the sling flung up with insane force, launching the barrel high into the air.
Everyone watched with bated breaths as the barrel curved in the air, to its intended targets.
"Hit the mark, I suppose."
"Come on, Come on."
On a clear field within the forest, a platoon of men were watching as their mages were using their mana to have the large magic cannons fire into enemy territory, barraging it in strikes and weakening their defenses. That's when some soldiers noticed something dropping from the sky.
"A...a barrel?!"
A guard grabbed a javelin, twirled it a bit and smiled.
"Bastards, probably got shit to smear us in. I'll hit before it, makes it over here."
He then launched the javelin and it hit the mark, making the barrel fall away from them a bit. They watched as...the glowing barrel hit the ground.
"Hey, it's glow-"
FIRE. GREEN SURGING FIRE ERUPTED FROM IT AND CAME AT THEM LIKE A SEA WAVE OF HELL.
"OH G-"
The fired engulfed most of them as the rest jumped out of the way. The mages were too slow to escape and the magic cannons now engulfed, exploded, launching shrapnel and beams everywhere. These extra dangers killed more men as well.
One man ran out of the fire screaming hideous cries. A guard grabbed his satchel and pulled out a flask of water.
"We gotta put out the flames!"
He splashed the fire with the water...only to watch as it made it spread faster and even began following the water up and began covering him to.
"OH GOD! AW, NAH! AGHHHH!"
Two other men tried to pat the fires out with rags and tarp...only to actually begin spreading it more and it proceeded to engulf them as well.
Their screams washed over this land, as the remaining men made a run for it.
Beatrice sighed as she saw the light of the fires in the distance.
"Looks like it was a success."
"What wassss it that Brother Ssssubaru called it?"
"He said where he's from, they call it napalm. But he said that name sounded too boring, so he wants to call it, 'Stardust Flames', I suppose."
"...It'ssss a cool name."
"For a child probably."
Beatrice humphed, but opened one eye and looked to the forest.
"There might be survivors, I suppose."
"Mossst likely."
"We got finish them, correct?"
"EXACTLY! LOAD ANOTHER ONE!"
They did so, and Genau turned his body slightly, making the catapult do so as well. He roared out and the sling launched another barrel into the air. The fleeing soldiers tried running to the forest, even as the flames spread faster behind them...only to look up and see a barrel, glowing green, just feet away from them, descending at them.
"AH!"
It impacted the ground and engulfed them into flames, as well as the nearby forest.
"Genau! We're launching the secondary barrels now, I suppose. We don't want the flames spreading this way."
"OKAY!"
Beatrice pointed out the specially marked barrels and the mercenaries loaded them up, having them launch to the flames. The barrel shined with a white aura, and once it made contact with the flames; a white smoke like substance exploded out of it and easily smothered the flames.
"Go! Finish them off, I suppose! Bring us any items we can use!"
The mercenaries all nodded and marched out to finish the job.
Beatrice walked over to Genau who dissipated his constructs.
"And that white ssssstuff?"
"It's a powder agent Subaru and Roswaal created that instantly snuffs these flames away, I suppose. In fact, any other attempts to quell the fire or put it out, will simply cause it to spread further."
"Wow, that'sssss amazing. Way to go you guysssss!"
"Hmph, Betty did do her part, but it was Subaru who came up with this deadly combo."
Her eyes dimmed ominously.
"A magic flame that can only be dissipated by a agent that only we three know how to create, why even Betty would think that would strike fear into our enemies, I suppose. Yes, for them to know we have that and you two on our side, no one would dare raise their hands against us, I suppose."
"Exactly."
Genau nuzzled up to Beatrice, who calmly scratched his chin, making the Wolgarm pant happily.
"Wha' have ya' done?"
A voice too raspy and harsh to not be jumpy from, sounded off and they turned to see, that it was a disheveled girl in a white oversized shirt…
"Lewes…"
"The original one, right?"
Lewes glared at them, with bags under her eyes, her hair unkempt and teeth slightly yellow.
"I'ma ask ya again. WHA' Da-"
"-The Roswaal Territory is at war with another allegiance group. We simply fought them off, I suppose."
"Draggin' my home into anotha' mess I see!"
"We have no-"
"-SHUT UP! I don' wanna hear excuses from th' bastards who helped kill my grandson!"
"...Betty had nothing to do with Garfiel's death, and you know it."
"YOUR MASTER DID THOUGH! AND YER COMPLIANCE WITH ALL THI' IS ALL THE PROOF I NEED!"
"Betty has finally been freed from her years of aimless waiting, all because of Subaru and his obtaining of the Red Ring, I suppose. And with that, I will be by his side, no matter how awful of actions he may take upon his enemies!"
"Gawd, you are so full of-"
As Lewes tried to march to her, spike constructs sprouted out of the ground in front of Beatrice.
"I ssssuggest you don't a ssssstep further, Lewesssss Meyer."
"Damn you...Jus' damn you."
She truly began to cry as her eyes lost their glimmer, she simply shook in sadness and greif.
"Things were suppose ta' be differen'; I wanted Garf to integrate t' th' outside...maybe even head ou' there myself...but if th' OUTSIDE IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU, I'D RATHER ROT HERE!"
"Lewes."
"...I'ma go home, I'm sick of lookin' at ya. And I don' wanna be here, jus' in case Natsuki Subaru shows up."
Beatrice tried reaching out to her, but Genau stepped next to her and shook his head.
So the spirit put her hand down and watched as the sole pink haired girl shambled away, left to drown in her own sorrows.
"Roswaal-sama, will repairs be costly from this?"
"Hmmmmmm, I would suspect they would. However, should we win this battle, then weeeee will have access to the Barielle riches and that should tide over the financial strain."
'I kind of hope so."
Ram stood there in the main streets, as Roswaal hovered next to her...a magic cannon was on fire next to them...they were in Dunharrow.
The mercenaries were busy collecting the dead and combing through the streets, just in case they found stragglers from the enemy team. The fine lake this town was famous for, The Diamond Lake, one which had waters so crystal clear it earned the name. It reflected the light of the flames further ahead.
Ram and Roswaal had finished defending the town from the platoon sent to invade it, but there was still significant damage left to the town, especially when some Stardust Flames was used near the entrance of the town, incinerating the forest there.
"I really do hoooope, Subaru-kun is doing fine at the Miload Territory."
"I was informed he and Emilia-sama should be on the way there, or they probably are there already…"
The Miload Territory, a land based within the Roswaal Territory was now beset by the platoon sent to destroy it. But…
"Run! Run! It's him-"
Two mercenaries ran with all their might through the gardens, only to sliced in half by a scythe construct.
"Men! Hurry! We have to stop him!"
Subaru held onto the scythe construct as blood streamed out of his mouth.
From inside the estate, a young girl was with Emilia and her butler. They were simply watching in awe of Subaru cutting down his opponents.
Though...
"That is Natsuki Subaru, I presume?"
"Yeah Annerose, he's the one and only."
"...'The Red Lantern', the one said to have killed the White Whale and a Sin Archbishop...he's-"
"-Huh?"
The young girl looked out the window, secured in their safety and muttered one word.
"-TERRIFYING."
Emilia, silently agreed.
Subaru smashed a soldier's head in with a hammer, before noticing he was getting surrounded. He took in deep breath and hurled out his blood at them, melting them into nothing.
Seeing more hurry out of the forest, he narrowed his eyes as he flew at them.
"Revenga Art: Shiroyama!"
He created a pole, but at the end of them, there were not blades….no...they were chainsaws. Two chainsaws connected by a pole. Subaru roared out as he mowed down his opponents, making sure that blood got into his mouth, just in case he could gain some new skills.
Then a large muscular man, adorned in the most detailed of armors arrived. The men seemed relieved.
"OH! Dedmon-dono!"
All the men cheered as the hugely over fancy armored man arrived with his large curved blade. His shoulder pads were made to look like eagle wings and his chest plate had a literal paining of a mountain range in Vollachia on it.
Subaru cringed immensely.
"This guy."
"Have at thee, Red Lantern Natsuki Subaru!"
"Are ya sure you are willing to do this?"
"Of course, besting you in duel will surely win me the favor of Priscilla-sama!"
"...Favor?"
His helmet, began to blush…
"Of course, the radiant sunlit beauty that is her will surely be smitten by my bravery once I bring her your head. Sorry, I shouldn't be talking about your coming death so nonchalantly in front of you."
"..."
He waved around his hand as nonchalantly as one could, annoying Subaru.
And so, this Dedmon, waved around his blade at stunning speed, with mastery and skill.
"Come then, Natsuki Subaru! Come and meet blades with me, and face the coming oblivion."
"Guy talks like one of those LARP dudes."
Subaru sighed, allowing blood to float out of his mouth, and dissipated his construct, before it began molding in his hands. And he flew forward.
"Let's do this Dedmon-san!"
"Very well, meet your end, Red Lantern!"
Demon readied himself, seeing Subaru hold a strange weapon in his hand.
"And what could you-"
Subaru stopped just a few feet away from him, planted his feet firmly down and aimed it.
See, during the time he spent with Atrocitus, he had learned how to better utilize his construct abilities, which included creating weapons that did not exist in this world. Including a weapon, Atrocitus had time to study very well, due to how many times he came into contact with them…
Subaru pulled the trigger.
His military grade M-16 assault rifle construct, blasted away, riddling the man in bullet holes.
Dedmon fell back and laid there in a pool of his own blood. The men around them yelped in horror...while Subaru squinted his eyes in utter stupefaction.
"Huh? Wait, that armor wasn't enchanted or something? HUH!? That thing was just tacky as fuck?! Jeez, what a total letdown!"
Subaru facepalmed harshly as he grunted for the sheer waste of time he had endured.
"I even brought out; Revenga Art 2: Hama Yumi! What a damn waste!"
Subaru scratched his hair a bit, freeing his face from his palm.
"Only reason I named it that, was because my uncle liked to talk about that awesome bow, and this weapon kills evil and is...long ranged? In hindsight it works as a name? Hmmmm, well whatever."
Subaru watched as many of the men ran away in fright, so he floated up and with a cold emotionless stare.
"Right, Gotta kill you all too."
Subaru unloaded his rifle on them all, leaving no one a chance to escape their fates.
The smoke rose high into the sky as Subaru had his ring lift up more bodies into a carriage, which was now stuffed with the dead...before he had his ring levitate it and fling the whole thing far away.
"Other than that Dedmon's blood, I don't need any of you. The Ma-Beast can have you all."
Emilia, Annerose and her trusty butler Clind watched in horror...all three of them having witnessed Subaru cut open Dedmon's arm off, allowing blood to clump out just for him to drink it.
Subaru created a construct of the same curved blade Dedmon had and twirled it around. He dissipated it and walked over to be with the others.
"Sorry about the mess, uh, Annerose-dono was it?"
"Yes, but there is no need...you saved me and my servants from a horrid fate, thus you have our thanks."
"Nice girl, keep at it, I can see you becoming someone truly important in the future of this kingdom, hell this world."
"I thank you for the flattery, though I would have to, for the sake of the Miload family."
She nodded, but kept her eyes on the blood soaked mouth of Subaru, who turned to see the estate she lived in had only one broken window.
"Alright, seeing as we saved this place and Irlham Village...let's go Emilia."
"Is there more to do?"
"Hell yeah, we gotta gather the men and have them ready for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
Puck also floated over, having been lurking about to attack anyone who got past Subaru.
"We're invading the Priscilla Estate."
"...! Are you serious?!"
"Well, though we don't exactly have an enormous army, we have a plan to really put the smack down on that girl and hopefully, maybe...put an end to this war."
"So when do we leave-"
"-Um, you're not coming Emilia."
Emilia stood there stunned.
"What?...But-But Subaru, I want to help!"
"No, you can help by staying with Rem and the others at the mansion, keeping our home and Irlham village safe."
"No, I-I can't do that!"
Emilia held her ground, looking as if she was furious at him.
"I'm apart of this too! All this happened because of the fact you asked her for help, in saving me! I feel...I feel somewhat responsible."
"Emilia…"
"I have to make up for my own weakness and-"
Suddenly Subaru grabbed her shoulders and harshly, but also tenderly smacking his forehead against hers.
"Ow!"
"No! I will never let you or Rem anywhere near that battlefield. I care about both too much for that!"
"...Subaru…"
He then moved his hands to cup her cheeks gazing tenderly into her eyes…
"Please do this one thing for me."
"...I'll do my best."
Subaru sighed in relief and removed his hands from her cheeks, but took her own hands instead…
"We're going home."
"Okay."
"So...bye Annerose, see you around."
She nodded and so did her butler, but before Subaru could float out of there, he turned his head to look at them.
"Wait, can I ask for a favor?"
"Alright, you ask of me whatever I can muster, for the hard work you have put in."
"...Okay."
Subaru had a devilish smirk arise from within himself.
Later that day, Clind was beside Annerose as she sat at her desk...sitting in complete silence.
"It's just as they said Clind, the Red Lantern is a merciless monster, and...seems to capitalize on drinking blood."
"Is he a vampire, inquiry?"
"...No, I think he gains, abilities and skills from his victims. We also saw his own blood is similar to the Black Snake's blood, well in theory."
"And they say that a Wolgarm referred to as Genau is the second Red Lantern, statement."
"...What are they?"
She scratched her head, and looked to Clind...and his bandaged up arm.
"Your arm?"
"Fine miss. Just a scratch I can recover from in no time, truth."
"...All he wanted, was your blood…"
"Placing it in a vase too! A portion for himself, and a bit for the Wolgarm no doubt, theory."
"...I worry Emily has mixed herself up in a most terrible predicament."
Clind leaned forward, fixing his monocle, with a most dire expression.
"I think we all have my lord, declarative."
"..."
Annerose looked down at her paper...having drawn a rough sketch of the Red Lantern Insignia…
"Ummmm...okaaaaay! I Natsuki Subaru will inform everyone about the planned invasion to attack the Priscilla Camp!"
Many groans and gasps were heard amongst the crowd within the mercenaries, but Subaru settled them down.
"Firstly, don't worry we have it all under control and secondly...we are about to get rid of two spies."
Just as he said that, two beams shot out and killed two mercenaries, killing them.
"Check their belongings."
They did so and sure enough.
"Ohhh! Look! A sack of gold!"
"A conversing mirror too!"
All of them could see that these were indeed spies sent by Priscilla for her own nefarious plots.
"Now that's settled, we have to understand that while we only lost two actual men, plus the spies just now...more of you might die. But most of you will survive, because me and Genau will protect you all!"
"EXACTLY!"
Genau huffed as he stood proudly next to Subaru.
"All of us will leave in the afternoon tomorrow morning...we will open a blood portal near some plains near her villa, camp there for the day...and then we march forward, it'll take us a few days, but when we reach the desired area, we run like hell and strike them down!"
The men hollered and cheered for their own success.
Meanwhile inside the estate, Rem was hurrying to prepare the final preparations for Subaru's travels...when Emilia met her in the halls.
"Emilia-sama? Rem is sorry but she has much to do today."
"Rem, this is important."
Emilia took her hand, surprising the maid, as she sensed the gravity of her tone.
"We need to talk."
The next morning had arrived...
"Take care of everything Ram. We'll be back in no time."
"Very well Barusu."
Ram stood with Subaru on the grassy field, the army they assembled split into three regiments. One would travel downhill, using the momentum to strike at the enemy.
One would hide in nearby shrubbery and strike from the side.
And the other will push forward, attempting to break through the enemy defense.
"And is everything settled?"
"Yes...the middle division is made up of the worst and deplorable of men."
"Cool. If they end up dying, we won;t mourn for them. Plus, it'll give the enemy a false sense of victory."
"You can truly be devious, Barusu. I didn't think you'd be this cunning."
Subaru cracked his knuckles as he glanced out to the sky.
"When it comes to keeping us safe, I'll do anything to prevent it."
"Prevent it?"
"...Nothin' just talking nonsense."
"Hmmm."
Ram then proceeded to do a honorable bow to him as he made his way to Genau, who waiting for him.
"See ya around Ram."
"Very well, good luck to you and the Wolgarm."
Subaru nodded and put his face to the most vicious glare he could muster, blood floating out of his mouth.
"Genau, time to kill."
"EXACTLY…"
Both of them pointed with their rings and behind the army was a blood portal, just large enough to let them through.
Everyone made their way, cautiously through it...Subaru and Genau followed closely behind, taking one last glance, seeing as Ram watched on.
"Rem and Emilia didn't come to say goodbye."
"They won't need to...we jusssst have to finisssssh thissss fight and come back safe and sound."
"...That would be nice."
"Exactly."
Subaru and Genau made it through...the portal closed behind them.
The pink haired girl stood there as big burst of wind fluttered through the grass, sending some to the sky.
"And if you don't win...we won't have to worry about you two anymore."
Ram had a cold stare, her hair dancing in the wind, showing her burned area on her face.
"...Maybe, just maybe...ALL OF YOU WILL END UP KILLING EACH OTHER."
Ram walked away.
"Then...we'd be free."
After several days of traveling, gazing up at the sky...some soldiers noticed it.
"Um, hey, where is Subaru-sama and Genau?"
"So...we got it all ready?"
"Yup. I tessssted it a bit here and we sssshould be able to get it done nicely."
Both of these Red Lanterns were somewhere that was almost devoid of ligth around them, yet they were easily seen…
"It'll cause a mess, but this outta put some damn fear into them."
Both of them were lit by the red energy of their rings.
"Brother Ssssubaru, we'll be there in just one more day…"
"Oh yes...and with it, Bombshell commences, and this war...is ours."
"Exactly."
They turned their heads, but Genau stepped closer to him, stepping on the white dirt beneath their feet...looking at the source of light.
It was their flat world they called home..
On their secret meeting place, exclusive to no one but the Red Lantern Corps.
They were on the surface of the Moon.
There, in the vast fields, surrounded by forest and large hills, were the army of the Emilia Camp. Subaru and Genau walked around as their soldiers prepared themselves. They had parked the carriages filled with supplies to be hidden by the trees.
"We've got what we needed, now's the time to march...and get their attention."
"Ssssshall I go?"
"Yeah, please."
Genau floated up into the air and rocketed out ahead of them, past the hills.
Once flying a few miles, he saw the vast army of the Priscilla Camp.
"Hmmmm...gotta sssssay it'ssss about two thousand or so...about half of her army."
He then floated just above them, before glancing over...seeing in the far distance, the Barielle Villa.
"I could jusssst assss easily head over there...and kill everyone insssside."
He took some time to think over and ruminate over the ideas in his head…
"No. That knight is with her, he'll jussssst byspassss all of my effortssss. Okay, then I guesssss we'll jusssst have thissss continue."
Genau spat out a mighty roar and flew back, but not as quickly, just so the soldiers could see him. Sure enough, he could hear the commotion below him.
He smiled as he flew higher up into the sky, breaking through the clouds.
Priscilla sat at her desk, meeting again with the archer Yangtze and the two other warriors who once again politely introduced themselves.
A bald headed brawny man, with a large bushy beard kneeled to Priscilla.
"Nuva Augustine, at your service."
A woman with a lovely pink dress, her hair black as night making two separate ponytails, her chest seemed to big for her ponytail.
"Hallelujah Umbra, ready for her task."
Priscilla nodded as these warriors-
"PRISCILLA-SAMA! EMERGENCY!"
A soldier came running in, clearly in a panic.
"Kneel down and answer me in a appropriate manner."
"My lady, the soldiers stationed outside the estate, have just spotted the Red Lantern Genau flying above."
"AND?!"
"Some of our men followed him, and sure enough, behind the hills, there is an army heading this way."
Priscilla pulled out her fan from between her breasts and slammed it on the table.
"How many?!"
"At least no more than five hundred."
"...What?"
"Yes, that is what the men told me."
Priscilla took in a deep breath.
"Pfffft, hahahahaha!"
"My lady?"
"Other than the two Red Lanterns, we have nothing to fear from such an army!"
"But…"
She then flicked her fan open and pointed it at the guard, with a glamourous grin on her face.
"Send the units outside the mansion right now, crush this army."
"And the Red Lanterns?"
"Our warriors here can handle them, and myself can truly muster the strength, to behead those two."
A joyful thought, an image flashed across her mind of slicing Subaru's head clean off, then turning around and slicing a charging Genau in half.
"Why do you say that, my lady?"
"Simple."
She brushed her hair softly, as the sun shined behind her, making her look as if she were someone beyond human comprehension of beauty.
"The world was made for me."
The Emilia Army was making it to the forest when they all looked up and saw it, the descending massive army that outnumbered them horribly.
"Oh shit!" "Man, we gotta get outta-"
But as some of the soldiers turned around to make a run for it...they could feel Subaru's cold gaze fall on them, like an eagle finding its prey from far away.
It was either be killed fighting.
Or be slaughtered by the Red Lanterns.
Either way, they had no chance of escape.
"Fuck it! Let's go! URAHHHH!"
The middle regiment charged forward and clashed with the enemy forces. Swords clashed, men were stabbed by multiple men. Heads came flying off, fingers chopped into bits, some men fell down and were crushed by the weight of the Ground Dragons clashing. A man tossed a spear and it struck through two men, only for him to be shot in the head with an arrow, falling off his Ground Dragon. Another man from the Priscilla camp had stabbed another man with his longsword, only to be tackled off his Ground Dragon, after a vicious struggle...the Emilia Camp soldier found a rock near him, slamming him in the face with it. And beat him to death with it.
Too bad he was then killed by a stab to the head with a javelin.
"Okay...that should be enough."
Subaru saw that the other two regiments were waiting in their hiding spots...and thus took a deep breath and looked up into the sky.
He then spoke into his ring.
"YEAH! GENAU! HERE WE GO!"
The only sound heard was the loud clashing of combat, as Subaru floated in the air. He looked ahead and saw the magic cannons the enemy brought being prepared.
From her Villa, Priscilla enjoyed a glass of tea, with some slices of appa. Humming as she was ready to hear news of their victory…
"Hey Princess."
"Hm? What is it Al? Don't spoil the mood here-"
"-Priscilla…"
He turned to finally stare eye to eye with her, even with his helmet on.
"Do...Do you feel that?"
Then an odd ambient silence filled the room...Priscilla looked down at her tea...and noticed the liquid beginning to shake.
The fighting soldiers, soon felt some sort of rumbling in the ground...then they felt a sudden gust of wind blow over them. The fighting halted, and they noticed the sky was darkening a bit. Then the rumbling got worse and bright lights.
The clouds began to move strangely…
At the capital, citizens also began noticing the harsh winds, the strange rumbling and the lights in the darkened skies.
Finally Kadomon came out with his family to see the commotion...and his daughter, Plum pointed up in sheer surprise and spectacle. So innocently.
"Look! Mama, Papa! Shooting Stars!"
They weren't.
They were meteorites.
Genau used chain constructs, clamping down on them with his own fangs, to bring them down to earth, as an airstrike.
"BOMBSSSSHELL! COMMENCING!"
The lights flared in the sky, as the meteorites began to crash land, the soldiers tried to get away, truly no cared about the battle anymore...it was still futile.
The first meteors crash landed, creating massive collisions that sent entire sections of mountains and bodies up high. The next wave fell, and the soldiers on the field, friend and ally were crushed, or simply sent flying for practically miles away.
Trees flattened, grass flew high into the air, nearby streams lifted above the ground, the plains cracked…
And the final wave came, closer to the Villa itself. The area was also unsurprisingly destroyed.
As Priscilla and the others got a hold of themselves, Priscilla leaned herself up from the table.
And she and everyone else looked out the window...it unnerved even her.
Outside her home...was a land on fire, craters littering the mountains and ground. Smoke from fire and debris practically blocked out the sun. Only half of her estate lands was left unscathed...
The other regiments stared in disbelief and general panic in what they saw.
"Hey! Get a hold of yourselves!"
Subaru floated down and pointed to them.
"March forward and save any of our surviving men! Kill survivors of the enemy team...we're taking the villa and PUTTING AN AND TO THIS WAR!"
The men cheered as they charged forward, helping up their injured comrades and dispatching opponents too weak or disoriented to fight back. Subaru watched as Genau floated over and smiled wickedly.
"Our plan worked smoothly, good job Genau."
"Our meeting on our ssssecret base, sssssure did wondersssss."
"You bet and so did Atrocitus-shishou's words."
His words flowed through his mind.
"Your rage is capable of doing so much! Let it control your mind and in the end, you will achieve victory!"
Subaru and Genau then turned their attention to that building in the distance, and the other half of that woman's army charging to stop their advance.
So they both let out roars, making blood shoot out of their mouths. They blasted through the smoke and flew forward.
"Ready Princess?"
"I mostly certainly am."
Priscilla adorned her red armor, one so fitting, it was criminal. Adorned in rose like patterns, she had a pink and yellow belt wrap around her waist. Fixing her long flowing hair she stood with Al and her three warriors, before shoving her fan to the direction of the battle that was set to occur.
"Now we will go and wipe out this army!"
"RIGHT!"
"And with this man's death, they will lose their resolve...and I will crush the remainder of their foolish camp. Mark my words."
And so the remaining survivors of each camp charged forward, with the Emilia Camp soldiers riding their Ground Dragons downhill, seeing the river flowing down, the intricate rows of vines for wine making and orchards meant for many different fruits...which would now be filled with dead people. In the east there was nothing but grey smoke, on the west...there was a large fire beginning to spread everywhere, covering a nearby mountain.
The time had come.
After two months of fighting, it had finally reached this moment.
Subaru pointed forward, with a booming, commanding roar.
"KILL THEM ALL!"
The final battle of the Bloodstained Roses War had commenced.
Within the charging brigades of the Emilia Camp...a carriage lit up only to dissipate quickly…
Inside of it, were three souls.
"Are you sure we should be doing this without speaking to either of them?"
"Of course! If we told them about this, they'd be jerks and chase us away!"
In the shadows of that carriage's interior, two blue eyes opened, with small pink butterfly shapes within them.
"Betty only agreed to bring you two along, because you happened to catch her trying to come as well, I suppose."
Another pair of blue eyes looked out the tarp of their carriage.
"It seems we are moving fast, Subaru-kun must have made a path for them."
And finally a pair of enchanting amethyst eyes, with a certain light green iris to them, also watched.
"Then we made it in time. Look, we all came to help Subaru and Genau. Even if told we'd come, they'd probably make sure we were locked up or something! Rude, I know...but they are soooo over protective of us!"
"Especially Subaru, I suppose."
'Yeah, but we can't sit idly by...I've done enough of that already."
All three ladies nodded in agreement.
"We're going to help Subaru, no matter what. Even if he gets mad at us later, we're doing this!"
"Yes!" "Yes, I suppose!"
Puck materialized and sat on her shoulder.
"Count me in as well."
"Thank you Puck."
Now noticing the sparks entering their carriage...they saw their chance.
"Okay, here we go."
All three of them leaped out of the carriage, and out into the hellish battlefield. Ready to participate in the onslaught.
TO BE CONTINUED...