Wish Upon a Sin

by HoboWizard

After dying to Elsa in the loot house, Subaru gains a slightly different ability. He's forced to take a longer view on events, as a single death will undo all the progress he's made. First two chapters don't really diverge from canon. Eventual web novel spoilers. New cover image is by u/Json25 on reddit!

21. Arc 2 - Chapter 15

Subaru lay back in his chair, holding a small black stone up to the window's light. It was slightly transparent, and seemed innocuous enough. It was a magical miasma stone, a piece of lagmite heavily corrupted by the same miasma that marked the followers of the Witch.

It felt vaguely glossy to the touch, but the surface was dull and didn't reflect light. The most unusual thing about it was that it was a bit heavier than you'd expect a rock of that size to be.

Subaru felt they were pretty. Perhaps not pretty enough to be considered gemstones, like the normal lagmite he had seen, but pretty nevertheless. Apparently this was a good sign for his ability to sense miasma. Normal people instinctively recoiled at the mere sight of the stones.

Subaru rolled it around in his hand. The fact that he didn't sense anything malicious from it was all well and good, but he hadn't made any actual progress in sensing the Witch's scent yet.

He was almost tempted to try tasting the thing to see if it would speed up his learning process, but the stones were apparently fatal if ingested. While death would only be a setback for Subaru, he didn't want to have to go through the effort of infiltrating the cult again. Once was more than enough for one lifetime.

Instead, he brought it to his nose, and took a deep breath. He smelled the faint scent of his own clammy hands, a whiff of the spices Griselda had used to try and flavour lunch's dried meat, and something… sweet. A fruit?

Subaru took another breath, but the unknown scent was gone. He tried a few more times, but no hidden scent revealed itself to him.

Sensing miasma was a rare skill, but much like shadow-walking, it was one that every cultist learned eventually. Subaru would be able to pick it up in time, but time was something he was running out of. Once the loop ended, he wasn't sure he'd be able to obtain the highly illegal stones, which meant the end to his practice.

And the end of the loop was very close. Midday had already passed, and it was almost time for the… 'big event'.

In a few hours, the Royal Selection would begin. All of Subaru's spirits were on standby throughout the manor, waiting for the flurry of activity that would herald the beginning of the end.

In the week since the first raids, the guards had attacked several more locations, working their way through the list Subaru had provided them with. Unfortunately, their priorities seemed to differ vastly from his. They went after the cult's accomplices more often than not, people who dealt with shady business and sold on the black market. They were important people to the cult, of course, but they were easily replaced.

The civilians had calmed down after the initial fear the raids had provoked, and the opinion among the masses was that the cult had been rooted out. Despite the lack of truth to that sentiment, it had caught on quickly, especially with the nobles of the city. None really wanted to believe that the Witch's Cult had such a large presence in their backyard, and were more than happy to accept the victory the Captain of the Guards had claimed.

At least the knights had finally gotten involved, though, it was too late for them to raid the more important locations, which had already been abandoned. The few times they did catch cultists had proved to be little more than minor setbacks, but they did manage to secure more of the supply caches before the cult could move them.

Meals had noticeably declined in quality over the week, not that Subaru particularly cared. The weight of the task he had set for himself made it rather difficult to taste food, be it good or bad.

With a quiet sigh, he closed his hand around the miasma stone, and placed it in the pocket of his tracksuit. He didn't have much time, but he wasn't going to be able to practice in his current state. Perhaps after the selection, he'd be in a better mood.

He stretched his arms, and spared a look over to the room's other occupant.

Coen was sitting quietly in a chair in the corner, curled into his seat, looking very much like he wanted to disappear into the shadows.

Subaru couldn't help but feel a little guilty at his predicament. If not for Subaru's presence, Mora would have sent Coen out of the city with the other new recruits. Now he was stuck in the unenviable position of acting as Subaru's liaison. He stayed by Subaru's side constantly, and delivered most reports of the current situation himself.

Whenever he had a spare moment, he would take out his little black book, and read over pages and pages inside it, seeming to take some small comfort in what was written there.

Subaru couldn't help but tense every time he did so.

It boggled his mind, seeing the young man look so at ease while reading that thing, the hateful words of the infamous witch. It ran contrary to everything Subaru knew about him. How could such a normal person, one who seemed so out of his depth in the midst of the cult, hold such a book so tenderly?

"How?"

Coen jumped, and his gaze shot up to meet Subaru's.

"Eh? Um, yes? Lord Pride?"

Subaru blinked, as he realised that he had accidentally voiced his question. Well, no matter. If I have to ask, I might as well ask the one I trust most.

"How do you find it?" He asked, gesturing to the book still in his hands. "It's something I've been wondering about. Outside the cult, the gospel… doesn't have the best reputation, shall we say?"

Coen stared at him, fidgeting uncomfortably. Subaru could practically see the steam flying out of his ears as he parsed Subaru's statement, trying to figure out what his superior wanted.

He took a breath and nodded slowly. "Ah. I see."

He looked back down at the book, and closed it so he was looking at the cover. He remained silent for a moment as he collected his thoughts.

"In truth, I was afraid when I first received it," he said, speaking softly. "I didn't know what it was, and even after reading it, it just appeared to be a blank book. Back then, only the first page had any writing, and it only told me to take the food I found it with."

He smiled fondly, and his trembling hands stilled. "We were always hungry, so I didn't think too much of it. I thought the owner had just left it there for me."

He paused.

"No, I think I suspected from the start. My sister got sick, and well… I checked it again. Just in case it was… Just in case it could help."

He opened the book, and traced a finger across the first page.

"And it did. It told me which medicine would heal her, and how to get it. At first I didn't want to steal it, but she got worse, and… I had too."

He shook his head. "After that, it kept guiding me. It told me to move houses right before our old one collapsed in a storm, and it helped me find someone who would hire my dad back on."

"I had heard the rumours, so I was sure at some point it would…" he trailed off, eyes darting to Subaru, then quickly moving on.

"But none of the superstitions were true. It didn't force me to do anything. I'm sure that if I really wanted to leave it behind, it would tell me to leave it somewhere, and it would move on to help some other person. No new instructions showed up for weeks. Then, I thought, maybe…" he paused, cheeks flushing a mild red.

"Maybe, I could still use it. It guided me here, and…" he shrugged. "Mora says the gospel will guide you to your wish, no matter what it is. That's the truth. The gospel doesn't corrupt anyone. It just shows you the way forward. But sometimes the only way forward…"

His eyes widened, and he looked back at Subaru. "Ah, sorr— er, my apologies, Lord Pride. It's been a while, so I got lost in thought."

"It's fine," Subaru waved him off. "It can be good to see how others have experienced things."

And indeed, Coen's words had been… interesting. If it was true that Coen's gospel never brainwashed him, then perhaps Subaru's too would be safe.

He watched Coen for a minute to make sure he had gone back to reading, then covertly zipped open his tracksuit top, and retrieved his own gospel from where he had stowed it.

It hadn't been hard for a person of his sewing skills to create a hidden pocket inside the garment. He now carried the gospel around everywhere he went, on the off chance that he had to reveal it to other cultists to prove his identity.

Looking at it in his hands, it seemed like such a harmless thing. Subaru had been raised in a different world, so the superstitions and biases he held did not include any aversion to it.

He had been cautious because of Otto's warning, but after spending so long with Coen, he believed the young cultist's words when he said it lacked any of its rumoured powers. Coen was too intimidated to try and hide anything from him, unless the cult was playing the most bizarre long con Subaru had ever seen.

And they wouldn't do such a thing. There were far easier methods to make him read the book in his hands, not the least of which being holding him down and forcing him to witness the open pages.

He gingerly thumbed the cover, then took a breath, and brushed it open, revealing…

A blank page.

Frowning, Subaru turned that page over as well, then the next, and the next. Every single one of them was blank, completely white without so much as a dot marring them.

This is… not what I was expecting. Didn't Coen say it held instructions? There's no way I'd follow them, but it might be nice to get some tips! Is it a defect? How do I get a refund?

He finished flipping through the entire thing, and confirmed, each page held nothing but the white void.

Why? Is it because I'm not really a follower? But Coen wasn't either, at least, not initially. Is it because I'm wise to the cult's true nature, and it's impossible to bribe me with good outcomes?

He sunk into his thoughts, trying to piece together this new mystery.

Suddenly, a jolt ran through him as Huginn reached out with the image of an anthill, the ants swarming in alarm.

A moment later, Luna alerted him to a cultist approaching the room. A moment later, Subaru found out who it was.

"We've found it!" Mora burst into the room, a small poster clutched in his hand. His eyes were wild, and his hair was unkempt. He panted as if he had just run a mile, which Subaru thought was probably an underestimate.

The old man looked more energised than Subaru had ever seen him.

Coen shrivelled up in his corner, trying to squish himself into nothing. Subaru couldn't blame him. In fact, he almost felt like doing the same.

"Lord Pride, we've discovered the reason the guards acted now." Mora smiled widely, not noticing the feelings of the duo in the room. "The reason you've had us prepare for so long!"

He stepped up to the table, and slammed a paper down, but Subaru didn't need to look to know what was on it. He kept looking at Mora, watching as he trembled with excitement.

"It made no sense, why would they attack now with a clearly incomplete understanding of our operations?" he babbled, hands waving wildly. "But no, they didn't have a choice! They had to act, before they announced this!" He slammed his hand on the paper again, and laughed madly.

"The Royal Selection," Subaru commented, his eyes lowering to trace out the words at the top of the page.

Right underneath that lofty title was a portrait of a certain candidate, her pointed ears clearly visible poking through her hair. The illustration wasn't coloured, but Subaru could practically see her amethyst eyes and silver hair, shining like stars in the night.

"Can you imagine, a silver-haired half-elf, right here in the capital!?" Mora asked incredulously. "Not only that, but as a successor to the throne!?" He chuckled, his eyes remaining fixed on the picture. "The dragon must have gone crazy in his old age."

Subaru held back a grimace. He had been expecting this encounter, but he hadn't expected Mora's… enthusiasm.

"I've already sent out word," Mora continued. "Thanks to the work we've been doing, most of our staging grounds are already decided. I've also diverted some personnel towards the waypoints outside the city, if we can get them set up, we could cut days off the time it takes to concentrate our forces! And if we…"

Subaru stopped paying attention to his ravings. He had already been over the plans detailing those steps, and he was pretty sure Mora wouldn't be making any changes to them in his current state. He was far too cunning to make impulsive changes to a plan.

You know, I think I preferred him when he was frustrated. Subaru thought, as he watched the old man rave incoherently. At least I could take some pleasure at his struggles then. Now I have to watch him lead the Witch's Cult through the steps he took to kill us all these past few times.

Mora had been through hell trying to pinpoint from where the guards had gotten their knowledge. As far as he could tell, the Captain of the Guards had simply discovered it the day before the beginning of the raids, from no source that he could find. There was no longer any doubt in their minds that Russel was the culprit, even before they had discovered his possible motive.

But that's not something I can count on. With how hard they've been searching, they must have discovered me and my 'Evil Eye of Foresight' last time. It was probably less of a headache for Mora then, since he knew the exact source, Subaru thought.

Would it be worth it to try and hide next time, so he thinks it's Russel? Hmm, that would make it difficult to talk to people. I could leak to Alexander and other guards, but getting information to Marcos and Reinhard would be trickier.

After a moment's consideration, he shook his head. No, it's too tricky, and there's no real benefit. Being close to the top of the command structure is worth more than causing Mora to have a headache.

"Ah," Mora sighed, ignorant of Subaru's internal thoughts. He spread his arms wide, and looked up to the heavens. "To think that a half-elf would appear here, within my lifetime. Truly, the Witch has blessed us."

Subaru shuddered.

"What of the Sword Saint?" he asked, trying to bring Mora to less troubling topics. "We still don't have a reliable way to deal with him, and I can't imagine he'd leave the city under these conditions."

Mora quieted instantly, and nodded. "Indeed. The Court Mage, Roswaal L. Mathers raised some concerns with the Council of Elders, and the five candidates will be negotiating to resolve them. There are many troublesome individuals who will not depart the city for the foreseeable future. The Sword Saint, the Court Mage, several of the knights… and some of the other candidates may prove to be threats as well."

He paused to recollect himself, then went on in a calmer tone,"Lady Crusch Karsten and Lady Anastasia Hoshin raised concerns about the security of the city due to our presence, but the Captain of the Guards has insisted the city is safe."

Subaru raised an eyebrow. "The guards' leader is insisting it's safe, despite the fact that the vast majority of his targets have escaped? He's killed a total of four, isn't that right?"

Mora shrugged. "He's playing politics. Not to mention, he must be convinced he's driven us out of the city. That is the impression we've tried to give him."

Is that so? Subaru thought. Note to self, don't work with him next time. Will just the knights be enough to raid all the important locations at once? Maybe I could get the Iron Fang to help out?

"What of the city's other forces?" Subaru asked.

"The guards won't be a major threat to us," Mora said, thinking carefully. "Most of what I've reported over the last few months still stands, despite their recent successes. They are too predictable, and only a rare few use any kind of magic or enhancement. We'll be able to keep them contained in the lower strata with minimal forces."

"On the other hand, all one hundred of the kingdom's knights are in the city for the announcement of the selection. It's unlikely that many will leave, due to their knowledge of our presence here, despite what the Captain of the Guards has claimed. Most will be defending the upper strata, and will be beyond the ability of our rank and file to overcome. Only our best will be able to match them."

"Our best?" Asked Subaru. He already had a pretty good idea of who that would be. "You mean the Sin Archbishops."

Mora bowed. "I would never dare to order you or another of your rank around. I apologise if I implied that, though I believe the Sin Archbishops would indeed be capable of such a feat. I was referring to our combat forces. They travel the world to fulfil the gospel's orders, and often appear when such important events occur. Many will have already received our message, either through the words of their gospels, or our network of conversing mirrors."

"But Sin Archbishops will come," Subaru stated. "Sloth, and Gluttony."

Mora's eyes widened. "Ah, I see you have already received guidance. I should have expected as much, given how you've been aware of many things that have been hidden to us. Yes, I believe Lord Sloth will come. He has always been at the forefront of the search for half-elves. As for the others… their movements are their own. They serve the Witch in ways that are not obvious, and cannot be predicted."

He placed a hand over his heart and bowed low. "But if you say that Lord Gluttony will come, then it must be so. I will inform the others to prepare for their arrival."

Subaru nodded. "Very well. Keep me informed."

---

Two days later, preparations were mostly complete. Attack routes were laid out, and the trickle of new arrivals had turned into a steady stream. Unfortunately for Subaru, many of the arrivals used their own methods of getting into the city. They would simply appear overnight, without any indication that they had passed the guards at the wall.

Shadow-walking had once again proved its usefulness, much to Subaru's displeasure. Even if he managed to shut down Mora's plans completely, at least half the cult's attack force would still slip through. Taking out the supply caches would hurt, but it was nothing the cult couldn't work around.

Rest, Luna said from her position atop his cabinet. She had decided that it was her place, since the sunlight never reached that far up.

Subaru stopped pacing his room, and looked up at her.

"I can't rest, it's only afternoon. And I'm too anxious to sleep. The attack is in three days! I feel like I'm going to be sick."

It was an excuse, most of his current worries stemmed from events that would transpire after his next death, not during the invasion.

Sigh. Luna turned around, leaving him to his pacing.

Aside from her, Subaru was currently alone in his room, his spirits having cleared out to 'give him time to think'.

Or rather, Huginn and Sol wanted to train, and Muninn wanted to play around. Huginn had gotten much better at manifesting his magic, and could now reliably cast a Goa, about the size of a pea.

Muninn could do around the same, but she casted slowly, and her spell didn't have the typical explosive power. She was currently limited to setting objects alight, which Subaru found terrifying enough. She had promised she wouldn't practice unless Subaru or Huginn was present, and spirits placed great importance on promises. It would be fine. Probably.

Unlike the two rather active fire spirits, Sol already had a fairly decent grasp on magic, so he spent his time hovering over the roof, deep in thought. He'd just stay up there all day, making Subaru a little worried, but Huginn assured him it was fine.

Whether it really counted as 'training' was another question, but Sol had spent years honing his technique, and a few days weren't going to make a big difference at this point. If he thought there was another path to rank up, Subaru was inclined to let him try.

"Haah," he let out a long sigh, and straightened himself up.

I can't spend the next few days just moping. He thought to himself, lowering his centre of gravity and beginning the very first form of Ryuuhou. Despite already knowing exactly what it was supposed to feel like, thanks to the training he had done with Reinhard, his muscles didn't want to move in the correct fashion, and his mana wasn't flowing at full effectiveness. He was learning faster than if he was completely self-taught, but his progress paled in comparison to how far he had gotten under Reinhard's tutelage.

Step, step, breath. Raise arms, stretch, step, breath. Arms in, twist, step, breath.

Subaru flowed through the motions, perhaps misstepping once or twice, and perhaps bringing his arms out of position as he moved… but it wasn't bad. His mana trembled a bit as he moved, but he recognised the feeling.

He felt energised as he moved, as the effects of Ryuuhou's first form took hold. It was slight, but his limbs felt stronger, his skin felt tougher, and he felt like he could continue practising for hours.

He stepped, and breathed, and…

He stumbled to a stop, his mana stuttering and ceasing its flow, as his senses were assaulted by something.

There was a scent in the air, so sickly sweet that it almost caused him to gag. It was like a room of flowers, of chocolates and valentines, of such pure and unadulterated love that it stunned Subaru's mind blank for a few seconds.

He blinked a few times, trying to focus on something, anything else than that scent. But it was so difficult. It just called out to him, as if…

The world went black, and he was nowhere. There was no scent. No sound. No light. Everything had been wiped away, leaving only darkness behind.

He jolted, looking around wildly.

Huh!? Wha—what happened? Where am I?

As abruptly as it had appeared, the darkness vanished, revealing his room, exactly as it had been, with a rather panicked spirit zipping to and fro in front of him.

Subaru!

Luna called him, holding another Shamak spell ready to cast, in case he fell back into his stupor.

"Ah? Luna? What happened?" Subaru asked, shuffling backwards to sit down on the bed. "I… I smelled something. Something strange."

Something amazing. Something terrifying. What was that?

Trance! Luna projected, beginning to calm down now that she saw Subaru was responsive. Minutes! No answer!

"M–minutes? But… it didn't feel like that long. I just smelled… something."

He paused, then cautiously sniffed the air.

Nothing. There was no trace of the scent in the room, as if it had never been present in the first place.

Or… or was there?

An idea came into Subaru's mind, and he glanced up at Luna.

"I'm going to try something. If I black out again, could you hit me with another Shamak?"

Luna bobbed rapidly, still holding onto her spell.

"Alright then."

Subaru closed his eyes, and started channelling mana through his body once more, forcing it down the same pathways that it followed when he practised Ryuuhou's first form. It was more difficult without doing the movements, but it was still relatively simple.

This time, he paid particular attention to that mana, feeling it carefully for any abnormalities.

He found them rather quickly. Much like when he used the shadow-walking technique, there was something else flowing throughout his body with his mana. It was invisible to his senses, but he could tell it was there, since it was placing a minor amount of additional stress on the paths his mana used. It suffused his entire body, all the way to the very tip of his nose.

He carefully took another sniff, and the sweet scent beckoned to him once more.

He jolted backwards, cutting his mana circulation in an instant, and the scent vanished.

He glanced at Luna questioningly.

She shook from side to side. No trance.

He nodded, and began cycling once again. This time, the shock of the scent had worn off somewhat, and he was able to keep his wits about him. Much like real odours, more exposure made it more bearable. It was still very strong though. It felt like he might go flying off into a dreamworld if he let his guard down.

Is this the witch's scent? He wondered, lifting an arm to smell his hand. It was difficult to tell if he smelled any different. The scent didn't seem to be emanating from any particular place. I kind of imagined something more… evil. Like blood or rot, not flowers and honey.

"Hmm," he pursed his lips, frowning at his hand. "Well, I do have a way to check, but…"

Problem?

Subaru looked up to meet Luna's inquisitive gaze. "Oh, Luna. Sorry, I forgot to let you know I was okay," he said ruefully. "It looks like I've finally learned how to smell the Witch's scent, but I'm not sure."

He glanced back at his hand, then sighed.

"Haaa… Fine. What's a little pain compared to knowing whether I succeeded properly?"

Luna bobbed a little hesitantly, not quite understanding where Subaru was leading.

"Could you watch out for a minute? I'm going to be… occupied."

She bobbed again.

Subaru took a deep breath, and raised his hand, trying to sear the smell of it into his memory.

"Well, here goes nothing. I can return—"

He took some small comfort in the fact that this time, at least, he had been prepared for the sudden interruption.

When time finally started again, Subaru found himself gasping for breath, hands on the floor. It took him a moment to remember what he had been doing. The memories of his heart being caressed ran through him, but he forced them aside, and picked himself off the floor.

Luna was flitting over him, concerned, but not quite panicked. In fact, she seemed far more put out that he had intentionally tried to violate a contract. Had he ever explained to her that he had been forced into it? No, he was getting distracted.

He lifted his hand, made sure he was cycling mana, then breathed in.

It was so much worse than last time. It was so much worse than the first time. His eyes started watering, it was so intense. He could barely think at all, but he held tightly onto the worst of his memories, of the pain of being frozen alive, of being bludgeoned to death, and of his heart being crushed while he was held paralysed.

Even that was barely enough, as the sweet scent of love tried to drag him away from those painful memories, to let him bask in—

He cut off his mana abruptly, and freed himself from its embrace.

"I guess that answers that," he said, gasping for breath. "But damn. That's going to be a pain. I can't realistically use this if I out-stink everything else. Maybe there's a way I can hide it? But that will mean learning another skill, and who knows how long that will take."

He sighed, and collapsed onto the bed.

"Let's see, other solutions… I'll get used to my own scent eventually, but I doubt I'll distinguish any regular cultists when I have so much of it."

He closed his eyes as he pondered, trying to come up with alternate solutions.

After a moment, he shot upright. "Wait, does it have to be smelled? What if I try to enhance my eyes instead of my nose?"

Luna stared at him doubtfully.

He shrugged. "You never know until you try. Give me a second."

He closed his eyes, and started cycling mana. It flowed naturally to his nose, but through excessive manipulation of his facial muscles, he managed to slowly get the threads around his nose to move upwards, letting them build up around his eyes.

"And… open."

He opened his eyes, and took in his room. His eyes darted from his desk, to his wardrobe, to the floor, ceiling, and the window. All looked perfectly normal, unchanged from how they usually were. And all were covered in a faint, black mist.

The mist was strongest around his desk, where he was keeping the Magical Miasma Stones. They hadn't been much help in the end, but Subaru could see why Coen had given them to him. They radiated the black mist, like a dark patch on the world.

But the strangest sight was that of his own body. He was surrounded by an aura of darkness, a shadow that radiated away from him, spilling out into the room, painting everything black.

Not that the mist obscured his vision in any way. It was as if it were overlaid on top of his normal vision. He could see everything normally, but he could also see where the Witch's scent emanated from… no, that wasn't right. He wasn't perceiving it as a scent, after all.

He could see the Mark of the Witch.

Well, that sorts out the last technique I wanted to learn here. Hopefully I'll be able to pick it back up next loop without relying on miasma stones. I'll be able to detect any cultists that are spying in the palace in future.

He sighed. It's a pity I can't hide my own mark somehow, then I'd be able to use it to spy on the cult's movements. As it is, they'll see me coming well before I see them.

He stretched, and looked out the window at the clear sky outside. "I guess there's no point in practising anything that I'm not going to use in the next few days. What I have of Ryuuhou should be enough to keep my stamina up over the course of the day, so I guess that leaves Ice Brand Arts. If I can get my mana usage down, I'd be able to use it more frequently. Maybe I should get Huginn to give me some pointers…"

He trailed off, a faint thudding sound distracting him from his thoughts. Had Coen come to make another report? It wasn't the usual time, nor was it close to dinner, so perhaps something unusual had come up? Were the knights closing in on their location? If they were competent enough to find the manor alone, it would bode well for the next loop, even if it was slightly inconvenient for him now.

"Lord Pride?" Coen's voice called, as he knocked on the door. His voice was trembling, but when hadn't it, these days?

"Enter," Subaru responded.

The door opened, and Coen peered in. Subaru considered his pale face. The young cultist looked worse than normal. Then, was his guess right? Had the knights—?

"Um… I've been asked to inform you," Coen started, bowing in the doorway. "Lord Sloth has arrived."

It took a moment for Coen's words to sink in. When they did, Subaru was very glad that the cultist was bowing so deeply. He was certain that his own face had gone as pale as death itself.

---

Subaru's head pounded as he walked down the corridor. He had recalled his spirits, and had Luna and Sol help him place a minor illusion over his face, so outwardly, he appeared calm and collected.

Internally, he was an absolute mess.

He's here. He's here. That bastard is here.

His emotions were all jumbled up, fear and anger swirling within him, mixed with a healthy dose of 'oh dear gods, I've made a terrible mistake'.

How was he supposed to face that monster calmly? After he had killed all those people, after he had torn Velia limb from limb…

Subaru took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. He couldn't afford to blow his cover yet. He was so close to discovering the last of the cult's secrets. He could wait a day. Just one more day.

As they got closer to the main sitting room, the Mark of the Witch grew thicker, blanketing the ground in a thick, black fog. It radiated away from the door, tendrils of shadow which coiled around the hallway. It was almost as thick as Subaru's own had been, right before the Witch had prevented him from speaking of his abilities.

"In here, Lord Pride," Coen said, backing away. It seemed he had no intention of entering the room. Well, that was fine.

"You are dismissed," Subaru said, and clutched the door handle.

Coen didn't have to be told twice. It took mere moments for his footsteps to fade away, leaving Subaru alone.

Subaru took another breath, and steeled himself. It's only a day.

He opened the door, and stepped inside.

He was there. He stood alone, a maddened smile on his gaunt face, his eyes outlined in red, his dark green hair trim and proper, dressed up in his immaculate cultist robes, standing straight in the centre of the room. The Mark swirled around him, a raging, wild darkness, like the man had been set alight by a black flame.

"Petelgeuse Romani-Conti," Subaru said, in some approximation of a greeting, as he strode over, stopping at a respectable distance from the man. He didn't want to get too close, in case he saw through Subaru's lies and decided to attack with those 'unseen hands'.

But Subaru didn't think that was likely anymore.

It was strange. Now that he had come face to face with the monster in a man's shape, his fear and anger had faded away. Now all he felt…

Was hatred. Hatred, and a desire to rid the world of this filth, once and for all. Whatever method he used to resurrect himself after death, Subaru would find a way around it. No matter what form he came back in, Subaru would have him put down. He'd burn down this man, and the cult, and the Witch herself.

He felt a grin rise on his face, and he was certain that if not for the illusionary mask, in that moment, he'd look as insane as Petelgeuse.

"Or should I call you Sloth?"

"Ah… ah, ah, ah!" Petelgeuse mouthed, eyes wild. "You know my name? You know my position? Ah, what diligence!"

He clasped his hands to his cheeks, his fingernails pressing into his flesh. "You have indeed been diligent, been so industrious as to prepare this city for the coming trail! And, and the Witch's love hangs so dearly over you! It puts mine to shame, even Wrath could not compete, even Lust would be filled with envy!"

He started contorting his body through strange motions, somehow still maintaining the incredible balance necessary to remain on his feet. "Ah, my brain, it trembles, it trembles! It must be true, it can't not be true, you must in fact be…" He paused his contortions and twisted his head, looking directly at Subaru. "Pride?"

Subaru didn't say a word, merely pulling his gospel out from underneath his jacket. It was blank, but surely, it would still serve as proof to the madman.

Petelgeuse's eyes fixated on the book. "Ah, you are! You are, you are, you are!" he exclaimed, clutching his face, his nails scraping down his cheeks, beginning to draw blood. "You have reclaimed the seat of Pride, lost for so long due the actions of that arrogant man. You have led the search for a vessel with diligence equal to– no, exceeding my own! For someone so new to our ranks, to have done so much! How meticulous, how industrious, how positively diligent! To think that I never found such a promising candidate! My diligence has been lacking! I have sinned!"

He withdrew his hands from his face, only to grab his head, and pivot his feet around, and walk to the edge of the room.

"I have been Slothful!" He rammed his face full force into the wall, clutching his head tightly. "I have failed! I must atone!"

He continued his self-inflicted punishment, leaving Subaru unsure how to react. He knew the man was mad, but to think he was unhinged to this degree…

His hidden spirits drew back at the sight of the display, retreating behind Subaru. Even Muninn with her boundless curiosity couldn't stomach it.

As deserving of punishment as he is… this isn't productive for me.

"There's no need for such superfluous things as atonement," Subaru said, his tone harsh.

Petelgeuse snapped his head around. "Superfluous? You make light of me, of my devotion to the Witch!?"

Oops. Remember Subaru, don't let your hatred make you piss him off. At least, not too much.

"You think it is not? Tell me would the Witch want you to do such things, or would she want you to prepare our forces? There are several items of concern that we need to overcome."

He narrowed his eyes. He didn't even need to fake the scorn in them. "Or, would you prefer to stay there, and allow those obstacles to remain uncontested? Such a course of action… that would be sloth, would it not?"

Petelgeuse remained still.

"That would be… Sloth?" he whispered.

"Yes, yes indeed. That would be Sloth! To think, to think that I would fail in such a simple matter!"

He clutched his head in his hands. "Ah, my brain, it trembles!"

He turned on the spot, and closed the distance between him and Subaru, then fell into a deep bow. "You are correct! Such penance is nothing more than self-indulgent Sloth! Only by completing the Trail can I atone!"

"Trial?" Subaru asked. It sounded vaguely familiar… had Petelgeuse mentioned something about that in a previous loop? It was difficult to remember, especially since Subaru had been somewhat occupied both of the times he had met the madman.

"Yes, the Trial!" Petelgeuse exclaimed. "The half-elf in this city, she must be tested! We must see if she is a worthy vessel to host the Witch!"

Ah, now that does sound familiar. So the damned madman just wants to use Emilia as a sacrifice for the Witch, now does he? I should have guessed that it would be something messed up.

"Enough of that," Subaru said, brushing past Petelgeuse's ravings. "Our forces in the city have no method of contesting the Sword Saint or the Court Mage. If they are not removed, all talk of the 'Trial' is useless."

"Yes indeed." Petelgeuse nodded rapidly. "They must be dealt with, you have engaged in great diligence to pay such attention to that fact, despite it not being a part of your instructions."

His voice lowered. "However, you are not the only one who has been alerted by the guidance of the Witch."

"Not the only…? You mean Gluttony?"

Petelgeuse smiled. "Yes, yes indeed! The mist will be sent to the south, and the two who cannot be fought will be sent south to fight it! Such was written, such is how it shall be!"

The mist? I guess that means the White Whale. But what about the Black Serpent?

Thus far, Subaru had learned nothing about that particular great mabeast, even after asking Mora directly. He had assumed that Petelgeuse, as a Sin Archbishop, would know about its movements, but if even he wasn't mentioning it…

Is it even going to show up? Well, I guess it'll be less destructive if it doesn't, but still… I'd like for it to die too… Is it not coming because of me? Was it something I did in this loop? Or was it only deployed because this manor had been raided before the second attack?

"And of course, Wrath has been ordered to take part as well," Petelgeuse continued, ignorant of Subaru's disappointment. "Her skills will be invaluable for taking the city."

Subaru snapped back to attention. "Wrath? The Sin Archbishop of Wrath is coming?"

This is the first I'm hearing of it. How have I not seen her before?

He shook his head. No, if she's important, then I'd have noticed in one of the previous loops. Maybe she's just like Petelgeuse, strong, but not that overwhelming. I would have missed her if she was off doing something different in other parts of the city… unless… Unless there's something else that an extra Sin Archbishop could explain.

"Does Wrath…" Subaru began softly, "…does she perhaps have access to a spell, one that can inflict fear across the entire city?"

Petelgeuse tilted his head. "A spell?"

He stared at Subaru with unblinking eyes, as if gazing into his soul, and bit on one of his fingers.

"A spell? A spell!? Why, to think… For such a thing…"

Subaru blinked. Did I say something wrong? Why is he so upset about the fact that I know about the fear spell?

He tensed, but the madman withdrew his hand from his face, and the mood returned to normal as abruptly as it had soured.

"Ah, but you are new to our ranks. You wouldn't know, of course you mean no disrespect. It is not a spell, but an Authority."

Subaru was taken aback, both to have confirmed the source of the elusive fear spell, and to have that vaguely familiar term raised. He had heard it twice before, both times from the same madman who he was currently speaking to, right after unveiling his creepy phantom hands.

"An authority?" Subaru whispered, more to himself than anything.

"Indeed, a gift from the Witch herself, incomparable to the likes of mere spells," Petelgeuse said. "Among the Witch's Cult, they are the sole factor that differentiate the Sin Archbishops from the rest."

So all archbishops have a crazy ability? Sloth with his mostly-invisible hands, Wrath with the fear spell. I guess Gluttony's one would be that ability to use the white whale's mist. In that case, in order to fool the cult, I should have one as well. A gift from the Witch, with an ability incomparable to spells.

Subaru felt a numbness in his arms.

No prizes for guessing what that would be. But then, is that why I'm here? Did the Witch really bring me here to be a Sin Archbishop?

He paused, then clenched his teeth.

No, regardless of whether Return by Death is an Authority, a grafted Evil Eye, or just the fact that my soul is too crummy to get into the afterlife, I'll use how I see fit.

"Does that answer your question, Pride?"

Subaru looked up at Petelgeuse, and gave a terse smile. "Yes, I understand. I won't make a mistake like that again. When will Wrath and Gluttony be arriving?"

Petelgeuse put a finger on his cheek and tilted his head, a pose that would look cute on a pretty girl, but only managed to make him look like a freak.

"Gluttony… that nonbeliever is constantly hunting, diligently hunting, commendably hunting. His diligence in carrying out the will of the Witch is lacking, but rest assured! He will not miss out on a hunt in grounds such as these. He will arrive on time. As for Wrath… she is in the forest outside the city. It is better she remains far from our preparations until the time is right. Less chances for failure, yes?"

Less chance for failure? Subaru blinked.

He was so confused, he almost didn't notice as Mora came into the room, bundles of papers and maps in hand.

He stepped back as Mora began explaining their preparations and attack plans, listening intently to every word Petelgeuse said, so as not to miss a single change.

But as he was doing that, he kept turning over a Petelgeuse's words about Wrath in the back of his head.

What on earth is 'less chance for failure' supposed to imply? Is Wrath… a klutz? A klutz so bad that things will go poorly for the cult if she's around? If there's that type of gap moe character in this evil organisation, I swear, I'm going to punch something.

---

During Subaru's first attempt at living in the capital, it had taken the Witch's cult five days to launch their attack after the announcement of the royal selection.

During his second go around, he had agitated the knights and taken out their headquarters in the city, bringing the cult down on the city mere hours after Emilia's presence was announced.

It was now the early hours of the third day after the selection had been announced, and the leadership of the cult was gearing up for the attack.

He was surrounded by new cultists, the most notable being seven of Petelgeuse's lieutenants. Or rather, 'Fingers', as Petelgeuse called them. Frankly, Subaru didn't care what the madman chose to call his subordinates, but it would be better to know the term. Not that he expected to ever have to use it. The attack would commence in hours, perhaps less.

When they next met, they'd be enemies. But that can wait. It's just a little longer.

They were gathered in the manor's war room, which was, of course, the dining room. The table that Subaru had been eating at for the duration of his stay had been covered in maps of the city, and cultists were swarming around it.

Subaru stood by the door, arms crossed, doing his damnedest to look imperious and unapproachable. His spirits were tense and hid away at all times. They hadn't emerged once since Petelgeuse and his entourage had arrived the previous day. Subaru was starting to worry about them, but he didn't want to disturb them. They had a big day ahead of them, so it was better to let them rest.

He turned his attention back to the table.

He already had memorised the maps to the best of his ability, and now, all he could do was try and catch any last-minute changes they made, while plotting his own next moves.

In particular, when exactly to launch the defender's counter-attack, and how it would affect the cult's movements.

The cult's preparations had been delayed when compared to the second loop, but that could be explained by the poor ability of the guards to damage the cult's operations in the days leading up to the selection. The cult must have felt incredibly threatened when their headquarters had been wiped out without warning, including the majority of their forces in the city. Mora was only occasionally present in the manor, so it was unlikely that he had been caught up in that attack.

He must have been working to the point of exhaustion to figure out what was going on, and had clearly succeeded.

Therefore, Subaru felt it was in his best interests for the defenders to avoid attacking the cult before the selection, and thus have the full five-day preparation period to launch a preemptive attack.

There was a question of whether they should eliminate the cult's hideouts right before the announcement, or wait until part of the cult's reinforcements had already entered the city. It grated on Subaru to even have to consider the second option, but after thinking through it, it seemed like a better course of action.

After all, there were only a couple of dozen cultists stationed in the city, and few of those were heavy hitters. Even if you added in all the sympathisers and informants, the number wouldn't exceed fifty people. Eliminating them would be child's play, even with the limited number of knights available in the city.

The reinforcements were a completely different matter though. Mora estimated that there were now hundreds of cultists in the city, and Od knew how many more had entered without reporting to headquarters.

Even if the cult's organisation in the city were destroyed, it was unlikely that they would simply call off the attack.

No, they would go through with it, but they would be even more careful, they would hide in places that Subaru wasn't aware of, and they might even change up their attack pattern. Hell, they might even eschew hiding inside the city altogether, and camp out in the surrounding woodland with Wrath. If they chose to launch a night attack, taking full advantage of shadow-walking, they could very well wipe the city off the map.

I know Mora's thought process, and how he likes to plan things. If someone else—particularly that madman—gets involved, who knows what tactics they'll use.

Subaru glanced at the elderly cultist. He was in the middle of the table, carefully running through the most up-to-date information they had on the defender's forces with some of the team leaders. It wouldn't affect the plans, so Subaru turned his attention away again.

"Lord Pride."

Subaru glanced to the side as a scrawny man bowed to him, the hood of his cultist robes down so that his face was visible. He was a rather average person, by Subaru's standards. His short brown hair and green eyes wouldn't stand out on earth, though he'd be considered a foreigner on his own home islands.

"Hmm?" Subaru inclined his head as he looked at the man. Out of curiosity, he cycled a little bit of mana through his eyes, revealing a dark shroud. It wasn't as thick as shadows around Subaru or Petelgeuse, but there was definitely more than cultists usually possessed.

"You're… one of the 'Fingers', aren't you?"

Subaru felt his lips quirk upward. Well, wouldn't you know it? Bothering to remember the correct term was worth it after all.

The man nodded, taking his smile as permission to right himself.

"Yes. I am one of the fingers in service to Lord Sloth. Ketty Muttart," he introduced himself.

"I see. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I couldn't help but notice that you're only planning on taking…" he paused, face twitching slightly.

"…a small number with you, on your mission," Ketty finished diplomatically, looking over to where Griselda was talking with Coen and two other cultists. They were the team Subaru had handpicked, based only on the qualification that he thought he'd be able to beat them in a fight. Griselda was better with information, the two had never left the city, and Coen was… well, a new recruit.

It was no wonder he'd think the team was lacking. Mora himself had raised the same point.

Subaru nodded to the Finger. "Yes. My… mission, as it is, lacks the need for any major investments of our limited manpower. Why do you mention it?"

"If you so desire, Lord Sloth would be willing to spare a Finger to aid you."

Subaru blinked, the statement catching him off-guard.

A Finger? Really? There's no way in hell. Those Fingers are highly trained and experienced fighters that will kill me the instant I betray the cult… but on the other hand…

As Petelgeuse's direct subordinate, they above all others would know how his 'Reincarnate by Death' worked. If Subaru could subdue one, then he could learn everything he needed to without even fighting the Sin Archbishop.

It was incredibly tempting, but was it worth the risk, this late in the loop? If he died, that would leave his two other tasks unfinished, and he'd lack critical information during the next loop.

But of his three objectives, learning about Petelgeuse's method of escaping death was undoubtedly the most difficult. He didn't even see a way he could learn it. His current best method was limited to, 'kill him multiple times and see what happens', which would be difficult to execute in practice. Not to mention, there was a fair chance it wouldn't tell him anything at all.

"Very well," he said, meeting Ketty's eyes. "I'll take Sloth up on his offer. Please… thank him for me."

Ketty smiled. "It's of no concern. We should help each other when we can. The Witch's orders must be fulfilled. I will inform Lord Sloth right away."

"…right. Where is he, anyway? I would have expected him to be here."

Especially with how much he rants and raves about 'diligence'. Isn't missing important meetings the very definition of Sloth? Otto would have his head if they were working together.

"Lord Sloth is preparing for the Trial," Ketty said. "He is… consulting with his gospel in seclusion."

You mean bashing his own head against the wall in the basement, don't you? Subaru refrained from rolling his eyes. Well, whatever. As long as he sticks to the plan, I'll know where to find him.

With that, Ketty left, and Subaru went back to his brooding antihero impression.

Man, this is hard to keep up. Don't worry Subaru, it's not long now.

---

"It's time, Lord Pride."

Griselda fell into a curtsy as she spoke, her gaze lowered. It was the first time she had spoken to him directly since the guards' raid. She didn't seem any worse for wear. She had changed out of her usual maid uniform, into plain civilian clothes.

"Is that so?" Subaru asked. "Very well. Lead the way."

he fell in beside her as she made her way out of the room, Coen and the two other cultists falling in behind them.

The two canon fodder—er, rather, the two cultists Subaru hadn't learned the name of—walked at the back, while Coen remained in the middle.

"Have we heard anything from Gluttony yet?" Subaru asked, watching her out of hte corner of his eye.

"We have not," she answered, her voice crisp and clear. "However, we have received news that the White Whale has appeared near Flanders, as scheduled. The Sword Saint and the Court Mage have been dispatched to deal with it."

She's really not beat up about leaving Coen to handle everything up till now, is she? The cult's in a favourable position again, so now she is back to her usual self.

"Really?" Subaru asked. "I'd have thought that only one would have been enough."

That's what everyone thought last time, when the two great mabeasts had shown up. Roswaal was to kill the whale, and Reinhard was to kill the serpent.

"Details of the meeting are currently sparse, but our observers have relayed that the Court Mage raised doubts during the emergency meeting this morning. He believed that the whale's survival into present times implied a level of magic resistance previously unheard of. He also raised doubts that the Sword Saint would be able to defeat it, considering that his predecessor fell to it."

Subaru pursed his lips. I think I remember something about that, actually. An expedition fifteen years ago… I think Roswaal said either of the two of them were much stronger. Was he just placating us with comforting lies? Damn, I guess it's a good thing that the Black Serpent isn't showing up, then. I just wish I knew why it appeared in the first place.

"There is more to report, however," Griselda continued. "Gluttony has been spotted in the city, and will likely act in concert with our forces. According to information provided to us by Lord Sloth's Fingers, he will begin by targeting key individuals in the lower strata, and work his way into the inner city."

Subaru nodded. "That's fine. What of Wrath?"

Griselda tensed slightly, but didn't break her stride. "Unfortunately, we have no concrete information on Lady Wrath. I've heard rumours that she will take part in the assault on the upper strata, however, I have not been able to verify them."

"That's more than acceptable," Subaru said calmly.

No it's not! Dear Od, that's almost nothing! Gluttony is in the city, and Wrath is too, I already knew that! How am I supposed to find them!? Will I have to go to the top of a tall tower and try to spot their Mark of the Witch?

He forcibly stopped his panicked train of thought.

No, just calm down. If Wrath is anywhere near as strong as Gluttony or Sloth, she'd be an invaluable asset for breaking through whatever barricade Crusch manages to set up, assuming she still tries to do that this time. Who knows, she might not even have enough time to prepare a defence. And Gluttony's going to crash through there anyway…

He let out a quiet sigh.

Well, some of my questions will be easier to answer than others.

"Where's the Captain of the Knights?" he asked.

Griselda stepped forward for a moment as they reached the front door, glancing around before letting the rest of them through.

"The Captain of the Knights… I believe he's in the palace, with four of the candidates."

Yeah, I expected that. I might have to wait to resolve everything ther—

He broke off as one of Griselda's words registered.

"Four?"

Griselda nodded.

"The fifth candidate, Lady Priscilla Barielle, is currently in the lower strata. Her objective is unknown, but she is lightly guarded. She is being monitored."

Priscilla Barielle. That name sounds familiar. Wasn't she the fifth candidate that everyone forgot during the first attack? That Priscilla Barielle?

He smiled. "That's perfect. Guide me to her location."

Griselda curtsied. "As you wish. Shall we wait for the Finger, or have her meet us there?"

Ah, right. The Finger.

"We'll wai—"

"There's no need." A woman's voice called from the manor's entryway.

Subaru felt his blood freeze.

That voice… I know that voice.

He heard footsteps and the swishing of a robe, as the Finger approached them.

"Lord Sloth has chosen me to accompany you on your mission," her voice said, now right behind Subaru.

He turned, slowly, reluctantly, to see her face. It was one he recognised.

The red-haired woman bowed, smiling widely.

It was her. It was her. But it couldn't be. It couldn't. How…?

Subaru drew back a step involuntarily, desperately trying to keep his face blank.

She was the spitting image of the last person Subaru had seen during the second attack. The one who had murdered Velia in cold blood with her— with his unseen hands.

He had seen her introduce herself as Petelgeuse Romani-Conti, but now…

"My name is Rotha Romani-Conti. It's a pleasure to be of service."

---

The six cultists walked through the city, all in civilian clothes. No one would take a second glance at them as they currently were.

Subaru was in the middle of the formation, beside Coen with the duo of Griselda and the Finger in front.

Coen looked very much like he wanted to say something, but Subaru could't spare any attention for the young cultist. His mind was twisting this way and that, trying to make sense of the anomaly in front of him.

He watched 'Rotha' like a hawk, trying to discern her motives. Was this Petelgeuse, reincarnated into a new identity, here to spy on Subaru? But then why would she introduce herself as 'Romani-Conti'?

And regardless, when Subaru checked her miasma the shadow around her was only as dark as the one around Ketty, far cry from the blackness of Petelgeuse.

But if she wasn't Petelgeuse, who—or what—was she?

His deliberations had awoken his spirits, and all four were now floating around the group, training their attention on the cultists, allowing Subaru to keep an eye on all of them, even the two directly behind him.

They remained invisible, not projecting too much so as not to disturb Subaru from his thoughts. Even Muninn understood the gravity of the situation, though she did chat with Huginn as they made their way through the lower strata.

I guess there's only one way to find out the truth. Alright, I just need to stay calm. This isn't the one who murdered Velia. She's safe right now, in some tavern somewhere in the city. Otto too, and Felt, and Emilia, and everyone else.

He was struck by a sudden surge of homesickness. He really wanted to see all of them again.

Party. After. Luna proposed.

Yeah, I guess you're right. After we're done, I'll definitely introduce you all to each other.

"You called yourself a Romani-Conti, didn't you?" Subaru asked, stepping forward to direct his question at the Finger. "Are you related to Sloth?"

If she's his daughter or something, I think I might puke.

Rotha glanced back, and slowed her steps to fall in beside him. "Related? Well, no, I suppose. There is no direct blood relation between us. But the Romani-Conti family has long supported Lord Sloth. He might well be considered the patriarch of our clan."

The Romani-Conti family? Why does she make it sound like Petelgeuse isn't part of it? Did he just adopt the name?

She must have noticed his confusion, because she went on, "It is not something outsiders usually understand. Please do not concern yourself with it."

Yeah, I'd love to take that advice, but I really need to get to the bottom of this. Is it possible that 'Petelgeuse' is just a title, or something? And she's slated to inherit it, along with those 'Unseen Hands' when the current holder dies?

It didn't quite add up fully, but it was the most reasonable answer Subaru could come up with.

"Is there any situation where you would give your name as Petelgeuse?"

Rotha gave him an odd look. "No, never. However…" she smiled wistfully, and looked away. "Lord Sloth might, should he need me to take up the mantle."

Take up the mantle? So… it is an inherited position? I guess cultists aren't exactly sane, so maybe it's some strange tradition. They cast someone out of the family if they become the Sin Archbishop?

He internally debated asking her a few more questions, but he felt any more could rouse her suspicions, and he didn't want to do that just yet. He waved her off, and the Finger took her position at the front of the group again.

A few blocks more, and they had reached their destination, a shabby unmanned store. It was old and off the main roads, so few people came near the place. It was a perfect location for one of the cult's supply caches.

After checking the street was clear, they stepped inside.

Griselda immediately directed the two cannon fodder to retrieve robes, and leaned down over a table.

"The candidate is not far from here. As of twenty minutes ago, she was on Axe Street, with her bodyguards."

Twenty minutes ago? We were walking then. How does she even know that? Some kind of magic I wasn't told about?

He stepped closer, and spotted a small sheet of paper on the table in front of her.

Oh. The spies just left a message for her here.

He sighed. I'm getting jumpy and paranoid. That's not a good sign.

"When is it starting?"

"Not long," she answered. "The first strikes will have already begun. When the bells start tolling, then our forces will move to intercept the guard patrols."

Subaru nodded.

"Then… I actually had one last question. Do you know what the goal with Emilia is?"

"Emilia… you mean the half-witch?" Griselda asked.

She stared askance at Subaru, but didn't comment on the fact that he had used her name. "Yes, of course. She's to be tested, and should she prove worthy, be made into a vessel for the Witch's descent."

"A vessel. Petelgeuse said something similar. And if she is 'worthy', what happens to her?"

"I don't know," Griselda answered. "However, I do not believe another soul could coexist in the same body as the Witch herself. She'd likely be martyred to the cause."

"Indeed, that is the case," Rotha interjected, smiling widely. "I admit, I am envious of her. To grant the Witch second life would be the greatest of honours. The Romani-Conti family has long believed such a thing."

Subaru's breath remained even, but he could feel himself going cold, goosebumps raising on his skin.

"And what of everyone else? The civilians, the knights, the candidates. Everyone who lives in the city. What do you think of them?"

Griselda met his gaze, brows furrowed. "I apologise, Lord Pride, but I don't think I understand. They are obstacles, so they must be removed. There is nothing more to it."

Subaru searched her face, trying to spot any sign of deception, of hidden guilt, of even the slightest tremor of sympathy.

But he found nothing. Nor did he see anything in the movements of the two at the back of the store, still searching through chests to retrieve their cultist robes.

Rotha had narrowed her eyes at him, seeming more concerned about why he was asking that type of question when the attack was so close to beginning. Was that a hint of insight in her eyes? Did she suspect that Subaru was not the loyal Sin Archbishop he claimed to be?

Of the five, only Coen seemed concerned about the impending calamity. He was standing in the corner, face pale, clutching his gospel in his hand. His eyes flicked between Subaru, Griselda, and his gospel, uncertainty wrinkling his face.

The others… were too far gone. They truly saw nothing wrong with the impending massacre.

"Well," Subaru sighed, lowering his voice to a whisper, "I suppose it won't matter anyway, in a few hours."

He looked back up, and addressed Griselda clearly. "Right then. I guess that's everything I wanted to know from you. You've been a great help."

"Lord Pride? Didn't you require us to aid you in your task?" Rotha asked. She had lowered her stance slightly. Whatever suspicions she held were growing stronger, but she seemed unwilling to make the first move.

Beside him, he felt his spirits flare to life, beginning to gather mana from the surroundings.

Griselda looked over to him, her expression concerned. "Lord Pride?"

"Ice Brand Arts."

To her credit, Rotha was more agile than Subaru had expected.

The Finger flung herself to the side, just in time for the icy cross-shaped dagger to miss her, and embed itself in the wall at the back of the shop.

The two canon fodder weren't so lucky. Huginn fired a needle of ice, hitting one directly in his chest, and Muninn's small bead of fire set the other alight. Not dead, but out of the fight for now.

Subaru felt himself wince.

No hesitation! Huginn berated, sucking up mana for another ice construct. Evil!

Evil. That was right. These were just evil people. He had killed them before, this was no different…

Except it was. Before they were a faceless hoard, hell-bent on killing him and his friends. Now, after he had lived with them for so long, despite rarely interacting with them, he just wasn't able to dehumanise them. Even after hearing them spew their hateful rhetoric, even after seeing them discuss Emilia's death like it was nothing, he hated them… but he understood them. They were still human, if only barely.

"Archbishop?" Griselda stepped back, looking back at the two cultists. She might have been trained in the cult's techniques, but she had never seen real combat herself. Not like Subaru had.

He grit his teeth, then swung an open hand, crying, "Ice Brand Arts!"

A ghostly blue dagger materialised and shot out, aiming for Griselda's heart. She gathered her wits more quickly than Subaru had expected, twisting her body to catch the blade in her shoulder instead, but she still stumbled backward with a gasp of pain.

He brought his hand back to point at her, but before he could follow up…

"Spirit Arts User!" Rotha snarled. Fire sprung forth from her raised hands, and coalesced into balls of orange light. "You dare!? You dare appear in Lord Sloth's presence!? You dare betray us!?"

Subaru hissed, and cycled mana to his maximum, launching himself sideways to get out of the way. Fire flew past, and detonated behind him, blowing open the entire front of the shop.

"I'll kill you! I'll kill you! I'll—"

Shamak!

Black smoke enveloped the Finger, silencing her ravings.

Thanks, Luna. Keep her occupied.

"Archbishop, why?"

Griselda had one cross-dagger in hand now, and held her other up to her injured shoulder, bathing it in blue light.

That's… water magic? Shit. She's a healer. She never brought that up.

The ice dagger clattered to the floor, its tip stained red, and Grisalda withdrew her hand, pulling out a second dagger, taking a combat stance.

But she was trembling, and her eyes wild. "Is this what your gospel ordered? Mine said nothing about this… I just don't understand. Why? Why would the Witch—"

"I don't serve your Witch," Subaru snapped. It was petty, but oh, it felt so good to say it, to speak his mind. "And she knows it. My gospel is blank!"

"Blank?" Griselda mouthed the word, then her expression darkened. "You're an infiltrator. You're a spy! A fake!"

"I'm honestly surprised it's taken this long for anyone to figure it out."

Can't hold. Hurry! Luna ground out, and Subaru stiffened. He had to finish off Griselda before the Finger broke out of Luna's spell.

"Damn you!"

She came at him swinging, and Subaru stepped back. "Ice Brand Arts."

Cross dagger of steel met cross dagger of ice, and a chime rang out. Subaru's arm went numb under the weight of the blow, and Griselda took the opportunity to slash at his neck.

Akua.

Sol intoned his spell, and the second dagger clanged harmlessly off a shield of golden light.

Ah, thanks Sol. That would have got me if I had—

He abruptly cut off as she swung again, and he was on the retreat once more.

Griselda was stronger than she looked. Her mana enhancement and dagger technique was better than Subaru's, even counting what little training Reinhard and Velia had provided him with. Without Sol's protective shield spells, he wouldn't have lasted a second. His only saving grace was that she didn't have access to magic.

She's still human. She's a person, like any other. And yet–

"I'll kill you anyway," he snarled, and Griselda's movements slowed, shock evident on her face, allowing Subaru to step outside her reach.

He forced mana out his gate, allowing Huginn to seize it and gather it together, compressing it together, and then…

He threw his dagger at her to force her to keep her distance, and yelled, "Ice Brand Arts!"

There was a flash of blue, and suddenly, he was holding a sword, a slender elegant weapon that put Griselda firmly within his striking range.

There was barely time for her eyes to widen before he sliced through her throat.

There was a spray of red, and specks covered the wall.

For a moment, she just stood there, face going pale. She gurgled, and blood began seeping down. Then her eyes rolled back into her head, and she fell to the floor.

Subaru felt a pang, a sickness in his stomach, but he couldn't afford to dwell on it. He quickly glanced at the situation in the rest of the room.

Luna was firing Paralak javelins into the shamak cloud, but even that wouldn't be able to keep the Finger down for long, and the Yin quasi spirit was getting tired.

Coen was still standing shell-shocked in the corner, eyes fixed on Griselda where she lay. He wasn't a threat. Subaru could deal with him later.

The only other living combatant was the burned canon fodder, his clothes tattered and ashen, and his face horribly disfigured by burns. He wouldn't likely be a threat…

"Ice Brand Arts."

…but it was better to be safe than sorry.

The ice dagger caught him in the chest, and he fell backwards, and was still.

Now all that remained was the Finger.

The Shamak cloud ignited, and Subaru danced backwards, as the spell broke, releasing waves of fire.

"You!" Rotha growled, conjuring more fireballs in her hands. "You traitor! I'll kill you!"

Shit. I still need to use mana today, I can't afford to fight her in a battle of attrition.

His eyes went to the white light by his side.

Sol! Try and intercept those with shields!

Affirmation.

"Die!"

With a scream, Rotha flung both spells at him, and in response…

Akua.

…a shield of gold sprung into existence, a square of solid light that stretched from floor to ceiling, far larger than Subaru had ever seen Sol cast before.

The fireballs exploded on contact with it, but the barrier remained firm and unyielding.

Wow! Great job Sol! Keep that up a bit longer, I'll try and incapacitate her!

"Damn Spirit Arts User! I'll kill yo—!"

"F—fura!"

A third voice called out, and a flurry of wind passed between the duelling spellcasters.

Both stared in surprise for a moment, and then a red mist spurted from Rotha's arm, her hand falling to the floor with a wet thump.

She screamed.

"How dare you! You, you, you traitor!" She twisted her head around, looking at the origin of the wind spell, spittle flying from her mouth.

Coen stood still, one arm outstretched, his gospel held open in the other. "I— I'm f-following the instructions of my g-gospel!" he stuttered, body trembling all over.

"I am to aid L-Lord Pride in his m-mission! That is what's written here!"

"Damn you!"

Rotha pivoted her surviving hand to point at Coen, and the young cultist stiffened.

Now Huginn, Sol!

"Ice Brand Arts!"

The dagger crashed through the shield like it didn't exist, spraying shards of golden light everywhere.

Rotha realised her mistake, and swung back around to aim at Subaru, but it was too late. The dagger sunk into her chest, causing her shot to go wild, blasting a hole right through the roof.

She stumbled, then tripped over her feet, landing on her back with a gasp.

Coen collapsed to the floor, relief on his face, but Subaru wasn't finished yet.

Subaru rushed to the Finger's side, stamping one foot onto her hand to prevent any further spellcasting.

"How does Petelgeuse survive death!?" he demanded, pointing his sword at the Finger's face. "Why would he look like you!?"

"Like me?" she whispered. "No, not me. For me… for both of us, it's…"

She trailed off, the light in her eye's beginning to fade.

"Both of us? What is it? Answer my question!"

Her face twisted into a vicious sneer, and the miasma around her darkened suddenly.

"…over!"

Rotha's violet eyes narrowed to pinpricks, and Sol jolted forward in alarm.

Subaru saw a shimmer of gold, and suddenly, he was flying, surrounded by fire and smoke.

He hit the ground hard, and gasped as the wind was blown out of him.

Subaru! Alright? Okay?

His vision was blurry, and he couldn't focus on anything. He trembled as he hauled himself up with one hand, the other still holding onto his ice sword, pointing it in the direction of the Finger.

After a moment, his sight started focusing, and he realised there was little point in the action. Most of his blade had been vaporised by the blast, and what remained was crumbling apart before his eyes.

"Ugh," he groaned, dropping what little was left of the weapon.

He stumbled to his feet, and looked around, trying to peer through the smoke. "Huginn, Luna. Where is she? Is she—?"

Dead, Huginn reported. Exploded. Ashes.

"I… I see."

So she self-destructed. Damn it, she could cast spells even without her hands free? I thought that was supposed to be really difficult?

"Thanks for the save, Sol," he said, glancing at the Yang spirit by his side. "If you hadn't shielded me, I'd have been a goner. But how did you make it so large? Last I saw, your shields were only half my size, and even smaller if you were rushing it."

Sol hesitated, freezing in midair.

Improved. Quasi.

It took a moment for the words to sink in, but when they did, Subaru did a double-take.

"Quasi? You've ranked up? Why didn't you tell me?"

He paused. "Wait a minute, why haven't I noticed? I haven't felt any extra strain from our contract."

Yet Subaru didn't doubt the Yang spirit's words. Now that he was thinking about it, the contract did feel a bit heavier.

Gradual, Sol explained. Slow. Hard. Confusing.

He shook from side to side. Not… as expected. More complicated.

"A gradual shift… so you ranked up over the course of a few days?"

Sol bobbed.

"Well, that's great!" Subaru said with a faint smile. "It'll be really helpful today. We're going to need all the strength we can get."

Sol bobbed again, then projected more, weaving together visions and intentions. Games of hide and seek, sleep, and tip-toeing so as not to break a fragile floor.

Despite having communicated with the spirits for many months now, it still took Subaru a moment to puzzle out the meaning.

"You've… you've all been less active recently? That's why I'm feeling less strain?"

This time, four spirits bobbed in confirmation.

"Hah. And here I was thinking you were just scared of Petelgeuse," Subaru said, shaking his head. "But I guess that means the strain will hit me all at once today. Hmm…"

He closed his eyes, and tried to judge how his body felt. He did feel sore all over, but that had more to do with being thrown across the room than any spiritual pressure.

And I suppose it doesn't really matter anyway. As long as I hold out long enough to figure out the three Sin Archbishops, it doesn't matter how much punishment my body takes.

He opened his eyes, and glanced towards the entrance. He could hear distant screaming and shouting in that direction. Either people had noticed the smoke from the explosion, or the attack had started.

Regardless, I can't stay here for long. But we used much more mana than I expected to try and subdue them. Damn it.

"We'll deal with that when it comes up. Everyone, try and recover as much mana as you can here."

After all the spells that had been cast in the battle, mana saturated the surrounding area. It would be much faster to take that mana than to try and gather it as they moved.

"Sol, could you help Luna? You're a quasi spirit now, so you should have an easier time of it, especially during the day."

Four spirits bobbed their assent, then flew apart to get to work.

Suabru left them to it, and started searching for his unexpected ally.

He had no idea why Coen had decided to betray the cult, so Subaru kept his guard up, ready to launch a paralak spell at a moment's notice.

Coen's actions could still have been a trick, though Subaru doubted it. From what he had seen, the young cultist didn't have a deceitful bone in his body. Still, there was no harm in being cautious.

Subaru slowly crept in his direction, carefully stepping between pieces of rubble so as not to make a sound.

But as he drew closer, and he started to make out shapes through the smoke and dust, he realised his caution was unnecessary.

Coen was slumped against the wall, a small pile of rubble covering his legs. He had been further away from the Finger, but he hadn't had the protection of Sol's shield spell.

"Lord Pride? Is— is that you?"

The young cultist was looking right at Subaru, but his eyes flicked to and fro, unable to track him.

"It's me," Subaru confirmed, stepping closer. "But I'm not Pride. That's a lie I've been using to infiltrate the cult."

Coen smiled, and then collapsed into a coughing fit, hacking up globs of red.

A line of blood started running down the corner of his mouth, but he kept smiling. He tried to reach out towards the empty floor, searching for something that wasn't there.

"My— my gospel said— my gospel said to obey you, and help you with your mission. It was right. It was right!"

"But… I'm not. I'm—" Subaru started, then cut himself off. Sure, he wasn't the Sin Archbishop he had claimed he was, but was there any harm in letting the boy believe he was in his final moments?

And final moments they undoubtedly were. The amount of blood Coen was coughing up indicated a hell of a lot of internal bleeding, and if he was to survive, he needed magical treatment immediately. Treatment Subaru couldn't provide. He had no access to healing magic, and there was no way he'd be able to find a water mage in time. Maybe if he hadn't spent that time talking to Sol first…?

He shook his head. No, even if he had gone to look for help, he was unlikely to find anyone, and he wouldn't have done it anyway. Too much was relying on Subaru for him to waste time for a person who wouldn't exist in a few hours anyway.

"Yes," he said instead, kneeling down by his side. "I suppose it was. You were a great help. Thank you."

"Heh," Coen laughed as his breathing grew fainter, his speech slurring as his consciousness slipped away. "You're too kin' to be a— a Sssin Ar'bissshop. Always though' ssso. You's nothin' like the— the stories…"

Finally, he could no longer keep his eyes open, and his breath stopped.

Subaru remained kneeling. He stared at Coen's face, so peaceful in death, without any trace of the anxiety that had so often marred it in life. He truly believed that his actions were right. That dying in the process of providing Subaru with a minimal amount of aid was a good use to his life.

"They're mad," Subaru whispered. "They're all mad. Every last one of them."

He laughed. It felt wrong to laugh over the corpse of someone he might have called a friend, but the absurdity of it was too much to bear.

"How?" he asked, he demanded of the unresponsive corpse. "How can you look like that!? Don't tell me it doesn't hurt, I know it does! It can't be worth it! Why would you risk everything to help someone like me!? I can't even protect one person without help, why the hell would you trust your gospel if it says to put your faith in me!?"

He gasped for breath, and then continued laughing, as the smoke continued clearing, and voices came ever closer.

His spirits drifted closer, radiating their concern, but he just kept laughing.

"Ah, but I suppose I'm no one to talk. Because guess what? I'm mad too."

He rubbed his cheeks, and his fingers came away dry.

"I'm not sad. Not at all, not one bit. I feel pity for your situation, I regret that I dragged you into this, I hate that I'm not strong enough. But I'll never mourn your death."

Because no matter what happened, when Subaru next woke up, Coen would be back to his usual nervous self, training in the manor, with no idea Subaru Natsuki even existed.

Subaru, Huginn insisted, pushing past Luna's objections to give him a little more time.

Need to move!

The sounds of people had grown closer, to the point that Subaru could hear fearful voices and slow footsteps. Huginn was right. It was time to leave.

"Yeah, I will," Subaru said, slowly getting to his feet. "I'm okay, Luna. I'm fine."

He glanced toward the entrance, now nothing more than a gaping hole. Several bystanders had already reached it, peering into the store.

That exit seemed like it would be bothersome to go through, so Subaru turned to the other way out of the building, the one Rotha had created in her last moments.

Without smoke obscuring the surroundings, the full scope of her explosion's devastation could be seen. Half the roof and back wall had been blown away, and one wall had simply vanished. The damage encompassed several other buildings on the block, which left a perfect escape route for a renegade Sin Archbishop.

"Huginn, I need you to go and find the candidate. She has red hair, and a red and black dress. You can't miss her. The rest of you, follow me."

He didn't wait to hear their answers.

He ran forward, over shattered stone and broken wood, out into the city.

It was time he met the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony face-to-face.

---

A/N: There is a note in my outline that says: "Finish reading EX 1 before you get here". I am one chapter away from that note, and I still have not started EX 1. This will surely end well.

But, I have finally reached the good part of the outline. Everything should be easy until the end of the Arc now. Will updates come back to some semblance of a regular schedule? Who knows!