Starmegalo is here! I am rather busy these days but I could take care of this chapter, thankfully.
Reviews! I read all the reviews but I'll answer a few this time since I feel like doing that!
OreosAreYummy : Looking forward to the next chapter, although I'll say a lot of things contradict each other, maybe it's just wording? Is english your first language?
A: English is my second language. I can't comment on the 'contradictions' you talk about. But I can say one thing, there are contradictions because characters contradict themselves. That's intentional. Like Priscilla's unnatural willingness to put a distance on Subaru which she realizes, Emilia's willingness to get better but that not translating to her actions properly, and Subaru's contradictions. These are natural. Priscilla's situation is explained somewhat, that being Subaru is just too different. As for Emilia and Subaru, changing isn't easy for Subaru who thinks he is the kind of person who acted as and Emilia, who's blunders itched into her being.
Oh and, perhaps my grammar sucks. (High probability.)
Pryd: this chapter was great, it made me rest from playing honkai impact... Priscilla and Subaru's interactions felt like the captive princess is comforting the demon lord. thats all I can say for now, I am mentally drained.
hole to see you soon author.
A: Me being able to make anyone take a rest from Genshin like games is just too big of a feat. Thank you.
Mario Gabriel Arteaga: let him fuck and be happy once in his life xD
A: Not up to me. If Subaru were to decide he will enjoy life without caring about insane shit he would be happy. But we will see what will happen from here…
BigSmokeYeet: Could Subaru get something good :D?
A: He is stupid. He could just set up a normal life after arc 4 or finish the goddamn story by solving obvious shit alone (Tower, Star names etc.) with no one holding him back.
But again, this story is about him deciding that it's a good idea to stay with Emilia Camp despite him needing to kill himself just to get out of his supernatural panic attacks.
Now let's get into the story!
"Speaking"
'Thinking'
English words from characters
"Thank you for taking care of Priscilla-sama, Subaru-sama. Oh yes, indeed." Schult spoke with a rather enthusiastic voice. It was entertaining.
"It's quite the opposite. She...took care of me." The man that was sitting in front of my cute Schult was called Natsuki Subaru. A jester who tried hard to be a fool. He looked like he was tired of life itself. Likely, he would rather dismiss everything and be at peace.
But that was boring. Boring as it was, there was a possibility that I would be dismissed as well. That was where Schult came into play.
Schult himself wasn't a good judge of character. He was a pure child brimmed with cuteness and innocence. That was his worth. However, that did not mean Schult couldn't be helpful to me in this situation.
"Subaru-sama must be having a good day! Taking care of Priscilla-sama...Oh yes, indeed. I know how it feels." Schult showed excellent behavior with a total failure of observation. No one would look at this man and think they had a good day.
However, that was precisely what I shall not accept. He lent himself to my care, I did not expect his misfortune to challenge me but I will not run away.
Aside from that, this man is still a mystery to me. Despite it being unfair, I can't seem to stop testing him. Always looking for something. Normally any other person would need to prove themselves to me once, and most of the time the challenger would succeed without realizing it. Such were the trials created by my wisdom...I do not make tests that people fail. I always have the right expectations.
Yet, it wasn't like that when it came to him. Not only did my understanding fail many times, but I could not seem to satisfy myself as well.
"O-oh...Yeah, I had a good day." He says after pondering about it. That's right.
He doesn't seem to be able to take that smile away from him with the cruel truth. It was beyond my expectations. He passed the test when he didn't dismiss or take his frustrations out on Schult. But he was even more considerate with children...In fact, he didn't show that thoughtfulness to me.
This was a test I made on the spot without questioning myself why I keep doing this.
But the answer was clear, I did it because it was what I felt natural to do at that moment. Not for amusement...He wouldn't like that anyway.
That was where the show of character appeared. Someone who takes their frustration from a cute child, or anyone unable to get along with someone like Schult, could not have any ties with me in any way. I refuse that.
Even that drunk man's soft side would appear in Schult's presence. That was a rare moment for him to show his worth other than using his sword.
"So Schult...how did you come to be Priscilla's butler? Did she take you in because you were cute?" He asked. There wasn't much thought behind his guess, however—
"Oh yes, indeed! Subaru-sama is quite smart, isn't he?" Hmph. I wonder. That man is frustrating me by acting like a fool the moment I think he is gifted with intelligence. When I decide he is just a fool, someone that gets laughed at, he proves me otherwise instantly. Playing with the feelings of his Mistress, he is a sinful man.
But...such a chaotic fluctuation was interesting as well. So I did not dislike it after understanding it.
"Ugh...Not exactly. I don't want to disappoint you. I just came to understand her a bit." You fool, that requires intelligence. Are you saying any male commoner can comprehend my depth?
My mood soured now, he must fix it with haste.
I glared at him. He looked confused, good. I like it when he is clueless.
But I like it when he gets right as well,
Trickster has a tough job, he should work hard.
"Oh, not at all. Subaru-sama must have a good head over his neck to understand even one thing about Priscilla-sama! Oh yes, indeed. She likes that a lot. Perhaps you are trying to get Priscilla-sama to like you?"
"That's...a cruel way to toss a bomb," He says with a gulp. I shall have him tell me the meaning of that word.
My smile grew, and my mood fixed instantly. Schult had no idea how he created the excellent situation. Like the world itself, he acted on my convenience. I will spoil him for days just for this. Most wonderful.
To stop him from pulling a clever trick mine divine eyes were aimed at the prey.
Perhaps he would not lose composure to me alone, but he had no chance against Schult's honest, pure eyes attacking him.
He looked at me, pleading for help. Who do you think you ask for help from? I couldn't imagine a better situation at this instant. I have no intention of not witnessing this. I just took my fan out of its usual place.
His eyes moved towards my flesh like every time I did this before. This move...Lamia innovated an excellent technique. She was a failure for using it on every unworthy male. But that was no problem for me.
I thanked the sister I defeated silently and waited for him to speak.
It would be amusing, without any doubt...What I hope for would be a hidden truth. Revealed in this awkward moment.
"Hmm...Let's see. Priscilla...Oh yes, indeed. I will have Priscilla-san. I understand her really well. I will let her have the calm, ordinary life that she desires. She will be my humble wife. When I am outside at work, she will plant flowers and clean our house. We might not experience the best life, but nothing else matters when we hold hands." He said with a smile that pissed me off.
An absolute buffoon. All of that, the Schult's way of speaking included is uncuteness. As expected, you need to be direct with this man if you want answers.
"Oh...I was wrong...I was wrong. Oh no, indeed!" Schult said with an expression of fear. If this was anyone else, this would be a disappointment, affecting my precious mood negatively. Hence requiring consequence.
However, this...monkey... right here said everything with a clear conscience instead of delusion. So Subaru gets nothing but my glare. It feels weird to think of his name. Let alone uttering it aloud.
"Not only you took all of my lifelong experience and achievements, turning me into a commoner. You also doomed me to a boring, repetitive life. And why are we poor? Can you not gain riches so that you can spend more time with your wife?...It's unacceptable."
Of course, I wasn't angry at his words in the literal sense. But I was frustrated over his evasion.
"Welp. It was weird to see Schult-kun being scared that you would lop my head off for that. You are the type to over exaggerate but-" Before he could go on with his sentence Schult spoke up.
"Oh well...I just remembered...Gilian-san." Who is tha-Oh?
There was a handsome man who wished me days of unchanging calmness. He also wanted to have me as his. He burned to death.
I saw my guest looking at me with fiery eyes. Those black orbs can be very daring, the position of political standing someone is born with or transcending strength someone possesses. He does not conceal his rejection.
He is the type of person who would call all nobles idiots at a banquet. Similar to a certain slum rat.
It is amusing. I would want to witness something like that...but it's not just that. It's...
—Admirable.
"Priscilla...did you kill someone just because they were stupid while confessing?" He said with disgust. Disgust.
In my life, all the times someone disgusted by mecouldn't be compared to the number of times that I was admired, worshiped, and loved. Perhaps that's why it's so impactful.
Of course, all of that time I have been faced with such reactions...every single one... came from this man.
Being disgusted by someone as perfect as me was the greatest sin one could commit.
In fact, It's something that deserved my hate.
However, I also know how he looked at me. He wouldn't ever praise me aloud. It was a rarity. But whenever he looked up to me, adored me, found me right, seduced by my beauty...his eyes saw only me. No one else. I had never felt a gaze with that kind of intensity.
So it was only understandable that he would overreact when he misunderstood me. It was a disappointment, I am the same towards him as well. Yes, it is really not about 'tests'. I dislike that word. I just keep observing him, that's all there is.
Of course, I expect him to show consistency with his admirable performance of understanding me. But he was unfocused and in a bad state right now. And I am a forgiving Mistress.
"He was nothing but a boring man brought by my husband for his attempts to turn me into his puppet with a curse. Also, I am sure he was promised to have his way with me by my husband when I wouldn't be able to resist." I explained to him. As if it was nothing like I wasn't bothered by it. Not angry, disgusted, or disappointed.
My mood soured a bit. Anger rekindled too. But I wouldn't show any of that...because I wanted to see-
-For him to get angry, for me.
Weirdly enough, I had no doubt he would.
But my expectations would be surpassed beyond my imagination.
"...Your husband...picks another man to protect you? To turn you into a puppet...And offer your body... as a reward?" While he was processing all that, he clenched his fist hard enough that he was about to stain my furniture with his blood, but that was not what I had in mind.
My eyes widened...I didn't expect this much of a reaction. There was hate in his eyes. He instantly turned from questioning me to not batting an eye at the death of that scum. I see nothing to correct there. It's perfect.
This is natural. If only my husbands were possessive like this without any insecurity or vanity. It is pathetic when one's only pride is birth status and money.
Then he stopped raging. His shaking body stooped as well. In his eyes...shame? Why?
Before I could think further. I felt eyes on me. Soft, black eyes.
"Priscilla...I am sorry."
Did he feel self-centered to feel rage when I was calm?
Did he believe that I had any emotional investment in my husband?
Did he think remembering a bothering memory was impactful instead of a mild annoyance?
How disgusting.
That thought isn't focused on him. It is focused on whatever made him think everyone around him was fragile. He had no reason to believe I cared about any of it at all. But he did it anyway.
He confused me...with others.
Who were the others?
Fox doesn't know how to handle him...But he is hers.
It bothers me.
I got up from my chair...one could call it a throne. I wanted to leave and gather my thoughts a bit. It was uncomfortable to wear my dress in my own place. The only reason I didn't change was to make sure he was safe for Schult. That conclusion was more than satisfactory. He wouldn't get harmed even if this room were to be invaded by hundreds of assassins.
This soft fool would use them to relieve his frustration...hah! An amusing thought.
While walking towards the door, I stopped in front of him. Looked at him without turning towards his way.
"I'll be having some time to myself. While I do that, calm down, your fury for insignificant ugliness attempting to stain my perfect beauty is justified and noted. But only a fool would let his own emotions harm his mind. It looks unsightly on you, not as much as your self-harm. I will see that hand healed when I am here. Understood?" I, Priscilla Barielle, do not ask for confirmation. My words are absolute. People who do not obey will be treated according to that.
But this situation just happened to require it. I don't feel like letting this man choose without any persuasion. No, it's better when I am a factor in his mind.
"...Uh..Ah...Yes." His cheeks tainted red. Usually, it takes considerable skinship from me to see that redness on him. But it seems he is weak to honest intentions from others. I won't forget that.
"Good, I expect no less," I said as I caressed his cheek slowly and moved my hand while tracing his jawline. I was satisfied with him subconsciously leaning on my palm and bothered by the absence when our flesh left each other.
I walked off while wondering if this man never had a woman's touch...perhaps even his mother died at some point? Not something uncommon. But I thought he had failed relationships, at the very least. Hmph. A weird feeling invaded me as I thought about what kind of female might've been with him in the past. But he didn't act like he ever had a relationship like that, which meant...
Untouched huh... Not something you expect or ask from a man. But not unwelcome. Not at all.
While I was about to leave, I felt him twisting the mana unnaturally to heal himself. I heard his assurances to Schult as well. Children are his soft spot...
We had that in common in a way. But I wouldn't bother with random children I had no relation to. This world's reality did not differentiate between the child and the adult after all.
"Priscilla-sama, you are beautiful as always. Do you want me to warm up the bath?" One of the servants spoke. She was a girl who originated from my domain.
I prefer my servants to predict my needs, but this time it was rather curious, so I asked why she thought I would require a bath?
"I...just thought you had a lot on your mind. That's why..."
"Are you telling me that normally my head is empty?" I asked with a glare.
"H-H-H-eeeh?! No! No! No! I-I-I...Jus..t" The girl turned red with a shocked expression.
It was a brilliant combination of embarrassment and clumsiness.
Fufufufufu~
"You did well by asking me before I made my wishes clear. I shall have you ready the water. Be careful with the temperature, mine skin is sensitive as it is flawless."
"As you wish." She bowed before leaving. She is an acceptable servant.
...I wondered how that man was doing.
I didn't succeed in keeping his mind clear and occupied as we agreed upon, that was a greater challenge than I thought. I underestimated his problems and misfortune.
But I learned a lot too. How much he was willing to move forward...he was about to start a conflict with the Sword Saint. Of course, he wasn't that much of a threat with how easily he could be handled...but Natsuki Subaru didn't play by the rules of that book.
If he was a fool who didn't know that guy's weakness, he wouldn't be alive nor have a standing. He knew Reinhard perfectly yet chose to actually fight with him anyway, if not for my interference. He wants to do something to prove himself something. But for now, it's too early for an answer.
What bothered me is that I cannot imagine how Fox and he met. It made no sense whatsoever. This man was rather judgemental, even if you were a candidate. That Fox would turn him off, but here he is.
"Because she is the woman I love."
...But no, he couldn't have been talking about the Fox. Fox didn't like those words. Yet she was sure I couldn't do anything to her with that man being there. He was unnatural, but he is made out of glass. One mistake and he is dead.
Who was he?
...I just realized. Perhaps I wasn't the only reason people were looking at us while coming here. I might've not realized while enjoying the looks and imagining the rumors later...
And I was questioning, the world worked for my convenience.
"Priscilla-sama, the bath is ready. I made sure to control the warmth. I shall prepare your clothes now." She bowed but before she could leave I called out to her.
"Wait. What do you know about that man?" I asked. Assuming she saw him while entering.
"...Forgive my ignorance but...I don't know who you are talking about?" Well...we got inside rather quickly. It's not weird, servants didn't see us. There aren't as many servants as in the Barielle Mansion.
"I see. The name is Natsuki Subaru."
"...What?" She looked like she was hit by something. But before I could warn her to not keep me waiting. She spoke again.
"Are we talking about a man with black hair?"
"Indeed."
"Oh, great Dragon...Well...It would make sense Princess took an interest in him. But it's hard to explain his reputation with one word." She put her hand under her chin as she pondered.
"Then use more words, do not make me say the obvious."
"Well...perhaps you forgot." Hmph. So we are publicly seen before. "The rumors say that he first appeared on the first day of Royal Selection. Got into trouble with nobles and knights alike. Embarrassed himself so much that the nobles just didn't talk about it. The common folk like us just had a good opinion but in the end to everyone, he was insanely reckless." Knowing I would not be satisfied with anything but detailed information, she kept going.
Hmm.
"No one talked about him after a day or two when there were figures as important as dragon maidens. But then...The news of the White Whale spread."
"What does he have to do with Carsten's monster hunt?" I asked. So he is related to at least 3 candidates. What fun.
"He was the one who foretold where the beast would appear. He also fought on the frontlines despite having no ability to use magic or possessing any power. He was by far the weakest of the army. Yet, it seems with his plan the Whale is brought down."
"..." No ability to use magic. No power. I see...he got stronger and became even stronger. Trickster. Interesting.
"Both Sword Demon and Valkyrie gave all the credit to Natsuki Subaru. In fact, no one in the army had an opposite opinion. Even Blue itself admitted he was a key player."
"Mhm...Even the pet had to admit? Hehe." That made me smile. If that cat of all people says it couldn't be done without him then he just saved everyone. That sounds like him.
"That's not all. Even with the crazy story ignoring how he pulled that off...the reason for his inclusion in the battle in itself is madness."
"What was the reason?"
"He needed people to ambush the Sin Archbishop of Sloth to save a village."
"Fufufufufufu...Hahahaha. What a fool. Thinking that the only way to get help from people is defeating a calamity...It deserves pity."
Indeed. What a warped perception.
I thought the one who killed the Sloth was the 'Knight', a man so uninteresting, he becomes interesting for that reason alone.
"After that, the four-hundred-year win streak of the Witch Cult comes to an end. And no one died against them. Only a week later, there is news of him killing the Great Rabbit with methods that left no trace. First, there was a divide, but now people mostly believe it because there are no sightings of the Rabbit anymore. And people searched the possible routes it is supposed to follow. They didn't find anything."
It is understandable. A beast who specialized in surviving. Can only be ended by being wiped clean.
"This is enough. I don't want to hear it anymore."
While the servant looked like she wanted to speak more, she just bowed and left.
To think he has such achievements...I had expectations already but I am pleasantly surprised nonetheless. He definitely doesn't act compatible with those achievements. That's something that needs to be fixed. There is no one better than me when it comes to pride one needs to have.
"White Whale, Great Rabbit, Sloth," I muttered as I walked towards the bath.
In such a short time, so much changed, so chaotic.
"That is not something observers would dictate nor allow."
I said with a wicked smile.
I felt my body finally starting to relax.
Even though I was in a good mood. It did become conflicted with the reminder. I forgot about this man.
And it seems like he is heavily bothered by it. That's both good and bad.
I wasn't sure about the specifics. But my way of living is that I flow how I feel and live without questioning myself. If not for questioning myself like today happened many times, I would definitely lose interest or become hostile to him because of misunderstandings.
My instincts and confidence were impeccable. He is an anomaly. Someone could not be understood with instincts that honed for the easily understood people.
"But would that justify something excessive as complete erasure in my mind?"
It wouldn't be justified in his mind. He wouldn't accept that as a reason.
And neither would I.
"That Fox...her smile still pisses me off." At any time, she would not be able to get the upper hand in any situation. But unlike other candidates, she could come to an equal level with me now and then. She was my rival, while others had potential, but that was all.
But that foxy smirk she gave while holding his arm...calling that "Equal" or "Not a loss" would be delusional.
Back to that man...
While I was thinking about him. I let myself float on the water and close my eyes.
I imagined. Being completely severed by control of others and the grasp of Observers.
Binding the rules of nature, exploiting the natural order of power.
The more you get free, the more you become lonely. But how lonely can you get?
Well. All alone.
Perhaps that's why he is so different. He walked in a path, and even when he was still not at the end, he ended up unlike any other.
The philosophy of Vollacian Royalty was to live in a way that separated you from the control of observers and everyone. But that came from the nature of yourself.
He acted against nature, of the world, of himself. In the end, he got separated from the world, and his nature changed.
I remembered his face while looking down on that commoner trash that attacked him. Yes, he is still forcing himself to change. That was why he was so adamant about killing that trash.
...
"But what one would want...if one is absolutely free. Free from even oneself?" I muttered to the empty place.
He definitely felt an emptiness. Filling that up was the key to getting him.
...Get him.
He is mine, will be mine, but in what way?
I slowly got out of the bath.
"Do not bother. I do not acquire your assistance this time." I said as I rejected her privilege to make me dress.
"Very well." She bowed and left.
I shall be dressing myself. If that man knew I was getting dressed by a servant of mine, he would laugh and mock me even though it's only natural.
'Pffffff. You can't bother to wear your own clothes? Hahahahaha'
It's only natural to avoid that annoyance. That man knows how to piss me off.
I wore the red house dress that I am fond of. It shows my body and compliments it, so he will love it. With my shawl, I was complete.
My destination was obvious. I got inside to meet with him again, and what I faced was-
"Now, left." He brought himself down to Schult's eye level and stayed behind him. Schult's eyes were closed.
And then, the spirit moved towards Schult's left.
He opens his eyes.
"I...I did it?" He clenched his tiny fists as he looked at the minute-spirit.
"Yep!"
"I did it! I FINALLY MANAGED TO DO IT! YES, INDEED!" He had such a cute expression for achieving something so pointless.
It seems he realized that too.
"Wait...Subaru-oniisan, how can moving a spirit help me?"
"It probably won't."
"...Ehhh!?..." Schult seemed like he got his dreams crushed. Well, I knew he didn't have a talent for spirit arts.
"But you weren't aiming for this anyway. First master at trying to move the spirit. Keep speaking to minute spirits loudly as much as you can. Even though you can't hear them, try to hear them all the time. It's about imposing your will, ensnaring the being with a weak will, and giving it a purpose-" That's enough.
"So, I wasn't here for an hour, and you are teaching him heresy? How bold." He will not ignore me. He isn't allowed to do that. It was understandable how Schult was having his moment...but that man had no excuse.
Also, I wasn't lying while calling this 'heresy'. Gusteko would hunt this man down if they knew his anomalies.
"Ah...Princess, are you angry? Oh no, indeed."
"Well...I will admit he shouldn't ever do this in front of...literally any spirit arts user. However, it is useful. I thought he was determined and single-minded enough to connect with a spirit while not being too prideful or bound to nature to fail." Hmm. "I only taught one person before Schult...but with time, our relationship...wasn't good enough for her to accept me as master anymore..." His expression turned into a bitter-sweet smile...he is fond of this person. And-
Her? A woman...Hmph!
"Very well, I shall allow, from now on, you to be his tutor. Bring all your belongings. You shall stay with us, be grateful. I will let you indulge in my scent until that greedy nose is satisfied. This is your compensation." I smiled sweetly at him.
"Hey! Hey! Do not just capture me like that! I just gave one or two tips on the spot when he asked some questions! Plus, this is a path that no one walked. I don't actually have the gift for arts. I don't know how far one can go. This is something I made up."
"Made up?" Schult asked. Good. I was wondering that as well. He had a way of not caring about rules with spirits. Rules of the world were absolute for spirit and user.
"I always got along with spirits well. One day I decided that there was no way I was gifted since I...wasn't the type to be talented. I looked at the things that made me able to use and interact with them. I observed and studied. And came up with reasons on how I did it and created ways for someone to use spirits without being loved by them naturally."
"So...you could do it without knowing how." I pointed out.
"Yes, this wasn't something I attempted. But with time, I learned how to break the rules. I also started to dislike spirits as I learned more about them and...get to know that piece of garbage." ...How interesting. He hates spirits. I'll remember that.
And it seems he can dominate them. Unlike how Schult made it move, his way of controlling them didn't look like a mere suggestion. And he can even do magic by using them...
"Subaru-niisan...how far can I go?" Despite him making it clear he didn't know. Schult wanted to hear a better answer. It was cute but naive. And...'nii-san'?
Regardless, he received an interesting answer.
"My old...apprentice. She managed to learn the use of simple healing with spirits after learning how to heal from me. You will need to learn how to cast magic as well, to make spirits do that. So at the very least, I believe you will be able to use all basic elements in your daily life. But for a fight? I am not sure if you can do that or not...there is only one way to know. You will try."
I am growing more curious about this woman...but I will hold back. This isn't the right time to ask.
I saw Schult looking at me with puppy eyes...wanting my permission. Good boy.
"Very well, but only with minute spirits. And you will not slack on massaging me or your other duties."
"Priscilla-sama is the best, oh yes, indeed!" As I looked at his cute face...An idea appeared in my head.
Oh yes, indeed~
I smiled. "Schult...why don't you go to your room and practice?" The realization started to occur to my victim. But he was trying to delude himself.
"Yes!"
"And, since you are growing. You will be sleeping alone today...and perhaps tomorrow!" His eyes widened even more...
"Yes! I shall be even more useful to Priscilla-sama."
Did he actually look toward the window?
"Oh...tell servants to not disturb me no matter what." It would be a bother.
"Ah! Priscilla-sama wants to learn from Nii-san as well? Hmm, he is rough, but it pays off in the end! Oh yes, indeed!"
He excitedly left the room.
I looked at him.
"You know...I...am a REALLY boring man." He said while nodding his head. Fufu~
"Do you want me to take your word against what my eyes see?" I smiled as I played with my hair as I slid my hand lower and lower.
"I have the greediness of a pig...you know." His eyes got lowered and lowered. He must've enjoyed the way I controlled his gaze. If not, this wouldn't work every single time.
He was in denial at this point. You showed me too much for me to just let it go with disappointment.
"Hmm...is that so? Then it means I don't dislike it. Perhaps you want me to call you a pig? If that's what you want... then it can't be helped. I am a benevolent Mistress, so it's only natural you are satisfied."
"No. Choose a different animal." Fufu...I thought so.
My fingers reached the tip of my hair, which stood on my chest. The same place black eyes are trapped now.
By all means...he liked to look at them. It was undeniable. But if I were to say where he looks at most...
It's my eyes...isn't it? I wonder why...
"Huh?" His eyes stopped feasting as I got close. But I was confused by his reaction...there was no way he spotted an imperfection on my body. Such a thing didn't exist after all.
I looked at him questioningly.
"That's...uh...nothing."
You are not convincing. Speak.
I didn't need to say those words aloud, of course.
"Uhm...could it be...you didn't...bring your fan?"
"Hah?" What was he talking about-!?
Ah. I...forgot to put it here? It wasn't between my chest.
Hmph. It's his fault for getting into my head without a stop.
Wait...
"How did you even know?"
"..."
"Don't tell me...Fufufufu~ Hehe." I laughed.
"D...Don't laugh!" While I laughed, I walked towards the body mirror...
"Hahahahaha...I can't even see the difference, fufufufu~ a hungry male's eyes are just different after all!" I wasn't lying. Theoretically, putting my fan between my cleavage could change the position of my chest a tiny bit. But my eyes could not observe that difference.
But him? A hungry wolf indeed~
I imagined him happily, saying 'Woof! Woof!' between my chest. Hmm~
"S-shut up! I am just...more observant than you are!"
"Fufufu~ you aren't convincing anyone, certainly not yourself. You have the way my boobs are positioned carved into your head, so it was an easy task for you. Well done!"
"Do NOT praise me for it!" He didn't even reject that fact anymore. His face got even more red as the second passed. He was defenseless, so...
I grabbed the kimono from his chest and pulled him while walking towards my favorite couch. It was large. You can lay yourself vertically, like on a bed.
I pushed him gently, and he fell like a feather. I settled beside him. We have our backs on big couch pillows.
"I..." He said hesitantly.
"Are you comfortable?" I asked softly. He is so easily receiving kindness. He is craving it. And the way he opens his heart. It makes me want to give it to him more.
"Pillows are really soft." He said as he evaded my question.
"Relax. Nothing is going to happen." I put my hand on his bare chest. His kimono spread further when I pulled him. His body was toned.
"That's...hahaha." He laughed mockingly. "With my 's...such a foolish thing to-"
"Shhh..." I traced my hand on his chest as I shushed him. Opening it further as I widened the gap in the center of his kimono.
More and more scars appeared.
His eyes closed as if to feel my touch better. I could feel he wanted to relax as well...
I traced the scars. I could understand that some of them were from wild animals. But I had no way of identifying all of them.
"Hmm...Where did you get this?" I asked as I traced the scar with my fingers. He makes a sound. I think he finds my touch pleasant.
"...Telling the stories of my scars to a woman, huh? I had fantasized about that...but you wouldn't like the stories behind it. They are nothing interesting or grand." I frowned upon those words.
"That is for me to decide..." I said as I traced a wound on his belly.
"That's from Bowel Hunter. A sadomasochistic woman."
"Oh? She is rather popular. Did she follow you from Gusteko?" I said as I tried to get something about his origins. He said he wasn't from there but...This time he wasn't this comfortable. And I wouldn't mind knowing if he has ever been there even if he wasn't born in that place.
He chuckled.
"No...to begin with, I've never been to Gusteko. One day, I wanna go there too."
"It's too cold for my liking."
"That's true as well. But the cold isn't always bad. Despite everything I've been through in the cold…" Silence dominated the place for a while after he said that.
That was nice as well, but silence is not a preference right now.
"What about these?"
"They are from Wolgarms. I became a chew toy for them to save a cute maid."
"Foolish man...What did you do about the curses?" Those demon beasts could leave curses that sapped the victim's mana. When there is no mana left. They take all the life force, leaving no Od behind. Killing someone once and for all.
"Nothing. Not only did all of the beasts that bitten me put curses on me without exception, they continuously kept doing so. I have insane levels of miasma on me. If I survived long enough, they might've killed themselves from the strain of keep putting curses. That kind of loss of control happens to them when they taste a drop of my infected mana." He said with a chuckle...
There was a lot to take in, but the biggest reveal would be-
"Miasma...so you have the Witch Scent." He has more secrets than Al...That's a hard limit to surpass.
"Not everyone with Miasma has it. Hmm...you can have more miasma than others if you have more mana than others. It's simply your mana turning into a 'bad mana'. But with Witch Scent...you can still exude more of that if your mana is super bad. But in essence, what makes that thing is that you need to have some darkness inside of you. Something very unnatural...let's say." He even explained all that...a knowledge that doesn't exist in the most classified Volachian texts.
He seems to trust me with his suspicious knowledge...I want to see how far I can go with this.
"So...Were you a Witch Cultist? Or perhaps you still..."
"Pff...That's a very casual way of asking, "Are you a terrorist?" But the answer is...Who knows?" I glared at him harshly, I was pissed and-
"Pfff hahaha! Don...Don't pinch me! It tickles!" He put his arm on my shoulder to calm me down.
I was already getting touchy with him...now he was doing it too.
"I wasn't lying. It is really a matter of perspective. I personally never joined them. But that doesn't stop some of the freaks from thinking I am one of them...and seriously, I tick the boxes so well that there is no difference between "Witch Cultist Natsuki Subaru" and "Not a Cultist Subaru""
"What do you mean?"
"You see...I studied them a bit. It's actually quite a free place. You can do whatever you want, no rules so you only get the risks and consequences of what you do. Which is why that place is where people rejected goes. You don't really have to be a terrorist. The only rules are 'do not speak of old witches or anything related to them.' 'Obey the gospel' and..."
"And?" I learned a lot even though he said it in a vague sense. There are other Witches of Sin than Envy.
"Ah. Nevermind. I'll keep that one to myself...spoilers!."
"I'll have you tell me what that means..."
"Your interest in my unknown words pleases me. Al must be having it easy. The people around me aren't curious at all." He sighs.
"You know Al...ah, of course, never mind. Tell me about what it means."
He looks around for a bit and smiles. "You like reading books, Priscilla." That was true. The library I have here wasn't even that big.
"Knowledge is one of the things you can't do without. Only a fool would deprive himself of it. What that has anything to do with its 'spoylers'?" He chuckled and unfortunately...asked another question.
"Do you like stories? Fictional or the ones about history?"
"Of course."
"Now imagine this. You are reading a book. You are enjoying it, it is written well, and you wonder what will happen next. Al appears in your room and tells you how it ends..."
"I would lop his head off."
"You would do that...but the point is. That's what a spoiler is. Some people don't mind it at all. Some people are extremely sensitive to it in all cases. Sometimes you don't mind, and sometimes you want to be deaf. It's something like that."
"Hmm." I hummed thoughtfully. "I'll have you spoiler a lot of things about yourself then..."
"Hmm. No." Hmph!
"So...You have a gospel you obey?" I asked him with a frown. After all, He told me that there would be no difference if he joined the cult.
By all means...I disliked people getting their future controlled by things. But the idea of this man doing it? I despise that. I will burn his book.
"Not at all."
"Huh?"
"It's just...If I had one, it wouldn't simply work." Why is that?
"...So, just an empty book."
"Yep. I get a free notebook if I join. It's tempting isn't it? Plus…a fun fact, I can read the Gospel of other people."
...Hmm. I can't seem to think of a reason how or why it wouldn't work on this person. But it is pleasurable to think that his future cannot be read or written. I am envious.
"The Gospels suck the memories out of The World. The World always tries to perceive things when they haven't happened yet. To The World, it is still a memory unless it is proven wrong. And when it is proven wrong, it just changes his 'memory'...so the World is never wrong. This is something the original creator of the book similar to gospel did not realize."
"Interesting..." Very...very, interesting.
This man knows a lot when it comes to wicked topics.
"...Hmm. What position would a Cultist give you?" After all, he said that some of them thought he was a cultist.
"It changes...but usually it is..."
The Sin Archbishop Of Pride
-He said firmly. Seemingly lost in his memories.
...I didn't expect that.
"Do you think you fit the position?" I mockingly said.
"No. Not yet." I got more than a joke as a response. To my silence, he answered.
"Did you think there is a basis to those titles?"
Hmm...I understand what he means. Throughout history, Sin Archbishops called themselves 6 sins. But what if there was a reason for that...and what if there was a reason why none of them calls themselves 'Sin Archbishop Of Envy' instead of just 'worship.'
"Because she isn't dead..." There could be no other 'sin' without the previous one dying...This also had the implication that the Witch of Envy wasn't more special than others in nature.
"Welp. You said it. Not me. But seriously...you are brilliant. Deducing that much from a simple wording that can't even be counted as a hint." He seemingly understood what I meant. And I take that praise to heart. It was a genuine reaction. It made my heart flutter.
"So...you are the one who killed this 'Sloth.' Do you think that might've made you one of them?"
"..."
I sighed. It is more likely that the way I asked bothered him than the knowledge itself. Sometimes, he is tougher than any warrior, and sometimes he is just too sensitive.
But it's nothing I can't get used to or adapt to. The fact that my chest was resting on his proved my grace on the matter. Or that his hand that caressed my shoulder and played with my hair.
I touched his toned chest to assert that truth once again.
"You have a rather devilish body." I was sensual, there was an intention to tease, of course, but I wasn't lying at all. He wasn't extremely handsome or pretty. But when it comes to his body, the aesthetic was unlike no other.
"Well...it was a hobby of mine. It's embarrassing when you think about it though,"
"It would be pointless and ugly on the inside if it had no function and was nothing but an empty look. However, beauty must be something to consider, perhaps as much as the function itself. I can see you have harnessed your strength and potential beauty together. I shall command you on that."
"You seriously don't find this ridiculous? I was kinda laughed at by...a girl because of this. "Oh, Subaru's body looks strong even though he is weak!" ...Ugh. Sometimes airheadedness is just lethal. She wasn't even trying to damage me...that girl." He said in an imitating voice and he gained an air of melancholy. Something that I will dispel instantly. I didn't want him to think about other women anyway.
"Do you think my dress is good for battle? Should I wear a purely functional outfit while disregarding how I look?"
"Good point, my lady. Please continue to do as you wish. You are definitely right about your choices on this matter. I was ignorant." He said jokingly and brought my hand to his lips, kissing it. I giggled softly. He was an honest man. It was an instant change of opinion.
Good. After all, I shall make you wear your clothes according to my wish in the future.
Near future.
"The shallow knightly way of speaking doesn't fit with your words full of lust. But I have come to like it. I shall expect more."
"I will do it only when I feel like it..."
"Be honest with yourself, and you will see yourself praising me much more than this."
"I already do it in my head a lot more than I do it with my mouth."
"So you are keeping the praises I deserve to yourself? Hmph!" I said and I bit his arm. Which caused him to make a pleasant sound in my ears. Did this man receive pain as a pleasure?
" Umph...ahh...Well...I am a bit shy?" He can't be expecting me to believe that.
"By the way...how did you take care of your curses?"
"I didn't. Those are still in me. Curses no longer belong to the Wolgarm, since they are dead. And there is too much for anyone to remove." Just as I thought. But...
"If it is inactive for a long time...it should be able to be removed."
"Huh? Hey, there are hundreds of curses in me. Those dogs wanted to make sure they suck every bit of me. My spirit said removal is possible with how many curses are inside."
"...That should be wrong. I knew few people that could do that. And they are not even from Gusteko."
To that, he was confused.
"Spirit's abilities are deeply connected to nature. Perhaps her abilities and knowledge she possessed were lacking."
"She is a great spirit...who protected the library with the most knowledge."
"..."
"Well, admittingly. Despite her genius, the owner was quite clumsy with her preferences...and that woman also confused the book numbers and spelled some of the titles wrong...yeah perhaps she didn't have it or at that time these curse removal techniques weren't a thing?"
He started to rant about boring things and again, found another woman to think of while I am here.
"Since you've shown a lot of trust in me and you are in my care...I shall remove those curses from you."
I said and summoned my favorite sword.
The Yang Sword, the sword that has its own consciousness, looked stunning.
More importantly, this sword shall only burn what I want.
"Uh...no."
My benevolence was refused. "Why?" I didn't remove the sword. If it's a mad logic with a lack of self-preservation, I will refuse and take the curses regardless of his choice.
"Curses are beneficial to me. There was a time there were 3 beautiful women that I was chatting with at a boring party. They didn't leave me alone for a long while. When they asked my name and received it...I understand from their reaction that they were the ones who anonymously sent me food and drink."
"Huh...did you actually consume those?"
"Yes."
"I assume you are not foolish enough to think they were safe. Did you know you would be immune? "
"No."
"..."
"..."
I can't believe he is going to make me ask. For some reason, now he is slow to uptake.
"For what reason did you take it then?"
"...When I consumed poison my body took it well. A lot of pain but I was adapting. As for the curse...I passed out for a while...and survived because curses in my body reacted against the new ones...pacifying them as well."
That did not answer my question. I was wrong about him not understanding. He just refused to answer.
For some reason, this particular evasion made my blood boil.
"How did you end those women?"
"I didn't kill them."
"What?" What?
"I decided not to. We got along and all...They didn't even know about me. They were just there to plant the items. A greater noble who didn't like me did all that. For him, I made much darker decisions. But I didn't feel like just erasing them. In fact, there was the moment I thought I was getting a harem-Agh~ Ohhh~ Stop~"
I laid myself on his lap, pressed myself on his chest, and bit his neck. It was meant to be a punishment. But to him, it seems this much pain...was a pleasure. Even though I didn't control myself very well.
We locked eyes with each other for a while. He was bleeding, but he looked like he didn't care at all.
"I don't understand you," I said, my voice coming out weak. I am confused too. I really don't have the energy to continue to listen to his energy-sapping dark thoughts.
"I wouldn't be here if you did. Once you figure it out, there is no fun to have with your toy. Isn't that right?"
As always. Self-deprecating to an insane degree. He doesn't even care what I might do. Time and time again, he even baits me into beating him, leaving him knocked out with some of his actions. He knows I dislike that. Yet he does it anyway.
He is an unstable, unpredictable man who might bring ruin, even to me.
"No...that's not right. Mystery isn't something I dislike but you are no entertainment to begin with. With you, the degree of mystery is simply too much anyway." I said honestly.
"Well, perhaps you are making the wrong choice. I don't mind being an entertainment at all. Not anymore."
I have no idea what choice he made, I just know it's not one I could accept.
I slowly got even closer to him. My chest pressed against his once again. He smelled good. Mostly his natural smell with a tint of perfume.
"Priscilla...what are you?! UH..."
My tongue registered the metallic taste. I could feel the warmth too. There was something nice about this.
"Ahhh~" Music to my ears. He kept moaning. He would keep moaning.
After the red liquid on his neck cleared. I pressed my lips and kissed that neck. First time I kissed a grown man's skin. No, it's the second time I kissed his neck in front of Sword Saint too.
"Ah?! Oh~" After his surprise, perhaps he was about to reject...that only lasted until my second kiss. He quickly stopped doing unnecessary things and held me tightly by my waist. He pressed his face on my neck.
While it was disappointing that he wasn't doing anything else, the way he was taking my scent as much as possible from my neck was a pleasurable feeling. He just loved the way I smelled.
That feeling was shared. Which showed our compatibility. Yes...
You are mine. I kissed that neck sensually as I thought to myself. I don't know if you can train your neck...but it was unnaturally thick and strong. I loved it. Whether it was natural or trained.
Memory problems? Fox? They could go to hell. The world exists for my sake, you might not be a part of it, but that will change soon...today.
"Pris...Ah...I..." 'Pris'...so that's how he calls me in his head. I love it. He said with such adore.
As I thought stated that, my hands wandered on his bare chest, even more freely than before. I was holding back. But not anymore.
I was going to turn him into a mess. I could feel his manhood reacting to all this. It's trying to reach me. With how thin our clothes were I could feel the warmth of it. It was so hot, I wondered if there was any blood left in his brain.
"AaaHH~" My sensitive little fool~
The more I played with him, the more marks my lips left on his body. I was no longer just focusing on his neck. The more time passed, the more he bathed in my scent.
...
...
...
"Eeep~!"
For minutes I continued to enjoy the sounds and reactions he made, then my scene suddenly changed. I was repositioned.
I am laying fully on the carpet and above me...him..
"Oh..." I let out an uncontrolled breath of pleasure as I imagined what came next.
"You've done it." My breathing got even faster than before, and my heart pounded with joy.
I knew he had it in him. He was just acting spoiled until he couldn't take it anymore.
His frustration below was more than visible, his kimono wasn't tight enough to hide it.
I witnessed this throughout the day, every single time he calmed himself down with an extraordinary control very few men can show...but this?
There is no holding this back~ He needs to relieve himself.
"This is just telling the obvious but...you don't get to choose from here. After messing with me like that." He said firmly, as he looked at my breasts, no attempt to hide it. His eyes were devouring my body, his mouth was slightly open, and I could see him trying to hold his saliva. He gulped it down, closed his eyes, and took a big sniff.
Shivering with pleasure, he opened his eyes and grinned, with a look of a predator in his eyes.
He was looking at me like he was the incarnation of lust and I was exactly that.
I giggled with nothing held back. That only irritated him more, in a good way.
Despite all good feelings, I was admittedly nervous about this unknown. But that didn't matter, I wouldn't mess this up for that reason alone.
I was about to be worshiped by a real man like never before, experiencing the love I sought for so long.
I wonder if I pulled this off…well, at the very least making Subaru talk about suspicious shit about him while relaxing was nice to write. He knows quite a bit at this point. To be honest, I even have a reason why Subaru didn't just finish the story in that 1 year. Reasoning is deep but it can also be summarized easily : He was a pussy
If the enemy can just be eradicated, Subaru has no fear or anyone that makes him doubt if he can win. It's not that the idea of soloing the cult scared him, the reason is Subaru would need to confront shit but he is too scared to do that. Rest is spoilers.
I am also sure some people think "Oh, Priscilla won." not that I am blaming them. But I'd like to remind you that we already know how these chapters end, Subaru throwing himself into the garbage. Well, even if everything went well, it wouldn't just make them set for marriage and a lifetime worth relationship, I just don't roll like that. I don't believe love and passion alone can make Subaru be fine with marrying. Though no lie, Priscilla is rapidly climbing.
Well, arc 8 fucked my perception of Re Zero even further. Imagine saying to an infant that she is not a terrorist but then she also needs to take responsibility for things that the terrorist did anyway and receive forgiveness by working hard. For fuck sake…What is this man smoking? I knew he was going down hill after a 5 year hiatus but this is…wow.
