AN: Happy Thanksgiving! Here we start ARC FIVE! WOOOOOO!
The title of this chapter comes from the song 'Hero' by Ministry!
We got a lot of ground to cover as we head into here, but I hope everyone likes what is being written this time, but it'll pick up next chapter.
Linnea Helena , a veteran from Batman X Re:Zero, would be voiced by Saori Hayami, the same lady who voices Yukino from Oreigaru!
If there was a cover for the last Arc, it'd just be the Sin Archbishops standing amidst purple flames.
Other than that, I hope you all...ENJOY!
Chapter 22: Hero
Two weeks after Natsuki Subaru's nervous breakdown...
Walking through the wooden doors of pub, three individuals stepped on in. The manager, a green skinned lizard man carrying a barrel on his shoulders turned his attention away, noticing the silhouettes not being normal. He sighed, and figured he had to inform them.
"This place is demi-humans only!"
"I'm sure you can make an exception, good sir."
"...?"
Focusing his yellow eyes more...he flinched, then trembled, losing the strength in his arms and dropping the barrel of ale right to the floor, spilling the contents everywhere. This drew everyone's attention and they all turned to see what the commotion was about.
All of them became just as scared as him, with a dog demihuman stuttering his words.
"R-R-Red Lanterns."
Yes, in the entry, was Wilhelm, Genau and Ovidius. They strolled on in, with customers desperately backing away from the three, making a path for them. Three fox demi-humans bolted off the bar seats and the three decided to sit there.
Once sat, a cute girl with pitbull ears and pink eyes, shook in fear, but her job as the waitress, took over.
"Um, uh what will it be g-gentleman?"
Ovidius tapped his finger, showing off his Red Ring, making the woman fear for her life.
"Well young lady, I'll have a glass of cognac, any brand will do."
"Y-Yes sir."
Wilhelm took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead.
"I will simply have a lager please."
"R-Right away!"
She then focused her gaze on Genau, who sat on the stool, even if he was essentially a large dog. It was quite the odd sight.
"A-And for you good sir?"
"Hmmmm, I'll have a bowl of mead. Thankssss."
She bowed respectfully and rushed to get their orders. As they waited, all the patrons stared in disbelief.
"Can't believe it, Red Lanterns."
"Yeah man, I never thought I'd get to see one up close."
Each of them pointed to one of these individuals, whispering who they were.
"The guy with the helmet mask, that's Ovidius Loman."
"Wait, the writer?"
"Yeah man, he's also a master engineer, creating various Metia all across the kingdom. They also say he's created powerful magical weapons and even Ma-Beast. The nobles seem to call him, 'The Demented Genius'."
Then at Wilhelm.
"Wilhelm Van Astrea, 'The Sword Demon', grandfather to the Sword Saint."
"He participated in the battle of Priestella, and they say he's gotten stronger since he became a Red Lantern."
"Even stronger? Scary."
As the orders came in, Genau did not hesitate and began slurping up the mead, like a dog that hadn't drank in hours.
"The second Red Lantern, The Beast of a Hundred Graveyards, Genau."
"That name, what's that mean?"
"In particular, Genau seems to have the highest body count of all the Red Lanterns, estimated in the thousands! Man...Enough to fill a hundred graveyards."
"GULP."
Even the manager who dropped the barrel, couldn't bring himself to get closer to them, hearing the stories about their violent exploits.
The three allies sat there enjoying their drinks, as Ovidius tapped Wilhelm on the shoulder.
"Not doing anything, later?"
"I need to do some shopping for supplies, I also wish to purchase some books for Mimi-chan."
"Ahhhh, look at you, acting like the appropriate grandpa."
"Nothing of the sort, I can assure you."
He took large chugs of his lager, before wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.
"Mimi-chan should broaden her horizons more and get some form of education."
"And the Hoshin Camp?"
"I fear they only have her for her strength, which was why her brothers are usually the one who make the major decisions."
"I guess having Mimi study from time to time, might do wonders for her, both on the team and for her own sake."
"That is all that concerns me."
"Aww, you are the greatest Grandpa!"
"Knock it off."
Wilhelm drank away his other response, making Ovidius roughly pat him on the back. Genau burped unceremoniously and tapped the bowl with his snout.
"Another! Pleasssse!"
"R-Right away…"
His bowl taken, he glanced back, noticing all the terrified patrons, trying their best not to get involved.
"Musssst be hungry, poor guyssss, drinking on a empty sssstomach isssss no good."
His new bowl ready, the waitress placed it down and he began drinking it again.
Ovidius opened the lower portion of his helmet and chugged down his cognac, letting out a proud breath from the heat.
"You have a lot of work, don't you Ovidius-dono?"
"Yeah, generally speaking."
He then scooted the glass up, letting her know he was done.
"We've got to check if the cannons in Priestella are working well and see how the experiment in the Barielle mountains is going."
"And the Sanctuary?"
"Beatrice and Frederica-san are checking on that."
"I see."
He chugged down his lager and put out his money. Ovidius and Genau did the same, all three making sure to leave an overly generous tip.
The three got up and began walking out.
"Um Excuse me!"
The three turned around, just as they were about to exit. Meeting their sight, a light grey furred, sabertooth tiger demi-human greeted them. His eyes shined red, looking especially ominous, though a silver earring on his right ear set this down a bit. He wore a black armor with yellow pads and such, with his entire right arm covered in plates and armor parts, while his other not so, simply wrapped in black tape. He had a huge two handed axe on his back, engraved on it was a gold lion. Easily taller than the three of them...he bowed.
"Let me take this opportunity. Grrr. To wish my praise to the Crimson Warriors, known as the, Grrr, Red Lantern Corps!"
"Oh well thanksssss."
"I adhere to the words of the Blood and the power of Rage. Grrr."
Ovidius tapped his neck.
"Ahhh, so you're with the Church of the Crimson Truth."
"Yes! Grrr! I am an avid follower of you and your exploits, ever since the results of the Bloodstained Roses War! Grrr!"
"Why, that is quite an observant following, honestly makes me reminiscent, thank you."
He shook his head, as if to dispel his thanks.
"I need no thanks from the Chosen Ones, though may I humbly state my name?"
"By all means, you already know ours."
"Grrr, thank you. I am Jolokia Etla Vertumnus. I am honored to meet you! Grr."
Wilhelm decided to give this man his thoughts.
"Judging by your massive size and the scars on chest, you're a warrior are you not?"
"Grrr! Yes Wilhelm-sama! I am a simple mercenary, but I always fight with a fiery passion and a will for victory!"
"As any one should."
"I hope to prove myself! Grrr. So that one day, I too can wear a Red Ring and become chosen!"
All three of them glanced at one another, before all smiling and looking down at the still bowing tiger man.
"If you work hard enough, I can foresee something of the sort, eventually occuring."
"REALLY?!"
"No doubt."
The tiger smiled, his teeth sparkling.
With that, they waved him goodbye, making Jolokia stand up and bow more respectfully to them.
"May luck be in your fortune, Red Lanterns! Grrr!"
Now walking through the streets, some people backed away from them, children got close just to marvel at them.
And then...some people showered them with gifts, well made knives, papers, flowers and snacks. An older woman kissed Wilhelm and Ovidius on the cheek, and then Genau on the forehead.
"How come we're sssso popular?"
"Many of these people are followers of the Church, to them they see us like Angels, descending by God's will."
"Hmmm, well I don't mind the free food."
"Of course you wouldn't."
Ovidius floated up and carried some of the gifts given to them.
"I'll be heading to Priestella, it's just about time for the testing to begin."
The other two nodded.
"Be well then."
"Ssssee ya then, Brother Ovidiussss!"
Ovidius flew off, leaving a red streak of light behind. Wilhelm continued to bookstore, only for the door to open...showing them a certain someone.
"Well now, to be graced by two Chosen Ones, it is a blessed day."
"Ah, Helena-san."
Linnea Helena had several books in her arm, wearing a completely maroon dress with a red necklace, she smiled at them. Cute features for sure, with adorable freckles on her face, but with tired looking blue eyes, it was evident she had been through a lot.
Her pink hair was longer too, reaching almost to the hips.
"To think you two would remember my name, I am honored."
"As the head of the Church of the Crimson Truth, I don't think a soul in the entire capital wouldn't recognize you."
"Oh you flatter me Wilhelm-sama."
"The only one I can flatter with all my heart, would be my late wife."
"Not thinking of re-mar-"
Wilhelm's red aura glimmered and his eyes sharpened.
"...Right, I apologize."
"Sorry, I should learn to control myself better. I have much to learn."
"No at all, I only wish to learn the glory of obtaining a Red Ring and feeling it's power."
"If you meet the requirements, I am sure one day you will receive one as well."
"Such wonderful words, thank you."
She then bowed to them.
"Now then, Genau-sama, Wilhelm-sama, I have to meet with my congregation for a book fundraiser."
"And how many are in the congregation now?"
"About four hundred, last time I counted."
"My goodness. Keep up the good work then."
"Thank you, may the spirits be with you."
She hurried along, as Wilhelm and Genau entered the bookstore.
"I wonder if Brother Ovidius won't have any problemsss toiday."
"Who can tell? I'm sure he'll be fine."
Ovidius flew above a flooded avenue of the once booming city, now in a year's time, has been abandoned, with it slowly sinking into the lake it was built on top of. Setting the painted mark down, he jetted up and then back to outside the walls, onto dry land.
He then motioned some men and they turned the cranks back on a huge version of the magic cannon. Once set, he clicked his fingers and the cannon fired a single blue shot. It curved in the air and once it was at a certain angle, it exploded, much like a firework. But the remaining fragments of light rained down and once it make contact with anything, they exploded ferociously, littering the areas he marked in destruction.
He then pointed to another group and pointed at a Clock Tower in the distance, which he marked with red paint. They then hurried and rolled out a smaller cannon, but it wasn't really...in essence it looked like a blue painted first generation Gatling gun.
They took aim and a man pressed his palm on the back of this turret, it illuminated and he let go.
Once he did, it fired a short but heavy, three second barrage of beams, before ceasing completely, steam escaping the back of it. Ovidius created a monocular construct, to get a better view of the damage. He then pulled out a paper and pencil, dotting down the info he needed.
"Alright guys, take a break, we'll continue in a moment."
The knights yawned and stretched out their arms, heading off to take a lunch break.
"Well you aren't overworking them at least."
"A tired subject, means lowered effort, meaning shoddy work."
Turning his head, he saw him; wearing a blue business suit, with a tie that had a gold tie cufflink embroidered with the crest of the Astrea family.
From his front pocket, he pulled out a cigarette and a match. Lighting the match, he used it to get the cigarette lit and took a long smooth hit of it. Blowing it out, he chuckled.
"What? You're staring a lot."
"From what my memories did serve, you didn't smoke before."
"Well, people with amnesia change right?"
"I didn't think this much...Felix-san."
Indeed, here before him was a faithful servant of the Astrea House, Felix Argyle. Other than having more tired looking eyes, he looked the same as ever, though without his female attire or the ribbons he used to wear.
In fact, his speech, eating style and now his bad habits changed completely.
"How many do you smoke a day?"
"Mhhm, probably three, if I have a day off, then six."
"Jeez, that can't be good for your looks."
"My pretty boy status isn't going away, just cause of a few cigarettes. Besides, I get stressed, so it helps."
He took another few puffs, before heading over to him, letting the cigarette rest in his mouth.
"How's the progress today?"
"Not bad, a few tweaks are needed in the 'Mop Up' cannon, and the 'Panther' gun just needs some fine tuning, especially with the steam. All the other weapons are pretty much perfect, including THAT."
"Aren't you worried that some mage or something is gonna knock them down?"
"Sure, but I've added special measures, just in case."
He folded his papers, putting them back into his pocket.
"How is Felt-chan doing?"
"Fine, she seems almost relieved that she isn't going to win."
"Hey now, the race is still going."
"Aw hell, look at these weapons you're crafting for Lugnica, plus all the other stuff you've done in the meanwhile."
"Like?"
Felix puffed in a huge smoke and blew it out.
"You've been awarded like six different prizes for your writing alone."
"Certificates and letters, sure."
"You guys have begun production of Port Wine in Lugnica, a hot commodity!"
"A little side project."
"And all those ales and lagers you and the others have begun brewing up in the west? Even our neighboring countries ask for shipments of them."
"A bigger side project?"
"Hahhhh, compared to my camp which has been working on social reform, and the Hoshin Camp which is based in economy; you guys have done both. You've hired all manner of people, no matter the species, and have made the economy rise in the business ventures you've undertaken."
"Oi, this coming from a member of a rival camp?"
"I'm just being realistic."
Ovidius then sat on a boulder and looked out at the day sky.
"It feels unrealistic."
"Hmmm, say where is your leader?"
"Natsuki-san? He should be getting ready to speak with the Vollachia Empire."
"Damn, I heard they haven't been happy."
"Nah, typical stuff. These two kingdoms haven't seen eye to eye in the past, Wilhelm-san has told us plenty of tales about it. Plus they probably got mad when we chased back some of their guards when they crossed the border."
"Not to mention you guys enter their country constantly, expressly without their permission."
"A Red Lantern does what needs to be done."
"Like stab me through the shoulder?"
Ovidius facepalmed.
"Come on Felix-san! Natsuki-san has apologized profusely for that incident."
"It still scared the hell out of me! It hurt like hell too!"
"We were in the middle of a war, things get unpredictable!"
"...If he sends me more of those cranberry tarts Rem-chan makes, then I'll think about it."
"Hahhh, good grief."
The two chuckled, even as Felix smoked the last of his cigarette, putting it out with his foot.
"And how about Gusteko?"
"Oh, they have that Crazed Prince presiding over the entire nation, anything they complain about, I take with a grain of salt."
"Well other than the usual intruding onto their lands complaint, didn't they mention something else?"
"Hm?"
"Some kind of explosion, one that destroyed an entire mountain and had two entire villages worth of people disappear off the face of the world? Haven't they asked you about it?"
"They have."
"And?"
Ovidius tapped his fingers together, sitting there, just still and quiet. Until he yawned and stretched his muscles, finally getting up.
"No clue."
"Well okay."
"Alright enough small talk, let's fire these guys."
Three carriages rolled up and with a few spins of large wheels on the sides, these magical engineering gifts aimed high.
They were cannons, but rectangular with manycylinders with magic stones embedded to them. In reality, these weapons were modeled after Subaru described a multiple rocket launcher, having memories of it from a war documentary he saw as a child.
This gave Ovidius the chance to fine tune his skills, now he was testing them out.
"Aim for the mountains over there, let's make sure they don't go over them, though, we don't want to upset the Kararagi folks."
They spun the wheel, turned the carriages and now…
"Okay, barrage!"
With the sounds of death, the blast rocketed up into the air, slicing the sound around them apart. A flurry of beams shot out, shaking the carriages and making Felix shut his ears. Soon the seconds long barrage of beams ceased, leaving smoke and steam surrounding them. Ovidius took out his monocle construct, watching as the beams curved and rained devastation upon the mountains, covering the entire range in smoke and debris...but noticed one beam curved too much and actually went over the mountain.
"...Oh shit."
Waking up, the citizens of a small town in Kararagi, called Chiayi. Shopkeepers were opening their doors, mothers were walking their kids to school and workers drank their morning tea...when they all began hearing scary noises.
Distant blasts, pops and bangs.
The children became curious, but their parents were nervous. All of them were.
They remember a year ago, when it was reported that a group calling themselves the Red Lantern Corps battled the Witch's Cult in a brutal battle across the border. All of them remembered the smoke, the sounds of battle and death.
Now it was happening again. In fact, every several days they would hear explosions in the day, or see strange lights coming from the other side of the mountains, obviously from Lugnica.
Still, they hoped.
"God, I hope nothing bad-"
Then it stopped.
For awhile nothing happened, and everyone continued with their day, hoping bad would happen. Things were in good momentum...till they heard ear-shredding sound.
They all looked and saw the mountain was being engulfed in strikes and blasts, smoke and debris rising high into the air. Everyone took cover, especially a mother who cradled her baby son and watched the mountain she knew growing up disappearing under smoke and devastation.
Then it ceased...only for a young man to point up into the air, and run.
"MOVE! MOVE! GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
A single beam curved in the air, and it landed right on top of a shack, instantly destroying it, shaking the ground and shooting dirt and rocks everywhere. The resulting shockwave made people's ears bleed and sent some of them flying or thrown to the ground.
Then people began to scream. They all hurried to the shack, hoping no one was inside. Putting them at ease, the family that lived there, hurried from behind a shop, showing they were alright.
Ovidius flew across the smoke and saw the village, and of course the smoke where his shot landed.
"Damn!"
He flew down and met with the villagers, who instantly became horrified.
"It's them!" "A-A Red Lantern?! They're actually real?!" "They're attacking! They're gonna kill us all!"
Ovidius waved his hands around, as if non verbally telling them, 'whoa whoa whoa'.
"Easy! Easy! I'm not trying to hurt anyone! One of my experiments went bad and it hit this town, I came to see how bad it was."
The woman who owned the shack raised her voice.
"My home was just destroyed! You could've gotten me and my family killed!"
"I understand, here let me pay for you stay somewhere, and I'll purchase a new house for you, no charge."
"ARE YOU TRYING TO BRIBE ME?!"
"No no! I am trying to help, money is no issue."
Just then, several samurai arrived on Rigers, probably hearing the commotion from a base nearby. They all dismounted and headed over, only for them to instinctively flinch when they saw him.
"Ovidius Loman! What are you doing here?!"
"Look, I came because as you can see, one of my tests went wrong and it hit this shack."
"How dare you fire a weapon so close to our homeland!"
"Hey I've been firing on my side of the border, it just went a little wrong is all."
"And if it killed one of us? If that'd had happened, we would've taken your head."
"Hey, why don't you, cool your head."
The samurai unsheathed his sword, his fellow guards, actually shocked by brazenness.
"What the hell are you doing?! That's a Red Lantern!"
"This man thinks he can just fire a blast into my childhood home without consequences-"
Thirty spear constructs aimed at him, with one poking him on the nose. Everyone instantly became scared, the brave samurai now realized his mistake.
"Now then, drop the sword, or that shack won't be the only thing that gets torn to pieces."
The samurai did as he was asked and dropped it, the constructs dissipated. Bringing out a sack of coins, he tossed it at the woman from earlier, who barely caught it.
"Take that to be converted to your currency and buy yourself an apartment room, while the contracts is being handled, rent a room at an inn. Again, sorry for the trouble."
As Ovidius began to walk away, the samurai took a step forward.
"I can promise you that your kingdom will be hearing from us!"
"Like I care."
"You will face punishment for this!"
"Not really."
He then pointed at him.
"You and the Red Lantern Corps have been making a mockery of our country, and you won't be able to get away with it much longer!"
"Sure we will."
He now flew away, leaving that entire town with an ominous feeling, especially now that the smoke cleared and they were horrified by the mountain, which was now covered in craters.
Ovidius landed by with Felix smoking another cigarette.
"How'd it go?"
"Nothing special, no one got really hurt, just a shack getting blown up."
"And you left it like that."
"I personally care very little for Kararagi; bunch of slave traders and greedy pricks occupy that country."
"True, you guys stamped out the criminal organizations here."
Felix drooped his face and made a disgusted expression.
"Still, did you need to prop up their bodies like that in the town square?"
"That was Nijino's idea, plus it did seed fear into the remaining criminals, making most of them just surrender to guards."
"Heh, rather go to jail than face the Red Lanterns, huh?"
"I suppose so."
He then clapped his hands.
"Alright, let's continue our tests, no more delays!"
Two soldiers, handsome identical twins went over to him.
Both of them, with yellow hair and rosy brown eyes greeted him. But the one one the left seemed more reserved and timid, while the one on the right was expressive and giddy.
"Ovidius-dono we wish to thank you for giving us the opportunity with working with you."
"Oh, well, it is nothing."
He then tapped his head, and finally recalled who they were.
"Ah, you two! Let's see, the one on the left is Moussaka and you are Bougatsa, correct?"
"Yes sir! We're from a longstanding family that have always been knights, the Tzatziki's."
"Well you're family should be proud to have such hardworking fellows such as yourselves helping out to defend your homeland."
"Of course sir! Oi, Moussaka, say thanks."
Moussaka hesitated, but took a deep breath.
"Th-Thank you."
"Ahhh, sorry about my brother, he's a hard worker, but his social skills are something left to be desired."
"Aniki, come on."
"Chin up! We're with a legend right now!"
Ovidius laughed...mostly as he was reminded of his own family and the comedic squabbles he would have with his own siblings.
"Well I'm glad we have you two with us."
"Yes sir, but sorry for the delay, we can get back to work."
"Very good, let's do so."
Just as said, Ovidius and his team went back to work as Felix sat on a large rock and supervised.
On the other side of the border, the samurai used a Conversing Mirror Metia to contact his superior.
"It's them...yes sir. inform the Council and Halibel-sama."
"Shit! Shit! I can't believe how late it is!"
"Rem is sorry! She tried to wake up...but Nijino-sama locked the door and probably pretended to still be asleep."
"I'll give her a scolding later!"
Subaru spat out the water and washed his face, then sprayed a cologne Rem bought him for his birthday.
He rushed to her and nodded.
"Okay, how do I smell?"
"Hmmm."
She sniffed him, and then made a seductive.
"Perfect, Subaru-kun."
"...Ohhh, Rem, you're making it really hard with all your teasing."
He patted her head, before kissing her on her forehead.
"Come on, Emilia is probably still waiting!"
"Right away!"
He took her hand and they rushed out the door. In the halls Emilia was wearing a dark purple version of her usual dress, with a purple beanie.
"Geez! You two are late!"
"Sorry! I overslept!"
"How come?"
Subaru hesitated in how to answer her…
"Subaru-kun was looking over some notes from Ovidius-sama all night, he is such a hard worker! Rem is proud!"
"Thanks Rem."
Emilia pouted, just as Puck materialized and pointed at them.
"Well? Are we heading out?"
"Yeah, this is everybody."
"What about Betty?"
"She's to stay behind supervise the M.D. training at the Sanctuary and Irlham Village."
"M.D.?"
"Yeah, Magical Defenses."
Puck nodded as he then sat on Emilia's shoulder.
"Let's go."
With that Subaru summoned a Blood Portal and they all went through to their destination. After it closed, Nijino creeped out of the corner of a wall.
"What are you doing, Nijino-san?"
"BWAH!"
She turned around and saw Frederica eyeing her.
"Jeez, don't scare me like that!"
"Well? Why not go with them?"
"Meh, I already had my fun with Subaru last night. I'll let those two have their alone time with him."
"But it's still an important meeting with the Vollachia Empire, wouldn't another Red Lantern be needed to guard them?"
"Rem and Emilia are strong. They can take care of themselves."
Nijino then hugged Frederica and led her away.
"Come on! Come on! Let's go! A ladies day off! We barely hang out anyways!"
"Hey, come on, oh...good grief. Fine, let's go and see what can be done for today."
"Yay!"
Frederica sighed, but than smiled and let Nijino lead the way as they tried to find something to do.
Roswaal scribbled down some notes as Ram entered.
"Helloooo Ram, how are things?"
"Roswaal-sama, greetings. As one can tell, everyone has split up to take care of important matters, so it's just the two for the time being."
"I see, welllll, in that case I caaaan take a breaaaak."
He sat back on his chair and looked up at the ceiling. He then noticed the empty space, where his arm used to be and chuckled.
"Has it really been that short?"
"Roswaal-sama?"
"It's been just two years haaaas it not?"
"Since Natsuki Subaru ended up here?"
"Awww, I miss hearing thaaaaat nickname you gave him."
"...I don't have the fortitude to call him that, not again."
Looking despondent, Roswaal motioned to her, and she obliged, sitting on his lap.
"Are you anxious, myyyy dear?"
"I just want this Selection over and done with, so we can rid ourselves of him and his freaks."
"Suuuuch a harsh opinion!"
"It's the truth, they're a bunch of murderous freaks, and once this is all over, they'll leave."
"True, but is thaaaat a good thing?"
"Huh?"
Confused, Ram looked up at her master as he held her close, but his eyes seemed unlit.
"My goal is the revival of my teacher and the death ooooof the Dragon. Tell me Ram, knowing how Subaru views my Echidna and his strive to keep the world moving at HIS own pace...do you think he'll allow any of this?"
"He-He'd stop you?"
"Probably even kill me."
"I WOULDN'T ALLOW IT!"
"Could you stop them?"
Ram hesitated, but her words wouldn't come out, and instantly she thought of all the Red Lanterns staring back at her, their eyes ominously glowing red.
She knew.
"They'd kill both of us."
"Correct, so for now, between us, let's stay on their good side."
"Okay."
She leaned her head on his shoulder, resting for just a moment.
Beatrice sat on the stump of a tree, just as Mimi hopped over her and quickly sat next to her.
"Heya Onee-chan! What's up?"
"Nothing too demanding, just checking if our defenses are working, I suppose."
"And?"
"They're adequate."
"Yeah! Yeah! Aqua met! Aqua met!"
"Hahhhh."
Beatrice signed and passed over a cookie to her.
"You can have this if you behave yourself, I suppose."
"Yay!"
She munched on her chocolate chip cookie, eating eagerly. Beatrice took simple elegant bites of her own, staring out at the afternoon sky.
"Somethin' wrong Onee-chan?"
"No, well, I'm just worried about Subaru and the others is all."
Mimi patted her hard on the back, startling her a bit.
"It's okay~! Subaru-nii chan is really strong! Waaay stronger than when Mimi first met him!"
"..."
"Smile Onee-chan! Smile~!"
Beatrice gave a small smile, fixing her pink scarf and scooting closer to Mimi.
"Thanks."
And so they sat there, eating cookies as Beatrice patted Mimi on the head.
In Irlham Village, they were hard at work, loading in Panther guns into shacks on the outskirts of the village, aimed at a safe distance out to fire upon intruders. Out further, were tree houses with large slingshots, with mana stones stored in chests within. In the middle of the town was a single magic cannon, with a spiral glass tip instead of the usual round one at the front.
Though there were people overseeing this handled...a short haired girl with a lovely gold neck collar. Her short hair was purple and her eyes bright blue. She wore normal clothing, nothing outrageous or out of the ordinary for a villager. She was quite cute and one of the more attractive members of Irlham. With her satchel ready and pointing out to the scenery she smiled.
"Beatrice-sama said that we may need to build something over there to oversee the outer forest."
The young men agreed and they took some lumber to make a tower.
"Let's make sure to weave onto it those incantations from the Magrave papers."
"Got it, Orlena-san!"
Orlena Karlotta, a woman specifically chosen to supervise the handling of the M.D.s of this town was not actually a proficient magic user per say...but she was quite the adaptive expert on using Metia. And so, she was given access to two Metia for protection, a small rod that fired heat blasts and a medallion, whose ability was kept secret.
Grinning splendidly, she hurried over to help out.
Now in this luscious palace, Subaru and his two accompaniments found themselves surrounded by soldiers, nobles and in the far middle, a stern looking man sitting on a dazzling throne.
"Welcome, Emilia-sama, Natsuki Subaru."
"You're Vollachia, right?"
"Correct, I am the current Emperor, Vincent Vollachia."
He pointed at them, noticing the maid holding Subaru's hand.
"And her?"
"She's an attendant for the Emilia Faction, her name is Rem."
Rem bowed respectfully.
"It is Rem's honor to meet you Vollachia-sama."
"Hmmm, as it should."
He seemed irked by the emperor's way of speaking to Rem, but a quick shake of her head and a compassionate smile, eased Subaru enough.
"Alright alright, what is it that we're discussing today then?"
"Ah right, to the matter at hand."
The soldiers got their spears closer, the nobles furrowed their brows and Vincent rubbed his chin.
"We demand that the Red Lantern Corps cease their illegal entries into our country."
"...HUH?"
"It is as I said, the Red Lanterns have broken numerous laws and threaten a treaty between our nations, from all the activities you have committed without our express permission."
"Permission? We're basically cleaning up the mess you idiots refuse to intend to yourselves."
"Idiots? Do you know where you are right now?"
"I really don't care, and here I thought this would be a more important matter we'd be discussing. But lo and behold, this is a damn waste of time."
Vincent became angered.
"No, it's you who is wasting our time."
"Really? All those Cultists, slave traders, underground organizations and thieves guilds, are wasting time? Oh that must be it, seeing as how none of you tools has done a damn thing about them."
Emilia got nervous when she could see Subaru starting to glow red.
"Subaru, easy there, we're just here for a discussion."
"Nah, this just some kind of prickish way for them to pick a target, make themselves feel competent. Yeah, because we've left their country squeaky clean, they ain't got an enemy anymore, so they've picked us to be their antagonists! Most shitty regimes do that kind of thing, to keep themselves in power."
Emilia then bowed respectfully to Vincent.
"I apologize he didn't mean that!"
"And here I thought that you would have better control over your pet, Emilia."
Something...something in Emilia snapped when she heard that.
"Subaru is not my pet."
"Hm?"
"Subaru is a dear friend to me! I can't believe you'd say something like that to him, after everything he has accomplished."
"But are you not his contributor?"
"I may be the leader of the faction, but he's not doing all this for that! Subaru and his Red Lantern Corps are trying to make the world a better place, by their own means!"
"There are rules to follow, and we have a non-aggression pact with Lugnica, they threaten subility with their actions."
"Maybe it's those kind of rules, that let people like the Witch's Cult run amok!"
"And what your friends did in Priestella was right?!"
"...Things took a turn for the worst, but in the end, they ended four hundred years worth of terror!"
"Such a childish notion, thinking that this barbaric creetan would-"
Rem couldn't contain her anger for a second more.
"You're wrong!"
"...Oh?"
"Subaru-kun is a wonderful man! He cares so much about the people around him and has a great sense of justice! Rem knows him as a true hero!"
"A madman whose group has killed so many people? How is he a hero?"
Vincent made a crude smile.
"Maybe he does more for you little maid, just a little more."
"...!?"
"I see, a mere meek maid like you, has no right to speak. Just go on and pleasure him some more-"
Subaru's eyes lit up in a red light.
"DON'T TALK TO REM LIKE THAT!"
"...!"
"REM IS WORTH TEN OF YOU! TALK TO HER LIKE THAT AGAIN AND YOU'LL REGRET IT!"
The soldiers readied their spears, and the nobles backed away. Just then, someone appeared behind Vincent's throne.
It was a young man with his dark blue hair tied behind his head. He wore a blue Kararagi kimono, and with zoori also from the nation in question, Rem recognized him instantly.
"The Blue Lightning, Cecilus Segmunt."
"Well little lady, I'm struck by you recognizing me! But I'd like to ask you and your boyfriend to back away now."
Although Rem blushed when he called Subaru her boyfriend, but still was determined to defend him and Emilia. This died down when Puck appeared.
"Everyone needs to calm down."
"Well if it ain't the Great Spirit! How electrifying! It's too bad that we'd meet in such fashion, right?"
"Easy going, huh? Do you realize that if things continue to break down, me and Subaru will both have no choice...but to take you out."
Cecilus licked his lip as he twirled his fingers on his sword, Subaru clenched his fist, ring glowing brightly and Puck emanating a bright blue light.
"Enough! Puck! Subaru! Both of you please calm down!"
Emilia stepped between both parties and made a sour face at the Emperor.
"Though I am not exactly in line with how this escalated, you did say some awful things to my friend! Please apologize to Rem!"
Looking around, the emperor could easily see that things were about to implode and easily result into a empire wide disaster. So he sighed.
"Rem was it? I apologize for my earlier statements."
"Rem forgives you Vollachia-sama."
"Okay, there, satisfied."
With that, everyone relaxed.
"Listen here, Vincent was it?"
"That is my name, Natsuki Subaru."
"Okay, now look here, my Red Lantern Corps are an autonomous group. Though we reside in Lugnica, we have our goals and reaches that spread across the world. We don't have malicious intentions in what we do. We only hope to make this place a better place, that's all."
"Maybe so, but doing it without even consulting us, is quite the problem, isn't it?"
Subaru narrowed his brows.
"As far as I'm concerned, we have the right of way. Leaving these matters to you, the Sultan of Kararagi, that Crazed Prince of Gusteko or even our Sage Council; is a mistake. All of you not even bothering to fix these issues and viewing things in a narrow perspective, the kind that you'd gain profit from and nothing else."
"We do so for our people."
"So letting the Cult and White Whale fuck around and kill all those people? Hm? I really can't wrap my head around it."
"You're being quite insufferable."
"And you're being ignorant to the fact, and I don't like that."
Subaru spat out some blood, which floated in the air, before putting his hands out in a grand fashion.
"We're done here."
"Now wait, this conversation-"
"-Is over. No one in this entire world, except maybe Emilia can tell us where we can and can't go. And even then, if our presence is needed, we will act on it, got it?"
"..."
"Then if you'll excuse us. Thanks for your time."
Subaru nodded, Rem bowed, as did Emilia. Puck just waved at them, cautiously, before floating down to sit on Emilia's shoulder.
Subaru opened a Blood Portal and they went through it, leaving the disgruntled nobles alone.
"How audacious!" "Then it's true, the Red Lanterns are a bunch of barbaric thugs!" "We need to do something about this! We cannot let them do as they wish!"
Vincent heard all their complaints, but turned his attention to Cecilus.
"Well? What do you think?"
"Honestly? I also think we need to take care of them. That creepy eyed kid, looked really strong, and if he works with the Great Spirit, then maybe even I'd be one and done. But gosh, such hot girls all over him, wish I could've had a few minutes more with them..."
"Okay."
Vincent snapped his fingers and a servant rushed to his side.
"Yes my lord!"
"Get us the Metia, contact the Kararagians, tell them...negotiations have failed and to send their men."
Vincent's eyes glared and a glimmer shined for a few seconds.
"Send them to the forests and have the spying begin."
Now returning to the hallways of their mansion, Subaru yawned, but noticed Emilia making a sour face at him.
"What?"
"What do you mean 'what'?! You just insulted the king of another nation!"
"You know I have no love for politicians. I mean just look at our own Sage Council, they've been unproductive now that the Dragon Stone stopped working, as if they have no idea what to do without it. HEH! Bunch of old farts hanging on to the old ways."
"E-Even then, we need to build friendly relations with our neighbors!"
"In my world, not everyone needs to be friendly with each other, we just need to tolerate them."
"Wouldn't that eventually lead to war?"
"Well yeah, hmmmm, man, now that I think about it...my world has had a ton of wars over the years."
"Really?"
"Yeah, hell, my own country participated in both World Wars."
Rem, Emilia and Puck were left breathless. A eerie panicked silence filled the halls, it caught Subaru's attention, making him wonder if something was wrong.
"Subaru-kun, what do you mean World Wars?"
"S-Sure, there have been two World Wars."
"But? Huh? Rem doesn't follow, how could that be?"
"Basically every nation in my world, almost two hundred of them, in some form or another, participated in a HUGE battle! Half the world, versus the other half. My home country Japan, was part of the Axis Powers, which fought with several other nation, going toe to toe with some of the heavy hitters like America and Russia."
"But, that's impossible! Rem is sure that too many lives would be lost."
"Definetly."
He scratched his head trying to figure out the exact number, then it clicked.
"Right, about sixty million people died in the war!"
"...S-S-Sixty MILLION PEOPLE?!"
"Yup."
Emilia breathed shallowly and closed her eyes.
"I just hope their sacrifices were not in vain. In the end, a final war like that, conflict couldn't rise up again."
"Uhm? War didn't end after that, Emilia."
"WHAT?!"
Even Puck was stunned, to hear that so many people were killed in a world spanning conflict like that...but conflict still arsose, even after all that.
"We had the Korean War, the Congo Wars, um let me see...the Bosnian Wars, the Kuwait War, last time I checked there was war in Syria, I think? Hm, uhhhhh, Vietnam, Greece, Rwanda-"
"-Please just stop."
"Emilia?"
The poor half-elf girl cringed and had teary eyes.
"How can all those people just keep fighting? EVEN AFTER YOUR ENTIRE WORLD FOUGHT IN SUCH A GRAND BATTLE?! They just keep fighting each other?"
"People are just like that Emilia. Politics, Religion, the Color of skin, hell just being from a different tribe. There are so many dumb reasons people will try and fight each other."
"How awful...When I'm King I will make sure that something like that never happens here!"
Subaru patted her on the head, startling her, but also reassuring her…
"I know you will Emilia, don't be like them, be yourself. You'll be the King to change this entire Kingdom, I know it."
"Subaru...thank you."
Patting his hand, she smiled wonderfully, which Puck sighed at the sight of, but also smirk.
"Lia, I think we all need to rest for a bit, that was a heated argument earlier."
"Sure."
Emilia walked over...and hugged Subaru.
"See you later, Subaru."
"Yeah, okay."
He hugged her back, and eventually they parted ways, leaving Subaru alone with a shy Rem.
"What? Ohhhhh, are you still a little flustered from him calling me your, b-oy-fr-iend?"
"...!"
Rem right away became flustered waving her hands around in denial, face beet red and eyes spinning. Subaru found it cute and kissed her on the forehead.
"...!"
"Rem is cute like that, but she needs to relax. You have nothing to worry about, especially with me around."
"Of course! Subaru-kun is Rem's hero after all. He is capable of anything."
Rem kissed him on the cheek and did a courteous bow.
"Rem has to help Nee-sama with a few things, so Rem must make her way to her."
"Okay, don't work too hard."
"Thank you."
She smiled up at him, and he did the same. She hurried off, but not before turning around one last time and blowing a kiss to him, he played along and pretended to catch it and put it on his lips. Rem giggled and finally left.
"Are you insane to think nothing will come of this?"
"They know better not to try anything."
"Please, you make yourself sound God-like."
Turning his head, Subaru saw Julius leaning his back on a wall, hands in his pocket.
"Can you really be sure, they hadn't expected your haughty attitude to break down negotiations?"
"They didn't even have anything to negotiate in the first place."
"And what? You wish to spiral relations between all the nations against Lugnica? Do you have any idea how egotistical you are making yourself look right now? How this is clearly leading to a humongous disaster?"
"If something did happen, then the only disaster that would befall anyone, would be against them!"
"Such a morose way of thinking."
He brushed his violet hair, glaring at Subaru, and Subaru did the same for him.
"When are you going to learn?"
"I have learned, learned how to take care of everything!"
"Obviously not! Lugnica is on the threshold of calamity! A calamity that you and your Rage Influenced party has brought about!"
Subaru punched his palm.
"Then we cleanse the problem! I made a promise to protect them! Even if I have to burn the other countries to do so, I will keep all of us safe!"
Julius finally hugged his sides, smiling in a pitiful sense to him.
"And look now, such a prideful attitude, even after all that has happened...and I wonder…"
"...?!"
"Are you truly the Red Lantern Natsuki Subaru….or the Sin Archbishop Natsuki Subaru?"
Spiraling into a rage he swung a fist at the knight...but nothing landed and he disappeared.
"Shut the fuck up, Juukulius."
He then put his hands into his pockets, glaring ahead.
"I know what I'm doing."
He kept walking.
"I know what I'm doing."
He let the shadows behind him, stay ever still.
"I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING."
Outside, at the front doors, Mimi hugged Beatrice.
"You are leaving Mimi-chan?"
"Yup! I gotta see the Lady and do some boring stuff~!"
"I see, take care, I suppose."
"Okay~! Make sure you save Mimi some yummy stuff~!"
"Betty will do her utmost."
Mimi smiled and flew off, leaving Beatrice to sigh and hurry on inside.
Mimi flew through a open window and straight into Anastasia's arms.
"Hi! Mimi is back! Mimi is back!"
"Welcome back Mimi, how were things with the others?"
"Busy, but really fun!"
"That's good."
She sat her down, next to her siblings were about to speak...when they got a knock on the door.
She checked on it, and one of her remaining guards was there, a survivor of the Witch Cult War.
"Yeah?"
"Anastasia-sama, we have guests."
"Oh? And who the heck is visiting at a time like this?"
"Maa'm."
He then looked over his shoulder, they were right behind him...Kararagi Samurai.
"Hoshin-dono, we must speak."
Wilhelm had went his own way, leaving Genau to shop around for snacks and wine. He landed from his flight and entered the doors, rigth at the door, where three men…
"Yo! Who's trying to enter our residence?!" Comin' in to start trouble?!" "If you are, get ready for a whoopin'!"
The Three Stooges, the very same thieves that once tried to rob Subaru, were now members of Felt's Faction, making themselves known.
Only to see who it was, and all three of them bowed in respect, but mostly panic.
"Oh! Wilhelm-sama, good to see ya!" "Hey, thanks for stopping by!" "Right this way, sir!"
"Very well."
Once being led inside, he passed by Flam and Grassis Remendis; Sarah's younger sisters. They bowed respectfully, but as Wilhelm passed by them...they scorned at him behind his back, Wilhelm sighed at the feeling. But he understood the reasoning behind it...however he was led into a room with tea and snacks ready on the table, and right there, was one of the people who asked to see him.
"Felt-sama."
"Hey, good to see ya."
Felt was in white sweater, with yellow yoga pants, all of which were designed by Frederica and Subaru. Noticing him, she waved gleefully at him.
Just as she did that, Reinhard showed up, walking over and shaking hands with his grandfather.
"Grandfather."
"Reinhard."
They made their way to a meeting room, which already had tea and snacks ready. Felt jumped on a chair and began munching on some croquettes, inelegantly, per usual. Reinhard gave a wry smile but also sat down, Wilhelm followed suit.
"Now then, what is it you wish to speak with me about?"
For a few moments, Reinhard said nothing, but soon sharpened his eyes.
"Grandfather...I have a sneaking suspicion, that there is someone is spying on the factions here."
When Wilhelm narrowed his brows...far off on a tree, three men with thin curved swords on their sides, looked at each other and nodded.
Genau yawned as he hurried his pace on the trail. On his back wrapped with ropes, were jugs of ales and wines. He hurried up, but encountered on his route the children of Irlham Village, playing around.
"Oh! It's Genau-gao!" "Hey! It's Genau-gao!" "Now look! It's Genau-gao!"
They huddled around him, petting him up and down, which he seemed to enjoy fully.
"Well kidsssss are you all being good?"
Petra, out of all them, hugged his neck and answered back.
"Yup! We're behaving alright! How's Subaru and the others?"
"Today? Busy, but I got us these wines and ales to help us relax later."
Petra and the kids all stuck out their tongues in disgust.
"Blegh! Adult drinks, nasty!"
"Bwahahahaha! I thought sssso too, but I found ssssome good onessss, plussss they help make me feel good!"
"Genau-gao should just be a good boy and stay away from that stuff."
"Bwahahaha! Maybe, maybe."
He then licked each one of them in the face and made it past them.
"I'll tell Brother Sssssubaru you guyssss sssssaid hi!"
"Okay, bye bye!"
They all said their byes and waved him off happily. Genau continued his treck, when he saw Ovidius fly down in front of him.
"How did it go, Brother Ovidiussss?"
"Meh, okay. Just had to drop off Felix-san off at his place."
"Ready for some wine?"
"Oh definitely good sir!"
"Hehehe, Exactly!"
They walked side by side, ready to enjoy a little break...when something made them stop dead in their tracks.
They both turned their attentions to the forests near the mansion. Standing, staring, both of them glared.
"Whoever is there, please come out."
Nothing...but a stillness in the air.
So Genau had his eyes glow violently red.
"Come out, or we'll force you out!"
Then...a tree branch snapped.
It started.
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Arc Five: The World War
BEGINS.
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To be continued…
AN:
The opening of this Arc has to be: "Cliffs of Gallipoli" by Sabaton! Featuring imagery similar to the first World War and shots of things to come in this Arc...including the main adversaries!
Same ending song by nogizaka46...
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Jolokia: Voiced by Rikiya Koyama; voice of Takamura in Hajime no Ippo.
Tzatziki Bros: Both voiced by Setsu Ito; voice of MOB from Mob Psycho 100.
Orlena: Voiced by Rina Sota; voice of Misaka Mikoto from Toaru Kagaku no Railgun. (This character actually appears in an illustration for the 9th volume in the Light Novel; where Subaru is bowing to the villagers...you can see her right there!)
Cecilus: C'mon, it has to be Hiroshi Kamiya who does Nato from Noragami!
Vincent: Uchida Yuuma who voices Minamoto Seiichirou from Sanrio Danshi.
BLEHK ENOUGH! Anyways! Hope you are all excited for this HUGE ARC! Until next time...