Sorry for the long wait. Finals took a while to complete. Now that they're done let's continue!
Kaoi POV
Where am I?
What is this place?
Why can't I feel anything?
I feel like I don't have legs.
I feel like I don't have arms.
I feel like I don't have a mouth.
I feel like I don't even have eyes.
Yet I can see all around me are shadows.
What is happening!?
Why am I here?
I'm not back at the Karsten Mansion, not at the shopping district, I'm not even back in the capital!
I'm in a place that I've never been before!
No Wait!
I have been here!
I remember now!
After the first week in the mansion and after Rem had killed me!
Everytime that I die, I arrive here before waking up.
While my memory is wiped of the experience when I wake up.
I don't know why this happens or what this place is but soon I should be waking up any second now.
?: …[sobbing…
But something doesn't feel right.
?: …[sobbing…
I hear the sobbing of a woman.
?: …[sobbing…
Somehow turning my line of vision around I see the silhouette of a woman. She is covered in shadows as a purple aura outlines her body.
?: …[sobs]... I'm sorry … [sobs]... you weren't supposed to be …[sobs]...
Supposed to be… What?!
Who are you?!
Why am I here?!
But before any of my questions can be answered my vision begins to darken.
Scene Change
Narrator POV
Slowly waking up into consciousness, Kao finds himself in the shopping district. A bit disoriented, Kaoi takes a moment to get his bearings. With his memories of cutting his own neck still fresh in his mind.
Kaoi: [gasping]... Breathe Kaoi Breathe. You got to get your bearings straight or-
Ram: What is it, Bakaoi?
Kaoi: Huh?
Looking back, The Demon Slayer sees a familiar Pink Oni Maid. Not gasping for breath nor struggling to stay alive. Her limbs are in perfect condition and not a drop of blood is dripping from her face.
Instead of saying anything, Kaoi slowly approached Ram.
Ram: Bakaoi, what are-
The next thing I knew, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled Ram in for a tight embrace.
Ram: Bakaoi! Get your filthy ar-
Kaoi: I'm sorry!
Ram: What are you-
Kaoi: [sobs]... I'm sorry… [sobs]... I'm sorry
Ram: What is he apologizing for? It can't be for hugging me out of nowhere. He wouldn't be this emotional.
In the end, she just let him cry his eyes out.
Timeskip Sunset
After getting Ram to forget the matter, the two return on their way back. Walking side by side, the Butler and Maid of the Roswaal Mansion arrive at the Karsten Mansion. The Demon Slayer sees a carriage pulled out in front of the Mansion. With Wilhelm and a man Kaoi had never seen before talking.
Kaoi: Crusch seems to be having a lot of visitors lately.
?: If Miss Crusch's goal is to be attained, Mr. Wilhelm, I'm confident it would suit your desires. I've come to expect nothing but the best from her.
Kaoi: Crusch has a goal? It might explain the many visitors lately if she is preparing for something.
?: Well, well. My goodness. These are the last two people I thought I'd see here today. My apologies. How very rude of me. I'm a local businessman who's currently serving as the treasurer of the capital's merchant guild, and my name is Russel Fellow. It's a great pleasure to meet you… Mr. Kaoi.
The man then boards his carriage and takes off to his place of residence.
Kaoi: Despite the friendly introduction. I can't help but feel like I was being evaluated. Although It's something I can't think about for now.
Scene Change
Taking a moment to think things through. Kaoi called Ram into his room.
Kaoi: Ram, I believe the Witch Cult will make their move and launch an attack on the mansion.
Ram: How can you say that an attack will happen with such certainty.
Kaoi: I think because the Cult will target Emi for her resemblance to the Witch. Especially now since she has been announced as a candidate for the throne.
Ram: I see, very well I will arrange a carriage. We will have to take a detour, though, the road we came through before is covered in fog. It should take about 2 and a half days.
Kaoi: I'm afraid by the time we arrive. It will be too late. Do you know any alternate route that would be safe yet faster than that detour?
Ram: I do not.
Kaoi: I see.
The Demon Slayer started to look dejected.
Ram: However, a professional carriage driver would know if such a path exists. We shall look for one tomorrow and have them drive us to the Mather's domain.
Kaoi: Ram, that's brilliant!
Ram: Hah! Of course I am brilliant. You shouldn't expect less from me.
Kaoi calmly smiles at Ram
Kaoi: Of course. How silly of me.
The Next Day
The next day was spent searching for a carriage driver with knowledge of a quicker route to the Mathers Domain. Unfortunately for Kaoi and Ram it seems like most of the carriages were bought by someone. While others work for one of the other candidates. A dispirited Kaoi sits in a bar.
Kaoi: I sure hope Ram is having better luck than me.
?: Ummm….Excuse me.
Looking back at the person who approached him. Kaoi sees a gray-haired man with sharp blue-eyes and is dressed in green clothing.
?: My name is Otto Suwen and I heard that you were looking for a carriage driver to the Mathers Domain.
Kaoi: Yeah, you wouldn't be offering?
Otto: Um. Not exactly. You see, I am a part of a caravan of merchants. We are departing for tonight and our route would take us around the Mathers Domain. For a small fee, you can take passage in my carriage and I can drop you off when we are near the domain.
Kaoi: I see, do you mind if a friend of mine comes along?
Otto: Not at all! You'll just have to pay double since it's for two.
Kaoi: Alright, you have yourself a deal.
Just as they shook hands, Kaoi sensed immense joy from Otto. Like he had been through a rough time recently and this deal was his big break.
Kaoi: Glad I was able to make him happy, I guess…
Timeskip
After reuniting with Ram the two gave each other the results of their search. While Ram has her suspicions of the man named Otto. Kaoi assured her that they would be able to handle him in the case he does try something. Although at first impression Otto seemed harmless enough.
Kaoi then proceeds to have a similar conversation with Crusch from the last loop. Pretty much only ending on friendly terms with Wilhelm.
Wilhelm: Please, take care of yourselves.
Kaoi: We will, Wilhelm.
Ram: On the behalf of Master Roswaal, thank you for your hospitality.
Scene Change
While not as comfortable as one of the fancier carriages, Otto himself was a pleasant guy to chat with. Although it didn't stop Kaoi from thinking what to do when he returned to the Mansion.
Kaoi: Even by arriving there at noon, it should be enough time to prepare the village and mansion for the attack.
I don't know how to break the news to Emi but she should be able to push aside our argument for now. For the sake of the villagers we need to work together.
If we can just evacuate all of the villagers into the mansion. Ram and I can handle the cultists that come to the village easily while Rem and Beatrice can defend the Mansion if any cultist manages to come through.
When Betelgeuse arrives, I'll have Ram retreat back to the mansion since apparently I am the only other person that can see his invisible hands. I just hope she listens to me.
While I have no idea how to counter that second ability of his. I'm sure Beatrice can help me with that.
Teruo: Caw! Caw! I starve! Feed me!
Otto: That's stange. My divine protection must be acting up.
Kaoi: What do you mean?
Otto: Oh! Well I have a divine protection that allows me to understand and speak to animals. I've learned to block this off but it must be acting up since I hear your crow talking.
Kaoi: That's because Teruo here is trained to speak in human tongue.
Otto: What! A crow that can speak like humans that's amazing!
Kaoi: [chuckles]...Well it sounds like it's feeding time.
Otto: Well, the other traders and I are going to set up camp for the night. We can eat when we finish setting up.
Kaoi: I'll help out. Ram, you can rest while we set up.
Ram: Hah! As if you would have the gall to make a maiden like me to do such manual labor, Bakaoi.
Kaoi: Whatever you say.
Timeskip
Otto: So the two of you actually work for Roswaal Mathers.
Ram: That's Lord Roswaal Mathers to you, Merchant.
Kaoi: It's true, I work as a combat butler while Ram here works as a maid for the mansion.
Trader with bandana: Wow! Otto, you seem to have struck gold with these two. You may sell that out of season oil after all!
Him and the other traders start laughing.
Otto: You're wrong! That's not my intention at all. Though to be fair, there's a bit of truth to what he's saying. I was kinda hoping the two of you could use a bit of oil.
Kaoi: That would explain why he was so joyous when I shook his hands.
While the demon slayer felt pity for the man. His pink-haired companion could only narrow her eyes.
Ram: It seems that I was right to be suspicious of this man, Bakaoi.
Otto: I said it's not like that! I just made a mistake with one of my purchases, and now I'm stuck with a whole bunch that really isn't in too much of a demand this time of year. Even if we go somewhere bustling, like the capital, I don't know if I'll be able to sell it off. If I can't find a lot of buyers for it. I'm totally ruined! Totally ruined.
Kaoi could only stare at the unfortunate merchant until an idea sprang into his mind.
Kaoi: Otto, I have a proposition for you.
Otto: Uh…
Kaoi: I'll buy all of the oil on your carriage but I'm going to need a favor in return. Lend us transport and leave for tonight.
Kaoi then turns to the rest of the trading caravan.
Kaoi: All of the merchants and carriages here! Anyone who's willing to sell transportation for money, sell it to me! There is a small village not too far from the Mathers Mansion. I want you to take the residents somewhere else.
Kaoi: This way the villagers and Emilia will be out of harm's way and Rem and Beatrice can fight alongside us.
Murmur began to spread among the merchants until the clinking of coins caught their attention. Ram, with her eyes closed, holds up a large bag of coins.
Ram: You all will be compensated accordingly.
Scene Change
With that the trading caravan is on the move. The night is now filled with the sounds of various ground dragons stepping at fast speeds.
Otto: It's not ideal, but if we run through the night, we should enter the Mathers domain first thing in the morning.
Kaoi: My apologies for not allowing any breaks.
Otto: No problem. If I can get rid of my excess stock and even earn more transport fees, I feel it's absolutely worth it.
Ram: If the two of you are done rambling. Bakaoi, if you would hand me the map.
Kaoi: Okay.
Rummaging through his bag, Kaoi pulls out the map but a problem emerges.
Kaoi: It's too dark.
Ram: I see, Bakaoi how are you with fire magic?
Kaoi: Well besides setting my sword on fire. I never really pursued learning any spells in that field. Why?
Ram: I've read in one of Lord Roswaal's books that there is a minor fire spell called Torch where the caster summons a flame that acts like a light crystal. So, If you take Lady Beatrice's lessons and apply them to your fire magic, then you should be able to cast it with no problem.
Kaoi: Okay I'll give it a try.
Holding out his right hand, Kao focuses his mana into his right arm as he prepares to cast his first proper fire spell.
Kaoi: Torch!
Suddenly a bright flame spurred from Kaoi's hand and it soon settles into a small fire that glows brightly in the dark.
Kaoi: Wow…
Ram: According to this map, just a small distance in this direction and we should see Flugel's Tree. Heading northeast front there and we'll arrive at the Mathers domain in due time.
Kaoi: Flugel's Tree?
Otto: It's a huge tree standing so tall in the Lifaus Highway, it seems to pierce the clouds.
True to Otto's word, an enormous tree can be seen as the caravan moves closer to it.
Merchant: Legend has it that a wise man named Flugel planted it centuries ago.
Kaoi: Interesting…Huh?
Kaoi started to feel like something was wrong. That's when he looked to his side and realized that the merchant driving beside Otto was gone.
Kaoi: What happened to the guy that was just next to us?
Ram, Otto, and even Teruo looked at Kaoi with confusion. Otto being the most confused of them.
Otto: What are you talking about? There was no one there.
Kaoi: What! Teruo?
Teruo: Caw! Caw! There was no one there. no one there.
Kaoi: Even Teruo doesn't know what I'm talking about! What is going on?
Just then Kaoi felt a presence unlike anything before. The area slowly begins to fill with fog as that large presence makes itself known in the shadows. The demon slayer holds out his hand one more time.
Kaoi: Torch!
Using the recently acquired spell, Kaoi lights up the area and what he sees makes his blood freeze.
It was a large yellow eye staring back at him.
Kaoi: What the hell!
?: [Roars]
(Play Death Ballet)
The giant beast lets out a thunderous roar as it spreads the fog at a faster rate. The result was monstrous winds that knocked some of the traders over and nearly made Kaoi and Ram fly out of Otto's carriage. Teruo tried to do the same but was swept up in the wind.
Kaoi: Teruo!
Kaoi: Not again!
Otto: Why now of all times!
Kaoi: Ram! Is that what I think it is?!
Ram: Use your eyes, Bakaoi! It's the White Whale!
Kaoi: So this is the White Whale. No wonder many avoid crossing paths.
Looking up, Kaoi starts to see the beast in clearer detail. Resembling the whales in illustrations that Kaoi found in books on marine life. The beast, true to its name, bears a snow white skin. Its most striking feature being the large curved horn protruding from its head.
[White Whale Bellows]
With each roar the beast makes, Otto's carriage is nearly knocked over!
Kaoi: Not on my watch! Flame Breathing - Fire Magic, Third Form: Blazing Universe!
Jumping high in the air, Kaoi with all his might slashes at the White Whale.
[Shrk!]
White Whale: [Wails]
While damage was done. Kaoi notices that some of his flames bounced off the skin and that it took most of his strength to even pierce it. He then lands back on the carriage.
Ram takes initiative by using Total Concentration Breathing to enhance her strength and she grabs the cart attached to Otto's carriage to throw at the White Whale.
White Whale: [Wails]
Otto: Did you get it? Did you bring it down?
White Whale: [Roars]
Kaoi: It didn't work!
Otto: Wh-Why is it zeroing in on us? There are other carriages out there to pick from.
Kaoi: I don't know! Damn it! Is there anything we can do?!
Ram then has a look of realization as she pulls Kaoi by the shoulder.
Ram: Kaoi, It's the Miasma!
Kaoi: What!
Ram: It's the Witch's Miasma, Mabeasts are attracted to it.
Realizing where Ram is going with this logic.
Kaoi: So you're saying that the White Whale is here….
Kaoi then looks back at the raging whale.
Kaoi:...because of me.
Kaoi: Then I guess there is only one option.
Standing up, Kaoi places himself at the edge of Otto's carriage.
Ram: Bakaoi! Don't do anything foolish! Even the previous Sword Saint was killed by the White Whale!
Kaoi: What choice do we have! Ram!
Ram recoils at Kaoi's sudden loudness
Kaoi: I'm sorry Ram despite my promise to you to do better. I only ended up getting more people killed. I just hope I can salvage this situation in some way.
Ram: Bakaoi…
Kaoi: Otto! I'm going to lead the White Whale away! Make sure that Ram arrives at the Mansion on time! I'll meet the two of you later when I escape!
Otto: What! You can't be serious! You can't escape the White Whale on foot!
Ram: Listen to the merchant Bakaoi!
Kaoi then chops the back of Ram's neck. Knocking her out. He then places her body gently on the carriage.
Kaoi: I'm sorry but I can't allow you to die a second time.
The demon slayer then readies his blade and jumps off the carriage into the fog.
Otto: Kaoi!
As Otto cries grow quieter, Kaoi looks up at the beast once again. Its yellow eye shines a bright red light.
White Whale: [Roars]
Kaoi plunges his sword into the ground as he withstands the upcoming winds that nearly blew him away.
Kaoi: You have me in front of you and all you can do is yell! Come on! You overgrown guppy! Do your worst!
White Whale: [Roars]
What proceeded was a one sided fight as Kaoi fruitlessly try to attack the White Whale only for it to blow winds that pushed him back. Soon Kaoi begins to succumb to fatigue and is soon slammed into the ground by those winds.
As Kaoi begins to give in to the cold hands of death, he can hear the voice of a young girl nowhere to be seen.
?: You certainly are different from him.
There we go! Another chapter. Another Failed Loop. Hopefully things turned out better for Kaoi next time. What do you guys think of this chapter? Feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments. Otherwise, have a good day.