Echidna: That? Oh, you mean the Great Rabbit!

Kaoi: The Great Rabbit… How come I'm so calm right now?

Echidna: It's because of the tea you drank last time. It directly affected your Sloth Witch Factor, encouraging stability. If not for that, your soul itself would have crumbled to pieces. Now, I'm ready to accept your gratitude.

Kaoi: … Thanks. Will I remain this way when I retune?

Echidna: That kind of gratitude wounds my maidenly heart. So long as you remember what happened here, you should be fine.

Kaoi: Then is there a way to overwrite my vow? So that I can remember once I step outside. As it stands, I'm likely to return slamming my fist into the ground. If I find the price reasonable. I'll pay.

Echidna: Hmmm… alright.

Kaoi: Thank you….wait.

Echidna: What? Do you have something else to say?

Kaoi: It's just that, when I first got here, I asked a question and you answered it.

Echidna: I just answered a question. That's all.

Kaoi: It's just how did you know the context of what I was asking?

Echidna: By whatever do you mean?

Kaoi: You invited me to this tea party mere moments after I had passed the first trial. Not enough time for anything involving a rabbit let alone the Great Rabbit takes place.

Echidna: And what do you make of this?

Kaoi: That somehow you know of an event that never took place.

Echidna: …Kaoi, the only way you'll receive a straight answer from me is to ask a straight question.

Kaoi: There might be consequences.

Echidna: If that proves to be true, can I expect you to defend me?

Kaoi: Echidna…

The demon slayer didn't want to do this given the last time he tried it but now he just had to know.

Kaoi: When I die, I restart to a certain point!

Kaoi closes his eyes expecting the hand of envy to grasp his heart but no hand came. He opens his eyes to meet the smiling face of Echidna.

Echidna: It's a bit embarrassing to have you staring at me like that.

This can't be real.

Kaoi: When I die, the world is reset to a certain point!

Echidna: I heard you. And before I heard you, I saw you.

Can it?

Kaoi: When I am killed, the world resets! When I am murdered, I go back in time!

Echidna: Hey, calm down! I know how you feel but—

Kaoi: When I killed myself, I return to the streets. When those around me die, I killed myself, and the world is sent back! When everything feels like it has gone to hell, I slit my neck and I go back!

Even though Kaoi was still standing. The demon slayer was barely holding it together. He falls back onto the chair and uses the table for support. Not noticing the stream of tears leaking from his eyes.

Kaoi: This weight… all this time… I haven't been able to tell anyone. To confide in them. I just bear with it. The cold. The dark. The pain. I just allow them to weigh down my soul each time I die.

It was then that Kaoi felt a hand gently caress his face.

Echidna: I know, I know every step you've taken on your path here. I was watching. But watching is all I was doing.

She brought her hand to Kaoi's chin to lift his face. Kaoi sees the light that is Echidna.

Echidna: So if you can, I'd like you to tell me yourself... what you have thought, how you have felt, and how much weight you have carried. I want to know. After all, I'm the Witch of Greed, who wants to know everything in this world. That's me... Echidna.

Chapter 29: I Love You…

Kaoi soon calmed down after that. Tears are no longer streaming. He proceeded to tell Echidna about his journey in this world. All the hardships but also the small fortunes he gained.

Echidna: Terrible…

Kaoi: …

Echidna: I'm not referring to your behavior. I was simply overwhelmed with rage at the one who put you through so much hardship.

Kaoi: Who?

Echidna: The Witch of Envy... I'm sure you were aware that the power you have is that of a witch. You've known me for a long time.

Kaoi: I was certainly reminded every so often. I have no idea why she's so fixated on me, though. Why she brought me here in the first place?

Echidna: No one is capable of understanding how her mind works. Even if I could, I wouldn't want to.

Kaoi: …Do you suppose there is a limit to how many times I die and go back?

Echidna: Ah, yes. Truly the obvious question to ask. I will say in advance that this is only conjecture, but I would say... there isn't.

Kaoi: I see.

Echidna: Vexing as it may seem, the power that lets you come back from death is the witch's intense delusion. So long as that delusion persists, there will be no end to your deaths.

Kaoi: So then why give me this power?

Echidna: So that you won't die. It makes you redo destiny and doesn't allow you to make mistakes.

Kaoi: Okay. So I will have to use this power wisely to achieve the best outcome possible.

Echidna: You seem to have bounced back with surprising ease.

Kaoi: I'm a demon slayer. I am kinda used to springing back to fight.

Echidna: Well then, is there anything else you would like to ask?

Kaoi: A lot really but I'll start with what had recently taken my life.

Echidna: Ah, you mean the Great Rabbit.

Kaoi: Right, you called it that before.

Echidna: It's one of the Three Great Mabeasts.

Kaoi: You mean like the White Whale?

Echidna: The White Whale, the Black Serpent, and the Great Rabbit. They were created years ago by Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony. Her three legacies of misfortune, which still bring disaster upon the world today.

Kaoi: Two of them anyway.

Echidna: There's more to this unpleasant story. In terms of pure fighting strength, the White Whale is far stronger. But the Great Rabbit is infinitely more difficult to destroy. To the Great Rabbit, all other living things are food. It desires nothing other than to satisfy its hunger. All it leaves behind is a deserted field.

Kaoi's mind flashbacked to the empty snow village he found.

Kaoi: Could that have what happened to everyone?

However, a darker thought emerged when he remembers the burning church.

Kaoi: They set themselves on fire to avoid being eaten alive.

Such a thought nearly made Kaoi vomit.

Echidna: What makes the Great Rabbit so difficult is its viability. A single one is capable of multiplying infinitely.

Kaoi: I saw that for myself.

Echidna: To destroy it, you'd have to kill every last one at the same time, and that would be like trying to evaporate every raindrop that falls from the sky.

Kaoi: The only logical counter to that is to run but with the barrier. That is not possible…

The Great Rabbit, The attack on the mansion, and the Graveyard Trials. Kaoi would need to defeat Elsa at the mansion, break the barrier, and somehow either avoid or destroy the Great Rabbit.

Things were so much simpler when you just needed to cut a demon's neck.

Kaoi: Echidna, do you know of a method that can do this?

Echidna: It carries such great risk that I hesitate to suggest it... But what if I told you that I could give you an opportunity to talk to Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony?

Kaoi was about to point out that the witches were dead but remembered that he is talking to a dead witch himself.

Kaoi: How so? I thought only your soul would be here.

Echidna: Well, before my untimely demise, I was able to collect the souls of the other witches before Volcanica destroyed my body and sealed my soul. Thus the souls of the dead witches reside with me in this castle of dreams. In other words...

Kaoi: You can call her?

Echidna: If I let her temporarily inhabit my presence. During that time, they and I literally trade places. But I really don't recommend it. There is no death in this dimension, but if your mind sustains an injury that causes it to break, it will remain shattered even after you return to your body.

Kaoi: ...She's the one who created the Great Rabbit, right? So she'd be the best one to ask how to defeat it. I haven't backed down now. I won't start, now.

Echidna: Your resolve is firm, then? But just let me say one thing first. No matter what you do, don't release Daphne's restraints.

Kaoi: Restraints?

Echidna: You are also forbidden to touch her. You should avoid eye contact, too, if possible.

Kaoi: I would ask why but I got a feeling you would want me to find out myself.

The Witch of Greed lets out a smirk.

Echidna: I wish you the best.

Thus Echidna's body shines, blinding Kaoi. It soon died down and in Echidna's place…

?: Ah! We meet at last!

Is a dark-skined, green-haired, and red-eyed girl. Swinging her legs in a chair that was clearly too big for her.

Witch of Pride - Typhon

Kaoi: What?

Was this Daphne? She didn't look like she has any restraints.

Typhon: What do you mean, "What?" That's very rude, you know! Hmph!

Kaoi: Sorry about that. It's just that I was expecting someone in restraints.

Typhon: Chidna told you, didn't she? And you're... Let's see… Aoi, Aoi Right?

Kaoi: It's Kaoi. You forgot the /k/ sound at the beginning.

The little girl didn't reply though. Only gets off her chair and gets close to Kaoi.

Typhon: Aoi? Are you a bad guy, Aoi? I've wondered about that this whole time!

Kaoi: No, I don't think so.

The little girl holds out her hand.

Kaoi: You want to shake hands? I guess there's no harm.

Kaoi grabs the hand of the little girl.

Typhon: Sin can only be repaid with pain.

Kaoi: What did you say?!

Typhon: Oh! If you don't feel pain, you must not be a bad guy! That's great!

Kaoi looks back to the little girl as she is holding his detached arm. Kaoi looks over to his shoulder where his missing arm used to be. He quickly gets up.

Kaoi: My arm!

Typhon: But it doesn't hurt, does it? If you make too much noise, Chidna's gonna hate you.

Kaoi: That's beside the point!

However, it was true as Kaoi didn't feel any pain at all. It was still unsettling but he didn't feel any pain.

Kaoi: Look, if you will give me back my arm then I will-

Typhon: Sin will become a wedge that allows no escape.

In an instant, cracks appeared on his other arm. Like it was made of porcelain. His entire hand cumbled into pieces.

Kaoi: What now!

Typhon: Even though you're not a bad guy, you see yourself guilty of a few sins? You have such a good heart, Aoi! Well, that's all Typhon came here for.

Like that small witch shines brilliantly and disappears.

Kaoi: Is she not going to fix what she did?

?: First! To strike all that defies reason in the world!

The voice booms in the sky as Kaoi search around.

Kaoi: Who said that?

?: Second! Who cares about committing every heinous evildoing?!

Kaoi looked up to see a woman heading toward him like a rocket.

?: Third! Whether it's ugly or beautiful, if you're here in this fleeting world, don't expect to make it back unscathed!

The woman lands next to the demon slayer resulting in an explosion of hearts. Kaoi tumbled across the grass as he braced himself from the impact.

As the dust clears, Kaoi sees a blonde woman with a side ponytail. As he got a better look he can see tears threatening to leave her eyes.

?: My rage, the fury of my fists, shall be my answer!

Witch of Wrath - Minerva

Kaoi: Who-

Before Kaoi could blink, he was struck by a hundred punches by the newcomer and in an instant, he was fully restored with both arms intact.

Every time Kaoi thought he couldn't be more confused by something in this world. Time and time again he was proven wrong. He thought the Hashira had their own quirks but these witches were something else.

Kaoi: Um… Thank you?

Minerva: You're welcome! Oh, that Typhon! Why does she have to go and hurt you like that? Stupid Typhon! I hate this world for making her do that! I hate all of it!

As the witch shouts her rant, she stomps on the ground and makes the earth shake with each stomp.

Kaoi: …and you are?

Minerva: I'm the Witch of Wrath, Minerva! My name isn't worth giving!

Kaoi: But you did just now.

She was momentarily stunned before pointing a finger at Kaoi.

Minerva: Listen up! If you've learned your lesson, don't do anything careless! Next time, I'll just heal everyone!

Kaoi: Why are you making it sound like a threat?

But that question would go unanswered as Minerva's boy begins to shine a blinding light.

Kaoi: Typhon? Minerva? Just what is going on?

As the light settles down, Kaoi is met with what he can only describe as an iron coffin with crab-like legs.

Kaoi almost fell to his knees as he senses a great emotion emanating from the coffin. He senses a great starving hunger.

Soon the doors open up. Revealing a blindfolded, grey-haired girl restrained to the bedding inside.

Witch of Gluttony - Daphne

Daphne: What would you like to ask of Daphne, Kaoi?

Kaoi: Well for starters, what is this thing you're in?

Daphne: Centipede Coffin, it serves as transport for me and in return, it gets to feed on my pee, sweat, and other bodily fluids.

Kaoi: It feeds?

Daphne: Of course it does, it is a mabeast of my own creation after all.

Kaoi: What did you say? A mabeast!

Daphne: Yes. Look I'm here because Chid-Chid asked me to come, but I don't want to be awake any longer than I have to be, so please don't drag this out with dull conversation.

[sniffs]

Daphne: Oh... This might be toxic to me...

The mechanical mabeast suddenly backs away from Kaoi.

Kaoi: What's the matter?

Daphne: My body is throbbing. You give off a scent that I really, really love...

Daphne's coffin then rushes forward so that Daphne is in front of Kaoi's face.

Daphne: It's making me want to eat you.

She licks her lips in hunger.

Kaoi: Then I will make this quick. I want to talk about the Three Great Mabeasts that you made.

Daphne: The Three Great Mabeasts?

Kaoi: The White Whale, the Great Rabbit, and the Black Serpent.

Daphne: Oh, the whale, the bunny, and the snake?

Kaoi: Why did you create them? Why create monsters to ravage the world?

Daphne: The White Whale is very big, isn't it? It would sate so many appetites if people ate it, don't you think?

The demon slayer didn't expect that answer.

Kaoi: What?

Daphne: And the Great Rabbit can multiply itself indefinitely. With them around, no one would ever have to go hungry.

Kaoi: and the Black Serpent?

Daphne: Well if there are so many stomachs to feed. Then wouldn't it be better to kill a lot. That way they wouldn't suffer starvation and gives other mouths more food.

Kaoi didn't know how to respond to Daphne's logic.

Kaoi: That's horrible… if the purpose of the first two were to feed people then why make them so deadly?

Daphne: Don't you think it's a bit selfish to try to eat another without considering the possibility of being eaten yourself? The same goes for you, Kaoi. Don't you think everyone takes gluttony too lightly? The appetite is the most important of all the desires that keep people alive. Even if the heart feels sated, people die if they don't eat.

Kaoi: Is this… Is this because of the hunger you feel?

Daphne: Oh! You are able to tell of the endless hunger. You'll understand if you are starved to your limit. You'll see what sort of world my bunny and I live in.

Kaoi: I guess we just live in two separate worlds for that to happen. Back to the topic at hand, if I told you I wanted to get rid of your Great Rabbit, would you help me?

Daphne: The Great Rabbit relies on mana to find its prey.

Kaoi: Did you give me advice? Just like that? You don't care that I might find a way to destroy your creation?

Daphne: If we must eat to stay alive, it wouldn't make sense to deny that we must kill to survive. It's naturally drawn to places that have a lot of mana, so you could use a powerful magic user as a lure, then wipe them all out at once when they gather there.

Kaoi: How can I be sure that all of them are in the same area?

Daphne: There may be many of them, but they all share one consciousness. They don't have the wisdom to avoid being kill or anything. [yawns] Are you finished with me now?

Kaoi: Yes. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. But so you know, I will slay these things. Like the demons of my world, they have been rampaging for too long. I was already part of the effort to take down the White Whale, after all. After the Great Rabbit, I will be going after that Black Serpent next.

Daphne said nothing but soon the Centipede Coffin begins to shake.

Daphne: If you think a mere human... is capable of that, then go ahead and try it.

Same as with the others, Daphne is engulfed in bright light and as it dies down Kaoi finds himself sitting across from Echidna.

Kaoi: Do you mind telling me what just transpired? Why did Typhon show up first?

Echidna: Typhon jumped in the moment I tried to give my body to Daphne.

Kaoi: I see.

Echidna: She was so eager to meet you that she jumped right out. And the one who saved you was the Witch of Wrath, Minerva. So? Did Daphne give you any useful information?

Kaoi: You could say that. By the way, I would like to give you my thanks as well. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to talk to Daphne and gain the information I ended up receiving.

Echidna: Oh, please. Just stop already.

The Witch pours in a new cup of tea.

Echidna: You're just trying to butter me up with pleasing words.

Set a plate of cookies.

Echidna: Don't underestimate me like that.

Finally, she returned to her seat.

Kaoi: I don't know if you doing that to mess with me or what but I will pass on the tea and cookies…

Echidna: Oh don't be like that. It's not like I put any hair in it.

Kaoi: After last time, I don't exactly trust you with these-

Suddenly Kaoi felt his whole body shake. Falling to the table and spilling the cup of tea.

Echidna: Looks like it's nearly time for you to wake up. Perhaps something happened outside to speed your awakening?

Kaoi: Emi! But wait aren't you the overseer of these trials? Why are you here?

Echidna: Because the result is already in sight.

It was then that Kaoi felt disdain for the first time coming off Echidna.

Echidna: Even in three days of trial and error, I can't hold out any hope that she'll break out of her shell. Or perhaps... you could do it? Could you give wings to the cowardly princess?

Kaoi: I don't know what you have against Emi but if you're the one making her suffer-

Echidna: Oh, no. I'm not the one making her suffer.

Kaoi: I still won't go through your trials. Emi needs to pass them. Not just for the villagers but for herself as well.

Echidna: That's disappointing.

Kaoi: Just so I know, how can I be invited to another tea party? Just in case I am in need of your knowledge.

Echidna: It does feel nice to be depended on, but I think that would be rather difficult. The conditions to attend the witch's tea party grow stricter each time, and you have already been invited twice. If you cry out "I want to know" from the bottom of your heart, your voice will reach me. It'll need to be even louder the third time than the second. Think you can do that?

Kaoi: …

Echidna: Of course, if you do undergo the trial, that won't be the only way.

Kaoi: So if I want to speak to you then I would need to take the 2cd trial.

Kaoi then felt another wave hit him. He feels like he going to faint any minute now.

Kaoi: It seems like I must go. I think it's time for the payment.

Echidna: Of course, I wouldn't want you to forget this. In that case... I think I'll take this.

Echidna walks over to Kaoi and points to the white handkerchief tied around his sword.

Kaoi: The handkerchief?

Echidna: No need to worry. This world exists within the mind. It won't be gone once you're back outside.

Kaoi: Then how exactly is this a payment, then?

Kaoi asks as he pulled out his nichirin blade.

Echidna: The one who gave you this did so out of heartfelt concern for you. It wouldn't do to ridicule that sentiment. This payment is recognition of that person's existence, and perhaps a bit of meddling, as well.

The Witch of Greed touches the handkerchief for a moment.

Echidna: Payment received.

Soon the world begins to fade.

Kaoi: I guess this is it then.

Echidna: and Kaoi.

Kaoi: Yes?

Echidna: The question you had earlier. About why Envy was so fixated on you. The truth of the matter is…

It was right about this time that Kaoi was about to black out but not before he listened to Echidna's final words.

Echidna: …she isn't.

The Witch's Graveyard

Kaoi: [coughs]... It seems like she kept her end of the deal. I remember everything now. But what did she mean by that last statement? Satella isn't fixated with me. Wait! Where's Emi?!

Looking around, the half-elf was nowhere to be seen.

Kaoi: Did she run outside when she couldn't wake me up?

Exiting the ruins, what greets Kaoi shakes him to the core.

Kaoi: What is this?

What he sees is a giant pool of shadows consuming the floor as it slowly rises the steps of the graveyard. No one else was in sight.

Kaoi: Where is everyone?! Emi! Ram! Rem! Otto! Ryuzu!

Kaoi soon took notice of a figure rising from the pool of shadows.

Kaoi: You are!

Envy: I love you.

Suddenly every memory concerning this figure flashes in Kaoi's mind.

Envy: I love you.

Every time he felt her presence.

Envy: I love you.

Every time he felt her hand grasp at his heart.

Envy: I love you.

Soon the figure got close to Kaoi.

Envy: I love you.

She whispers in his ear as she wraps her arms around him.

Envy: I love you... I love you... I love you… Subaru-kun.

Kaoi: …Who?

Dun dun DUN! Yes! Subaru is still part of the story. Technically. I do wonder how you guys are going to feel about this. But like always feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments. I look forward to reading them. Did you think I made an interesting decision or do you think I'm creatively bankrupt?

Anyhow, come back for next time at Chapter 30: Shame.