Kaoi: uhh….
Sluggishly waking up from his nap, Kaoi gets his bearings together as he pieces together what has happened.
Kaoi: That's right, we're heading back to Karsten Manor to pick up Ram before going back to the mansion..
Emilia: Kaoi!
Looking to his left, Kaoi sees Emilia with a worried look on her face.
Kaoi: Hey Emi.
Kaoi tries to lift his arm but finds that it was being held by the sleeping little orange-haired girl Petra who was sitting on his right.
Emilia: Yeah, when you were sleeping, she latched on to your arm. I asked her kindly to let go but she refused me with a lackadaisical attitude.
Kaoi: It's okay we all have been through a lot lately. Also lackadaisical?
Emilia: [growls]
Kaoi: [chuckles] I mean look at me I'm just absolutely filthy. I'm sure Ram is going to give me quite the tongue lashing when she sees me! [Chuckles]
Kaoi: Ram…
Kaoi: Look, I know that Rem and Roswaal are very important to you.
Flashback
Kaoi: I promise that I will make sure that those two as well as everyone else will stay safe under my watch. Okay?
Ram: ... Fine, but I want to add something to that promise.
Kaoi: Anything you want?
Ram: I want you to promise me that you'll come out of this attack safely as well.
Kaoi: Huh?
Ram: It would reflect poorly on Master Roswaal if one of his employees were to fall to a mere grunt of the Witch Cult. So do you promise me that?
Kaoi: I promise, Ram.
Flashback Ends
Kaoi: I kept my promise, Ram.
Emilia: Kaoi…
Kaoi: Yes, Emi?
Looking at Emilia again, Kaoi sees that her face bears confusion.
Emilia: Who is Ram?
Kaoi's eyes slowly widen as he gasps. Which then quickly turns into fear.
Scene Change - During the Attack on Sloth
Sitting in a carriage full of those injured in the White Whale Subjugation, Ram looks out in contemplation.
Crusch: You don't look very happy, Ram. What's wrong?
The maid then turns to the dragon candidate sitting across.
Crusch: Listen, there's nothing to worry about. We got the best of the best out there. Felix, Wilhelm, the men who volunteered, Ricardo and the Iron Fang. And of course that Kaoi, the demon slayer. There's no way we can lose.
Ram: I'm afraid you're mistaken, Lady Karsten. I am well aware of the capabilities of Bakaoi, so I am not worried about his well being.
Crusch could have told Ram that she felt the wind of untruth but decided to keep it to herself.
[Loud Rumbling]
The leading carriage is suddenly torn to shreds.
Crusch: To arms, now! Enemy attack!
The able soldiers grab their blades. Ram moves to get up but is stopped by Crusch.
Crusch: Let us handle this. You're still recovering from the White Whale.
Ram could only nod in agreement.
Moving to the front of the carriage, Crusch sees a white figure standing in the middle of the road and carnage.
Crusch: Run him, over
Ram, sensing that this could go badly, quickly grabs Crusch and jumps out of the carriage as it is destroyed.
Half of the carriage line is now obliterated by an unseen force.
?: I wish you wouldn't have done that. Why run me over when I'm not doing anything? That's not something any decent human being would try. If you ask me.
Crusch: How dare you do such a brutal thing to those brave and loyal soldiers? Now tell me, just who are you, anyway?
?: Ah, I see. Things are becoming much clearer. You have no idea who I am. On the other hand, I know exactly who you are. You're a candidate to be the next ruler of this fair nation.
Crusch: Whoever you are, you talk too much. Answer my question. Next time, I will kill you!
Crusch then draws out her blade and points it to the white-hared man.
?: Come on, now. That's just mean. But I suppose one could never hope to properly rule a country without some degree of arrogance. I can't comprehend that sensibility myself…
Crusch: I warned you! No second chances!
Crusch then unleashes her Hundred Man Strike but the attack was blocked by some sort of barrier around the man. Who then grew irritated by the action.
?: Now listen here! Who taught you that it was acceptable behavior to swing a sword at someone while they're speaking? I do believe that's a violation of my right to freely express myself!
Out of nowhere,Crush's hand is chopped off.
Crush falls as Ram catches her.
Ram: Lady Crusch!
Ram then rips part of Crusch's cape to wrap around the wound and stop the bleeding.
? 2: [Chuckles] I keep eating and eating, but it's never enough!
Ram turns to the source of the new voice and sees behind her a dark skinned boy and a tail of dead bodies.
? 2: I eat. I devour. I chew. I bite. I gorge. I gnaw. I much. I crunch. I savor. Pure gluttony! Ah, thank you for this feast. I truly appreciate it.
Ram: [grunts]
Crusch: [Shudders]
Ram: Who are you two? Tell me!
?: [scoffs]
? 2: A Sin Archbishop of the Witch's Cult representing gluttony. My name is Lye Batenkaitos.
?: And the Sin Archbishop of the Witch's Cult representing greed… Regulus Corneas.
Lye: We came out here, because we heard our pet had been slain, and just look at this bounty! I expected them to be a good, ripe bunch, considering they managed to kill a beast that had been rampaging unchecked for over 400 years, but this exceeds even my wildest expectations! Look at this magnificent feast!
Ram slowly puts Crusch down.
[ Play Inosuke theme]
Lye: Nice! Good! Great! Excellent! Fine! Perfect! Fantastic! Stupendous! Extraordinary! It's been a while since our hunger was so thoroughly sated!
Ram then grabs a nearby sword that had fallen from one of the carriages.
Rem: Right now I can't be using my magic too much without recoil. I suppose this will have to do.
Regulus: Easy, now. You can relax. I'm nothing like that guy over there. I absolutely despise fighting and such. All that hunger and thirst nonsense, such petty self-indulgences are beneath me.
Ram just stares at the two with anticipation.
Ram: Listen, hear you two. There is currently a Demon Slayer killing off members that were sent to the Roswaal Domain. A Demon Slayer who has killed monsters like yourselves.
Lye: Oh, a Demon Slayer? I look forward to that encounter especially if he manages to kill Sloth. And who might you be?
Ram: I am the right hand maid of the mansion of Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers… Senior to the butler employed by Master and the Demon Slayer who will slay your fellow archbishop, Kaoi. I am Ram. [ Breathes in]
Ram: Fula!
The pink maid then sent blades of wind at the two archbishops. While Regulus stood unharmed, Lye moved out of the way before moving to attack Ram.
[clang!]
Who then uses her sword to block the attack.
Ram: Hah!
Ram then brings the sword down. While Lye dodged, he was then quickly pursued by Ram. The two then proceed to clash blades.
Lye: Amazing! What spirit! I'm certainly going to enjoy… this feast!
Ram concentrates her breathing to match Lye's increasing speeds. Memories then start to play in her head.
Memories of her sister.
Memories of her Master.
Memories of her lady.
Finally memories of her friend an-
!
Suddenly shockwaves hit Ram and ends up being stunned.
Ram: [Gasps]
Lye moves in and bites.
Lye: [Gobbles] Yes. Yes. Thank you for the feast!
[End OST]
Scene Change - Present Day
Kaoi: Ram! Ram!
Running across the make-shift hospital in the courtyard of the Karsten Manor. Kaoi shouts for Ram.
Kaoi: Where are you! Huh? Ram!
Finally finding the pink maid, Kaoi runs over.
Kaoi: Ram…
Gently cradling her body. Kaoi gently calls out to the pink maid.
Kaoi: Ram, it's me Kaoi. Please wake up.
However, the maid did not respond.
Kaoi: Ram… [sniffles]
Kaoi the puts his head down and lets out a few tears, but as he did that. The Demon Slayer notices something.
Ram: [Focused Breathing]
Kaoi: She's maintaining Total Concentration Breathing. She's alive.
Medic: Excuse me, do you know this girl?
Kaoi: Yes, her name is Ram.
Timeskip
Kaoi: Despite seeing you sleep before. I had always thought it was cute but now…
Kaoi could only solemnly stare at the sleeping pink maid. Apparently the carriage that was heading back to the capital was attacked. It apparently happened so fast that the few survivors couldn't even tell who or what attacked them.
Kaoi: I want to use my power to go back but everytime I grab the hilt… I just… I knew it would be a pointless endeavor. I have no idea if I have reached a new milestone and can't go back but even if I could go back. There were simply too many things happening in such a wide area that there was no way I could have ever reached you in time and defeated Sloth with no casualties.
Kaoi: I'm so sorry, Ram.
Suddenly magical energy starts to gather and materializes into Puck.
Kaoi: What brings you here, Puck?
Puck: That's a bit rude. I have a strong connection with this girl, too, remember? So what's wrong with me taking the time and checking in on her.
Kaoi: For one, you have no memories of ever interacting with her.
Puck: True. I just wanted to give you information about gluttony.
Kaoi: Gluttony? Wait, you mean you know what did this to her!
Puck: Yes, the Authority of Gluttony is a power for eating. He can eat someone's name and make everyone forget about them or make that person lose their own memories by eating them. This girl is fortunate to not also have her memories eaten or else she be an empty shell.
Kaoi: [Growls]
Puck: Kaoi?
Kaoi: Yes?
Puck: I hate to ask a favor of you when you've already got so much on your mind, but…
Kaoi: Huh?
Puck: Take care of Lia for me. I'm really counting on you, okay?
After that Puck disappears.
After a few more minutes Kaoi leaves Ram's room. In the hallway he encounters Crusch.
Kaoi: I'm glad to see that Felix was able to reattach her hand. If only someone with those abilities existed in the corps.
Crusch: So this is where you were. How is she?
Kaoi: She's doing fine. It's just that there's no telling when she wakes up.
Crusch: That's splendid. I hope she does wake up soon.
Kaoi: Me too… anyway was there something you needed?
Crusch: Yes. Everyone's gathered in the lounge to discuss the current state of affairs, and I was told… to get, uh…
Kaoi: It's Kaoi.
Crusch: I'm sorry. Of course, you're Kaoi. I'm told that I owe you a great deal, and yet I've been nothing but rude. Please forgive me.
Kaoi: It's okay. Especially after what you've been through.
Scene Change
Kaoi sits at a table alongside Emilia. While Crusch and Felix sits on the other side and Wilhelm at the head.
Felix: I'm sorry for making you deliver that message, Miss Crusch!
Crusch: No, it's quite alright, Felix. Thank you, though.
Felix: Enough with the formalities! You and I have known each other for ages. It makes me sad when you talk to me like you don't know me very well.
Crusch: I'm sorry. I know it won't be like before, but I'll try my best. Is that okay, Felix?
Felix: Oh, absolutely! There's no need to rush. Just know that you can always count on me to be on your side, no matter what! But I must confess, this is kinda fun! It feels like I'm seeing a whole new side of you now!
Emilia: Are you all right?
Kaoi: I'm fine. Thanks.
Wilhelm: Well, now that Mr. Kaoi and Miss Crusch have returned, let us get down to business, shall we, everyone?
Felix: Then, why don't we begin by reviewing where we all currently stand? By the time the Iron Fang members who got away brought back reinforcements from the capitol the only ones left were the casualties and also, uh…
Crusch: Those who now find themselves in situations similar to mine.
Kaoi: While Crusch had her memories eaten. Ram lost only her name.
Felix: The capital has also had many cases of memory loss that no healer could fix, like what Miss Crusch's got, and an unexplained malady rendering people unconscious called sleeping beauty disease. If what the spirit has said is true then we know all these thing originated from the same source.
Wilhelm: Indeed. They're the work of the Witch's Cult.
Crusch: [gasps]
Wilhelm: I meant nothing against you, Miss Crusch, so please forgive me, and I must sincerely apologize for frightening you.
No, I'm the one who should apologize for being such a hopeless master. I've been trying my hardest to remember you as well, but I'm still having some difficulty.
Felix: [sighs] We finally took care of Sloth and now there's another Sin Archbishop mucking up everything? This really sucks, but we all knew from the moment Miss Emilia became a candidate in the royal selection, the Witch's Cult was sure to get involved.
Emilia: So maybe everything really is my fault after all.
Felix: Oh, definitely.
Kaoi: Felix…
Felix: They're fixated on getting rid of Emilia, the one they see as the half-elf troublemaker. What's going on nyow is just a tiny part of whatever diabolical-
Kaoi: I suggest you stop talking. The ones at fault here are the cult. Just because you feel frustrated that you couldn't have done anything doesn't give you the right to hurt your allies with misdirected guilt!
Felix: I wonder? That's so much more convincing coming from you, Kaoi. I guess you have some experience.
Crusch: Felix. I'm not going to ignore the comment you just made. Apologize now.
Felix: awww…
Crusch: Kaoi is right. It's crystal clear where the blame should fall in this matter. Understand? You have no grounds to stand when you ridicule someone simply for being correct.
Felix: [Whimpers] Of course. Yes, Miss Crusch. I apologize, Miss Emilia and you as well, Kaoi.
Kaoi: Accepted, now back to the topic at hand.
Felix: Sure, but let me say this first.
Kaoi: Yes?
Felix: Regarding the alliance that we were all speaking of earlier… can't we just scrap that idea?
Kaoi: … You want to dissolve the alliance?
Felix: Alliances are only formed when it benefits every party involved, right? Yet you expect us to align ourselves with Miss Emilia, the enemy's target? Knowing what we know right now, can you solemnly swear that Miss Crusch won't be hurt again if we do that?
Kaoi: You may have a point but had the alliance not formed. Could you have guaranteed that Miss Crusch would've defeated the White Whale?
Felix: Why you…
Wilhelm: I am also opposed to dissolving the alliance.
Felix: Why would you be against such a thing, Old Man Wil?! Look what's happened to Miss Crusch! Why should we keep helping Miss Emilia and her friends? I don't see the point!
Kaoi: The point is, Felix! Is that right now we are stronger together than divided. Who's to say that the Witch Cult will stop at Emilia? They have been active before and will be active again now.
Felix: That's a risk I'm willing to take!
Crusch: Felix, please.
Felix: I know how difficult this must be for her. She has no idea what's going on, and she can't remember anything, so how can you possibly expect her to fight, then?!
He then turns to his lady.
Felix: I'm only thinking of you and your best interests. I'm certain that I can do something about your memories. Even if it is a little right nyow. I'll eventually fix them completely with my magic! So please don't put yourself in any more danger!
Crusch: [sighs] Thank you. I do appreciate your concern. At this particular moment, there's too much I don't understand. I can't remember a single detail about just who it was that I used to be. I'm sure each of you must be completely puzzled as to how you should interact with me, too. And for that, to everyone who still retains their respect for me despite this, I must express my thanks.
Felix: Huh?
Crusch Felix, I know your concern for me is genuine and that you're trying to guide me down the safest path. I could simply do as you wish and remain out of harm's way, and nobody here would think less of me, but I absolutely loathe the thought of going on with my life, knowing nothing.
Kaoi: It seems that no matter what. You can't take away certain aspects of a person's character.
Crusch: If I have a choice in the matter, I would rather choose for myself than simply do as someone says.
Felix's eyes start to tear up.
Felix: Miss Crusch, I only wanted to…[crying]
Crusch then grabs Felix's hands.
Crusch: Thank you, Felix.
The knight then lets loose a volley of tears.l
Wilhelm: If this is Miss Crusch's will on the matter, surely no one factors dissolving the alliance.
Crusch: Yes, that's right. I know I'll be a great deal of trouble to you, so please allow me to apologize in advance.
Emilia: No, really, it's all right. Though we can't exactly say we're all on the same page now, either. Let's rejoin Rem and those at the Sanctuary and talk. We should apprise Roswaal of this, too.
Kaoi:...
Scene Change
Sitting next to the sleeping Ram. Kaoi thinks to himself of his current situation.
Kaoi: Alliances, Throne candidates and Royal selections… Being in the corps has never been this complicated. I'm probably the only slayer engrossed in these kinds of politics. I wonder what Rengoku-sama would think?
Ram:...
Kaoi: … You know, ever since I met you. I had this certain attraction towards you. It was something that would make me do almost anything for you.
Kaoi: Even taking my own life.
Kaoi: I originally thought it was because of our close bond. That I would use this power to save anyone that died. But looking back on it I realized I did what I did because I am in love with you.
Ram:...
Kaoi: Ram… please wake up so that you can hear these words. Please wake up so I can tell you that I kept my promise. [sniffles]
Ram:...b..ba…bakaoi….
Kaoi: Huh?
Kaoi lifts his head to see the red eyes of the oni maid slowly open.
Ram: what…are…you …whining about now…bakaoi….
Kaoi: Ram!
In an instant Kaoi wrapped his arms around the now awakened Ram.
Kaoi: Ram! You have no idea how much I was worried. I thought… I thought.. [wails]
The tears of relief couldn't be contained anymore as Kaoi just cried into Ram's shoulders.
Emilia: Kaoi! Are you okay!
Emilia then bursts into the room and is shocked at what she sees.
Kaoi: [sniffle] Look Emi! Ram's awake! She's awake!
Hearing the commotion, Felix runs into the room.
Felix: What's with all the noi- Oh she is awake nyow! Okay Kaoi if you would please let her down gently.
Ram: yes, bakaoi. if you would please.
Kaoi: Right.
After putting her down, Felix goes to check on her.
Emilia: You must be really happy.
Kaoi: Yes, I am.
Scene Change - After the attack on the returning party
Sitting in a cave Lye Batenkaitos talks with another person.
?: Why did you not eat her memories, Lye?
Lye: That's simple. She wasn't ripe.
?: Ripe or not! Her memories would still have satiated us!
Lye: While her skills with that sword were amateurish at best. Her speed and strength were something else. If she becomes more skilled. I think- No, I know she along with that Demon Slayer will be so gourmet and so fulfilling! I promise you, Roy! It will be worth it!
And that is it for this chapter. That's right Season 2 is finally here! I hope you guys are excited for this as I am. I will also be doing something I wished I had done in Season 1, Omakes! Also I organize my deviantart. So if you want to check out my posters and other stuff. Look up TokuJensen. Anyway I hope you all enjoy the chapter and please voice your thoughts in the comments!
Omake
Kaoi, Ram, Rem, Beatrice and Emilia stand under a sign that reads "Arc 4 Celebration" as confetti falls
Emilia: Wow, Ram. That sure was a lot of bad things that happened to you this chapter.
Beatrice: Should we really be celebrating an Arc that starts off with one of us being in one of the worst situations imaginable, I suppose?
Rem: I agree with Lady Beatrice! What happened to you was unjust!
Nearby TokuJensen is sitting on a chair reading Dracula.
TokuJensen: Wait until I get to you.
Ram: What was that?
TokuJensen: N-n-othing! Here! Watch an Alternate take!
Archbishop Ambush: Alternate Take
Suddenly shockwaves hit Ram and ends up being stunned.
Ram: [Gasps]
Lye moves in to bite.
?: Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!
Narrowly dodging the strike that came out of nowhere. Lye jumps back.
As Ram is about to fall. She is caught by a man wearing a white haori jacket.
Regulus stares at this newcomer.
?: You did good for a amatuer. Now let me and her handle this?
Ram: Her?
Appearing behind her, Ram notices a small girl wearing flower pattern clothes. The most striking feature about them is that they are wearing fox masks. The man with a scar near the mouth and the girl with blue flowers on the right cheek.
Lye: and who might you two be!
Man: You can simply call me Scar.
Girl: Flower.
Putting Ram down, two draw their blue swords.
Ram: Wait, earlier you yelled Water Breathing. Are you Demon Slayers?
Scar: No, we are not…
Flower: But we are the closest thing!
Scar: Now then Flower you take on the smaller one. I'll handle the white hair if he decided to intervene
Flower: Right!
Lye: Amazing… I will certainly enjoy this.
Scar/Flower: Water Breathing!
End Take
The five are left standing to deliberate on what they had just seen.
Kaoi: Well I like it.
Emilia: That was certainly more enjoyable than what actually happened.
Beatrice: You do realize that the Author used that as a distraction to get away, I suppose.
Looking over to where TokuJensen was sitting and sees an empty chair.
Kaoi: Oh well. Next time on Re: Slayer, Chapter 23: New Faces, New Places.