Karsten If
Chapter 4: Clashes Of Madness
"So… I suppose Barusu really didn't betray Emilia-sama and remains to be her dog." Ram proposes this with elegance as the last of the soldiers are helped to stand on their feet.
"Yup! As faithful and loyal a puppy can get, nya!" Felix giggled mischievously from the side of the lady Ram was speaking with.
Crusch sighed and rubbed her temple in annoyance. "Though I mislike hearing a friend spoken about with such foulness… I have no intention of settling your score with Natsuki Subaru, that is not my place to put myself in between himself and the people who hate him."
"Ram doesn't have the soul to hate someone as pitiful as Barusu. He only deserves a moment of disdain." The maid replied courtly to her but it made Crusch and Felix glance at each other with knowing looks.
"You're just messing with him because of the reactions he gives, aren't you?" Crusch asked deadpan while Felix giggled to her side.
Ram's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "Perhaps. Barusu's reactions are... entertaining."
Crusch exhaled a weary breath, steeling herself for the request she was about to make. She sheathed her sword and took a step closer to Ram, her posture formal and respectful. "Lady Ram, I must ask for your permission to enter the grounds. My army and I are here to save the people of Arlam Village. We mean no harm to Emilia-sama or anyone else within the estate."
Ram studied her for a moment, her sharp eyes weighing Crusch's sincerity. Finally, she nodded. "Very well. You may enter. But know that any sign of treachery will be met with swift retribution. And Emilia-sama will have to be warned about this threat that you've come to offer aid for."
Crusch bowed deeply, gratitude evident in her voice. "Thank you, Lady Ram. We will act with honor."
With Ram's permission, Crusch and her army moved forward, determination driving them as they approached the village.
Felix sighed beside her and mounted his dragon too. She slowed her dragon not far from the one given to Ram by one of the soldiers so she could lead the way just to be sure they didn't fall into any more traps.
"Crusch-sama?" Felix looked curiously at her as she forced her dragon to slide beside him.
Crusch stared into her knight's soul with a firm frown on her face that showered the healer with nervousness, and concern.
"Did Ferris-chan do something wrong, nya? I promise not to do it again!" Felix pleaded immediately, looking down at his dragon with a little trembling in his hands as he held the leading of the saddle.
"You… Are an idiot."
The boy's body went rigid as a distinct weight was placed upon his head, ruffling his ears and hair as it pleased without any respect to his privacy or care for his feelings.
"Crusch-sama?" Felix leaned into her gloved hand more, not wanting to push her off the dragon or touch her damaged armor as it was too harsh. "Why?"
"No one else has a place beside me except you… Just know this…" Crusch's soft words were said to produce a sense of protection that she felt he was missing for a long time.
I hadn't been paying enough attention to you for a while… I'm sorry, old friend…
Some sister you've been… Guy gave up his manhood for you to be more confident and he still ends up forgotten.
Leave me alone for now… I'm enjoying this moment with him…
"... I… Thank you…" Felix's eyes teared as he leaned further into her head-pat, wishing he could hug her then and there but the dragons and the army around them would make this a fruitless endeavor.
All that mattered was the fact that he seemed to be in relief after she said that to him. A relief that he was desperate for after what he'd seen or heard in Ram's Illusion spell.
"I must take care of you… It's my duty." Crusch gives a grin and removes her hand from his head, tugging his hair a bit playfully.
"I don't like Crusch-sama when she's mean!" He pouted and held his head in annoyance, but his lady was already racing to be at the front of the carriages and troops that had been following Ram's lead for the past few minutes.
=======================================================================:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;
Crusch strode through the grand halls of the mansion, her mind focused on the mission ahead. Her soldiers were already moving to assist the villagers, but she had another task to complete first. The Roswaal mansion seemed larger than her own in many ways, but luckily, she had help from Ram to assist with reaching her goal.
As she reached the main hall, she saw Emilia descending the grand staircase. The half-elf's silver hair cascaded around her, and her expression was one of cautious hope.
"Lady Crusch," Emilia greeted, her voice soft but filled with gratitude. "Thank you for coming to our aid."
Crusch nodded, her demeanor respectful but businesslike. "It's our duty to help. Subaru Natsuki made it clear how important this was."
Emilia's eyes softened at the mention of Subaru. "He always puts others before himself. I hope he's alright…"
The duchess had a moment to grimace before allowing herself a small smile. "Subaru is... unique. He has a way of drawing people together, even in the face of danger."
Emilia nodded, her eyes distant as she thought of Subaru. "He does. He's always so brave, so determined…" She paused before looking down. "Too determined even."
"I don't wish to come between you two… But you shouldn't hold any mislike towards his attitude in supporting your cause."
The half-elf shakes her head with a small frown. "I don't hate that he supports me so much… I… I don't want him to hurt himself because he has the wrong idea about me…"
Crusch nodded her head in understanding. "So long as you have no ill feelings toward him for what he did at the royal ceremony, then I have no other words to say."
"Thank you… For respecting his privacy so much…" Emilia was surprised at the pleasant smile Crusch gave her. Both women knew that Emilia had left Subaru in the Karsten estate's care due to a fracture between them caused by his conduct at the royal gathering in the capital.
"I thought she was merely distancing herself from an embarrassment and he wanted to prove himself to her…"
The boy knew more and was ignored by her because of his loss to the royal knight.
"It was a moment of passion that spoke to his heart…"
It was humiliating and uncomfortable to watch. And it seems your rival also agreed, it's why he was thrown in your care and made him so desperate in the first place to fight everything alone.
"He didn't fight alone… He trusted me…"
Look where that got him.
There was a moment of silence as both women reflected on the boy who had become so important to them. Crusch then straightened, her tone turning serious. "Lady Emilia, I must ask you something. Before Subaru left, did he say anything unusual? Anything that might indicate he was aware of a larger threat?"
Emilia's brow furrowed in concern. Crusch noticed that Emilia's eyes grew sad for a moment, as if she was recalling an unpleasant memory.
"I apologize," Crusch said while looking at her in pity. "I don't mean for you to remember your last moments with him so soon after you had departed from him… But this is important for the way I shall conduct the battle here."
The half-elf holds a hand to her chest and thins her lips in contemplation, glancing away from the duchess. "He… Didn't seem worried about anything… He had… Other things on his mind when we last spoke."
"Wait a second…"
"Would you… tell me what that entails?" Crusch's voice wasn't meant to sound so pleading, but the moment Emilia spoke, both her tone and her distracted expression made the duchess feel a great wave of nostalgia hit her. "Would he happen to have… a notion of wanting to prove himself?"
Emilia's eyes closed in what Crusch can describe as a pained expression.
"Why do I act insane…"
"Of course I'm not me anymore…" Subaru seethed in anger.
"He didn't want to prove himself to anyone," Emilia said this with a dejected tone that could tear into the hearts of any man hearing it. "He… was putting himself through great pain. All because of me…"
"Crusch-sama…" Subaru stepped forward, closer to her armored self than she had realized, staring at her with malice he was not directing towards her. "I am not acting mad… Even if you feel that I am faking my smiles. Even if I don't like myself at all. Even if I am a failure in every sense of the word… I am not a madman. And I will prove this to all of you."
"Because he wanted something I could not give him or begin to understand how to do so…" Emilia steeled herself to glance up at the duchess again. "He was putting himself in terrible pain for no purpose of worth…"
"I promised to save them all."
The Valkyrie's breath hitched for one moment as she stared into the pools of darkness that held such powerful hope and will.
Subaru's smile erased her doubts as it was not the overconfident one that she was used to from his fakings… It was a small, weak, tired smile that was not noteworthy to anyone but herself. Because this smile was so real. She was now seeing the pure version of Subaru's mentality in a single smile. A weak soul that was trying its best to grow through something very dark.
And Subaru's depression and despair was the darkness to his smile and soul.
And yet he kept it firm, he kept it genuine. Real.
Finally, she saw him for who he is.
Just a depressed kid with such a powerful spirit to make things right.
"I'm going to be better, you see. I have people that need me on the other side of these fields, Crusch-sama! I must do this for them… for myself."
"I see…" Crusch couldn't help but watch the half-elf with an expression closer to being aghast as the memory of her last talk with Natsuki Subaru kept overshadowing what Emilia was saying.
"He was a whole different person under the Wanderer's Tree… Why? What happened to him in my mansion to change so much…"
Messy… Such drama and yet we got into the middle of it all because we can't help but take advantage of such situations.
"Lady Crusch…" Emilia stepped forward with a determined look on her face. "Why are you asking me those things about Subaru? Is he… in danger?"
Crusch brushed off Emilia's worry with a wave of her hand. "There's no time for that now. You need to get on the escape carriages. We can't afford to take any risks with your safety."
Emilia's eyes widened in alarm. "But, Crusch—"
Crusch turned away, her mind already occupied with the countless tasks and worries weighing on her. "Please, lady Emilia. This is for your safety. Get to the carriages."
Emilia hesitated for a moment, "Crusch, are you staying?"
She didn't receive an answer from the duchess as she had already began walking towards the exit to the main hall herself. Even though it was rude of her to conduct such disrespect towards Emilia, the half-elf noticed how harshly clenched Crusch's hands have become after hearing the things she said about Subaru.
"Is she mad at me for what I said, Puck?" Emilia whispered as she was left alone, bewildered.
"I dunno, Lia… Subaru's becoming popular with the ladies while you were gone it seems." Her spirit spoke to her telepathically, sounding amused.
"Did you sense anything worrying from her?" Emilia asked this as she began walking out of the hall herself to fulfill her part of Crusch's plan.
"That girl was… A mess for the whole while I was reading her. She feels a lot of guilt and anger towards everything and nothing at the same time… But…"
"Poor Crusch… I hope she's going to be alright…" Emilia gasped as she walked out of the mansion's doors, hearing what her spirit was reporting to her about the other candidate. "She always looked so professional and resolved…"
"Lia," Puck earned her attention by firmly interjecting. "She felt more angry at you during your last moments a few seconds ago…"
"At me?" Emilia pursed her lips and looked down as she walked through the marble road out of the estate gardens. "... Because of what I said about Subaru isn't it?"
"... You didn't say anything wrong, Lia. He just hides it better from others until he can't anymore." Puck's voice was soft and soothing to her, but Emilia looked uncertain and guilty of herself.
"He was in a lot of pain," Emilia whispered, remembering her final fight with Subaru before she left him. "All because of me…"
"And this is why it was good that you left him behind. He doesn't need you to hurt him like that again, daughter." Puck kept his soothing tone as she whispered guidingly to her.
Emilia continued walking with an expression telling of the true pain within her heart, pain that made her shed a tear after remembering everything that happened at the capital.
"You should've just kept your promise… You idiot…" She sniffled and wiped her face quickly, speaking to nobody in particular but the image of the boy within her mind.
=======================================================================:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;
With Emilia going towards the carriages and out of the way, Crusch reached the center of the village to find Ram amidst the chaos. The villagers, driven by a mix of fear and defiance, had disregarded her orders to evacuate. Instead, they were arming themselves, preparing to stand their ground.
"Listen to me!" Ram's voice cut through the noise, her expression stern and uncompromising. "You must evacuate. Staying here will only put your lives in jeopardy."
A middle-aged villager, his face etched with lines of determination, stepped forward. "We appreciate your concern, Ram-sama, but we will not abandon our homes. We are ready to fight for what is ours."
Ram's eyes flashed with frustration. "You are not soldiers. You're putting yourselves at unnecessary risk."
Before the argument could escalate, Crusch stepped into the square, her presence commanding attention. "Everyone, please, listen!"
The villagers turned to face her, their eyes filled with both hope and uncertainty. Crusch raised her hand, calling for silence. "I understand your desire to protect your homes. Your courage is commendable. But we must be smart about this."
She paused, her voice becoming stronger. "This battle is not just about defending your homes. It's about protecting each other."
The crowd murmured, their fear and doubt slowly giving way to a sense of unity. Crusch continued, her voice filled with passion. "If you do not allow our forces to fight for you, then all effort is worthless."
"Why are you commanding us to leave if you can fight for us then?!" One young man with a cheap sword yelled from the side. It appears the youths of the village took him as a leader and began nodding along to his words.
"Is this because of the witch lady that Margrave-sama took in?" One kid from behind the elders asked, giving way to a new wave of outraged protests that were undeniably damaging to Emilia's reputation.
"I can't believe she deals with this on a daily basis…"
Technically they are right… Why else would the Witch Cult come here…
Crusch ignored her agreement with the crowd and pulled her sword out to swipe through the air of the sky above the crowds.
A cloud had dispersed as the attack from the duchess reached the depths of the blue void above.
"I am not going to allow any disrespect towards my fellow rival to the throne of our kingdom," Crusch commanded the silence that followed with a firm glare. "Bring forward your trust that our forces are here to help fight off the wave of monsters coming from the forest due to the activity of the White Whale. Please evacuate in an orderly fashion…"
Some of the people began whispering about the White Whale and brought glances to each other that filled them with fear and worry.
A girl in a red bow stepped forward to brave Crusch's glare.
"D-Do you promise to let us return?"
Crusch flashed the girl a small grin. "Of course. On my name as a dragon maiden."
Silence filled the air and the girl looked back to her friends standing around the elders. She gave a comforting smile and nodded, showing trust in the duchess standing before everyone. As the kids began to shuffle forward toward the merchants and their carts, the other villagers began steadily following them, trying to take their kids and flee in an orderly fashion.
As the villagers rallied around the line of soldiers and merchants to enter the carriages, Crusch noticed a small boy standing at the edge of the crowd, clutching a makeshift wooden sword. He approached her hesitantly, his eyes wide with admiration.
"Crusch-sama," the boy said shyly, "How did you do that wind slice?"
Crusch knelt down to his level, her expression gentle and encouraging. "What's your name, young child?"
"Leo," the boy replied, his voice filled with determination. "Can you please teach me?"
Crusch placed a hand on his shoulder. "Leo, I can teach you this move whenever you need it but…" She smirked at the boy, seeing excitement within him. "You need to be worthy to learn it. You need to be brave… Kind… And always try to help others."
"Um… And you will teach me… If I promise to do those things?" The boy's eyes sparkled with resolve.
Her grin was wide as she patted his head. "Why of course. I never go back on my debts, young man."
"I'll do my best, Crusch-sama!"
She smiled warmly. "I know you will, Leo… I actually have a small request to make of you."
The boy let her lean down and whisper into his ear what she wanted him to do. After that, Crusch stood back up on her feet and smiled down at the boy.
"Can I trust you to keep her protected?" Crusch asked with amusement filling her heart at the excitement he portrayed.
"I'll tell Mama and go find her!" Leo shouted, halfway across the village center from where he bolted after she asked him the question.
"You're welcome," Crusch commented with a smirk towards the maid.
Ram, watching from the sidelines, allowed herself a small, grudging nod of respect.
Felix then approached her, his cat-like features creased with determination. "Crusch-sama, Ferri-chan made sure all of the merchants that came with the army lined up their carriages at the edge of the town. They're ready to help evacuate the common folk, nya."
Crusch nodded, appreciating the efficiency. "Thank you, Ferris. Order a wide defense of the village. We need to ensure everyone evacuates safely."
Felix saluted and rushed off to relay her orders. Crusch then turned to the group of mercenaries from Anastasia's camp. Their leader, Ricardo, stepped forward.
"We're ready, Green boss. What's the plan?" he asked.
Crusch addressed them with authority. "Your teams will prepare for a raid. My army of adventurers will form a defensive perimeter around the village to protect against any attacks. The knights will accompany the evacuation carriages and ensure the villagers' safety. As for me, I'll personally lead a strike team to the locations Subaru Natuski identified."
"Excuse me… My name is Tivey, I'm a tactician from the mercenary teams." A boy who seemed to look at Crusch with scrutiny stepped forward from behind Ricardo. "Are you sure this information is trustworthy? Those locations are too deep within the forests surrounding this village… Mabeast-filled terrains are troublesome."
She gave a reassuring nod. "I trust Subaru's judgment. If he believes these locations are crucial, then we must investigate them. Stay vigilant. The villagers' safety is our top priority."
Tivey gave the lady a nod and pushed a tiny girl and her brother alongside him as they began preparing the other mercenary teams. Ricardo gave the lady a small grin and a nod of encouragement before walking back.
Crusch eyed his injured stump for a moment, remembering how he received it due to saving Wilhelm when fighting the White Whale.
She looked away from the men and glanced around, making sure that nothing more needed to be done.
=======================================================================:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;
"Puck," Emilia began, her voice soft, "what do you think is really happening? Everything is so confusing."
Puck sighed, his tiny form hovering closer to her. "I'm not entirely sure, Lia. But I trust Subaru and Crusch. They wouldn't act without a good reason."
Emilia nodded, though uncertainty still clouded her eyes. She sat in the carriage, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight. Her heart was heavy with worry as she watched the villagers filing into the other carriages, one by one. Their faces were a mix of fear and panic. She felt a pang of guilt for not being able to reassure them more.
Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn't notice the young boy approaching her carriage. He had a wooden sword clutched in his hand and a determined look on his face. He stopped by the carriage and looked up at her with wide, curious eyes.
"Silver hair… Oh! Emilia-sama," he called out softly. "Can I stay beside you?"
Emilia hesitated, her heart aching. She knew how her half-elf features often brought fear or resentment from others. She didn't want this boy to be hated because of her. "Are you sure, young one? You might find it better to stay with your parents."
The boy shook his head, a cheerful smile spreading across his face. "I was told you might be lonely here. I don't like leaving people on their own."
Touched by his kindness, Emilia's eyes softened. She leaned further in to allow him on the cart, and the boy climbed in, settling beside her. "What's your name?" she asked gently. "And why aren't you with your parents?"
The boy's smile brightened even more. "I'm Leo. My parents are already safe in another carriage. They said I could stay with my friends if I wanted to. But then I saw you on your own. I don't wanna let you stay here alone."
A warmth spread through Emilia's chest. She couldn't help but smile at the young child. "Thank you, Leo. Your company means a lot to me."
Leo nodded eagerly, gripping his wooden sword with both hands. "Don't worry, Emilia-sama. I'll protect you!"
Emilia laughed softly, her spirits lifting. "I'm sure you will. And I'm glad to have such a brave knight by my side."
Things felt calm for Emilia, she moved her hand a little, feeling shy all of a sudden but having the urge to just give the boy a small pat on the head due to how brave he's been to come to help her.
Emilia felt a rare calmness as she moved her hand slightly, feeling a bit shy but wanting to give Leo a small pat on the head for his bravery. Her fingers brushed against his hair, and she smiled softly.
"You almost remind me of someone else who wants to be a knight…" she murmured, her hand retreating.
"Is he strong?" Leo asked, his innocent eyes wide with interest.
She chuckled, but it was a hollow sound. "He tries…"
Leo frowned, inching closer to her, trying to look into her eyes. "Emilia-sama? Are you alr—"
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM !*
His words were cut off by a deafening explosion. The shockwave rocked the carriage, and a massive ball of fire engulfed the carts behind them. The air filled with the sound of screaming and the acrid smell of burning wood and flesh.
Emilia's heart pounded in her chest as she grabbed Leo's hand and quickly exited the carriage. "Stay close to me, Leo," she commanded, her voice firm.
As they stepped outside, the horrific scene unfolded. Several carriages were ablaze, and panicked villagers were scrambling to escape the inferno. The screams of those caught in the flames were heart-wrenching, and Emilia's eyes widened in horror at the sight of burnt bodies scattered on the ground.
She quickly knelt in front of Leo, shielding his eyes from the gruesome scene. "Don't look, Leo. Stay behind me."
Leo, trembling but resolute, nodded and clutched his wooden sword tighter. Emilia's mind raced as she assessed the situation. She could feel the heat of the flames and the chaos around her, but she had to stay focused.
"Emilia-sama, what do we do? M-Mama and Papa…" Leo's voice was small, filled with fear.
"We help," she said firmly. "But you need to go to safety. Head back to the village, through the soldier lines. Find whoever you can to come and help, I'll make sure everyone's safe..."
Leo hesitated, his eyes wide with concern. "But… Mama… She was in the back… Papa said he wanted to get more things from our house…"
"No buts," Emilia interrupted gently but firmly. "I need you to be brave and do this for me. Can you do that?" She commanded him and held his face with her palm. Her heart clenched with deep-seated pain. She didn't want the boy to be there as they uncovered the bodies.
Leo nodded, tears brimming in his eyes. "Yes, Emilia-sama."
"Go, now," she urged, watching as he ran towards the safety of the village, weaving through the soldiers.
Emilia turned back to the burning wreckage, her heart aching for the villagers caught in the flames. She raised her hands, summoning her ice magic. With a determined look, she unleashed a torrent of frost, extinguishing the flames and creating a barrier of ice to prevent the fire from spreading further.
"Stay calm!" she shouted to the remaining villagers. "I'm here to help!"
She moved quickly, using her ice magic to cool the burns of those she could reach and to create paths through the flames for others to escape. Her breath came in short gasps, but she pushed through, her determination unwavering.
The chaos slowly subsided as the flames were brought under control, but the damage was already done. Emilia's heart ached as she looked around at the devastation. The screams had faded, replaced by the sobs of those who had lost loved ones.
"LIA!"
Emilia jumped in the air and summoned several icicles through the air to sweep towards the inner forest near some villagers.
"Who goes there?! Be warned not to come closer!" Emilia's feet touched the ground and she looked towards the several shadow figures constantly moving around the forest.
"Puck, you sure they are a threat?"
"Mhm, they are bad news, Lia. Shoot on sight." Her spirit pronounced their enemies and Emilia readied her hands forward, putting herself firmly between the lines of shadows dancing in the forest tree lines and the distraught people of the village behind her.
Leo, from a distance, watched her with wide eyes. She was like a beacon of hope in a storm of desperation and hopelessness. He couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. He would be brave, just like her.
"I need to get to Crusch-sama…" He held his wooden sword tightly and ran like the wind slice he wanted to learn from the armored princess he admired.
=======================================================================:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;
Crusch stood at the heart of the village, her expression focused and determined as she coordinated the evacuation efforts. A soldier ran up to her, his face pale and his breathing ragged.
"Crusch-sama!" he called out urgently. "Sir Blue and the maid in charge of the estate are at the explosion site. Several carriages were infused with a large capacity of explosives. The Witch's Cult is attacking from all sides, much earlier than we anticipated."
Crusch's eyes widened with shock, but she quickly regained her composure. "What's their position? Do we have any information on their numbers or where they're coming from?"
The soldier shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. "No, ma'am. They're striking from multiple directions, and we can't pinpoint their exact locations. They're blending into the forest and using the chaos to their advantage."
Crusch clenched her fists, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She knew they had to act fast to protect the remaining villagers. "Order the entire army to disband across the town. Every soldier is to defend the evacuees with their lives. We need to cover every possible entry point."
How speedy has this failure come~
"Not your time right now…"
You've already lost a lot.
"Ram and Ferris will help some survive."
And how much will it hurt his soul when he finds out about the ones who didn't?
"Subaru will have to wake up first before blaming me…"
Even you blame you :)
The soldier saluted and sprinted off to relay her orders. Crusch turned her gaze towards the village, her heart heavy with the enormity of the task ahead.
The village was in turmoil as Crusch's army spread out, trying to form a defensive perimeter. The cultists attacked with a ferocity that took everyone by surprise. They emerged from the shadows, striking with lethal precision and then disappearing into the thin air.
Crusch watched as her soldiers struggled to hold their ground. The cultists were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless. The soldiers fought valiantly, but they were outmatched by the sheer unpredictability and savagery of their foes.
In one corner of the village, a group of soldiers was desperately trying to fend off a wave of cultists. The air was filled with the clash of swords and the cries of the wounded. Crusch could see the exhaustion and fear in her men's eyes, but they continued to fight, driven by their duty to protect the villagers.
A soldier fell to the ground, clutching a deep wound in his side. Another rushed to his aid, only to be overwhelmed by a group of cultists. The scene repeated itself across the village, with the soldiers struggling to maintain their defense.
Crusch's heart ached as she watched the scene unfold. She knew they were losing ground, and every moment of hesitation could mean more lives lost. She needed to inspire her troops, to give them the strength to keep fighting.
She unsheathed her blade and jumped across the village center towards the weakest point in her line of defense.
=======================================================================:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;
At the explosion site, Felix and Ram worked tirelessly, treating the injured and coordinating the rescue efforts. Felix's usually cheerful demeanor was replaced by a grim determination as he moved from one wounded villager to the next, his healing magic working overtime.
Ram stood nearby, her expression cold and calculating as she assessed the situation. "We need to stabilize the injured and get them to a safer location. This area is too exposed."
Felix nodded, his eyes scanning the chaos around them. "We'll do what we can, maid-san. But we need more help. The cultists are everywhere, and we're spread too thin."
Ram's gaze flickered towards the edge of the village, where the cultists were pressing their attack. "We have to hold them off until the villagers are safe. Crusch-sama's orders are clear. We protect the evacuees at all costs."
He watched as Ram flew to the other side of the wreckage, her wand held tightly in her hand. "Where are you going, nya?!" he called out, worry evident in his voice.
Ram barely glanced back, her face set in determination. "El Fula!" she shouted, unleashing a powerful blast of wind that scattered an encroaching group of cultists who threatened some survivors of the explosions. The force of her spell sent several cultists flying, and she immediately engaged the remaining ones in a fierce battle.
Felix sighed in defeat, his shoulders sagging for a moment as he took in the chaos around him. He let out a stumbling sniffle, pushing his emotions aside as he sprinted to aid another injured villager, his hands glowing with healing magic.
Near the carriages, Emilia found herself surrounded by a horde of cultists. Her violet eyes blazed with determination as she stood her ground, knowing that the safety of the villagers depended on her. She raised her hands, summoning a flurry of ice crystals that swirled around her like a protective barrier.
The cultists charged at her, their eyes hidden by their hoods but movements silent and dangerous. Emilia moved with fluid grace, her magic responding to her every command. She launched sharp icicles at the attackers, each one hitting its mark with deadly precision. The cultists fell, but more took their place, undeterred by the fate of their comrades.
Emilia gritted her teeth, pushing her magic to its limits. "I won't let you harm them!" she shouted, sending a wave of freezing wind that encased several cultists in ice. She leaped forward, using her agility to dodge their attacks while countering with her own. Her heart pounded, she created a blade of ice and began exchanging strikes with the blades of the hooded cultists, pushing through each one without break.
The cultists swarmed around her, their numbers seemingly endless. But Emilia stood firm, her ice magic forming a protective dome around the carriages. She knew she couldn't hold them off forever, but she was determined to buy as much time as possible for the villagers to escape.
Meanwhile, Ram and Felix continued their own battle against the cultists. Ram's movements were swift and precise, her wind magic slicing through the enemies with ruthless efficiency. She darted between the attackers, her wand a blur as she cast spell after spell.
"El Fula!" she shouted again, sending a powerful gust of wind that knocked back a group of cultists who were closing in on a group of survivors. She didn't hesitate, immediately turning her attention to another cluster of enemies.
Felix, on the other hand, focused on healing the wounded while being defended by Ram and some soldiers.
"Hang in there, nya!" he encouraged a wounded villager, his healing magic closing a deep gash on the man's leg. He glanced up, seeing more cultists approaching, and quickly casted a panicked look towards some of the soldiers fighting to his back.
With a swift motion, one of the village youths drew his cheap blade from his sleeve and confronted the attackers. "You're not getting past me!" he shouted, his voice filled with resolve. He slashed at the cultists, actually standing his ground against two while some soldiers moved in to take the rest.
"What do we do…" Felix growled as he witnessed the escalating situation, feeling hopelessness settle into his heart.
=======================================================================:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;
Crusch stood at the forefront of the village, her eyes scanning the horizon as the cultists surged forward. The air was thick with tension, the cries of the wounded and the clash of steel filling her ears. She gripped her sword tightly, the blade glinting with energy because of the mana she was boosting through it. She knew that she had to hold the line, to give the villagers and her soldiers a fighting chance.
"Stay strong!" Crusch called out to her soldiers, her voice clear and commanding. "We will protect this village and its people. No matter the cost!"
The cultists charged and Crusch took a deep breath, focusing her energy. With a swift motion, she swung her sword in a wide arc, unleashing a powerful gust of wind that swept through the oncoming enemies. The wind sliced through the cultists, sending many of them sprawling to the ground.
"Move!" Crusch shouted, her voice echoing across the battlefield. She moved with grace and precision, her sword cutting through the air. Each swing was accompanied by a surge of wind, creating a barrier that the cultists struggled to penetrate.
Despite their relentless assault, Crusch held her ground. She was a whirlwind of power and determination, her movements fluid and deadly. The cultists fell before her, but their numbers seemed endless. Still, she fought on, her resolve unwavering.
Seeing her soldiers wavering under the pressure of the cultist onslaught, Crusch knew she had to act quickly. "Frontline soldiers, fall back and assist the carriages! Protect the villagers at all costs!" she ordered, her voice carrying over the din of battle.
Her soldiers hesitated for a moment, unwilling to leave her side. But Crusch's fierce gaze and commanding presence left no room for argument. "Go now!" she barked, her tone brooking no disobedience.
The soldiers nodded, their respect for their leader evident in their swift compliance. They turned and raced towards the carriages, their focus shifting to the protection of the villagers. Crusch watched them go, her heart heavy with the weight of responsibility. She was now facing the brunt of the cultist forces on her own.
Always wanted to look like the hero.
"What happened to me not trusting any of them?"
That too, but you can't admit that looking like such a badass isn't a big bonus to your paranoia.
With a determined breath, Crusch redoubled her efforts. She swung her sword with renewed vigor, her wind swipes growing more powerful with each strike. The cultists pressed on, but Crusch was a force of nature, her blade dancing through the air like a whirlwind.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Crusch stood her ground. Her body ached, her muscles screaming for respite, but she pushed through the pain.
As the battle raged on, Crusch's strength and determination inspired those around her. The sight of their leader holding off the cultists single-handedly filled her soldiers with renewed courage. They fought with everything they had, their resolve unbreakable.
When she allowed herself a brief moment of respite, her eyes scanned the battlefield. The cultists on her front seemed to be retreating, or at least they had stopped trying to dash forward toward her.
"How did this go so wrong… Was there a traitor among the carriages all along?"
Even Subaru didn't see that, did he? We manage to excel at fucking up where even he can't foretell.
A young boy with a wooden sword came into her view, running towards her with a desperate look on his face. It was Leo, the boy who had become a fan of hers. His eyes were filled with hope as if believing that reaching her would somehow bring an end to the nightmare unfolding around them.
Such a naive belief.
"Why is he here?!"
The kid wants to see failure for himself~
"Crusch-sama!" he called out, his voice trembling but determined. "We need your help!"
Crusch's heart wrenched at the sight of the boy. She felt a flicker of hope herself, seeing his faith in her. She started towards him, wanting to reassure him, to tell him that everything would be alright. But before she could take more than a step, a horrifying sight stopped her in her tracks.
An invisible force, like a giant hand, emerged from the air and struck the boy. Crusch's eyes widened in horror as she saw Leo lifted off the ground, his body twisted unnaturally. Blood sprayed from his mouth, and a sickening crunch echoed through the air as the force crushed him.
* CRUNCH! *
The boy's lifeless body fell to the ground, his eyes staring blankly ahead. Crusch felt warm droplets hit her face, and she realized with a sickening jolt that it was his blood. She stood frozen, her mind reeling from the shock. She wanted to scream, to cry out in rage and sorrow, but no sound came from her lips.
She looked on at the invisible hand, seeing the blood of the boy and several others that had covered it from before. She followed it until her eyes fell upon the source of those hands moving through the battlefield.
"Oh, the despair! The beautiful despair! How it fills my heart with such joy!"
Emerging from the forest, a man with green skin and green hair, his eyes wide and pupils dilated like dots, approached with an eerie, unsteady gait. Sprouting from his back were many bloodied, invisible hands, now visible due to the blood covering them. He bit his fingers until he drew blood, a twisted grin spreading across his face as he locked eyes with Crusch.
The air grew thick with malevolence, and Crusch felt a shiver run down her spine. She forced herself to stand tall, her sword at the ready. The image of Leo's broken body was seared into her mind, fueling her resolve. She was careful not to step back and touch the boy's corpse with her boot. She couldn't handle the presence of it on her back.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.
The man's grin widened, and he tilted his head, almost as if considering her question. "You…" he began, his voice a disturbing mix of glee and madness, "you are not supposed to be here." He giggled, the sound sending chills down Crusch's spine. "My gospel… my precious gospel didn't account for you. Such a failure, such a betrayal!"
He ranted, his words growing more frenzied. "I am Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti, Sin Archbishop of the Witch's Cult! And you, you have disrupted my plans, interfered with my love for the Witch!"
Crusch's grip on her sword tightened. "Your gospel? Your love for the Witch? What are you talking about?"
"That's him… That's who Subaru wanted to fight…"
Petelgeuse's expression twisted into one of manic frustration. "The gospel guides us, shows us how to express our love for the Witch. But you… you were not in it! How can I fulfill my love if the gospel lies?!"
He bit his fingers again, blood dripping from his hands as his invisible limbs twitched and writhed around him. Crusch's heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her focus. This man was a monster, responsible for the deaths and suffering around her.
"You speak of love, yet you bring only death and destruction," Crusch said coldly. "You call yourself a servant of the Witch, but all you do is spread chaos."
Petelgeuse laughed, a high-pitched, unhinged sound. "Chaos is the truest form of love! The Witch desires it! And I am her faithful servant, bringing her desires to life!"
Crusch's eyes narrowed. "Then I will put an end to your twisted love."
With a swift motion, she raised her sword and charged at Petelgeuse, determination burning in her eyes. The Sin Archbishop's grin widened as his bloodied hands moved to intercept her.
Petelgeuse's laugh echoed through the forest as Crusch's blade met his invisible hands, the clash of their power sending shockwaves through the air.
Crusch's blade met Petelgeuse's bloodied, invisible hands with a resounding clash. The force of their impact sent shockwaves through the forest, scattering debris and leaves. Crusch felt the sheer power of the Sin Archbishop's unseen limbs as they wrapped around her blade, trying to wrench it from her grasp. But she held firm, her eyes blazing with determination.
Petelgeuse's laughter filled the air, a grating sound that only fueled Crusch's resolve. With a swift motion, she twisted her sword free and swung it in a wide arc, sending a gust of wind that knocked Petelgeuse back. He staggered but quickly regained his balance, his twisted grin never faltering.
"Such vigor! Such passion!" he cackled, his eyes wild with delight. "It's almost beautiful!"
Crusch didn't respond. She charged forward, her sword a blur of motion as she struck at Petelgeuse with all her might. The invisible hands blocked and deflected her blows, but she pressed on, each strike driven by the memory of Leo and the villagers she vowed to protect. Her attacks were relentless, a flurry of steel and wind that kept the Sin Archbishop on the defensive.
Petelgeuse retaliated with his own ferocity. His invisible hands lashed out, striking Crusch with bone-crushing force. She felt the impact in her ribs, her breath leaving her in a painful gasp. But she didn't back down. With a fierce cry, she summoned a powerful gust of wind that sent Petelgeuse sprawling to the ground.
He sprang back up, his eyes gleaming with manic energy. "Yes! Yes! This is the essence of love! The beauty of chaos!" He lunged at her, his hands clawing and grasping. Crusch barely had time to parry his attacks as the force of each blow sent shockwaves through her body.
Their battle raged on, both fighters growing more battered and bloodied with each passing moment. Crusch felt her strength waning, but she refused to give in. She focused on every move, every strike.
With a final, desperate effort, Crusch unleashed a powerful wind swipe that sent Petelgeuse crashing into a tree. He slumped to the ground, his laughter now a low, guttural chuckle. Crusch staggered forward, her body half-dead and covered in wounds. She raised her sword, her breath ragged, and approached the fallen Sin Archbishop.
Petelgeuse looked up at her, his eyes wide with mad glee. "Tell me," he rasped, blood trickling from his mouth, "what is the difference between sanity and madness?"
Crusch's grip on her sword tightened. She stared down at him, her eyes filled with a cold, unyielding resolve. "Madness is clinging to the chaos you've created, believing it to be love. Sanity is fighting against it, protecting those who cannot protect themselves."
"You say that with such a diligent look in your eyes… It's truly truly truly truly truly amaaaaziiiing…!"
With those words, she plunged her sword into Petelgeuse's heart. The Sin Archbishop gasped, his eyes widening in shock. His invisible hands thrashed wildly for a moment before falling limp. He looked up at Crusch one last time, a twisted smile on his lips.
"At least… I've not lied to myself like you have… That madness will never leave you." he whispered, his voice fading. And with that, Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti, Sin Archbishop of the Witch's Cult, was no more.
Crusch stood over his lifeless body, her own wounds aching and her strength nearly spent. She took a deep breath, the weight of the battle lifting from her shoulders. The village was safe, for now, and the cultists' leader had been defeated. But the cost had been high, and the pain of loss still lingered.
"He's gone… I have defeated Sloth…"
More like he defeated you.
Crusch could barely stand, her body screaming in agony from the battle's toll. Yet, as the adrenaline began to fade, she saw Felix rushing toward her, his face etched with worry. "Crusch-sama, hold on! I'll heal you, nya!"
"Thankfully Ferris is here… He should heal me so I can continue to help the others…"
Wonder when he shall follow Leo's fate because he's stuck to your side.
"I will not let that happen…"
Crusch moved over to lean on her sword, getting ready for his treatment as soon as he reached her.
"Crusch-sama—!"
But before Felix could reach her, the air was filled with a sickening sound. Blood sprayed into the air as invisible hands, now drenched in crimson, sliced through the battlefield. Crusch's eyes widened in horror as Felix was struck down, his body crumpling to the ground, lifeless.
"No… Felix…" Crusch whispered, her voice breaking. She tried to move toward him, but her injuries made every step a torment. She turned her gaze across the field, her heart shattering as she saw the devastation wrought by Petelgeuse's invisible hands. Ram lay motionless, Ricardo and the twins' bodies sprawled lifelessly among the carnage. The village was a scene of utter massacre, every life snuffed out by the cruel, unseen force.
Tears blurred Crusch's vision as she turned her gaze back to the corpse of Petelgeuse. Her breath hitched in her throat as she forced herself to turn away from Petelgeuse's lifeless corpse. The green-skinned monster lay still, his eyes glazed over in death.
"Why then… He's dead… Why…"
Because it's always been your fault.
Through the chaos and carnage, Crusch spotted another figure. One of the cultists had removed their hood, revealing a man with strange hair and wild, crazed eyes. He wore the same smile and bore the same madness in his eyes as the corpse she had just defeated.
Her mind struggled to comprehend the sight. She had killed him. Petelgeuse was dead. Yet, here he was, standing before her once more, as if death itself could not hold him.
The realization hit her like a physical blow, shattering her resolve.
"Ah, what a delightful sight!" the new Petelgeuse cackled, his voice dripping with sadistic glee. He crouched over Felix's lifeless body, his fingers tracing cruel lines over the fallen healer's face. "Such a devoted little spirit, always so eager to help. Let's see how helpful he is now, shall we?"
"No… this can't be…" Crusch's voice trembled with disbelief.
Petelgeuse laughed, a sound that pierced through Crusch's soul. "Ah, diligent fighter-sama, you look so lovely when you're broken. Do you see it now? The beauty of despair?"
Crusch's body trembled with a mix of fury and helplessness. She watched in horror as Petelgeuse knelt beside Felix's lifeless form. The Sin Archbishop's invisible hands began to move, defiling Felix's body with grotesque precision. Crusch could see the mockery in his eyes, the sheer delight he took in her suffering.
"Stop… please… stop!" Crusch's voice was a desperate plea, but Petelgeuse only laughed harder, his actions growing more depraved.
When will you learn that all of this keeps happening due to your own—
"SLOTHFULNESS!"
Her mind was fracturing, the weight of the horror and loss too much to bear. Images of the White Whale flashed in her mind, the memory of that harrowing battle and the betrayal that followed. She remembered the feeling of helplessness, the agony of watching her comrades fall one by one. It was happening again, and she was powerless to stop it.
"Why… why is this happening?" Crusch's voice was barely a whisper, her strength fading. She felt herself slipping into madness, the world around her becoming a blur of blood and pain.
"No… no more…" Crusch's voice was a broken whisper. She could no longer distinguish reality from the nightmare. The battle with the White Whale, the betrayal, the massacre before her—everything was a whirlwind of despair.
Petelgeuse leaned closer, his face inches from hers, his eyes gleaming with sadistic delight. "Embrace it. Embrace the madness, and you will find the truth."
Crusch's mind shattered, her last thread of sanity snapping under the weight of the horror. She let out a scream, a sound filled with all the pain, fury, and hopelessness she felt. At that moment, Crusch Karsten, the proud duchess and formidable warrior, was lost to the madness.
Had you given up when I told you… When the Whale almost had you… Natsuki Subaru would've been able to save everyone in Arlam as he had done underneath the Wanderer's Tree.
To be continued…
=======================================================================:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;
I know it's been fucking dark as fuck but you know my writing. I love to go into depth before giving you happiness.
