AN: Hey everyone! Time for the next chapter in the Arc Six bonanza!
I am soooo stoked about Avengers Endgame, and my body is ready for the event, not only that, but Sabaton is releasing a new album AAAND they released a new music video for Bismarck! The world is a beautiful place.
Iseaki Quartet is phenomenal, and I look forward to the next episodes.
Chapter title is from the song of the same name by Mike Oldfield from his album, "The Songs Of Distant Earth". Enough talk though, time for the latest chapter! So please, ENJOY!
Arc Six: The One Day
Chapter 32: Crystal Clear
Everything happens in a relative motion, time constantly moves forward, unchallenged.
And within such rules, there is the fact, that the world's vastness results in so many actions, reactions and nullifying steps within a set moment. More or less, within a span of time, countless events can unfold; big, small, important, or meaningless. Regardless...they can happen simultaneously.
And one would be stunned, to see how in their home, their country, continent, or even their planet, that such a staggering amount of incidents can transpire. An hour, a minute, or even just a second, too many situations would be there to be seen, or unseen.
Thusly, no one would be surprised, how many happenings might occur, in just ONE DAY.
Awakening from the crisp sun rays entering his room, Subaru got up and yawned. Getting up to begin his morning stretches, he finished up with his victory pose. He licked his lips as he began walking, scratching his hair and glancing at himself in a mirror.
He wore a black tank top, thus he could see the many scars that littered his arms, including the many nasty ones covering his hands, especially the knuckles.
His pretty much trademark crack scar on his face, no longer ached, but would make strangers flinch when they saw it.
Sighing, he took off his pajamas and got into the tub, he relaxed as he let the scented waters, with leaves and medicinal herbs help clean his body. He looked over at a mirror on the sink...and could see them, again.
Otto, Priscilla, Petelgeuse, Ricardo, Garfiel, Ley, Dedmon, Louis, Halibel, Jingo Jungle, Wu, and several others, some he did not recognize...staring back at him, all collected in that single mirror...he shut his eyes and opened them fast, seeing that they were gone.
"Hello, are your thoughts still wavering, even now?"
"Damn, and here I thought I could relax for once."
Glancing to his side, he could see him, standing near the door...Julius Juukulius.
"God damnit, I can't tell if you're actually real or just some manifestation of my exhausted brain?"
"Who knows? I wish to believe I am here to help settle some unsettled kinship between us."
"Blegh, I cannot see myself being friendly with you at all!"
"Perhaps so, but I am here, so there is not much that can be done."
"Hmph!"
Subaru laid back further into his bathtub, as Julius brushed his own violet hair.
"Well? Something you wanted to say Juukulis?"
"More I just wanted to ask you, about your next plans."
"Hmmm, well I need to keep my promise to Ovidius and maybe jumpstart the Tower assault, at least in the next two years."
"Hmmm, still going to cause chaos I see?"
"Hey, you kinda need a little disorder to patch things up better."
Julius grimaced as Subaru rubbed water on his face.
"Subaru, I really hope this day doesn't end too badly for you."
"Huh? What does-"
Subaru turned his head, only to see Julius was gone.
"Bastard, I hate it when he does that."
Flinging his fingers in the water, the door suddenly opened and in entered Beatrice, naked save for a towel wrapped around her body. Still using the body of her creator Echidna, Beatrice seemed to have begun reveling in her new adult form.
"Oh? Betty is surprised to see you here!"
"How about you knock first! And put some clothes on!"
"No way, I suppose. Betty is still dirty from yesterday and needs to get clean fast!"
She walked on over and removed her towel, showing off her body to Subaru and getting right into the tub with him.
"What the fuck?! Hey! You can't just do that!"
"What? You used to take baths with Rem, and you allow Nijino to do it too!"
"That's cause we have different, um, we, have different circumstances for it?"
"Liar. Just shut up and stay put, Betty bets you haven't washed behind your ear, I suppose."
"Grr."
Beatrice washed herself nicely as Subaru did his best not to stare at her...but noticed Beatrice would occasionally get closer, until finally he realized she was right next to him.
"Hey, you are way too close!"
"Why, Betty has always been near you, I suppose?"
"Yeah, but when you were just a little spirit I could carry in my arms."
"So you miss Betty's old form, you lolicon?"
"Bwagh! I was asking for that!"
He smacked his forehead after falling into that trap, Beatrice laughed at Subaru's over the top reaction for her using said logic against him.
"What about how I look now?"
"Fine I guess?"
"Fine, just fine?"
Beatrice, seemed upset. She practically crawled over to Subaru staring daggers into his eyes.
"Why? Why is Betty just fine?!"
"Huh, Beatrice?"
"Before, Betty was just a small looking child to you, I suppose! And now, with the body of mother, of an actual adult woman, you still see me, as...as….FINE?!"
"Beatrice."
She clawed at his chest and mounted him, pinning in the tub...planting a soft kiss on him.
Raising her face, he could not clearly see her eyes become teary eyed.
"Subaru, your words mean a lot to me, and they affect Betty so much."
"Beatrice, it's just, I never knew-"
"-Now you do! Now you do, I suppose. So please, can't you accept me, like you do with the others?"
"...Just this once."
He hugged Beatrice tightly, as they began feeling each other.
Subaru walked out, now in his uniform and the armor around his arms accompanying it.
"Wasn't I supposed to feel refreshed waking up this morning?"
He sunk his head as he looked exhausted, peeking his sight back to his room, there Beatrice laid wearing his tanktop and shorts, fast asleep.
He went back so he could cover her in a blanket and stroked her hair, he could see the smile on her face, and nodded happily.
Exiting the room, and with a full day of nothing to really do, he just walked about trying to find something to do.
"Natsuki-san, just the guy I was looking for."
"Oh, hey Ovidius."
Ovidius Loman encountered him as he turned the corner, and waved hello to him.
The two shook hands and Subaru smiled at him.
"What are you up to man?"
"Nothing much, looking over some papers before I go see Liliana and then, hmmm, probably check on the Behemoth Project."
"Right, at least one of us has something to do."
"Well, actually there is something I need to discuss with you."
"Oh, really?"
Ovidius nodded as Subaru raised his brows at him.
"Yes sir, please come with me, I prepared some chai tea, we can have some as we discuss something."
'Is it important?"
"...To me it is."
Gulping a bit, due to not being able to see his face underneath his signature helmet, nothing but a small glint in his goggles.
"Alright, let's have a chat then."
Subaru followed Ovidius to his study.
Now sitting across from him sipping on a glass of chai tea, which they helped create and spread the rights to with Anastasia's help, another financial boost
Subaru watched as Ovidius took a large chug of his, before putting his helmet back on, and pressing his hands on his knees.
"Now then, Natsuki-san, how are your relationships going?"
"Really? Relationship advice?"
"Just tell me."
"Hahhhh, well…"
Moving around his cup, as the tea inside swirled around, he answered.
"This morning, I had an 'encounter' with Beatrice."
"So she finally made a move?"
"I guess so, but for me, it was a one time thing!"
"Riiiight, now how about Anastasia-san?"
"H-Hoshin? Ummmm, well that's...how the hell did you figure that one out?"
"Really now, I wasn't born yesterday."
"Hahahaha...that one I really don't feel anything special from. She's just you know, a physical aspect."
"Like Nijino-san?"
"N-N-N-No. She was at first, but...I got to really appreciate what she does for me."
"Hoshin is just someone you can release your more primal urges on, I assume?"
"Kinda, at first it was payback for the bullshit she pulled on me, all those years ago. But she seems to get all intimate, calling out my name and crap, so I just do it to keep her on our good side."
"Well, don't say that in front of her."
"Hopefully she gets the idea, maybe she does too, I try and give off clues. You know, like no kissing too long, no cuddling after we're done, and absolutely no falling asleep in the same room."
"Are you having sex or making a corporate merger?"
"Ha!"
Laughing just a tad from his comment Subaru finally put his cup down, Ovidius tapped his fingers on the coffee table.
"...But what about Emilia?"
"...Damn, hitting a sour spot."
"Sorry, but I always knew that she and Rem were the ones you were attracted to, the most at least."
"I mean, I just don't feel right about doing it with her."
"Because love isn't there?"
"No, I did the same with Rem."
"Then why not Emilia?"
Subaru scratched his hair, clearly irked.
"Shit, I don't know."
"The ring dulls our sense of love right? I noticed that when I think of my family, I feel regrettably less loving about them, thus it could go the same for you."
"...I wish I knew!"
"Possibly guilt could be apart of it, the fact that your Trials forced you to witness the failings of the other Natsuki-san's. I can only imagine how many times you watched Emilia die on your part."
"Rubbing salt on the wound there."
"I apologize, just trying to get to the bottom of your Emilia-phobia."
"I'm not scared of her."
"...You're scared then...of her suffering a fate similar to Rem and Beatrice, then?"
"I even noticed when you heard about Nijino's defeat in Kararagi, many witnesses told me about how you panicked wildly and flew straight to where she was. I'm thinking you have some form of anxiety disorder about it, maybe a low level of Philophobia. Maybe it's a result of the ring, or just the amount of times you lost Emilia and Rem in the past, who can say?"
Putting out his hands in a, "who knows" pose, Ovidius left his speculation there.
"Still Natsuki-san, you can always get close to her, I feel like Emilia would like that more than anything."
"Can you be so sure?"
"Maybe not, but after all the suffering you've pulled yourself through, both of you deserve to be at least happy."
Taken aback by his words, Subaru felt as though he could function a bit better, maybe even work to get closer to Emilia. Even after the World War, he did his flirting with her, but slowly became nervous and fearful when she began to slowly, but surely answer back.
A sudden hug.
A stroke to his chest.
A hand to his cheek.
A quiet whisper close to his ear.
Maybe Subaru could finally try something with her.
"Thanks Ovidius, I'll work on it."
"Excellent, I knew the guy I liked would say so!"
"...Wait, pardon me?"
"Yeaaaah, the thing is, I had something to get off my chest."
Sitting deeper into his chair, he clicked his fingers.
"You should know, that right now, I am in a relationship with Liliana-chan."
Subaru nodded, with a disgusted face.
"Ahaha, though that should be the end of that...you see I am different than most people."
"How so?"
"You see, Natsuki-san...I don't just like women, how can i put this, I also sometimes become attracted...to the opposite sex."
Complete silence.
No noise, no buzzes, nothing.
Subaru simply stared at him, Ovidius didn't know what to do, as he waited for his response.
"Wow, just wow."
"I can't get a feel from your reaction."
"Like, I don't have a problem with it, not at all!"
"I appreciate that."
"It's just so sudden. I didn't think you swung that way, again it's not a problem, but why keep it secret?"
"I feel as though, it doesn't change anything about me, so why should I just let it out?"
"I mean, it's you right?"
"...True, but I honestly have no need to tell anyone but the two people I am attracted to the most. Liliana-chan, who admits she sometimes swings similarly."
"Again, wow."
"And of course…"
He pointed.
"AND YOU, NATSUKI-SAN."
Subaru's face changed from red, to blue, back to red, to pale, then to red again.
"WAIT. Wait! Wait?! HUH!? M-ME?!"
"Why yes, you're the first man, I think I've ever had a natural long lasting crush on."
He was quite shell shocked, a friend that he knew for so long, had secret feelings for him and he had no way of recorpirating them, he just couldn't. He could feel a deep sense of guilt, as he would have to turn down any request to start some kind of relationship, not out of disgust or anger, but simply because that's who HE, Natsuki Subaru was.
"Hey now, don't look so gloomy about all this."
"Huh?"
"Listen, I know you don't see me in the same way as say, Emilia or Rem, it's just a fact. And I don't want to endanger our camaraderie by making you anxious about my feelings, okay?"
"No, it's fine, it must have been a nerve-wracking thing for sure."
"Undoubtedly so, but I am glad you are taking it in stride."
Subaru reached out his hand, surprising Ovidius.
"Listen Ovidius, I can't do anything for how you feel for me as that kind of partner, but I still want us to be partners, you know, like how we've been for the past few years….uh, you know what I mean right?"
Ovidius was frozen for a bit, staring intensely at Subaru's wry smile...and began laughing.
"Ahahahaha!"
"Huh? Wuh? Did I say something wrong?"
"No no, I am just glad Natsuki-san is still the same goofy schmuck as always!"
"Hey!"
Frowning a bit at his sly comment, Subaru got his hand shook and the two met at an agreeable position.
"Thank you Natsuki-san, I appreciate you still wanting to be friends and for accepting who I am."
"No worries, I can't do all this crazy shit without you by my side!"
"...Right,."
Maybe he did, or he didn't, but Ovidius smiled so vividly and softly underneath his trademark helmet, those lime green eyes glimmered softly.
"Is that all, you wanted to talk about Ovidius?"
"Not really, but I can save it for later, we both have our days off, right? We should both enjoy it to the fullest. Let's keep this conversation between us, just as that, you and Liliana are the only ones I want to know about that."
"Sure?"
Ovidius got up and patted Subaru on the back, starting to leave the room as Subaru sat there to contemplate. But right before he truly left the room…
"I think this is a day for some self-reflection or just taking on some unfinished business, right? Use it to your fullest, Natsuki-san."
He left.
Subaru was now walking through the halls, entering a room...where he could see her.
"Shhhh, can't wake up Nee-sama."
He whispered this to himself as he tiptoed into Ram's room. Ram was fast asleep as she would, should no one wake her up, which usually fell upon Wilhelm, Genau (who did it rudely as hell), and of course-
"Hey Rem."
"Good morning Subaru-kun."
There, a gold necklace with a blue gem attached, sat on a pillow, right on top of her desk. This was the very thing that housed the soul of Rem, who had lost her physical body in the initial start of the World War.
He spoke, they both did in whispers.
"How are you doing Rem?"
"Just fine Subaru-kun, Rem would ask you the same thing."
"Not too bad, just trying to figure some stuff out on our day off."
"Like what perchance?"
"...Well, like what I should striving for, after the World War, and with the Tower Conquest coming, the future is looking hazy."
He stroked the gem as it lit up a tad.
"Rem thinks, Subaru-kun can come up with anything he sets his mind to. It would be no surprise either, Subaru-kun has accomplished so much, that it shock me out of this gem if you upped the accomplishments."
"Jeez, that's a little much right?"
"Hehe, not at all, Rem loves to say such things with Subaru-kun."
"Making this heart of mine beat again, what are you an Oni?"
"Ahaha."
"Haha."
They kept their laughs soft.
"Subaru-kun."
"Hm?"
"Listen, no matter what you did in the past, Rem was always by your side."
"No shit, like a second angel watching over me."
"Goodness, Rem is blushing. But really, in the past, if the world was against you Rem would've been by your side, through thick and thin...but it's not the same."
"Huh?"
"...We are not alone."
Subaru's eyes widened.
"Yeah…"
"Now, we have Emilia-sama on our side. Not only that but Genau-kun, Ovidius-sama, Beatrice-sama, Nijino-san, Frederica-nee san, Wilhelm-sama, Mimi-chan, Jolokia-sama, Moussaka-sama, Kong-sama, and so many more. All of them willing to help you in your time of need, we all are."
He could see not only Rem in his mind, but everyone she mentioned, and then some. All of the people who now respected and stood on his side on every matter he could recall. It made him so happy.
"Thanks Rem."
"Rem needs no thanks-'
"-No you do."
Subaru leaned forward and planted a kiss on the gem, making it shine brightly.
"Wah, wah, S-S-Subaru-kun?"
"Thanks Rem, what would I do without you."
"...I LOVE YOU, SUBARU-KUN."
"...Me too."
Subaru smiled, as he stroked the gem one last time.
"Gotta go, don't want Ram catching me snooping around her room."
"Yes, hurry, Rem has to wake her up soon."
"Buh bye."
"See you later, my love."
With a quick wink of his eyes, he quietly rushed out...never aware even when he softly closed the door behind him, that Ram had her eyes open, staring at where he just left.
Now outside of the manor, he could see Attero patrolling the grounds of the lush green grass.
Inside it did give him pride, the fact that this entire area, the building and everything surrounding it, once belonged to Crusch Karsten. How much it made him laugh inside at how he beat her entire existence and kicked her self worth while it was already down. He wondered if at some point she passed by and could catch a glimpse of their luxurious happiness, that which belonged to her, now his.
He licked his lips.
"Wish I could've seen her face."
Still, he kicked a pebble, staring up at the bright sky, just as a breeze blew past him. Hearing the footsteps, he turned around and saw Emilia, in her new suit smiling as she strolled on over to him.
"Hey Subaru, how's it going?"
"Fine, better with you here."
"Oh really?"
Emilia hugged him tightly, as Subaru chuckled at her eagerness.
"Emilia, you wanna, just talk?"
"Talk?"
"Yeah, just talk, you know?"
"...Well, I guess."
They began a long walk, through the estate, then out throughout the capital. At one point, he could've sworn he spotted Petra amongst the crowd. But he lost sight of her, and simply took it as a mistake of the mind.
Not knowing of how she was on a rooftop, watching him.
"Must be nice, being with Subaru like that."
Her cold eyes stared down, before she turned and noticed another person there.
"Oh, hey."
"C'mon you can at least be more meaningful in your hellos."
Felt was there floating on over to her.
"You stalking Subaru again?"
"I'm just keeping him in my sight, in case he needs me or wants extra company."
"That sounds a lot like stalking…"
"That's your opinion Felt."
The young girl sat on the edge of the roof and Felt sighed, joining her.
"Listen, I was doing a little mission of my own. Maybe you care more about staring down Subaru, but I might need alittle help."
"Hmmmm?"
"Plus, I think it'd be good to get your mind off of him for a bit."
"I guess…"
"Great let's go."
She patted his back, and the two got up...but not before Petra turned around...and blew a kiss towards Subaru's direction. The two young Red Lanterns flew away, never being noticed by him.
Markets traveled through, stores visited, riverways explored, it was such a enthralling yet simple stroll they had.
At some point, Subaru could've sworn he saw Genau running through an alleyway, but he shrugged his shoulders and went about his business, holding Emilia's hand tightly.
Subaru and Emilia sat at table in one of those really fancy cafes one would find in these more luxurious streets of the capital. Emilia sipped on her drink as Subaru munched on his apple strudel, noticing how the sun was getting lower, and the orange hue to the sky made this day even more gorgeous.
"Hey, Subaru, did you enjoy yourself?"
"Yeah, got some thoughts rolling in my head, enjoyed hanging out with you and hey, this apple strudel is amazing."
"Ahaha, I'm glad."
Then, Subaru used a free hand to lightly stroke Emilia's resting palm, making her blush.
"Subaru?"
"Listen, I know I've been taking things a little slow between us, but I want you to know...I do want this thing we have."
"Subaru…"
Both stared into each others eyes as he grinned at her, as he would all those years ago.
"Once I finish the Tower Conquest, make the connection between our worlds finalized, I want to hold you, kiss you and do everything with you, everyday afterwards. I will be as fanatical as can be making you happy, so just wait for me, okay?"
Emilia teared up as she took his hand used it to cup her cheek as she nodded.
"Alright, I can wait. It almost makes it more exciting, like expecting a long off holiday!"
"Great, thanks Emilia."
Then, Emilia gazed at him, her eyes fluttering, and puckered her lips.
"Um, Subaru?"
"Yeah?"
"Do-"
KRAKKOOOM!
An explosion.
A loud deafening explosion occurred across the street from them. Citizens screamed out in horror as debris flew around and smoke ceased their vision.
Emilia coughed as she got up, with Subaru also getting to his feet.
Then more, and more, more and more.
Explosions were erupting all over the capital, specific buildings were being targeted in these coordinated attacks.
Subaru used his ring to scan the area, and sure enough saw some suspicious people moving through the smoke.
Rushing over, he encountered two knights and gorgeous woman with purple hair, panicking as they saw him.
But quickly they fired magic at him.
Fire, ice and wind.
Subaru flew around these projectiles, stabbing one knight through the face with a spear construct, before leaping off of him and shooting a beam with his ring through the neck of the other.
The woman aimed her palms at him...only for Emilia to jump behind her, grabbing her head with hands and with a quick precise twist, snapped her neck.
A person sunk through the shadows, covered in a black cloth...only for Subaru to hurl his napalm blood ceasing his sneak attack with agonizing death.
"Subaru! What's happening?!"
"Last time I checked, this would be classified as a fucking terrorist attack!"
"Terrorists?! But who?!"
Emilia then noticed on each of their attackers was a badge.
Plucking one up, she noticed how intricate it was crafted. A hexagon, and within many smaller hexagons, each a different color, pretty much all the colors one could think of...well, except-
"No red…"
Not a single red color could be found on it.
Tossing it over to Subaru he glared at it, before using his ring to send out a message.
"Everyone! This is Natsuki Subaru, all Red Lanterns are to defend the Capital! We are under a terrorist attack, all men and women are to confront these assholes and kill most, but leave some alive for information! Good luck!"
Ending his message he rushed to Emilia and they both looked ahead, noticing the smoke rising where their estate would be. Subaru picked up Emilia in his arms, and flew quickly to their home.
Even with the sounds of combat going on around them.
Reaching the estate, they saw two of their maids dead outside, and could hear the clashing of attacks within the mansion.
Both ran through the door and saw it. Attero growling at a man wearing what appeared to be a bird like mask, much like the plague doctors in medieval times. A top hat, coat and gloves, boots and eyes, all pitch black.
Gyra had his signature wrist whip constructs, which had sharp jagged edges to it, stomping his way to face a woman...who held a large whip like sword with her.
Crashing through a wall...Ovidius had orb constructs spin around him...as Capella had a glowing white staff in her regular hand.
Walking through the flames that engulfed the main halls...a green haired woman in armor marched forward...smiling.
"Welcome home, Natsuki Subaru."
Natsuki Subaru, having his teeth and eyes shine bright yellow, with crack scar begin to slowly glow the same as well, snarled.
"YOU."
Two mortal enemies had finally crossed paths.
SUBARU: Hello and Welcome
It was at a point, after Subaru had left to go about his day, that Ovidius Loman decided to visit his testing sites in the abandoned, decrepitate place once known as Priestella.
Flying over the flooded city, just barely tapping the waters, he nodded. Reaching a large entrance, he used his hand to activate a spring within it, opening the door.
Walking in, he could see all the people he had working for him, continuing their diligent work in crafting Metia, work over runes, designing new weapons and handling the manufacturing of Ma-Beast.
They all welcomed him with handshakes and bows, all eager to please the great man that he was. Ovidius continued through the amazing halls, only to get to much darker, dimmer halls, until finally he went into his own work study. Books everywhere, papers stacked high, and empty liquor bottles as well.
He then chuckled as he pushed a book up...activating a secret door on the wall next to him. Traveling down a spiral staircase, he entered another hall, guarded by three Lewes Clones.
"Good day, Beta, Ceti, Denebola."
They bowed humbly as he entered.
In this dark barely lit room...men were chained up, some had their bellies cut open, wires connecting to their open heads and even pipes running through their bodies.
Horrible disfigurements, surgical atrocities, forced impregnation with animals, and so much carnal terrors, which made Ovidius not even flinch.
He went over and placed his helmet down and peeked over at his current objective...seeing if he could surgically attach Metia into people, using prisoners into walking bombs or even mind controlled objects. Hence, complete mad science. Brought on by Subaru mentioning how he saw Kurgan and Thearesia in Priestella that time ago, so he felt the dead and even living could be easily used for such fantastic wonders.
The man, a captured man during Kararagi's attempted invasion during the World War, was chained by his hands and wrists, scars and stitches ran across his bruised and malnourished body. His attempts to speak were undone by his weakness and his mind being broken so many times.
He glanced up as Ovidius got his scalpel ready.
"W-"
"Hmmm? Saying something there?"
"Wh-"
Finally a tear dropped from his eye.
"Please…"
"Oh, I see."
He stroked his topknot haircut and nodded as he hummed a comforting tune.
"You wish to feel no more pain, I understand."
Then with the light above him, he leaned closer, letting the darkness cover himself, leaving only his sparking lime green eyes and bright white teeth to be seen, in that disgusting smile he made.
"I'll make sure you won't feel ANYTHING, after I am done with you, how's that?"
The man, defeated, sobbed tiredly, as Ovidius continued humming...proceeding to cut open his scalp.
"Let's see, if I can pluck out those terrible memories today, riiiiight?"
He who was a man of style and high intelligence, who showed kindness to those whom he called friends and acquaintances...but showed absolute barbirism and cruelty to those he neither knew personally nor cared for...such was the vengeful existence of Ovidius Loman.
And the day, wasn't even over for him.
It had just begun.
OVIDIUS: A CHILLING EXISTENCE OF BEAUTY
"Phew, now time to sit back and relax!"
Having returned to the De La Soul Estate, he kicked back his feet and sat at his desk. The study room was lit up by the brightness of the sun, forming the crisp afternoon sky.
He glanced at his small little cupboard, which housed much smaller but much more expensive bottles to indulge in.
But-
Knock. Knock.
"Hm?"
He heard a knock and sat straight up, grumbling a tad with how he had to stop his attempt to drink.
"Come in then."
Entering in, was Anastasia Hoshin.
"Hey Ovidius-san."
"Well now, if it isn't Anastasia? Have a seat."
She did so, and sat across from him, but her usual smile faltered here and there, making Ovidius suspicious.
"Hmmmm, something on your mind?"
"Well, I have something truly important to talk about, but I feel as though there is no one I can explain it to."
"Goodness, must be important! Shall we have a drink over it?"
"I can't."
"Huh?"
How this was possible, was beyond him, for he knew her well enough in the time since the World War. She liked her drinks when offered, especially when there were long winded meetings she had to sit through...so for her to refuse, was odd, too odd.
"Ms. Hoshin, without a glass? The world is about to crumble now."
"Ovidius-san, listen, this is important."
The stern look she gave, made the mad scientist understand.
"Alright, let me hear it."
"...Okay, phewwwww.'
Taking deep breaths, and shutting her eyes momentarily, she mustered the courage to slam him with the earth shaking news. Which she only learned about THIS MORNING.'
"I went to a clinic this morning for a check up."
"And?"
"I...I JUST FOUND OUT, THAT I'M PREGNANT."
Silence.
Quiet.
Not a peep.
No utterance.
They sat there, as Ovidius facepalmed, then covered where his mouth area was.
"Then it's-"
"-Natsuki-kun's of course."
"Ah jeez."
Ovidius leaned back into his chair as he let his fingers tap rapidly on his desk.
"Why tell me, and not me?"
"You seem mature enough to not explode in surprise or shock."
"Right, and knowing Mimi-chan and Genau, they can be quite the blabber mouths."
"Yup, darn right."
Ovidius putting his elbows on the table and leaning forward in a powerful "boss" pose, for which made even the bossy and cunning Anastasia nervous. Though the two had their positive interactions with each other, she knew full well that awareness he had, it's what's kept him alive for so long.
It got him the attention of the Witch's Cult, the Assassination Organization and even Lugnica's mages besides Roswaal...but all were wary of his darkness, that underlying vicious nature brought on by a past trauma.
"Hey Anastasia."
"Huh?"
"Well, let me ask you something. If you are not going to tell Natsuki-san right now, are you just trying to drag this whole situation on? What I mean is, eventually he'll find out, your body is going to balloon at some point."
"Yuck, don't say that! I prefer the way I look right now, not a pot bellied weirdo."
"It's not weird, it's perfectly normal, don't be such a child."
"Y-Yeah...I know, sorry."
"I'm sure you're flustered, and this was just a awkwardness that you had to put out into the open."
The former merchant had her nervousness quelled by rubbing a strand of her long hair, it wasn't so much that she couldn't tell Subaru about himself having a child with her, but-
"You probably know, that a long time ago, the other candidates and I, we-"
"-I've heard about what you all did to him, and how it became the tipping point needed to turn him into a Red Lantern."
"Yeah."
Defeated, she lowered her head and Ovidius had the understanding needed to see why she didn't want to say anything, or was too afraid to.
"By my comprehension, this secrecy you have with the pregnancy is stemmed from a fear that Natsuki-san is going to push you away or simply not accept the child due to you being the mother."
"It's his first kid, afterall."
Barely even a whisper was what scammed out of her mouth, so Ovidius rubbed the back of his neck.
"Look, I know the relationship between you and Natsuki-san is peculiar, and the baby could completely shake up what you have with him."
"True."
"But don't you see this as being a positive?"
"HUH?"
Her eyes lit up, and a stunned expression froze her face, as she looked up at him again.
"What do you mean?"
"The man who is the father of that child, isn't so cruel to as abandon his own flesh and blood, y'know? He protects everyone that is close to him, so who better than his own child to do so? If you inform him, he just might change his stance on you, or not, but he won't cast you out, far from it. He'd want you close by, to help raise the child, you are the mother after all."
"Oh…"
"I'm sure if you tell him today, you'll be amazed by how he's going to react. Again, maybe he won't treat you like a wife or a beloved person...but he'll begin to take to your needs, and show you much more respect than before."
"Really?"
"I promise."
The two individuals sat there, in silence, before Anastasia got up, followed by Ovidius.
"Okay, thank you Ovidius."
"I'm glad I could help.
She was back to her usual smiling, making Ovidius a bit more relaxed.
"Now, I'm goign to mull it over and figure out the proper way of explaining it to him."
"Alright, you can stay in one of our guest rooms, I wish you the best."
The two shook hands and Anastasia began leaving the room. But turned around once more and waved at him.
"I can see why Natsuki-kun, speaks highly of you, and why everyone loves ya."
"...Too kind of you to say, Anastasia Hoshin."
Giggling at his confused head tilt, she finally left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Ovidius then walked in circles around his room, letting his thoughts free roam as he calculated, considered and confirmed all of the days happenings. He then noticed the time and went to go check up on...his patient.
"I'm coming in."
"...Go ahead."
Entering in, he found Ram sitting on her bed, wearing the necklace that had the gem...the one that held Rem's soul. Following behind him, was Beatrice his assistant.
You see, Ram was a hornless Oni, meaning that she was unable to draw in mana properly liek Rem would have.
Due to this, she would receive mana from Roswaal everyday in order to survive, but now that he was deceased that was not possible. So it fell onto Beatrice and Ovidius to handle things. Beatrice would drawing a connection into her, while Ovidius used a specialty orb Metia that stole mana from prisoners and death row inmates to funnel into Ram.
Sometimes said guinea pigs would pass out, seizure up or straight up die from the process...but they had a plethora to choose from, so by his own calculations, they had enough sacrificial lambs for the next forty years.
"Ram, how are you holding up?"
"Fine."
"Have any of those negative thoughts sprung up?"
"Sure, Natsuki Subaru was in here talking with Rem, so self-conceited of him."
"You know how close they are, why is this an issue?"
Ram was quiet as she balled a fist in each hand.
"I am still pissed at him."
"Well, the ring is still making-"
"-Not just the ring, but also because of how much I have to put up with him."
Ovidius and Beatrice were wary of her words, but continued their process.
"Listen to me Ram, Natsuki-san may have made a lot of mistakes and miscalculations over the past few years. But he's done everything with the best of intentions."
"You gotta be fucking with me. What does destroying an entire city, starting a world war and killing a childhood acquaintance of mine, have to do with making the world a better place?!"
Beatrice answered.
"He has destroyed the Witch's Cult, eliminated Lugnica's rivals, and freed the Sanctuary in the knick of time before it was completely destroyed."
"And my master?! My love?! What about Roswaal-sa-!"
Beatrice used her hand to shut her mouth closed, shocking even Ovidius.
"Roswaal may have been a man you admired, and the one who gave you and your sister purpose again, I suppose. But I've known him far longer than you, a mere child."
"Mhhm!"
"I know the deepest secrets he kept to himself, and the dirty tactics he's used in the past, everything and anything was not too good or evil for him."
"Mhhpf."
"Though I did know the man, I suppose. I do not mourn his death, he at least died honorably for this country, this kingdom. Had it have been different, he would have died during the Sanctuary Battle and nothing more would have been done, I suppose. His obsession had no place for any of us, Betty knew it, Subaru knew it, we all KNEW IT."
"Mhhhm."
"Even so, Subaru does express extreme regret over his death, he didn't want him gone, I suppose. I concur that you should keep your mouth shut, before forgetting that out of everyone, Subaru has had to suffer unimaginably for the sake of saving you, I suppose. Unlike Ovidius, Betty is not doing this out of the goodness of her heart, but because Subaru has asked, pleaded and begged me to!"
Nothing for a while, until Beatrice let go of her mouth...and muttered.
"He told Betty, he doesn't want to lose you too, I suppose. That he's lost one already, and he can't bear that day again."
"TSK."
Ram clearly frustrated looked away, as Rem's voice tried to comfort her, while Ovidius shook his head.
"We are all going to have to move through this...if not, then all of it, was meaningless."
Ram's eyes teared up, as the process continued.
Beatrice and Ovidius left Ram as she napped on her bed, walking through the halls.
"You went a little hard on her Beatrice."
"Hmph, not enough in my opinion, I suppose."
"Sure, still couldn't you have just explained-"
"-What, she keeps giving Subaru a death glare, even after they both worked together to kill Halibel!? How has she not gotten over Roswaal's death, I suppose?"
"And what if Su-"
She spun around and jabbed her finger at him.
"Don't pull that psychoanalytic crap on Betty, I suppose! Even if I would be angry about it, I wouldn't be angry at the person who simply defeated his machinations but avert it to the one who was solely responsible!"
"Huh."
"Anyways, she didn't focus on Cecilus, she focused on Halibel, the one who killed Rem, I suppose."
They continued to walk as Beatrice turned to head another direction.
"Do you hate her Beatrice?"
"...Of course not, I suppose."
"Would you kill her, if she raised a hand against him?"
She stared coldly at him, both of them did...before both sighed.
"We both know the answer, how each of us would proceed."
"Yeah, see you around."
"Alright."
She waved him bye and continued. Ovidius continued his stroll around the mansion before being outside and noticing the sky being orangeish, the sun was setting.
"Hmmm, I wonder if used my day off well?"
A red streak landed in front of him, it was…
"What up?"
"And I'm sure you had a good day, what with the blood on your fingertips?"
"Ahhhh, is it that noticeable, aha?"
Nijino skipped over to him, and playfully elbowed him on the shoulder.
"Ooof!"
"'Kay! Did you have a good day?"
"Meh."
He shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm not the type to skip out on work, you feel me?"
"Ha, what a deadbeat!"
"Tsk, says the one who always goofs off?"
"What about Genau?"
"Eek, touche."
Both laughed off this little jab, the two buddies just looked out to the vast green lush grass and a the marvelousness of the estate they lived in.
"So did you have a good day, Nijino?"
"...I did."
"Oh?"
"I feel like, like, I'm more free than ever."
"...Good for you."
"Nothing interesting?"
"Well, I had some conversation with Anastasia-"
"-Oh she's pregnant right?"
Ovidius tilted his head...before he jumped back, as he trembled cartoonishly.
"Wh-Wh-Hu-HUH!? How did you know?!"
"Ah, come ooooon! It's so obvious to a person with extreme womanly intuition!"
"You say that like a jab at the other ladies."
"Blegh."
She stuck her tongue out playfully, which made Ovidius relax enough to realize that Nijino was quite sharp eyed, even for…
"HUH?!"
One of his pouches was glowing.
"What is it?!"
"The mansion,...my belt has detected a Metia being activated!"
"Maybe it's Beatrice."
"No, she went to the Comfort Eagle Library, she-"
KRAKOOM!
Ovidius and Nijino were stunned by a sudden explosion which took out the western wing of the De La Soul.
"Wait."
"Huh?! How can you be so calm about this Ovidius?!"
"I'm not, I just remembered-"
A sudden shuriken shot straight at them, just for Ovidius to duck under it and proceed to fly inside of the mansion. There he encountered a cloaked ninja...and then fired a beam behind himself, resulting in the real ninja dying and the illusion in front of him to evaporate. Nijino rushed in and kicked the air...resulting in the magic illusion to shatter and the actual female mage to have her entire spinal cord snapped in half.
Nijino finished her off with a stomp to the neck.
"The hell is going on?!"
"I don't know, but I am gonna contact the others, first Frederica!"
Nijino quickly turned her head to see a literal Plague Doctor rush at her, however fate intervened.
"GROOOARRR!"
"ATTERO!"
Attero Dominatus charged, forcing the mysterious man to back off. Then, a sickly looking woman with a whip like sword swung her blade, but it was blocked by a shield construct, by Gyra Spyro.
He then walked, in an odd fashion, lower, bending his knees and he softly scraped his hands across the floor.
"The core screams, it screams you are heretical and damned, thus you have to die and be purged of your filthy sins."
He summoned his signature whip constructs, connected to the wrists and within his helmet, a small spark of red rage could be made out.
Ovidius flew forward, through the halls as flames began engulfing areas in the home. He could see a man fully decked in white armor with an eagle helmet sprint at him with a glowing lance...Ovidius clenched a fist and a strong streak of red light blasted through the man's head, curved around the corner of the hall and stabbed through two random women who had knives.
Clenching his fist harder, he snarled.
"Don't underestimate me, you lowly dogs."
Letting the fatal construct fade, he then saw Nijino fire rapid shots into a closed door, at least twenty. Kicking open the door, she found a group of people, who planned a ambush against them, now all dead. And a Metia on the floor, which was being used a portal to let them in, so she stomped on it, and shattered it to pieces.
Ovidius looked out the window and saw Sagittarius and a few other Lewes Meyer Clones rushing to get their staff to safety...but random shots of light struck and he saw several of the maids fall to the ground, as well as a carriage driver.
Sagittarius fired back, easily taking out the intruders.
Ovidius then jumped back, dodging a bo staff attack by a masked man, only to wait...wait, when he swung it at him he slid to the ground, using his feet to clamp on his pressed down ankle.
The man lost his balance, and only gritted his teeth as Ovidius used a flat chop to his neck, messing with his windpipe. Giving the mad scientist a chance to use both hands to gouge in his eyes. He screamed in utter pain, before being flung into the ground, Ovidius used his ring to levitate the bo staff, taking it from his assailant.
Then began to pummel him, over and over again. Resulting in the man's head cracking open, his nose to flatten and ear to fall off. After nine more bashes to the head, Ovidius tossed away the bo staff.
He then focused, as he found it...stuttering his scared breath staring at the closed door he was looking for. Nijino was now close to his side, though being covered in someone else's blood, right when he swung open the door.
What they say inside...resulted in the world to temporarily turn black and white, save for their eyes turning red in overwhelming horror. Once it turned back to normal, the color that took up most of this scene was orange...of the flames that surged in this room.
Ovidius, in his infinite wisdom, and heightened intelligence...could say only one single thing.
"OH SHIT."
Before both began screaming.
The day, not like any other, was veering to an end.
TO BE CONTINUED….
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
LIGHTS SUDDENLY SHINE THE DARKENED ROOM!
Liliana: What's up kids?! Liliana here continuing the cutely, amazing taks of getting these interviews going in another segment of "Minstrel Queen's Corner"! Now save the applause, because you'll have to welcome our first guest! She's deadly as she is lovely, the woman who captures hearts and breaks em' just as easily! Here and ready to entrance us all, "The Angel of Annihilation, Nijino Josho"!
Nijino: Hey Lili-chan! Maaan, this is soooo exciting!
Liliana: I know right?! Ahem, anyways, let's get started.
Nijino: *clapping hands* Yeah, yeah, let's do this.
Liliana: Alright, knowing how Subaru is from the world of Isekai, and you've heard plenty about it, let me ask ya! Okaaaay? What kind of music do you like from there?
Nijino: R&B!
Liliana: What song did you fall in love with?
Nijino: Lose My Breath by Destiny's Child.
Liliana: Round two! What's your favorite food?
Nijino: Oh for reals, Subaru taught us how to make Ramen, and damn! I love it, especially when we make the Shio version.
Liliana: Anything else you do alone with Subaru?
Nijino: Hehehe, do you really want to know?
Liliana: *blushes madly* Nah, I'm good, let's move on!
Nijino: Ahaha.
Liliana: If you went to Isekai, what's something you'd want to see?
Nijino: The clothing! I hear they have some, cute, sexy, and cool fashion over there! I gotta see it!
Liliana: Where would you go?
Nijino: Probably France, I hear it's a reaaally beautiful country in every way you can think of!
Liliana: What's your favorite color?!
Nijino: Orange!
Liliana: What's your favorite animal?
Nijino: The Peacock, they are just soooo beautiful.
Liliana: What do you want your gravestone to say?
Nijino: "Step it up, I'll be waiting!" Ahahaha!
Liliana: How do you spend time off?
Nijino: Um, well, I "hang out" with Subaru? Then again, I also do some calligraphy here and there.
Liliana: How many times do you do it with Subaru?
Nijino: At least twice a week, why?
Liliana: Um, continuing on...Ahem, Humanities or Sciences?
Nijino: Sciences?
Liliana: Do you have any regrets?
Nijino: Heh, who doesn't? I really wish I could've had saved Rem.
Liliana: Yeah...Um, if you could watch a movie, which would you choose?
Nijino: West Side Story!
Liliana: What's a book you'd want to bring over here, from Isekai I mean?
Nijino: The Kama Sutra.
Liliana: Which Red Lanterns do you get along with the most?
Nijino: Subaru and Frederica!
Liliana: Which Red Lanterns get on your nerves?
Nijino: Genau.
Liliana: No love for the poor guy. Sooooo, where do you see yourself in five years?
Nijino: Pregnant and with Subaru?
Liliana: *blushes madly* Wow, you actually thought this through! Uh, anyways! Thanks for the interview it was fun talking to you.
Nijino: *Flashes a thumbs up* No thank you Liliana, it was truly cool doing this.
*Lights go out, only for Liliana and her next guest to appear*
Liliana: Aaaand we're back! So now, we have to welcome our current guest! The next Red Lantern, the smallest member of the Founding Seven, but her looks hide a dangerous side! Yup it's the ever adorable member of the Red Lanterns, "The Super Predator", Mimi Pearlbaton!
Mimi: HI!
Liliana: Hi there Mimi-chan! Are you ready to answer some questions?
Mimi: Sure sure! Mimi loves to talk, maybe even too much! Teehee hee!
Liliana: That's great in this situation! Now firstly, knowing where Natsuki Subaru is from, what kind of music do you love from there?
Mimi: Pop music! Ya! Ya!
Liliana: Which song is the best?
Mimi: Hmmmm, oh Mimi really, really, really loves, Only You by Scatman John! Skippty Skippty!
Liliana: That one sounds fun I'll check it out. Now then, what's your favorite food?
Mimi: Churros and Apple Strudel! Chocolate is yummy too!
Liliana: Do you share with your brothers?
Mimi: Only if Mimi can have more!
Liliana: What's somehting you'd like to see from Isekai?
Mimi: Ice cream and cartoons! So tasty sounding, so fun sounding, it's amazing!
Liliana: If you could go over there, where in the world would you go?!
Mimi: South Africa! I wanna see the lions and zebras! So funny, is it black and white, or white and black? MIMI CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT!? Wahahaha!
Liliana: Ahaha, that does sound fun! Back on track, what is your favorite color?
Mimi: White! White! My lady likes to wear it alot, so Mimi likes it too!
Liliana: What do you want your gravestone to say?
Mimi: Mimi is here! Mimi is here!
Liliana: Simple answer, huh? What do you do on your time off?
Mimi: Protect my lady, and if she gives me permission, I go play with Subaru-nii san and the others, Mimi really likes petting Genau and Attero!
Liliana: What's your type of guy?
Mimi: Hmmmm, Mimi thinks someone very strong, with green eyes? Do they exist? Mimi has never seen a cool guy like that around, Hmmmm, hmmmm, very weird!
Liliana: Hey, what's your favorite animal?
Mimi: The Gorilla! They're big, funny looking and look like fun to play with!
Liliana: What can you not live without?
Mimi: My family, duh!
Liliana: What movie would you like to see someday?
Mimi: Beauty and the Beast!
Liliana: You seem like a smartie Mimi, so would you pick Humanities or Sciences?
Mimi: Humanities, myabe? Mimi isn't thaaaat into study!
Liliana: What kind of magic do you like using?
Mimi: A pink ring attack, I call it Mimi's Hoola Death Strike of Malice! My lady and Subaru-nii san told me to shorten it, Mimi wonders why?
Liliana: Ahehehe, I wonder why as well? Moving on from that, Which Red Lantern do you get along with the most?
Mimi: Probably, ummmm, oh Frederica-onee san and Nijino-onee san!
Liliana: Which Red Lantern gets on your nerves?
Mimi: I love him very much, but Genau is really craaaazy when it comes to eating!
Liliana: What's your biggest regret?
Mimi: ….My Captain, Ricardo, Mimi wishes she could've saved him.
Liliana: I'm sorry, I guess that question is a bit much.
Mimi: It's okay, really.
Liliana: Now last question...Where do you see yourself in five years?
Mimi: With my lady and brothers, having fun somewhere!
Liliana: Awesome! Well, that should be it, thank you so much for your time Mimi!
Mimi: Yeah, no problem! Mimi had lots of fun here!
Liliana: And that'll be all for now, everyone tune in next time for the final interview! Next time, it'll be the popular wolgarm himself, Genau! See ya!
AN: The day is going crazy right? Subaru is a regular Casanova, in more ways than one could explain!
Ahem, anyways, the next chapter will be Nijino's and Mimi's chapter!
"Ch.33 - The Punishment Due".
See ya soon! Three Chapters until Arc Six is over...