I love him, I love him, I love him, I love him.
I do, I truly do, and that's why now I am... Truly happy.
It was lonely inside of here, as always... All I could do for four hundred years was to look at my own reflection.
I must not complain, in the end I'm glad that my friends managed to put an end to the destruction I was causing.
Why, why, why, why, I love you, so why?
Why here of all places? Where there was nothing? Where I was stuck with myself...
No I must not complain, it was my fault, the price I paid for my foolish mistakes.
Now I would rot here forever, the fate I deserved for ending the life of millions over petty jealousy.
He said he loved me, above all others and yet, yet, yet, yet, yet, yet, yet.
It wasn't his fault, he loved me, I know it was the truth... But he had to make a choice.
Liar, liar, liar... I love him, I love him.
He wasn't a liar, he gave up his life to protect me, to seal me away, preserve the memoried where the girl known as Satella was a good girl who would do no harm.
He said he would choose me over the world, yet, yet, yet, yet, yet, yet, I love him.
He tried, he tried saving me, it wasn't his fault, he wasn't invincible, I know that, I've seen that.
He would get hurt again and again protecting me, and I destroyed all he held dear in the end...
I love him, I love him, I love him, I love him.
Now all she could do was reminisce of the good times.
My friends, Reid...
He cut me, even when I screamed, he cut me, he swore his blade to me, and yet he cut me.
Of course he did, what else was he supposed to do? Watch me destroy everything? Just because... Because I couldn't handle my own jealousy?
My friends, Volcanica...
He struck me, again, and again, and again, even when I begged for him to stop, he struck me again."
It wasn't his fault, I remembered how sad he looked... When I gained control for a moment, he stopped.
But then... You came back.
My friends, Echidna...
Disgusting bitch, lying bitch, emotionless bitch, always hated us.
That was true, but it was my fault, because I was reckless, because I was foolish...
I hate myself, so I understand why Echidna hates me.
My friends, Farsale...
Worthless coward, sentenced me to death, a fake hero, a scumbag hero, a weak hero."
He had tried so desperately to find a cure, so, so desperately... But no one had one, not the dragons, not the elves, not the onis, not the stargazers.
No one, he tried everything he could, it wasn't his fault.
My friends, Alec...
I shed tears for him, and he build a kingdom just to end my life."
Hoshin was kind, I'm glad he survived that day, I'm glad his kingdom trives, I'm glad their culture trives.
My friends, Shaula...
Whore, from beginning to end a whore, trying to take him from me.
She was always so cute, trying so desperately to get his attention, like a lost puppy.
I hope she leaves that tower one day, I'm sorry I condemned her to that, she deserved more than rotting away just like me.
She deserved his love so much more than me.
My lover...
I love him, I love him, even if he chose the world over me I love him, I would choose him over the world.
I would, even now I would, but he died... And that was it.
For a long time I thought there was no hope left, that their sacrifices were in vain.
It's weakening, soon, soon, soon my love.
Time was eroding the great seal, one day I will see light again, even now I could exert a great deal of influence on the world.
That's not good, they need to kill me already, the seal was only a temporary solution until they could finally kill me, and yet in four hundred years... No one could do so.
But it didn't matter, because he was gone...
There was no hope, he was dead...
A world that failed him this badly was worthless, no, less than worthless! I would end it myself when I finally left this godforsaken place!
I would hunt down every last cursed being that lived here, that dared to live when he was dead, when his body was cold and rotting.
A funeral, this world will be his funeral, and so will his world, give him back, I love him.
But I no longer had to... Because he was alive!
I found him! Living in his original world! Happy, content, beautiful, breathing, eating, existing... A miracle.
But I couldn't bear to just leave him there, because...
I want to see him, I want to talk to him, I want to touch him, I want to taste him.
I dragged him here, using enough mana to destroy entire worlds, I, for a moment escaped the seal and dragged him here.
He was going to die here... Again.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Thankfully even that thing that existed inside of me was against that, so together we cut off a piece of ourselves...
And put that piece inside of him.
[Envy] had become his shield, he wouldn't die, no matter what, his first step towards becoming a [Sage].
And he didn't even need it.
I'm so happy I could giggle like a fool.
So strong, so fast, so great! My lover hadn't simply been reborn, he had ascended!
At first I was scared, I thought someone had stolen his soul or his body.
I would end him, there would be nothing left of the thief, only dust.
But no! My beloved was still there! It was still him, he simply had changed.
He was now evil, I know since I now do nothing except watch him... And yet...
I choose him over the world.
That was fine, perfect... He could conquer to his heart's content, he should conquer to his heart's content.
If this world made him like that, then it was because the world was sinful, my lover could destroy and save as he wished.
I do admit I was a little jealous of the women in his life.
That damned bookworm, you don't know how to move the way he likes.
That damned assassin, stop messing it up! How hard is it to not bite his damned dick?!
I could do it better.
I have done better.
Ah~...
Flugel...
I love him.
I am so glad I could speak with him for a while, when that girl who looks so eerily like me had some sort of mental relapse I managed to take her body over for a few moments...
He tastes just like I remember!
I love him, I love him, I love him.
I know I shouldn't have done that, but he didn't visit me a single time yet!
That was a good thing of course, I didn't want him to die... Still I wished he called for me more, he had only done so once.
How he knew about my gift I had no idea, but I was excited nonetheless.
Sure I might have accelerated the decay of the seal, but I tasted him again! I kissed him! Our hearts yet again became one!
And how could I not? When he had so passionately declared he would put me out of my misery... My heart skipped a beat!
I love him so much...
Please kill me soon Flugel... Subaru please keep your promise.
I love you.
A sense of unease... I have been feeling that recently...
I don't think others had noticed, but there was something strange happening, the world felt colder recently, ever since the day I tried hunting down the Bowel Hunter.
Ever since that day I've begin feeling like there was a predator watching me, it wasn't because my divine protections where telling me that either... It was pure instinct.
I am gripping the hilt of my sword, ready for conflict, I have been doing so ever since the Bowel Hunter attacked.
It wasn't because of that woman either... At first I did think she might have been stalking me from the shadows, but... No, it was something else, something colder.
The world was scared.
And now I know why.
"Scary stuff, nyah..." Felix, my dear friend comments on the situation.
"Indeed, at first I had been mad that they called me over and made me leave Lady Anastasia's side, but..." And so does my other dear friend, Julius.
They might be the only ones I have.
"Don't worry, I will put this devil down." I try comforting them, though I myself am not sure I believe in what I say
The second coming of the [Witch Of Envy, the so-called [Devil Of Greed, that was what the council feared.
Many knights had been called to the capital, for the reason of sharing information...
The world was facing its next crisis.
It's shameful, but I can't help but think I was born for this moment, that my monstrous strength that had only taken lives could perhaps be used for something good.
There was much discussion to be had over this new enemy, the council believed it to be the arch-bishop of greed, he was indeed beloved by envy... And so very powerful.
One could not forget when he had marched over to Vollachia's greatest city, killed their greatest warrior and massacred their greatest army.
The few who survived would tell tales of how he had done so without a scratch, that which cannot be struck down.
Perhaps my power would now be of use... Perhaps now I could pay for my sins... But I couldn't help... But feel the council was being unwise, they were being hasty in finding a scapegoat.
What did the dragon mean by wearing the face of his kin? I can't think of anything that would apply to the arch-bishop of greed.
The council had decided to keep the prophecy a secret, the margrave had given the idea and they agreed, mostly because it would create panic.
The half-devil, that was what they called poor Lady Emilia, she would have much difficulty in becoming king... If this new prophecy became public knowledge there was no doubt she would be hunted down and killed by the common people.
How sad... I myself had planned to lend my blade to the last candidate, I was looking for her so it was only fair after all, but I hadn't found a single trace.
Another sin added to my soul.
"If you say nyat, then I believe it Reinhard." Felix seemed assured.
"Yes, but I will not let you carry the burden alone Reinhard." Julius said with confidence.
But I knew that confidence was a shield for fear, I'm sorry Julius... I wish I could stop myself.
Right now by using my divine protections I know Julius is both excited and afraid.
Excited that the stories that he grew up reading will become real, that a new age of heroes is about to start, that he has a chance to become one of those.
Scared that he will fail, that in the end he will amount to nothing, a coddled boy who hadn't truly seen conflict, that he could not reach the heights others could.
And jealousy... That in this new era I had a guaranteed spot... And I knew he hated himself because of this envy.
I'm sorry Julius. "Thank you my friend, I will be counting on you." I'm sorry that we both know you would only hold me back.
Reinhard Van Astrea was at his strongest when alone.
Julius nods and now Felix begins talking. "Well, then this cute Ferris over here will heal you boys when things get tough." I giggle, I'm glad I have such wonderful friends.
But, I'm also a little sad... I know how Felix feels... Anger.
His camp was going to hunt down the white whale, I wasn't supposed to know that, but Felix had confessed to us... The reason for why he had felt comfortable saying such secrets was because the hunt was called off.
Apparently my grandfather had raged for hours and abandoned the camp, but it couldn't be helped, Lugunica could not waste manpower hunting the whale when we had a devil to worry about.
A heavy blow, losing the Sword Demon was going to become public knowledge sooner or later... And other camps would now try to bring him into their own.
Not only that, but Lady Crusch had apparently planned to sever the dragon covenant... Yeah, that wasn't happening now.
Not now when people needed his protection the most, if she said that she would soon lose her life in a dark alleyway, probably next to Lady Emilia.
Though to be honest all candidates had been affected a little bit, besides Lady Priscilla that is...
Lady Anastasia is a woman who proudly announces herself to be greedy, as expected of a merchant of course... But now it would be a horrible campaign slogan, she already suffered prejudice for being a foreigner, speaking like the next Satella wouldn't win her any favors.
I do not know how to feel about Lady Priscilla being the only one that didn't have her candidacy shaken... It's uncouth of me, but that woman is... Special.
"So... Are they sending you back to the 'hunt' Reinhard?" Julius politely asks.
He refers to the search for the fifth candidate of course, and the answer to that is..."No, I'm now free to do as I please." And I already had a plan.
I'm saddened I couldn't find her, but I suppose it must have been fate, perhaps a more worthy man shall accomplish what I could not.
Julius makes a sad expression. "I'm sorry Reinhard, I know how badly you wanted to find her..."
"There is no need to be sad Julius, I guess it just wasn't meant to be." It was simple as that, I tried my best and failed.
Felix speaks up. "Still Ferris feels bad for you nyah..." I'm truly thankful for such friends.
I give them my best smile. "Don't worry... Like I said, it wasn't meant to be."
Julius smiles. "Well, if you ever feel like you're lonely you are always welcome at my lady's camp." His proposal may seem opportunistic, but I know that it is given with kind intend due to my blessings.
"Thank you Julius, but I'll pass for now." I'm unworthy of such a offer, I know how much Lady Anastasia means to you...
It wasn't romantic love, but for his friend who loved old fairy tales so much, there could not be greater joy than swearing himself to a beautiful maiden and protecting her no matter what.
As chivalrous as always Julius.
Julius gives him a smile, but before he can respond Felix interjects. "How about going to Lady Crusch then? Your grandfather isn't there anymore..."
I shake my head. "Sorry Felix, but no." His ears flop in dejection, but he soon goes back to smiling.
"Okay Reinhard... But remember that when she wins you're the one that rejected her!" I chuckle.
Felix love for his lady was truly a sight to behold... A beautiful one at that, so much confidence and pride...
But sometimes that love would become twisted and ugly, so much confidence and pride for his lady and yet none for himself.
I wish I could help Felix love himself more, he isn't like me, he is a good and kind person.
Julius put his hand on his chin and thinks for a second. "Then you will stay neutral in the election Reinhard?" The thought of me lending my support to the other candidates does not cross his mind.
I understand why, to support Lady Emilia would be the equivalent of spitting on my reputation as a knight, for Julius who had so much pride in his title that would simply not happen.
His friend didn't have anything against Lady Emilia specifically... But he couldn't deny the facts.
And Lady Priscilla was... Special, she was apparently a competent leader, but her personality was... I really shouldn't think of it.
Still I shake my head. "No, I've already decided who shall have my blade." It was a heavy decision, but one I made nonetheless.
Felix opens his eyes. "For real?! Don't tell me it's that bit- Lady Priscilla!" Please keep your composure Felix!
Felix wouldn't even entertain lending his sword to Lady Emilia, she was seen as the lowest of the low, especially in such dark times and for him to choose Lady Emilia over Lady Crusch?
Like picking the dirt over the sun.
But I see things differently. "No, I shall support Lady Emilia." Both of my friends fall into silence as expected.
It's understandable, but I...
Julius speaks up first. "A-are you sure Reinhard?" I nod, my friend stops for a moment, but then accepts my decision.
Felix still looks angry, but he's doesn't make any comment, either against it or in support of it.
To be honest I know it's a foolish decision, but I feel bad for Lady Emilia, no doubt she too had many reforms she wanted to introduce to Lugunica.
Now she most likely didn't have a chance of even dreaming about that, the only reason she wasn't kicked out of the election is because the court mage endorses her.
Perhaps if she had the support of the Sword Saint she may actually stand a chance?
Besides, I want to do as the dragon ordered... Some of the sages had argued that 'wearing the face of my kin' was a sign that Lady Emilia was an impostor, an evil hiding in plain sight, stealing a spot in the candidacy from someone worthier.
I could not disagree more, I had met Lady Emilia a few times in the past, she seemed calm and kind and so I would be Lady Emilia's shield, so that the council didn't do anything too hasty.
Also this may be foolish, but... I couldn't help thinking of how amazing it would be if the [Devil Of Greed] who had the support from envy was defeated by the [Sword Saint] who had the support from an half-elf as well.
Maybe it was fate, maybe my place wasn't with the last candidate.
I am also curious of her bodyguard, he had driven off the Bowel Hunter so he must be at least a match for Julius in the strength department.
There were many rumors surrounding him, from foolish ones to reasonable ones.
He is definitely Reinhard in disguise, he is definitely the margrave in disguise, he is simply a new rising star, the Bowel Hunter didn't even attack at all.
My favorite rumor is the one that claimed him to be Cecilus Segmunt, Vollachia's greatest divine general.
It was foolish to the extreme, the thought that a divine general would abandon his post and swear himself to a candidate, besides I fought the man before, if it was him there...
The Bowel Hunter would be dead, I have no doubts.
Still the council did ask the margrave and he had confirmed the man to be Vollachian so those rumors weren't dying any time soon.
In fact they got worse, some now claimed the man was Vincent Vollachia himself, who had come here to conspire with the half-devil in a effort to bring down the kingdom.
A hilarious thought... Mostly because the emperor probably had much better plans than that.
But I am indeed curious of what kind of man he is, soon I shall meet him, I've already declared my loyalty to the margrave and I shall travel to his mansion with him as soon as the council gives us permission.
I can't wait to meet my new brother in arms, hopefully we will be friends!
Still, I am a little jealous that he would be the one standing beside Lady Emilia when the time of the selection came.
And it would come soon, after all, the sages decided that it was time to give the people some hope in such dark times, it would probably disadvantage the fifth candidate, but it couldn't be helped.
Soon the election for the forty second king of Lugunica will start and I swear I shall do my best to help Lady Emilia obtain the throne.
"Aaah! This sucks!" I complain to my cute girlfriend.
"Yes, you already said that yesterday I suppose." Sorry Beako, but I need a leopard mommy right now.
What happened last night is simple, Frederica left, I got Beako back and unleashed my frustrations on her.
"Damn it! It was supposed to be her!" I love my Beako, but I have expectations!
Beako rolls her eyes. "It's your fault for messing everything up I suppose." But she was acting so thirsty... I thought I had that in the bag!
"Ugh, you just don't get it Beako..." How could she ever understand my struggles as a multiverse traveling rapist?
It's so unfair...
She hits the top of my head with a book. "Stop it I suppose, besides didn't you force yourself in the assassin I wonder?" Yeah... Still not enough!
"Yeah, also I didn't just force myself, she's my girlfriend now." Thank you company!
Beako sighs. "Only you I suppose... Now let me get back to reading in fact!" Oh, I'm currently in the forbidden library.
It's a good place to hatch my evil schemes since I can make sure no one gets here, pretty convenient.
Also it's home to a bunch of books, I wanted to read books about barriers because of the sanctuary... But I can't read!
So Beako is doing the heavy lifting for me while I stay here wasting time.
Beako looks adorable while concentrating, so I don't mind just watching her for a while.
Though I don't have high hopes for anything here, my number one solution is still just throwing Mili at the problem... But then I have to convince Puck to return her memories first...
How do I even do that? She hasn't even told me about Elior Forest yet and even if she did it's not like that gives me a acceptable reason to tell Puck to give her memories back.
I'm not even supposed to know she's missing memories in the first place!
There are other ways of course, I could convince Garfiel to take the trials, but... It would be hard.
I could do the same with Frederica, but she's been avoiding me for now.
My heart is broken and it will never heal.
Time passes slowly in the library, with only the quiet sound of Beako reading and my occasional super important input, such as:
"Hey did you know Priscilla Barielle has the biggest tits in the world?"
Beako threw a book at me for that one.
How dare her not appreciate my god given knowledge, doesn't she know a person could write book after book solely about Prisca's massive boobs?! It was important stuff, also I hit her with this gem next:
"Hey did you know Priscilla Barielle is actually Prisca Benedict, candidate to become empress of Vollachia?"
She gave me an wide eyed look.. And threw another book at me.
Geez show some appreciation... I just told you something that could get Priscilla executed for hiding!
Imagine royalty becoming king of another country, how scandalous... I love it, can't wait to put some royal babies on her.
Actually maybe I should make her empress of Vollachia, that way I could marry both her and Mili and unify two nations.
I mean Anastasia had a pretty big control of Kararagi, maybe I could help with that!
Gusteko would be left to good old conquest, just gotta kill the mad prince.
And then... King of the world baby!
Beako throws another book at me. "Why?!"
"You were making mother's face, and worse, the face she makes when she thought of a dumb idea I suppose." Hey, it was very smart!
"I thought you liked when I looked like Echidna."
She looks saddened. "I do in fact, but last time Betty allowed her mother to progress with a dumb idea Betty's mother died I suppose." An awkward silence settles in.
Don't worry Beako, I'm better than her, I won't fail.
This world is mine, I just need to claim it... Like hitting pity on a gacha game, but much less expensive.
Silence stretches and Beako keeps reading, progress is seemingly not made...
I have something I want to ask, might as well do now since I feel comfortable telling her stuff like Priscilla's identity anyways. "Hey Beako... Teach me magic." Time to use that yin affinity.
She gives me an annoyed look, but then nods. "What are your affinities I wonder?"
"Yin, probably..." I would be pissed if it got changed for some reason, I want my space-time manipulation damn it!
Beako raises her eyebrow in confusion. "That can't be right... You definitely used magic that does not relate to yin at all..." Oh yeah, she thought I was already a mage.
Well, I am, but I only know Mushoku Tensei who doesn't even have affinities.
Actually, it kind of does, traumas in one's childhood can affect their mastery over certain types of magic, but thankfully I didn't have any over drowning or burning myself.
Basically my affinities were fine, the worst I can remember happening in my childhood is when I woke up with a massive spider on top of me.
And now I have arachnophobia! Thank you brain! Fuck you spiders!
I better not see any fucking spider maebeast's or I'm running away to another world.
But Beako doesn't know any of that. "Beako... Remember the whole dragon stuff?"
She nods. "Betty does remember, she would never forget her contractor's other name I suppose." Wholesome.
"The truth is that I'm from another world."
She gasps and her face twists in shock. "Do you mean from beyond the great waterfall I wonder?!" Oh, right, Re: Zero stupid waterfall at the edge of the world thing... It's convenient though.
I nod. "Kinda."
She panics for a little bit, but then seemingly makes a realization and calms down. "Well, it is said that dragons powerful enough can travel through it I suppose." Even more convenient!
I could just tell her the actual truth of course, but I want to keep this roleplay going for a bit longer.
"So my problem is that magic works differently on my world." On Orsted's world magic was cooler, mostly because it didn't force people into the healer class...
Imagine being born with a water affinity... You just lamely saving lifes while others shoot fireballs and make others blind and stuff...
Healing magic is lame! I won't watch Redo Of A Healer!
Beako looks at me. "How so?"
I shrug. "It would take a long time to explain, but let me just say we don't even have affinities or divine blessings." Miko's did exist and they were kind of similar, in that people thought them to be blessed by the world.
The thought of Zanoba with Reinhard's powers crossess through my mind [Orsted The Dragon God] Shudders.
Beako gets ups and approaches me, I get up too. "Betty doesn't even know if she will be able to teach you anything I suppose..."
"Don't worry I have full faith in my cute girlfriend!" I do! Mostly because she's brainwashed into trying to not disappoint me.
She nods. "First Betty will check if you even have a gate I suppose." She holds my hand.
I feel Beako's familiar mana entering my body and searching through it.
It looks to every place it can, eventually finding what she's looking for. "You do have one in fact." It's dark and shadowy. "And you do indeed have a yin affinity I suppose."
I make a victory pose, startling her. "I Knew it!" Hell yes, finally a contribution from [Subaru Natsuki]!
Beako irritated from my surprised movement asks. "How did you know I wonder?" Oh boy, I am a stupid little man.
Actually stupid big man! "Intuition." Yep, definitely that.
Beako rolls her eyes. "Fine I suppose... I will now run mana through your gate, make sure to remember that feeling." Yes teach!
Yet again she holds my hand and yet again I feel her warm mana enter me.
It goes to the same spot where my gate was found and massages it, trying to remind my body of somebody it never knew it had.
"Do you feel it I suppose?" Her mana passes through it again and again.
I move my own mana there and find it, I won't forget it any time soon. "Yeah, I found it." Being aware of it is strange in away.
I wonder how it feels to have a defective one like Reinhard's or a broken one like canon Subaru.
Beako nods and takes her mana back. "Keep your mana there I suppose, massage it, touch it, move it, I suppose." Yeah twist and bop it, got it.
I do as she asks, it feels like there's blood pumping through a new limb.
"Yeah, I think I got it Beako... By the way what even is the point of a gate?" All of my [Being] was curious about that.
Beako begins explaining. "A filter to change your mana into your affinity, and also a manager so you don't explode I suppose." Scary!
Beako continues. "Be careful when passing mana through your gate, you have a decent amount of it, but your gate is fairly new I suppose." Got it sensei!
"So can I use mana without my gate?" Reinhard kind does right?
Beako nods. "Yes I suppose, even babies do so, even if subconsciously, it is mostly used for strengthening the body I suppose." Yep, like Reinhard.
"That's pretty handy, though I think I've been doing that always anyways." That was my [Battle Aura] probably...
"Probably I suppose, betty must also tell you that one can drain mana from the surroundings, it isn't very cost effective however I suppose." That's what Reinhard does, but he's Reinhard so he takes it to insane levels.
I give her a thumbs up. "So use my own mana! Message received Beako-Sama!"
She rolls her eyes. "It's now time for you to use your affinity I suppose... Remember to not use a lot of mana in fact!" Right, don't want to do a Subaru and waste it all.
Or even worse do a even worse Subaru and hurt my gate.
"First imagine your mana changing when it reaches your gate I suppose, Then cast shamak I suppose." How?!
"Hey more explanation please!" You didn't even tell me what shamak is!
"Betty will show you, pump your mana through Betty in fact." This time I'm the one entering her body. "Look at my gate I suppose." Her own mana takes me there.
"Shamak." I feel her mana shifting in the specific way needed, leaving her body through the filter and then...
I can't see a goddamned thing. "Way too cool." I need to master yin magic.
Beako waves her hand with mana and disperses the magic smoke, she's smirking. "A good spell for an amateur to learn I suppose." She crosses her arms. "Now try it in fact."
Right.
I use my mana the same way Beako did, though I use a lesser quantity of it.
I visualize the smoke in my mind, I shift my mana and pass through the filter that is my gate I then release it. "Shamak." I can't see again.
Shamak does not differentiate friend or foe, it's still extremely useful in spite of that however.
Yet again Beako disperses the smoke, she has a proud look on her face. "First try I suppose! As expected of Betty's Subaru in fact!" That's right I'm the best!
I'm finally learning some actual [Subaru Natsuki] stuff!
AN: Satella and Emilia threesome, one day... One day...