Five people sat in an office, with a desk on the back, a coffee table stood in front of it while two couches were on the sides of the table, on one the two couches sat two people, a man and a woman, on the other side two children were seated, with a tattooed man standing behind them.
"So, you wish to take our son with you, and make him your right hand man, am I right?" A black haired kid sat in front of me, next to me was my wife, we were in our shop of the Sewen family.
"Yep, don't worry, he'll be safe. We'll take good care of him." The kid answered with a smile as the man filled with tattoos stood next to him, with them a platinum haired kid was with them, our dear son Otto, with a face immensely confused.
"Why would we trust a complete stranger, a child no less?!" I shouted with a completely confused tone, the child smiled and looked at us, with a carefree attitude he put his hands on the back of his head.
"He'll have fun, and we won't let him get hurt." The child explained in a truthful voice, befitting of the sincerity of a child, I sighed and looked at Otto.
"Otto, what do you want to do?" My wife asked in a loving voice, Otto remained silent for a little while.
"I don't think I'm ready to go around the world, especially with a person I met a day ago!" He shouted while looking at the kid, who smiled in retaliation.
"Well, that's too bad, still I'm going to the capital, you can get a nice vacation there, and also," he cleared his voice "Reinhard, Cecilus!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, the family was surprised at his shout, followed by a moment of silence. I was going to ask why, but then.
"Did you call for me, Subaru?" "Boss, is it time for this leading actor to play his role?" Two existences, one was blue lighting, the other was a red flame, no, two children entered the room.
"Yep, Rein, I'm bringing this boy with me to the capital, is it alright?" The boy asked as Reinhard nodded, my face paled as I looked at the sword saint.
"Wwwait, Reinhard as in the sword saint Reinhard Van Astrea!?" I shouted in complete surprise, the boy also held a sword on his back.
"It's not time for me to use that title yet, I'm just with Subaru." As Reinhard spoke, I realized something. I slowly turned towards the boy, who was just called Subaru, as my face grew even paler than before.
"Subaru, as the child of war, Natsuki Subaru?" I asked, as I started panicking, not one, not two, but three of the most powerful people in the world were in my house.
"Yep, that's how some people call me." Subaru had a cocky smile on his face, as he giggled while looking at Otto, who had his soul leave his body.
"So, if I say no my head gets lopped off?" Otto spoke in a trembling voice, judging by the rumors of the child of war, that would be a mercy.
"Why would we cut your head off? You aren't a crazy murderer or things like that." Subaru asked in a sincere tone, Otto was quite surprised at his words, for rumors said that he would slaughter everyone in his path, and that to those who didn't follow him he would torture with a smile on his face, even if he too figured out those weren't exactly truthful.
"I-I see, in the end, Otto is fourteen, he's old enough to make his own decisions." I looked at Otto who was deep in thought, then he raised his head and looked Subaru in the eyes.
"I don't know you enough to join you, and I don't feel ready in the slightest to be of any help," Subaru looked down with a sad expression after being rejected, but Otto pointed a finger upwards.
"Still, with the sword saint at our side, I can accompany you at the capital." Otto smiled as Subaru jumped from joy, the group walked out of the building, Otto prepared all of his belongings and got ready to go, as he followed Subaru to his carriage.
The group departed from Picoutatte at sunrise of the next day, with Reinhard looking out for dangers and Cecilus annoying him, while Otto and Subaru chatted together, the ground dragons didn't need someone to control them thanks to Otto.
"I'm quite astonished to be in the same carriage as the infamous child of war." Otto stated as he held his head in his hands, Subaru laughed while Hiain patted his back with a smile.
"He is far better than whatever rumor you have heard." He spoke gently as the carriage rode through a green field, with Cecilus sitting on top of the carriage.
"I admit that he seems more like a child than anything, I can hardly see how he conquered Vollachia." Subaru glared at the two "I'm right here ya know?" Hiain shrugged, "That's the fun part, the whole thing seems like a miracle after miracle, in fact, we all should have definitely died at least twenty times."
Idra smiled as he pointed at him, "Yeah, like that time the food was poisoned." "Or when that white haired guy planned a trap." Everyone thought of a moment they went through together "When we fought To-" "fuck that guy!" Everyone shouted at Hiain, who jumped back from his seat, Otto watched confused their interaction, everyone had a serious expression of anger on their face.
"Regardless, we always see some miracle happen, our brother is quite incredible, always making great decisions." Weilz hugged Subaru with a smile, the group all gave nods or pats with respect in their eyes.
"For you to trust him so much, he surely is much more than he lets on." Otto smiled at the group, who was standing in front of him, Gustav stood next to him with two of his arms crossed, while the other two had a bottle of wine and a glass.
"The boss shows all of his emotions to others, he grieves for his soldiers, he laughs happily like a child, but when he protects others, his fury is something to behold, his voice becomes full of authority, and his orders appear like commandments from heaven itself." Gustav explained as he took a sip from his cup, Otto listened with interest, and they quickly made their way to the capital. On their trip Otto had the chance to witness the power of the blue lighting, who took care of some unfortunate bandits in a blink of an eye.
Once they reached the capital, they were let in without much trouble thanks to Reinhard. The group passed through the gates without problems, it was almost evening. They were planning to go to the castle for a greeting, and then going to bed, or exploring the city. It was high noon and the group was full of energy.
"This place is awesome! So many lights and people, almost like a festival!" Subaru shouted as he looked around, the place was filled with merchants and stands, while people were smiling in joy.
"That's because there's a festival right now, the Tammuz festival, one of the moon festivals held once a month." Reinhard replied while showing around the city, with people recognising him.
"Tamu-what?" Subaru asked while tilting his head, Reinhard giggled as Otto put a hand over his forehead, as he spoke with a sigh.
"Lugunica's history is divided into 12 months, right? The days in the middle of those months are the days when moon festivals are held, and people celebrate. This month is Tammuz month…in this area, Ice season ends and it's the time when it starts getting warm, so flowers and fruit and such are on sale a lot." Otto replied as he looked around the stands, the group wandered around the city for a while, having left the luggage in an inn where they'll sleep.
They walked towards the castle, once they reached the gates, they were greeted by a tall man with green hair, clad in shining armor, while a numerous number of knights were all glaring at him high on guard.
"It seems our false reputation preceded us, this will be fun" Subaru smiled devilishly, the carriage did not present the stabbed wolf of Vollachia, but rather the seven stars of Pleiades, leaving all the presents rather confused.
The man in armor opened his mouth to speak, his stature made him seem like a mountain, and his aura was one of strength.
"Your majesty, Natsuki Subaru, it is a pleasure to welcome yo-" the man looked at Subaru sprinting at him, or rather, a blue haired boy sprinting at him, while Subaru was held on his shoulders, obviously, he did not know what Subaru looked like, and was entirely confused.
"Look boss! Lugunica's Goz!" "That's the guy he reminded me of!" Subaru punched his palm as he remembered Goz, last time they met he was quite injured by Subaru's sudden increase of power, which he was still trying to understand.
"Hey, wannabe Goz! What's your weapon?" Subaru shouted as the two circled around him at immense speeds, leaving everyone confused and impressed.
"I do wield a two handed sword, still, we're here to meet the child of war, who you may be?" He asked while leaning down on the two, who looked at him with smiling faces, he could clearly see that Cecilus was immensely powerful, far more than he could fight, but the other kid wasn't, while his clothes were quite expensive, his demeanor was completely disrespectful.
"I am the leading actor of this world, Cecilus Segmund, the blue lighting! And he's my boss, boss is the coolest." Cecilus looked at Subaru, who smiled at the compliment, then he back flipped from Cecilus' back, and struck a pose.
"I am Natsuki Subaru, the child of war! Call me Subaru!" Subaru pointed a finger at the sky, with a beaming smile typical of children, while stating the name of the most fearsome person in the world, only surpassed by the witch herself.
"You are the child of war?" The man asked while being quite astonished, even the other knights hardly believed his words, yet the blue child was truly powerful.
"He is the child of war, but he's simply having a small break, leave him be." Suddenly a voice spoke from behind, there a wolf man in a black kimono spoke, as he held a kiseru in his mouth, the group was high on guard, as no one noticed him prior to him speaking.
"State your name!" The knight shouted while taking their swords, Subaru laughed and walked towards him, for then jumping on top of him while petting his fur.
"Hal, you shouldn't scare people like that." The two remained completely silent for a few seconds, with an entirely serious expression, Subaru still petted his fur.
"Pfttt, damn if they got scared." "They seemed like newborn puppies, ahahah!" The two mocked the knights, all of them were furious, with faces red in fury and eyes filled with hatred.
They almost snapped, wasn't it for a red flame, from which a sigh was heard, the flame shone brighter than any other, yet a darkness then walked towards it, or was it a fire? Nay, it was both, a fire that held darkness, or the opposite, such a contradictory being faced the first flame.
"You shouldn't behave like this, especially when you asked for it." The flame spoke, his tone was quite annoyed, Reinhard placed a hand over his face with a smile, while Subaru grinned with his hands behind his head.
"I just had a little fun, I'll be serious when I meet the old geezers in the castle." Subaru turned around as all the knights glared at him, Reinhard touched the bridge of his nose and walked beside him.
"They are not old geezers, they're wise men, please show a little respect." Reinhard replied as the group was let inside, the others too exited the carriage and followed right after, the knights stood behind them on guard, as they made their way to the throne room.
In the room the air was tense, all the knights who weren't on duty have been called, the nobles were in their homes, the Royal family was brought to another mansion, except for the king, who sat on the throne, all this was done in fear of the rumors surrounding the child of war.
Bringer of death, bloodthirsty child, devil of fire and darkness, usurper of Vollachia, the deceiver of wolves and worse of all, child of war, these were the names given to Natsuki Subaru, who conquered Vollachia with immensely low losses.
The rumors spread since his victory, the two messengers calmed them down through their words, but after their arrival, more and more rumors spread like wildfire, and all reached the ears of the council.
"Are we sure of meeting him?" Bordeaux asked with a concerned tone, he thumped his foot on the ground numerous times, as he kept an iron expression, even the other wise men were concerned, but among them, only Miklotov stroked his beard in a calm manner, showing immense composure.
"From what we know, he might as well have a plan to slaughter all of us the moment he steps foot in here." Another member of the council spoke up, the king was extremely concerned too, for by what they know, they'll be meeting with a monster.
"I do not think we have to be so concerned, all that we have heard are mere rumors, while the two messengers were quite confident in their words, they did not seem to be deceiving us." Miklotov spoke in a calm manner, the other listened to him while taking a deep breath.
The doors opened, the breaths of all those inside were suddenly taken, as the child of war entered inside, while his appearance was quite harmless, his eyes were immensely sharp, which was noticed by everyone as he looked at the whole room, to his right was Cecilus Segmund, and to his left Halibel, a moment of silence followed, all waiting for his next words.
They noticed another 6 people entering the room, a lizard man with a nervous attitude, a four armed man with a dignified look, a red haired man who walked in withnoble like behavior, a man filled with tattoos and a dangerous gaze, last of all, a small boy dressed in green and an anxious look on his face.
The child of war's gaze went to each person inside the room, first to the king, sitting on the throne in no special way, then to each member of the council, his gaze stopping for a second on Miklotov, then he looked at each one of the knights, finishing with a strange look, not having a precise objective, as if deep in thought.
"Damn, this place is so cheerful that it makes me want to play the violin with my veins, wassup old geezers!" Everyone's breath suddenly came back as confusion took place of anxiety, he moved his hand with a smile, everyone looked at him, they did not really correct his behavior or his words, for he was but a child.
"Reinhard, you're finally back!" A man with red hair and a tired face walked up to Reinhard, the two hugged each other warmly, Subaru guessed immediately their relationship, his smile warmed up at the sight of the reunion, but it died out as he looked around, the other knights had a somewhat disgusted expression.
"Ah, isn't it beautiful, a reunion between father and son, pleased to meet you, I'm Natsuki Subaru, Reinhard's friend!" Subaru stepped in while greeting the red haired man, he extended a hand, which the man took after a short hesitation.
"Pleased to meet you, I am the deputy commander of the Royal guard, Heinkel Astrea." The two shaked hands, Subaru smiled warmly at him, who had a sad and tired face, Subaru could clearly see the pain he was in.
"I do wonder, this should be a moment of joy, yet I only feel cold gazes towards this father, why is that?" Subaru turned with a cold tone, his eyes losing his childish light, as everyone got a glimpse of the child of war. He then sighed as he walked towards the throne, he sighed as he did not receive an answer, he crossed his arms and his usual smile came back.
"Anyway, I came here to greet all of you, so as you may know I'm the child of war, emperor of blah blah and all that stuff, you can call me Subaru. I came here for quite a few reasons but for now I just want to say one thing." Subaru raised a finger as his smile grew more and more, he closed his eyes and his voice appeared more acute.
"We have only met today, we have no reason to hate each other, or to distrust us for things done by others, you are not my enemy, and I wish you no harm." Subaru finished speaking in a serious and kind tone, showing only a childish honesty in his words, everyone in the room was quite surprised, the king stood up and looked at the child.
"I cannot trust a Vollachian emperor just with mere words, we have no guarantee that you won't betray us at the first chance you get, even if you don't seem like you would do it." The king spoke in a calm tone, Subaru nodded with a smile as he got closer.
"I knew it would go like this, still, I don't want to make enemies here, I just wish for our countries to settle their differences and start anew." Subaru explained as he turned around and walked away, the people in the room were quite surprised, this meeting was a mere greeting to know who they were dealing with, and they were quite confused.
"Also, old man, you seem quite fun." Subaru spoke to Miklotov, surprising everyone in the room, the old man smiled as he looked at the young child.
"It seems you too are not so bad, it has been a pleasure meeting you, and I believe tomorrow shall be quite fun." Miklotov replied as Heinkel and Reinhard escorted them back, the group passed through the doors, and various knights left.
"It seems he wasn't as dangerous as we thought." The king smiled as the group already left, some nobles entered the room, among them, one with blue hair and heterochromia, dressed as a jester.
"We'd like to h~ave a description of him, your majesty. In fact, we h~aven't taken part in the meeting as a form of security." The man spoke in a peculiar way, he slightly bowed as every other noble.
"It is without a doubt that he wishes no harm upon us, as for trust, we do not know yet." The king replied as he sat back down, the other members of the council remained deep in thought.
"His allies are immensely powerful, to bring the arbiter of Kararagi, and the blue lighting of Vollachia, there must be something the eye cannot see." Markus spoke up with his hands behind his back, the blue haired man closed his blue eyes.
"That is e~ither an error on his part, or a display of power." He spoke with an ominous voice, those in the room were quite surprised.
"May you elaborate further, lord Roswaal?" Bordeaux asked while all eyes landed on him, he then waved his hands and shrugged with a smile.
"To le~ave his empire with the two strongest, he m~ight did not think it through, leaving the empire weak to an attack from a powerful being, e~specially now that it is weakened." Roswaal explained with a finger raised, everyone nodded, smiling at the lack of experience of the young boy.
"Or his empire does not need their strength, and he brought them here to simply show his power." Bordeaux spoke with a deep tone, he narrowed his eyes as he realized the danger.
"It is most likely the second option, various tales of the invincible pleiades war band still reaches our ears, and he seemed to analyze various things the moment he entered the room, not only who's dangerous, the other thing he thought of, I cannot say." Miklotov stroked his beard, his eyes with a curious glint.
"It might have been my impression, but it seemed like he thought of ways to kill each one of us." Bordeaux spoke with quite some concern in his voice, Miklotov giggled with a smile.
"Take it as a compliment, those he has plans to kill are those he knows as dangerous, that is why we haven't brought the nobles." Miklotov smiled as some nobles were surprised, Roswaal smiled too at his words.
The council group remained and talked about various arguments, all regarding Subaru or his group, meanwhile Subaru was on the carriage, admiring the city with his head on his hand, shaped like a fist.
"So, what's the deal with you two? I could feel the tension from Vollachia." Subaru spoke with an annoyed tone, Heinkel sighed as he looked at Subaru with a calm look.
"We just have quite a few issues at home, you don't have to worry about it." Heinkel smiled towards Subaru, who narrowed his eyes towards them.
"Any problems you two have are my problems, speak up, I'm still an emperor, there must be something I can do." Subaru smiled as he pointed at them, Heinkel was surprised, he smiled bitterly and opened his mouth.
"I don't wish to burden a child with my problems, especially you, who already has a country to rule, and with its fair share of issues." Heinkel answered, Subaru was quite surprised at his words, he didn't think he would be seen through so easily.
"How did you?" Subaru looked at him surprised, even the others were surprised, Heinkel laughed and looked at them.
"When you got out of the throne room, your face grew worried for a second." Heinkel smiled warmly at the child, who giggled while scratching the back of his head.
"Still, I can help with your problems, if there's anything you want, just tell me, you are welcome in Vollachia." Subaru gave them a thumbs up and the group giggled, but Rein remained silent.
"I can't go to Vollachia, but thank you." He looked down as Subaru tilted his head, Heinkel looked at him concerned.
"Why? Do you have to stay here?" Subaru asked quite disappointed, Rein looked at him with a smile.
"The Reinhard rule, I cannot go to other countries or even close to the borders." Reinhard explained as Subaru looked at him with his eyes open while he was gritting his teeth.
"By my authority, you are now allowed to enter the vollachian borders disarmed, and you have to visit the emperor whenever you come to the capital." Subaru grinned at the last part while looking at Reinhard, Heinkel smiled at the two, then Subaru turned towards Heinkel.
"Another condition, you have to take away all the alcohol Heinkel might drink from now on, after he drops drinking he too shall be welcomed in Vollachia." Heinkel was completely surprised and a hint of anger creeped in his face, which immediately went away once the glares of each person nearby fell on him.
"Subaru, you don't have-" Reinhard spoke up with a sad look on his face, Subaru interrupted his words midway through.
"The emperor commands you." Subaru had a voice filled with authority while speaking those words, and all others were silent at his words.
The group arrived at the inn, where everyone went down from the carriage, they stretched a bit and everyone stood in front of it.
"It has been a pleasure knowing you, Subaru." Reinhard spoke while shaking hands with Subaru, the sun began to set
"You too old man, if you need help we'll do everything we can." Subaru looked at Heinkel, who kept his mouth closed while looking down, he then spoke in a resentful tone.
"My wife, Louanna, fell into a deep sleep, called the sleeping beauty syndrome. She does not age, doesn't need sleep or food, but she sleeps eternally." Heinkel spoke up, surprising everyone, Subaru looked at him with sad eyes.
"When did that happen?" He turned towards Reinhard, who looked down too, there was a moment of silence.
"Two years after Reinhard was born, after his grandmother was killed, it was even harder for us." Subaru turned back and forth between the two, the others remained silent at their words.
"Who killed her?" Subaru asked in a concerned yet colder tone, showing clear murderous intent towards whoever killed Reinhard's grandmother.
"I killed her."
A small moment of silence followed as all eyes fell on the sword saint, looking down with an emotionless expression.
"What? How?" Subaru looked at Reinhard in complete confusion, Heinkel almost spoke up, but Gustav stopped him with a glance.
"I took her divine protection as she fought the white whale." Reinhard spoke up again, everyone looked at him in immense surprise, Subaru slowly stepped closer, then he placed a hand on Reinhard's shoulder, then he tried to headbutt him, only for him to dodge.
"What are you doing!?" Heinkel shouted as Subaru tried to smack Reinhard again and again.
"I'm trying to smack that crap out of Reinhard's head!" Subaru went on and on while Reinhard merely dodged confused, after a minute Subaru was panting for breath, so he turned towards Cecilus.
"Seshi, smack that bullshit out of his head!" He pointed at Reinhard as Cecilus slowly turned towards him, a smile forming on his face as he turned.
"Finally a worthy stage for this actor." Cecilus said as he slowly approached Reinhard, who took a few steps back, meanwhile Subaru spoke to Halibel.
"Make sure no one dies." He whispered near to him, Halibel had an annoyed look on his face.
"Why would I play babysitter to those two?" He asked as he put a kiseru in his mouth, the moment after Subaru pulled out a packet from his pocket, Halibel opened it.
"Alright, you two, no blowing up buildings." As Halibel spoke Cecilus leaped towards Reinhard, who jumped upwards, dodging the incoming child moving at the speed of lighting.
"Alright, what the hell!?" Heinkel shouted as he witnessed the three strongest people he ever met somewhat fight for the dumbest reason.
"Let the kids play, it's just a game of tag." Idra spoke as he patted Heinkel's shoulder, the rest too nodded as they looked at the two kids, sometimes Halibel would block an attack sent by Cecilus.
The three fighters flew off in the distance, the sun was still out and they headed south, meanwhile the group wandered off in the city, they were in a market district, accompanying Heinkel on his patrol. The city was full of life and people, with a lot of merchants selling fruits or other goods.
"Hey Otto, you've been real quiet for the whole day, what's the matter?" Subaru asked the poor boy with an expression of pure shock, not having understood fully what the hell was happening.
"I dunno, only that this might be the craziest day of my life?!" Otto shouted as he turned towards Subaru, who laughed while patting his back.
"Aw, come on Otto, this is the bare minimum." Hiain smiled as he crouched near him, he spoke calmly as Otto grew a terrified look on his face.
"This is actually a really calm day, in fact, nothing blew up yet." Gustav scratched his chin as he pointed it out, Otto didn't even answer these monsters.
"Yeah, want to blow something up?" Subaru asked in the calmest way possible, much like one would ask to go grab a drink, the others immediately gave a thumbs up.
"Not in my city, you can't just create chaos just on a whim." Heinkel looked at the group with annoyed eyes, they continued forward with a really annoyed face.
They wandered on for a while until Subaru growled in annoyance, he then pointed a finger towards Otto and shouted.
"Otto, ask for animals if there's something to do nearby! I'm bored!" Otto was surprised by the request but he merely sighed and began searching.
"Uhhh, there's two guys punching each other at an inn, a stall where you throw a ball to hit things and win prizes. Oh! There's a giant cat and a small maid with a morningstar fighting a small man!" Otto shouted as the others took out their weapons, they immediately rushed forward, only for Subaru to pick up Otto.
"Where is it?" "To the slums, south from here!" "Great, let's go!"
"Whoooo!"
"WE ARE THE STRONGEST!"
"THE STRONGEST! THE STRONGEST! THE STRONGEST!"
"WE ARE INVINCIBLE!"
"INVINCIBLE! INVINCIBLE! INVINCIBLE!"
"OH, INEVITABLE FATE."
"BRING IT ON! BRING IT ON! BRING IT ON!"
Their warcry filled the city, and they suddenly grew in strength tenfold, rushing through the city like the wind. Heinkel was confused at the sudden increase in strength and slowly tried to adapt to it.
"Otto, join the fight too!" Subaru shouted as he ran at the front, Otto was getting scared but he also felt a strange surge of confidence being lit in his heart.
"And how should I fight?" Otto shouted as a new feeling of strength enveloped him with the shouts of the group, even he started to shout with them, and once he began shouting, it was as if his heart was set ablaze, and fire coursed through his veins.
"Ask for the animals' help, help those two with even some insects." Otto gave close attention to his words, so he started speaking, his voice was far more powerful than before, his hearing seemed to become exponentially better.
He spoke, and asked all the animals for help. They were reluctant at first, but some felt something in the air, and joined him.
At once, hundreds of insects flew to the slums, dogs and ground dragons, all enraged by something in the air.
"They accepted for some reason, they are attacking." A bird flew next to Otto, the two seemed to exchange words.
"It seems that one of those men put some miasma stones around the city, almost making the animals turn into witchbeasts, they are already attacking." Otto explained as Subaru's face grew dark, an enraged expression grew on Subaru's face as everyone ran faster than before.
I've finally found them, those damn witch cultists. I can finally punish them for what they did to my sister and the village. In front of me there's a small shaggy and somewhat fat man, with me was Frederica, who stood behind me.
Frederica: "What a perfect place for evil schemes." She stood on guard, ready to protect me at any moment.
Rem: "It's also the perfect place for a scoundrel to suffer a lonesome death." I spoke with poison in my voice, the stink in the air was truly terrible, a clear sign that he was part of them.
?: "I sensed the unfavorability of the wind's direction, but I didn't notice the beast smell." The small man spoke as he stood on guard.
Frederica: "Rem was right about the enemy being careful with the wind."
The small man, who had an expressionless look on his face, stood face to face with the small Oni and large cat while they showed him hostility. He wasn't expressionless because he gave up or because he wasn't regretful; he was expressionless because emotions did not come out in waves for him.
Rem: "You look calm. Did you not notice the headwind with your wind reading skill that you're so proud of?"
?: ".…Letting emotions come out in wind and waves is for second-rate wind readers. I won't make a fool of myself like that."
Rem: "You should probably go ahead and let it all out. Since, soon enough, you won't even have that freedom anymore."
I concentrated a little, and a white horn appeared on my forehead, with a small hum filling the air, the mana was being sucked and strength filled my body.
?: "…A horn, huh. I see. A survivor from that day of the burning of the hot wind." The man changed facial expression for the first time.
Rem: "You will burn to death in the embers of the fire you guys created." I took out my iron sphere, ready to attack at any moment.
?: "…I'm a wind reader. Suffering a ridiculous death like that is the one thing that will never happen." The man stood on guard, ready at any moment.
Rem: "──Well, we'll see about that." I took a step forward as all things remained silent, only the sound of chains could be heard.
I aimed for the legs of the cultist, thanks to my training, I could hit wherever I please, and turn into meat any living being. As the sphere came closer, the man leaped in the air, dodging the hit.
Rem: "Damn..!"
?: "...Too cocky, you should have almost killed me with that first hit." The man floated in the air, Frederica opened his mouth, but then…
"~~~" a howl was heard in the sky, other animal calls were heard, as the sounds were heard, numerous figures clad in black appeared from the shadows, holding blades in form of crosses, they seemed to paint the landscape of the slums, surrounding the two.
?: " …I'm someone who likes insurance. I do set the magical stones myself, but that doesn't mean I ride solo. I can use others for guards. It's usual to prepare wind protection when reading the wind, too." The small man prepared to run away, but as he turned around…
?: "ghaaa!" He shouted in pain as fangs bit his shoulder, followed by that many other animals and insects attacked the various cultists, we took that chance to kill as many as possible.
Rem: "Witch cultist!" I shouted as I saw the man run away, his pain limiting his movements.
Rem: "No, no , no! Get out of my way!" I shouted as I saw him, he was getting away, I tried to fight my way through, but as hopeless thoughts creeped in my mind.
?: "Cower in fear and despair, for you face the child of war."
?: "And the Pleiades warband!"
A commanding voice sounded through the slums, childish, yet terrible, as six figures appeared on the roofs, and one being, made of flames and shadows, floated behind the small cultist, as the cultist turned around, a red sword, appearing from nothing, slashed the man, making him fall to the ground.
?: "Uhoooo!" The other figures shouted, as they jumped in battle, each one had a different fighting style, they all weren't all that skilled, but their strength was enough to blow away the witch cultist.
The being of fire and flames slowly touched the ground, he walked through the battle unconcerned, as the other six made sure no blade could ever touch him. He got closer, his flames calming and his shadows vanishing, leaving only a child in their place, holding a hand towards us.
Child: "Are you all right?" He gently asked with a voice filled with kindness and concern, behind him those fighters were making quick work of the cultist.
"Ye-yes." I replied, his eyes seemed evil, but they were filled with worry, and the most notable thing was his smell, similar to the one of witch cultists in nature but different in the smell itself, for instead of smelling like death, his smell was something similar to war itself.
Frederica: "Thank you for your assistance, child of war." She spoke in a nervous yet proper way, the child turned towards her with a light in his eyes.
Child: "You can talk!?" He shouted in amazement as he then rushed in her fur, petting her neck with a light in his eyes.
Lizard man: "Brother, it's not the time to pet the giant cat!" The rust haired man shouted as he fought back a cultist with a sword, following up with a fireball.
Child:"If I see a cat, I pet it!" He screamed as he enjoyed Frederica's fur, she had completely no idea of what to do, but clearly enjoyed the petting.
Four armed man: "Wait, where's the man you cut?" The four harmed man asked as he bashed his shield in a cultist head, Subaru raised his head and looked around, for then putting his hands on his head.
Child: "Shit! He ran!" He shouted as I too got worried, I looked at Frederica and jumped on her back, the child turned around as he pointed upwards, shouting "go!" So we ran over the roofs, as the child took his sword and started fighting too.
We leaped around the roofs while following the small man, after big sis struck him down, we approached him, with Frederica turning back into a human, we were in a square filled with people.
Rem: "Sis is really amazing." Rem got down the road, the two were in the merchant district, going towards the cultist before he died.
Frederica: "Yes that hit was one of the best I've ever se-" her sentence was stopped midway through, as she was sent flying towards a wall, by an invisible force.
?: "Ahh, my brain trembles" a dark figure with sunken eyes stood in front of me, from the smell I immediately recognised him.
Rem: "Witch cultist!" I shouted as I threw my mace towards him, but an invisible force stopped it, and I suddenly found myself in the air.
?: "A member of the Oni tribe, so one survived." The man looked at me with enraged eyes, the invisible force stopped each one of my movements.
I panicked and feared, left in this madman mercy, I knew I would have died, tears filled my eyes as despair crept in my heart.
?: "They were truly slothful, to leave one of you alive." The force suddenly grew stronger, I closed my eyes waiting for the cold embrace of death, yet it never came, instead, a burning sensation enveloped my whole body, as two small arms seemed to take me.
Child: "Look what we have here, a sin archbishop." He was covered in fire, as I was, a fire hotter than anything else, yet it did not burn me, I felt it wished to protect me instead, making sure no cold or darkness may reach me.
?: "A being of fire and shadows, with the eyes of a devil, the child of war, I presume, ahhh, my brain trembles!" The man bit his finger as he bent behind in an unnatural way.
Child: "I guess you guys are annoyed by greed's death, sorry for that, he was too annoying." I admired in awe, for I witnessed the child of war in all of his fury, as his flames protected me.
?: "You gave me quite some trouble, ah where are my manners? I am the sin archbishop of the witch cult, representing sloth, Petelgeuse Romanee Conti!" He bowed in front of us.
He let go of me and signed to run, I did as he said, as more people noticed the witch cultist and started to panic, but upon hearing the name of the child of war, they were somewhat assured, for only he in the world could name himself slayer of greed.
Child: "Natsuki Subaru, child of war!" So he summoned his red sword, facing the madman with a smile.
So the two got ready to fight, standing one in front of the other, the child of war, with his sword bathed in sunlight, and the sin archbishop, with his darkness, a sign of despair.