Chapter 34: Kaoi's Wager

[ Play Myth & Roid - Straight Bet ]

Kaoi: I propose a wager! With our wishes on the line!

Roswaal: … I'm listening.

Kaoi: You better damn well because I'm going to save Sanctuary and the mansion within this loop. This will be the last time.

Roswaal: Why would you declare such a thing? Are you planning to start over now, when you have me in check?

Kaoi: There's a difference between starting over and saving the people I care about.

Roswaal: Very well, If you say this is the last time, what is it you want from me?

Kaoi: It's very simple. If I save both Sanctuary and the mansion then you will stop following that book and continue to sponsor with Emilia.

Roswaal: Don't be ridiculous. That suggestion is absolutely warped. Do you think you would forgive what I—

Kaoi: It isn't about forgiving you. In fact if Emilia's candidacy wasn't a factor then I would have your head. However nothing has happened yet so there is still time to stop it.

Roswaal: How can an idea be so convenient?

Kaoi: It's all about tactics. I believe Emilia can become ruler with the right passion. I'll expect to be in the crowd congratulating her while I'm at your side. Making sure you play your more silent role.

Kaoi can feel the confusion coming off Roswaal.

Roswaal: You expect to fulfill your desire without letting go of anything? Not only that, but you say my involvement is necessary and insist on including me in the foundation for the future? You are aware, are you not, Kaoi? Of the sheer greed of that solution.

Kaoi: … Hmph! Be as that may. I made it my mission.

Roswaal: No matter how you fight it, you cannot break through this. With Emilia unable to stand, the barrier will remain. The Sanctuary will be covered in snow, and the mansion will sink into a bloody tragedy.

Kaoi: And it'll make your defeat all the more great.

Roswaal: I see. You are right. It isn't a bad idea to lay some groundwork for the next me.

Kaoi: Then you accept?

The Margrave said nothing as he gave a simple smirk

Roswaal:... hmph!

Kaoi: Now I can get started.

Roswaal: Kaoi… The snow in the Sanctuary and the attack on the mansion begin in three days. Do try your hardest to fight it...

Roswaal lets out a condescending smirk.

Roswaal: …and fail miserably.

Kaoi: And you try your hardest to fight me.

With that Kaoi exits the village house. Greeted by the voice of Ram.

Ram: How goes the conspiracy you're plotting with your subordinate?

Kaoi: Well enough but what about you? Do you still plan on following what Roswaal is doing?

Ram: …

Kaoi: Even if everything between was just a sham. I still believe the Ram I fought alongside against the Wolgarm and White Whale. I believe that you care about your sister's safety.

Kaoi begins to walk away.

Ram: You're putting your hopes in Miss Emilia?

Kaoi: Yes, I am.

Ram:... Miss Emilia hasn't figured out why she's been struggling. Until she does, the same thing will just keep happening.

With that Ram enters the house. Leaving Kaoi alone.

Kaoi: … Thank you. You can come out now, Otto.

Otto comes out of the bushes. Throwing away the two mini branches he was using for cover.

Otto: So since Miss Ram is working with the margrave, doesn't that make you enemies?

Kaoi: Like I said, she's a good person, Otto. We have allies, it's just a matter of when they become them.

Otto: Well, now I can see how deeply you trust Miss Ram. And? What happened with the Margrave himself?

Kaoi: The wager has been set.

Otto: That's good to hear. Of course, I don't think he's ever lost at anything before, so I had no doubt he would agree. And next is…

Kaoi: Garfiel… There are a few things I need to do before I handle him.

Otto: All right. I'll meet with Rem as discussed. And as for Miss Emilia...

Kaoi: Leave her to me. You just focus on what needs to be done.

WIth that the two part ways.

Scene Change - Crystal Ryuzu Room

After entering the room, Kaoi immediately calls out to the person behind the giant crystal.

Kaoi: So which Ryuzu are you?

Arma: You are sure straight to the point and know a lot for someone who has been here for a short time, Young Kao. My name is Ryuzu Arma.

The Ryuzu with the surname of Arma comes out.

Kaoi: Arma, I see.

Arma: I suppose the one Young Ros was waiting for was you.

Kaoi: Not anymore.

Arma: Huh?

Kaoi: Right now I'm against him in a battle of wits and force. I want your help in ending it with a good outcome.

Arma: Why not use your Authority as an apostle to demand my assistance?

Kaoi: Because that's not the kind of person I am.

Arma: So what is it you are arguing over?

Kaoi: Liberating the Sanctuary. Are you opposed?

Arma: I am opposed to liberating the Sanctuary?

Kaoi: Can I take that to mean you are not the Ryuzu who is?

Arma: I cannot say that your suspicions are entirely wild. What is your opinion of Young Gar?

Kaoi: A clash with him is unavoidable but I hope we can become better after it. However, I think I need to know more about him for that to happen.

Arma: …You asked the witch about me, did you not? About the copies of Ryuzu Meyer, and perhaps about the purpose of creating them.

Kaoi: I know about the immortality experiment and that you were the closest she had to a success.

Arma: To this day, I protect and supervise the crystal that creates the copies. The four of us alternate in bearing the role of supervisor.

Kaoi: So then there are three others besides you. I already met Bilma. But why go through the hassle.

Arma: Our bodies are not made of flesh and blood. They are made of artificial od clothed in mana. All activity we engage in consumes the mana, and continuous activity for a full day is impossible.

Kaoi: I see so then you switch out whenever one of the others gets tired. However, are you really okay with that?

Arma: You are kind, Young Kao. However, one of the first four, Ryuzu Shima, is an exception.

Kaoi: Shima?

Kaoi then thinks back to the Ryuzu he had met back in one of the loops. The one wearing the white robes.

Arma: About ten years ago, she caused a problem. She was then removed from the role of supervisor, and now lives in the forest with the other copies. For that reason, three of us fulfill the supervisor role now.

Kaoi: What was the problem?

Arma: She violated the contract with the witch who created us by entering the graveyard… to bring back Young Gar when he broke the rules to attempt the trial and did not return. I have not seen Shima since she was stripped of her duty, but it would be no surprise if Young Gar has been meeting with Shima, with whom he shares memories that we do not.

Kaoi: Memories that you three don't have?

Arma: I refer to the past that Young Gar saw in the graveyard trial. Are you aware of Young Gar's family situation?

Kaoi: I know him and Frederica have different fathers. That she left some years ago. Was that the part of his past that he saw?

Arma: No, what he saw was most likely the moment when Young Gar and Fred were left behind by their mother when she left the Sanctuary.

Kaoi: Their mother? Did something happen to her?

Arma: The boy refers to himself as Garfiel Tinzel. That is his mother's family name. I believe he goes by that name so that he won't forget her. Why is most likely known only to him and Shima.

Scene Change - Emilia's Bedroom

Kaoi: Emi?

Looking around the room, Kaoi can see Emilli huddled next to the bed with the blanket over her head.

Kaoi: Couldn't sleep huh?

Emilia: Huh? Yeah but don't worry. I'll be sure to get plenty of sleep by tonight.

Kaoi said nothing as he extended his hand to her.

Emilia: Oh! Thank you.

Kaoi pulled her up.

Kaoi: Emilia, do you feel like you can tell me what you saw during the trial?

Emilia: …

Kaoi: Look, talking about may not make you feel better but it is better than bottling your emotions up. At least let me be at your side this time.

Her amethyst eyes close in frustration but it was not directed at Kaoi. It was frustration at herself.

Emilia: … Kaoi, you have so much faith in me… The… The past I saw… was a memory from before I went to sleep, I think. I never told you that I was frozen in ice for a long time, did I?

Kaoi: Frozen in ice?

Emilia: I was frozen in the forest for a long time. Until Puck found me and got me out, I had been sleeping within the ice for a long, long time.

Kaoi: How long?

Emilia: Since I was... six or seven years old, maybe? We all lived in the forest together before it froze, I think. I don't remember much from before that happened.

Kaoi: What about your family?

Emilia: My family wasn't in the forest. But there was someone who was like a mother to me… Huh? Wait, why… My... mother?

Despite remembering it clearly a moment ago. Emilia is having a hard time recalling this mother figure of hers. Koi pulled her in a hug.

Kaoi: It's okay. Take it slow. What happened?

Emilia: The same... as me. They were frozen in ice. I lived in the forest, waiting with Puck for all of them to wake up. But that day never came. So... I left the forest and joined in the royal selection.

Kaoi: The royal selection?

Emilia: Roswaal promised that winning the royal selection can lead me to thaw the ice. Kaoi… Does that make you think less of me? All the other candidates are participating with solid goals and resolutions, but my reason is so, so personal.

Kaoi: Emilia, when I first started my training. I wasn't thinking about all the lives I could save. I could only think about gGetting revenge for killing my father and for making my sister and I orphans. It was during my training that I adopted Rengoku-sama's ideals. You went into the royal selection for the sole purpose of helping others. In that viewpoint you were more selfless than I was.

Emilia: Yeah… Thank you... so much.

Kaoi:...

After Emilia fell asleep in his arms, Kaoi put her on the bed.

Kaoi: Her reaction to remembering that woman who was like her mother. It was similar to a lesser degree to the one Rem had when we introduced her to Ram the first time. Are her memories being blocked somehow? There is only one person who can tell me at this point.

With a swing of his blade, Kaoi stopped right before it would have hit Emilia's neck as the blade became covered in frost.

Kaoi: We need to talk, Puck.

Puck: Yeah, I guess we do…

The spirits voice rang from within the crystal.

Time-Skip

Emilia woke up from a strange dream. When she got up she saw that it was the evening.

Puck: Did you have another scary dream?

Emilia: Puck!

Floating in front of her, Puck is finally here.

Emilia: Thank goodness! Where have you been?I was so worried! Don't disappear like that again!

The spirit then floats to her hands.

Emilia: Puck?

Puck: Do I look a little smaller than usual? I guess my limit came up faster than I thought. Of course, I was consciously trying to break our contract, so I guess it makes sense that I'd lose my greatest strengths as a spirit.

Emilia: Break... our contract? Wh-What are you saying?

Puck: I've been by your side all this time. I couldn't tell you only for my own personal reasons, and because of your own problems. But from now on…

The spirit starts to disappear into a green light as Emilia's crystal starts to break.

Emilia: Huh? No... What?! W-Wait, please! Th-This is terrible, Puck! The stone... The stone you reside in…

Puck: I'm sorry, Lia. I wish I could explain everything, but there's no time. As much as it pains me, I'm entrusting you to the ones whose protection is second to mine.

Emilia: What... are you saying?

The half-elf's heart was breaking with every word puck was saying.

Puck: I'm breaking the contract between you and me. I really am sorry this turned out so one-sided. Once I'm gone, the seal on your memories will be lifted. Remembering them will probably make you very sad. You might want to cry more than you do right now.

Soon a woman's voice echoes in Emilia's head

?: Emilia… I love you so, so much.

Emilia: No…

Puck: Yes, that's good. Lia… I love you more than anyone in the world.

With that Puck disappeared and Emilia fell unconscious.

Time-skip - Ryuzu's Cabin

Shima: Emilia-sama fell unconscious?

Garfiel: Yeah, the spirit left her. If it drives her so nuts that she misses the trial, what good is she to us?

Shima: Do not say that. This is a matter of the heart, so it makes me sad for her. Incidentally, Young Gar, about Young Kao…

Garfiel: The dude who's covered in miasma?

Shima: Indeed. I do know what I said before, but he does not appear to have any connection with the witch.

Garfiel: I dunno about that. Get yourself to bed, you doddering old hag. "A rudy that stays up all night will regret having short legs," ya know.

Night Time - Emilia's Room

Kaoi: Emilia, are you okay?

Kaoi said as he sat next to the bed which Emilia lays upon.

Emilia: Yeah. I'm sure... I will be. I want to believe I'll be just fine by morning.A-Anyway, just don't fret over it too much!

Kaoi: Ok, if there is anything you want me to do…? Huh?

The half elf gently grabs her hand over Kaoi's.

Emilia: Hold my hand. Will you stay here until morning? If you do… I think I can… I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please...

Kaoi: If that is what you want. Once tomorrow comes, you'll be fine.

After Emilia fell asleep. She dreamt of an elven woman with short hair. She was rushing towards her like a worried mother.

?: Emilia! I'm sorry, Emilia. I'm so sorry. All the people who told you that kind lie, that they wanted to protect you… Please don't hate them. Emilia, I love you so much.

She then wakes up to find an empty room. Tears streamed down her face.

Emilia: Mother Fortuna, you liar. Puck, you liar. And Kaoi... you liar.

The Next Morning

The villagers can be seen searching each house. Calling out for Emilia. It was a strange sight for Garfiel to walk in on.

Garfiel: Pink Rem, what's goin' on here?

Ram: It's Ram and Garf, do you know where Miss Emilia went?

Garfiel: What?

Ram: Miss Emilia has disappeared. We've all split up to search for her.

Garfiel: All right. I'll start lookin' around here.

He rushes back to the house that belongs to Shima.

Garfiel: Hey, old hag! You awake? Someone might come by lookin' for the princess. You better go—

However he notices that no one was there. His worry and frustration begins to fest. He looks to the next location of where Shima could be. The crystal mist room of the original. Shocked to see it's door open.

Garfiel: Old hag you there!

He thinks back to when he last saw her.

Garfiel: No way did they…

Kaoi: Seems like no one's home.

Garfiel quickly turns around to see a Kaoi with his arms crossed and leaning on a pillar.

Garfiel: You!

Kaoi: Garfiel, there has been some tension between us. You know that I passed the first trial don't you.

Garfiel: [growls]

Kaoi: And you are opposed to the liberation of Sanctuary aren't you not?

Garfiel: Get to da point!

Kaoi: The point is Garfiel. Is that I am going to offer you a chance…

Garfiel: Yeah! A chance for what?

Kaoi: To kill me, of course.

Garfiel: Wat!

Kaoi: I already passed the first trial. It stands to reason that I can pass the other two and release the barrier. But you don't want that do you? So Garfiel…

The demi-human was getting antagonized with every word Kaoi said.

Kaoi: This will be your only chance to fulfill your duty.

Garfiel:... [chuckles] You've got guts! I'll give you dat! And you know wat!

Garfiel's snarls with animosity.

Kaoi: Hmmm….

Garfiel: I'm gonna ripped them from your insides.

With a stomp he cracked the ground beneath him.

Kaoi: There have been many before who have tried that. All of them have failed.

Garfiel: [Roars]

The beast man lets out a mighty roar. Not caring for what the demon slayer has to say.

Kaoi: Let's see you do better.

Author's Notes

Alright, here we go. Next time on Re:Slayer is Kaoi vs Garfiel.

In other news, I've finished my art piece for the final look of Raiju, the oc earth dragon for Kaoi. It is uploaded to my Deviant art page along with other art that I've done.

https/tokujensen/art/Raiju-Saddled-1111635225

Also I made a revision to when Rem meets Ram in arc in Chapter 24, be sure to check that out. However if you don't want to then in essence, Rem knows that Ram is her sister. She just can't remember her and if she tries to focus really hard on the blank part of her memory, she gets a dizzy spell.

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.

Post Credit Scene:

Few Hours Ago Before Morning

Emilia is still sobbing in her bed. Everyone in her life had lied to her. Why? Why does everyone have to lie? Why can't anyone be honest with her? Kept their promise to her? Why?

Then suddenly the door opens.

?: Lady Emilia! Are you alright?

Looking at who opened the door, Emilia saw the concerned face of a blue-haired maid.

Emilia: [sniffling] …Rem?

Rem: Is everything alright, Lady Emilia?