Chapter summary:

Drunkbaru speedruns the first trial and goes on a shopping spree:

New drinks, new sword, new drip, new superpower and even new loli.

"'lright, Tella, Beako you both are on eeelevator duty, the second 'nastasia and I figure out the logistics out, we're makin' a proper one here. Everyone else, settle down on Alcyone, Julius and I are goin' to Asterope for some driiinks."

"Subaru?"

"What? You're expectin' me to carry the whole crate, you jerk? No way! Shaula, did you and Reid left the secret door to the stash open?"

"Yep, we did. You should have no problems finding it, Master."

"Nice. Let's go. Tella-tan, be ready to Murak us when we get the crate."

"Silver Beauty. Aurora. Solar Eclipse. Constellation. That certainly sounds like you were naming these, Subaru."

"I mean, you heard Reid. It was mine enterprise. Stars and space are kinda my thin'. Oh, there it is! The whooole keg of the best stuff!"

Before the Sage stood a large drum twice his height with a label "Pleiades Premium" on it.

"We can not carry that out, Subaru."

"Urgh, you right… Gotta try some of it tho."

Before Julius could object, Subaru went under the tap attached to the keg, turned it, but:

"Argh, nothin'! It all ran out..."

Unlike the Sage, Julius heard an odd click, when the former was turning the tap. He wanted to warn Subaru that it might be a trap, but was too late to do so as the wall of the keg suddenly opened, toppling the black-eyed knight in the process.

"Is that another secret door?"

Julius was flabbergasted by the redundancy of placing secret door behind the another secret door. The Sage, however, wasn't.

"Oh, cool. That's somethin' old me prooobably made on a whim. Now what could I leave in 'ere?"

The interior of the keg-shaped secret room was very dark, unnaturally dark. Julius experienced an odd feeling of discomfort, as if someone from within was watching him. Subaru, however, looked completely unfazed.

Before the purple-haired knight could object:

"Oh, there's somethin' in there. Check this out."

With that Subaru vanished in the darkness.

At the same time in Alcyone, Shaula was giving a tour of the fourth floor to Emilia, Anastasia, Rem and Beatrice, the latter joined after lifting them up the flight of stairs with Murak. Of course, Anastasia was already asking questions.

"Damn, that construction is fascinatin', I mean da height of da structure is somethin' else. What is it made from?"

"Concrete, reinforced by the steel beams and mana. Master's doing, he brought like a month worth of iron supply from the village called Costuul, to make the support beams. Plus a ton of magic was used to assist the structure."

"Betty's Subaru might look foolish at times, but he possesses incredible wisdom, in fact."

No one objected to spirit's praise.

"Wait, Costuul?"

"It's a simple mining village in the north of what you now call Lugunica."

"Ya we know Costuul, it's just that it became a city durin' these four centuries."

"Oh, right. Capital looked rather big too. Master's efforts there were rather fruitful. It used to be such a shithole."

"It's still mostly a shit'ole. As a businesswoman, I'd stay away from everywhere, but Noble district. Especially the Slums."

"The Slums are quite dangerous, but Noble and Merchant districts are reeealy pretty."

Emilia remembered an incident when she, Felt, Rom and Subaru were nearly killed in the Slums. She didn't have anything against Merchant district, however.

"Didn't yo knight was almost mugged in da Merchant district? If not for Reinhard he'd probably receive a shank in his back and bleed out right there on the street."

After some consideration Emilia was convinced by Anastasia's opinion. She had her insignia stolen there. Maybe Merchant district wasn't particularly safe either.

"So, how da whole thin' did not just crumble in four centuries?"

"Everything Master built can stand for millennia. There's a spatial Yin magic involved in construction. It makes sure concrete doesn't fall apart or beams don't become covered in rust. It's similar to the barrier we bypassed on the way. There's large mana focusing crystal embedded on the lower levels in Asterope that powers the whole thing."

"Past Subaru-kun must have been very talented mage. Unfortunately, our Subaru-kun has a rather fragile gate."

"It's broken actually, Rem."

"Oh? When?"

"After we lost you. During events of Sanctuary. He has to rely on Beatrice for mana management."

"Betty is all to kind to assist her contractor in that regard."

"I see..."

"Sanctuary? What Sanctuary?"

Her spirit did tell Anastasia about this secret place being mentioned a couple of times during past conversations between the Emilia camp members. Whatever this Sanctuary was, it was clearly important.

"That's classified information of Mather's domain and Emilia camp, Anastasia-sama."

"Don't shove your nose where it doesn't belong, merchant."

Neither Beatrice nor Rem appreciated Anastasia's curiosity.

"Ah, 'lright. Keep yo secrets."

"Master was never particularly strong with magic tho. But he had some really good ideas, they were usually implemented by Tella-san and Echidna-san."

"Betty's Subaru does have a unique understanding of Yin potential, I suppose."

E.M.T. and E.M.M. were but only one result of Subaru's creativity.

"Mhm, Subaru helped me to master my ice magic too."

Subaru was also the key to Emilia unlocking her potential in Ice Brand Arts.

"Fascinatin'... What's with da healin' spirit?"

"Oh, Master was always good with spirits, that little blond ankle-bitter is not the first one he had contract with. Wonder if that Crybaby Geuse is still around, did not see him at the party…"

"Geuse as in Petelgeuse?"

Emilia, Rem, Beatrice and Anastasia all turned to Shaula with surprised expressions.

"Yeah. But we just called him Crybaby."

"Natsuki-kun killed him a year ago."

"Oh? Why? Thought he'd be with him again. Since Master got his Sloth back, I thought Crybaby was on Master's team."

"It's difficult to explain… He… he was driven mad… and was aiming to kill me. He became Sin Archbishop of Sloth."

"Ah, so this dumbass took the Sloth in like a complete idiot?! Master said to gather it, when Sechmet kicks the bucket, and keep it for him. That Crybaby always messing things up!"

"He… was desperate. Don't blame him, please."

Emilia knew he had done so to protect her. Even if it ended so terribly, his intent was noble. Beatrice too grieved for an old friend.

"Well, at least Master got it back. Still, what a dummy!"

Few tense seconds later Subaru emerged wielding a blade in his right hand and a small wooden chest in his left.

"I found another sword!"

The edge was shrouded in a complete darkness that leaked from it in form of the black fog. Unlike Dragon or Yang Swords, this one was curved, resembling a scimitar rather than a typical blade. On the handle of the sword was nested a bat made of dark metal. Julius knew only one weapon that could fit that description.

"Why is it placed inside a whiskey keg? Urgh, why am I even asking this question? Of course someone like you would place it in there."

"Eh, sounds like me. 'lright, check this out!"

Swish! The affected target wasn't all too surprising at this point. A small table in the corner of the cellar was split cleanly in half. Yet another innocent victim.

"What's with you and destroying the furniture? This is like an overused gag at this point."

"Hey, you ever tried breakin' somethin'? Veeery therapeutic. Or setting things on fire, that's also quite calmin'. 'lright, durin' next meetin' between Anastasia and Emilia, I'm draggin' you out to burn some stuff."

"You know, Subaru. I feel like the alcohol awoke someone else in you."

"Your master playin' politics awoke someone else in me. Or whoever was possessin' her, anyway."

"Wait what? What do you mean? Who was possessing Anastasia-sama?"

"You had not figured it out? She acted weeeird ever since you lost your name. Even her aaaccent was off. I assumed someone was possessin' her. Probably, the spirit on her neck."

"Spirit? Subaru, how do you know that?"

"You didn't? Some spirit knight, I swear. The Finest my ass. Don't you like have decent 'nough affinity?"

"Ah, that must be it. You do have a quite strong spiritual affinity."

"I mean that's not the only thin'. She never parts with that 'scaaarf' even in Lugunica's climate and regularly pets it. My spirit partnership with Beako is very similar, can have her too long away from me or shit's gonna get bad... Not that I want to, Beako is the cutest. So, yeah... But don't wooorry, ever since your name came back, she's back to normal."

Julius was bewildered.

"How did I not notice that?!"

The cut left a distortion in space, as if blade was cutting straight through the fabric of reality. Noticing that, Subaru chuckled:

"Oooh! That's cool as fuck! That's like a… hole in space! That reminds me of that light nooovel with the skeleton guy… He had this cool space splittin' attack… And a bunch of cool looking minions… What was his name?.. Eh, whatever... Triple Maximized Reality Slash! Yeeeah!"

With three motions he formed a triangular hole in fabric of space, creating something akin to the portal.

"...Still, what a dummy!"

"Subaru?"

"Oh, hey, girls. I made a hole in a reality."

"What?"

"It's like Al Shamak or Door Crossin', but coooler, I guess."

"How?"

"Oh, it's just this thin'. I'll call it a Pooortal Gun. Wait Gun? Nah, Blade? Portal Blade… nah, Edge… no, that's bad too, Space… no, Reality is better... Wait, I got it! Reality Slasher! Yeah, that's sounds cool and edgy."

"Subaru-kun? What is going on?"

"Wait, Master, you already have this thing?"

"Yeah, found it in the cellar."

Without any concern, he crossed through said hole, taking with him a bottle of Silver Beauty (he actually liked that one a lot, it had very pleasant and sweet aftertaste) .

"Oi! Go through, Julius! Don't waste my time!"

Julius soon followed with the chest that Subaru forgot about. Satella, who observed the whole situation via her link with the Sage, too had appeared from the thin air and joined them.

"That is the Yin Sword. Or Shadow Sword, if you prefer."

"Reality Slasher."

Julius sighed. In the dining hall in Alcyone the party assembled to discuss the discovery.

"Are you sure, knight?"

"I am certain, Beatrice-sama."

Julius spend years in library, studding history of Lugunica. The legendary blades, however, were more akin to a childhood passion for him. He knew how they looked, their abilities and even some of the people, who had opportunity to wield them. From the history of Yin Sword only name and vague description was known.

"Master, you never told me about leaving it here! I thought you scattered your sword collection across the world."

"Hell if I 'now. Might 'ave left it there for the future. Tella-tan, do you happen to know?"

"No, I thought you sent it to Kararagi."

"Well, might as well use it. It's quite coool, actually. The other two are sick as well, but thiiis one is more my style. I love thinkin' with portals."

Before anyone could object, he made a series of slashes and vanished from the room in a portal, that closed the second he left.

"And I'm gone. Ha!"

His muted voice came from behind the door to the room. His liege immediately went after him.

"Subaru, stop playing around! This… blade looks reeealy dangerous!"

There was a strange dark aura around the blade, something Emilia had not failed to notice.

"Ha-ha, can't stop, Emilia-tan! This is waaay to fun! Behooold the power of Reality Slasher!"

"Is that thing even safe? I don't want Subaru-kun to disappear somewhere and don't come back."

"I can attest to safety of these portals, Rem-san. At least that part of Yin Sword is safe."

"Betty can as well, in fact. They are somewhat similar to Betty's own Door Crossing, I suppose."

"Still, you feel the eerie aura around the blade too, right?"

"I do, ever since Subaru first discovered it."

"Yeah, that blade is quite creepy. Ya all better be on guard."

"It's a tad bit frightening, but Master never had issues wielding it."

"Betty doesn't feel anything odd, in fact."

"This is an issue of mana misalignment. Neither me, my love nor Betty seem to feel it."

"Hm, that might be the case, I suppose."

Subaru dashed from one place to another, drunk on power (and on Silver Beauty). Between his skills with the Guiltywhip (he used it to gain more speed) and the portals, catching him was pretty much impossible. Eventually, his excitement faded and he returned.

"I also found theeese."

He pointed to the clothes inside of the opened chest – a black robe and pants with yellow-orange highlights, stripped scarf with similar color pattern, knee-high boots, and fingerless gloves.

"That's my old stuff, right?"

"Yep, Master."

"Yes, dear."

"Looks kinda cool. Old me had sooome taste."

Satella really liked these, as she helped him make them, but over all, she preferred his tracksuit more.

"It's iconic."

In a couple of minutes he changed into the new (old) getup.

"So, hooow do I look?"

"That's... actually suits you a lot, Subaru."

"Yep, old ya got some style, Natsuki-kun."

"Betty's Subaru is stylish in anything he wears, in fact."

The other four women also nodded in unison. The opinion of the four varied from "very handsome" to "drop-dead gorgeous".

"Alright let's check out my first trial."

"Urgh, why is it aaall white! What idiot desiiigned… Oh, never mind..."

Before the group stood and endless expanse of white with a black stone Monolith in the middle.

"'lright, touch the thin', then do somethin', I guess."

Without any concern Subaru bumped his lobe into the stone slab, starting the trial. Beatrice immediately channeled her healing magic before the Sage could grow a lump. One Monolith became two, then three, then countless Monoliths had been strewn out across the endless white expanse.

"Touch the brightest of the hero destroyed by Shaula."

"Shaula? Miss, can you please provide as any clues?"

"Nope, that's against the rules. But it's not like I have any solution either. Master never told me about this."

"Satella-sama, do you have any clue?"

"The trial is designed for him by him. Only my love can solve it."

It took the Sage less than ten seconds:

"Ah, I'd figured it out! Staaar puzzles. So since it's Shaula, that's a Scorpius constellation. Hm, that meeeans the hero destroyed is likely Orion and the brightest is eeeither Rigel or Betelgeuse. Eh, I guess Rigel shines more consistently."

People around him were confused by the sudden mention of Sin Archbishop of Sloth.

"Now which one of theeese rocks is Rigel? Beako, Tella, can either of you gimme a lift?"

"Murak."

After a minute in the air:

"Ah, there it is. The big ones fooorm the Orion, so that's the one."

As the Emilia, Beatrice, Rem, Anastasia and Julius looked at him with surprised expressions he descended, touched the Monolith and then:

"Bam, easy."

The first trial was complete.

Good. Evil. Father. Axe. Execution. Sin. Punishment. Dilemma. Answer. Guilt. Sin. Penance. Forgiveness. Heart. Consciousness. Judgment. Question. Answers. Judgment. Pieces. Fragments. Sinners. Father. Desire. Justice. Pride. Sins. Witches. Companionship. City. Wonder. Emptiness. Water. Trap. Drowning. Death.

Arrival. Wonder. Confusion. Frustration. Fear. Hope. Disappointment. Confidence. Fear. Regret. Pain. Pain. Pain. Voice. Hope. Beauty. Spirit. Embarrassment. Gratitude. Debt. Companionship. Confidence. Failure. Name. Satella. Child. Coin. Path. Spirits. Fascination. Beauty. Affection. Bravery. Foolishness. Darkness. Body. Fear. Voice. Fear. Hot. Pain. Blood. Fear. Run. Scream. Body. Blood. Dying. Regret. Guilt. Hand. Warmth. Save. You. Death.

Loneliness. Wonder. Meeting. Fascination. Companionship. Belonging. Journey. Master. Tragedy. Powerlessness. Guilt. Request. Diligence. Community. Tribe. Woman. Kinship. Guilt. Child. Reminiscence. Guilt. Tears. Empathy. Gratitude. Companionship. Threat. Desperation. Apology. Sloth. Anger. Powerlessness. Dread. Affection. Woman. Anger. Sloth. Woman. Hate. Death. Woman. Child. Death. Regret. Snow. Love. Brain. Trembling. Diligence. Sloth. Fingers. Diligence. Sloth. Love. Satella. Impostor. Ordeal. Boy. Love. Pride. Surprise. Frustration. Knight. Anger. Diligence. Failure. Sloth. Boy. Love. Satella. Pain. Failure. Boy. Fire. Gospel. Brain. Trembling. Death.

One book after another, Subaru spent hours searching through his archive. Thanks to Satella whispering to him about the library contents, he managed to dissuade everyone else from reading the books of the dead. So far he made a few discoveries:

First, the books included everyone dead, including his own failed loops.

Second, books required initial knowledge of the diseased. The more you know, the more you get. Memories of Typhon or Petelgeuse were rather surface level, while his own first loop in Lugunica was so vivid, that he literally reexperienced his first day all over again.

Third, even so much as touching the books could trigger the memories, so the others were prevented from doing so.

Fourth, sometimes the feelings of the diseased lingered, so someone with a fragile mind could be theoretically be overtaken by the thoughts of the person in the book. One more reason to prevent others from reading the books.

Fifth, if someone else, bar himself or Satella, reads his books he will have to restart. He was certain that Envy would be very angry in that case. Also, his own books were locatable through Cor Leonis, something that he found out on a whim.

Sixth, the books were nearly endless. Finding someone specific might take days, if not months.

Seventh, there might be a book (or books) of the "old" him somewhere in here.

Eighth, Petelgeuse wasn't as bad as he thought, at least before his madness. Emilia's words were pretty much proven by Sloth's own memories.

Ninth, drinking immediately after, was good at numbing the pressure that lingering memories created.

Of course, people were always concerned about him reading these, especially after he collapsed while reading the first, but it was somewhat easier, than experiencing death firsthand, like he used to.

"Reid Astrea. Subaru, take the look at this one."

"Wait, Reid's book? Oh, right, he tooold be that original flesh and blood Reid is dead. But he should still be considered aliiive now, right? What do you think, Julius?"

"I'm not sure. I wonder what this book will show you then."

"Hm, I don't have too much knowledge about him in this life so it's probably gonna be like Geuse or Typhon."

Before consulting anyone else, Subaru touched the book and then…

He opened his eyes in the expanse of white.

"Another white room? Are you fuckin' serious?"

"Hello there. Not many visit us, tsu."

Before she could continue, however, she was swept from her feet.

"Not today! You think I just gonna let you snatch my meeemories like that? Beako told me all 'bout you. Ha!"

Pinning her to the white floor with Invisible Providence Subaru already declared his victory. A bit preemptively. Suddenly, the Sin Archbishop disappeared from view. She reappeared behind him and readied for the greatest meal of her life, however:

"Sucker Punch! Trust me, I'm the last person who you'd want to eat. Eeenvy will make your life a livin' hell. And mine by extension as weeell. So, don't."

With a whoosh Louis disappeared again, but:

"Bam! No, seeeriously, my life is the last thin' you want to experience. As the unluckiest peeerson in the world I can absoluuutely attest to that."

"Let us have you, tsu. We already feel our brothers within you."

"It's that Sirius bullshit again, huh? Yes, I toook their Witch Factors, no, I'm not givin' them back!"

"We only wish for a perfect life. A life to experience everything that is in this world. Your life. Without you, we can't escape this prison, tsu."

Eventually, the Sin Archbishop finally got an upper hand. With his whip as back up and Yin and Yang blades (the Sage left the Dragon Sword back at Alcyone) Subaru put up a solid fight, but between his drunken flailing and Louis' relentless teleportation, the Archbishop eventually created an opening.

"Natsuki Subaru. Thank you for the meal, tsu."

Ever since her brothers died, she was starving for anything, anyone. As she licked her hand she expected the most delicious memories in the existence, something that truly would make her fulfilled. Satiated. This, however, had not happened.

Envy.

It was the Sin he was most attached to. If Envy hadn't been associated with Satella, he could've been considered the Sin Archbishop representing Envy, or Warlock of Envy, whatever title one would prefer.

Envy ultimately permeated through Subaru's entire life. He Envied his father for being an amazing person, he Envied his mother for her kindness and the peaceful life she managed to achieve. He Envied his classmates who each found something they were successful at, while he was ok at everything, but never good at any one thing. He Envied couples passing him on the street for being happy, he Envied people on TV and social media for being charismatic, successful and attractive people, unlike him, he Envied characters in Isekai Light Novels that achieved success in the other world, while he was stuck in his room. He Envied, Envied and Envied again.

His Envy did not disappear when he was transported into Lugunica as well. He Envied the type of people like Satella, Reid, Volcanica or Reinhard for being so absurdly strong, he Envied knights and Council of Elders for being born into position of power, he Envied Royal Candidates for being capable of changing the world, even people close to him, he Envied for one reason or another – Emilia, Beatrice, Rem, Ram, Garfiel, Otto, Roswaal, Petra, Frederica, all of them. He even Envied simple folk for having lives where stuff around them did not hinge on their efforts as much as it did for him. And, of course, he Envied the Sin Archbishops and Witches too.

Envy was such a defining trait of his character that should one peer into his mind and search through all of his insecurities, and all memories he collected throughout his journey, he would definitely be branded utterly deranged, insane and delusional madman, someone truly worth a title of Sin Archbishop or Warlock of Sin. After all no one else could experience what he put himself into and remain intact.

Of course, in reality, it was just a delusion and Subaru generally had way more than he believed. A loving family, talents, skills, looks, physique and intelligence. One girl even had a crush on him in the middle school, not that he had ever known that. In the new world he too had people he was close too, women that loved him, skills that were quite useful in his endeavors, knowledge and even his own unique power that no one else could possess.

But it was never enough for him. So, his delusion, rooted in the feeling of his own incompetence in contrast with his desire to be important, manifested into a blatant refusal of idea of Fate, the power to shape the world as he wished. Thus so, he stumbled from one bad end to another, eventually clawing his own dream, one piece at the time. "Return By Death." This was the nature of his Envy.

Now Subaru was ultimately a good person inside his heart. Saintly even, as some might say. Thus, his Envy was not centered on destruction of others, but rather destruction of self.

The change in that idea was rather sudden. One might ask, what became a catalyst? Frustration? Anger? Desperation? Presence of his patron with him for way too long? Or just inebriation? Regardless, as a Sin Archbishop representing Gluttony, Louis Arneb was before him, he felt an incredible feeling of Envy. The second form of his Authority suddenly awoke.

It was his, it always should have been his. Hunger. They wasted it, indulged in it, hurt with it with zero purpose. He would do way more with it. He would change the world with it. He would not waste it. The Authorities, they were always supposed to be his, it would've been way better if he had them at the start. HIS! HIS! HIS! ALWAYS HIS!

The two people, despised by the world, clashed with one another, as both Authorities were seeking to take what over user had.

So who had won?

Not the blond Archbishop.

Why?

Maybe it was due to Sage natural affinity. Or maybe it was because he already had two thirds of Gluttony. Or maybe his Envy was simply way greater than hunger of Louis Arneb. Either way:

"MINE!"

A guttural roar escaped the Sage's mouth.

The Gluttony's eyes suddenly grew dull, pale and unfocused, as the sensation of losing something inherit to her being hit her. Subaru, however, felt ecstatic, exhilarated, ALIVE. But far from satisfied. Both it and Return By Death remained within him, ready to be used whenever he wished it again.

The Gluttony was complete.

One might ask whether power like that corrupted his being or not. The answer on that question is, that it did not. Ultimately, Natsuki Subaru was still a good person. He even forbade himself from using it on anyone, but only the ones that were in his mind utterly irredeemable. Nonetheless, he toyed with power that was fully capable of corrupting most people. In fact, if he had it since his first day in Lugunica, he would certainly be corrupted by it. He dubbed it "Jealous Desire".

The pacified Sin Archbishop laid near his feet utterly powerless. Not knowing what he should do right now, the Sage looked around.

"Huh, so that answers it. We must be in a sort of liiimbo, since Reid book was pr'bably in use. Hey, you! Isn't thaaat right?"

No answer, just incoherent whimpering. After looking at the vanquished enemy Subaru started to feel a bit bad. Lack of treat? Parental instincts? Empathy? Regardless, the sight of the powerless, crying child tugged at his heart strings.

"Hey. You said you wanted a haaappy life? You had a wrong approach. You can't have a peeerfect life by sittin' in 'ere and experiencin' what others got. Now, I don't know how bad you are compaaared to your brothers, since you were stuck in 'ere. Beako said you just ran away when they defeated Lye and that's it. Anyway, I have another idea. I don't knooow how, but I'll try to find the other way to get you out of 'ere, and then you'll 'ave a happy normal life, not as Archbishop. Pr'bably. If there is a way. I already haaave one loli that I promised happy tomorrow, might as well 'ave you as well."

Was he insane for considering redemption for someone like that? Certainly. Still, channeling his loli-taming power, the Sage patted the head of the crying Sin Archbishop, calming her down.

"Uau…"

"Shit, did I give you brain damage? Or maaaybe it's just a speech impediment? Sry, stiiill new to this."

As the little girl was hugging his left arm, the expanse of white began to fade.

"Alright, gotta go. I prooomise I gonna get you out of here. Eveeentually..."

"Uau."

"Yeah, see you sooon. I might meet you here agaaain. I know the way now."

Subaru awoke to a sight of his liege's concerned expression.

"Subaru, are you alright?"

"Yep, Emilia-tan, met a new loli and eeeven acquired a new power up!"

Yet again the half-elf's face held a bewildered expression.

As her love finally awoke, Satella experienced a new sensation. She felt calmer, lighter, happier than usual. A burning obsession inside her chest had partially subsided all of a sudden.

"She grew weaker. Did he..?"

At the Royal Palace there was an emergency meeting.

"Marcus, what's the point of waking us during earth-time? Could you not wait few hours 'til sunrise?"

"It's an emergency. There were Dragon sightings in the capital. It flew by the city. All guards are on high alert."

"Dragon?"

"Yes, azure Dragon."

"Azure? Do you mean Volcanica?"

"I can only think of Divine Dragon when I heard of his description."

"You're sure it's not just some drunken rumbling?"

"Multiple reports from Merchant and Noble districts. Bystanders and patrolling guards. There was even a mention of it passing close to the Palace."

"Where was he coming from?"

"Roughly west."

"That's Priestella direction, isn't it? What Divine Dragon was doing there?"

"That's why I assembled you. There were news about Witch Cult attack on Priestella. Couple of survivors just reached the capital."

"Weren't Royal Candidates assembling there?"

"Yes."

"Assemble a relief force as soon as possible."

"Already on the move."

"Alright, so the Dragon coming from that direction means he was probably there to save the city, right? We still have the covenant."

"Presumably."

"Well, that means the city is probably safe now, since he's gone back."

"Yes, very likely."

"Phew, hopefully the Royal Candidates safe... except for that half-devil and that thug, they can burn for all I care."

Their discussion was interrupted, as a messenger entered the planning room.

"Renowned Elders, there are more news. The Dragon Tablet has a new prophecy."

"Be quick. What is it?"

"You have to see it first hand."

In a few minutes the Council moved in another room to interpret Dragon's new prophecy. One by one the Elders' expressions grew more and more bewildered with each line of text on the Dragon Tablet.

"Hey, nerds, me and my bud Volc decided to halt this Royal Selection business, till we fix some things in this piece of shit state. I'm gonna make a utopia here, so the crew and I could have a chill life here. Be ready for some cool changes! The council guys, your days a numbered, you assholes! Time for real star to enter the stage! Signed, Sage Natsuki 'Flugel' Subaru."

A singular sentence was said by the Elders in unison:

"What the fuck?"

Author comment: Updated the formatting, so the whole thing should be way more readable.