Chapter 38: Setting the Night Ablaze
The battle between the Bowel Hunter and The Shield of Sanctuary still rages on.
Elsa: Fantastic! Yes!
Garfiel jumps to dodge a low slice and performs a spinning kick.
Elsa manages to dodge the kick and a slash at his leg. It wasn't for nought as Garfiel gouged out her eye. Making her fall to the floor.
Elsa: That hurt.
The Bowel Hunter cried out in ecstasy as she rises up.
Elsa: This is pain! and it makes me feel so alive.
Garfiel sees that her eye has already healed.
Garfiel: This ain't funny. Boss did say this bitch could heal, but still…
Elsa: Do you dislike women such as me? All my wounds heal instantly, meaning I can fight on forever. It's quite pointless don't you think?
Garfiel: Don't be stupid! I'll just keep kickin' your ass, no matter how many times you heal!
Elsa: How truly wonderful… and that's exactly why it's so sad.
Garfiel: Huh?
Elsa: You sense the presence of mabeasts, don't you? And it appears someone else is here besides your sister. Isn't your concern dulling the force of your attacks?
Garfiel: Hah! Like hell it is! Not for Boss or his buddy! No matter how many mabeasts show up, he's just gonna laugh as he sends 'em all flyin'!
The two would continue their clash, not realizing what their blows would make happen.
In the room where Otto's oil was being stored, a candle stands in the middle of the room where it sits upon a huge pool of oil.
Shaking, threatening to fall over and light the oil with each shake the mansion makes.
Kaoi's Group
The group had managed to arrive at Roswaal's office and as he opened the secret escape door.
Kaoi: Just follow the secret path to the outside and Teruo will lead you two to safety!
Otto: Right!
Petra: What about you?
Kaoi: There's one more person I have to get to before I can leave.
Petra: You mean Miss Beatrice.
Kaoi: Don't worry about me Petra. I promise… I promise I'll come back and we'll all play in the warm sun!
That seemed to reassure Petra enough that she grabbed Otto's hand. After the two left, Kaoi closes the secret door and runs through the manor. With no other threats coming for them, it should be a straight shot and Otto Suewen will have fulfilled his mission.
Exiting the office, Kaoi runs off to find the forbidden library when he notices a certain smell. The smell of smoke. Following the scent, he comes across a hallway that is set wall to wall on fire.
Kaoi: Damn it! A candle must have fallen over or something! I have to get to Beatrice!
The demon slayer runs into the fires that are consuming the once magnificent manor.
Witch's Graveyard
Emilia: Face the disaster that is yet to come.
The Half-Elf closes her eyes as she is transported into a dark void. Soon a couple bright lights rain upon her.
She sees herself standing in the Lugnica throne room but the area is in ruins. Herself stands blood ridden as she states over and over again
Future Emilia: I hate you. I hate you. I hate you so much. Since the day I met you, I've hated you so much, I can bear it.
She immediately snaps out of it and returns to the void.
Emilia: A disaster that is yet to come? Does that mean I'm looking at the future?
She had little time for respite as soon many more lights were starting to rain down. The silver haired elf braces herself as with each passing light she hears a voice. Some familiar and some unfamiliar…
Al: Sorry I couldn't kill you.
Reinhardt: Please, as a friend, I beg you…
Kaoi: I'm sorry Reinhardt, but I have to kill her.
?: You smell almost like Master. That means that you are not Master!
Wilhelm: ...you cannot even wield the sword without it, thief?!
Ram: I never knew what I had until it was taken away from me.
Rom: My precious granddaughter has grown into such a fine young lady, no?
Petra: Kaoi, I know you and Big Sis are both tired. I'm sorry and yet I ended up just weighing you down further...
Felix: Why won't the soul take hold?!
?: … and in exchange, you can overcome your body's own weakness. A pretty good bargain, wouldn't you say…
Rem: You are no sister of mine!
Crusch: Under no circumstances shall I be killed by something as nonsensical as a curse!
?: For what you have done to this family, I hate you Wilhelm.
Fredrica: I don't care that we aren't related by blood! She is my daughter!
Felt: Magic, dragons, whatever stands in my way, I'll destroy it!
Roswaal: I realized that I have not walked alone all this time, that is all.
Garfiel: I've come to kill you just like I promised, Demon Slayer Kaoi
?: Don't you see! This! This is the start of my kingdom!
Pandora: I can bring him here and it will be just as it was meant to be.
?: So you must be the magical girl who summoned me!
She was nearly overwhelmed until it all faded away into white. There standing before her is a silhouette of the maid Rem.
Rem?: I believe praying to ask for a favor is arrogant. Prayer should be for seeking forgiveness.
Then the silhouette of a man appears that Emilia doesn't recognize. Yet for some reason she feels like she should as she reaches out towards them.
Her vision blurs for a moment and when it returns, she finds herself standing in the middle of a grassy field.
Emilia: So it this…
Confused by the lack of the Greedy Witch, Emilia notices a nearby table under a parasol. With two tea cups and a plate of cookies ready. She decides to take a cookie when-
?: You will regret reaching out so readily for a feast offered by a witch.
Emilia was about to turn to see who was talking to her but that person put a finger behind her head to stop her. Whoever was behind her was certainly not Echidna.
Emilia: Who are you?
The person behind her chokes a bit before uttering
?: I'm, um... you know… a witch so terrifying, it'll make your hair stand on end!
Emilia: If you don't mind me asking, where's Echidna?
?: About that… she said she doesn't want to see you. She must have had a terrible time in the trial.
Emilia: I guess so. It seemedI hurt her really badly at the end of it.
?: I see… How did the third trial look to you?
Emilia: I saw a collection of some very sad worlds… Is that really the future?
?: It was a possible one. Of course, showing you only unpleasant futures was undoubtedly her way of bullying you.
This piece of news puts a smile on Emilia's face.
Emilia: Yeah. Echidna can be definitely mean.
?: You're content with just calling that "mean"? How can you look so relaxed?
Emilia: Huh?
?: Well, it's just weird. You saw all those terrible futures, and yet…
Emilia: But it's not guaranteed, right? A future like that is possible, but there's a chance it won't be like that. As long as I know that, it's fine. I can always fight it.
The wind starts to blow.
?: You don't think you'll break right away?
Emilia: If I was alone, maybe. But I'm not and they seem they won't let me be alone.
?: You're pretty strong. That part of you is nothing like your mother.
That really put a fire under Emilia as she tries to turn around.
Emilia: Huh?! Are you saying you know my—
But the person's finger stops her still.
?: Yes, very well in fact, but I can't tell you more. I promised I wouldn't.
She wants to push on, to ask more about her family but she relents.
Emilia: I understand. I won't ask you anything, then.
?: You're sure?
Emilia: I know what it's like when you can't say something, rather than just not wanting to. Besides… I've been blessed with another… and that mother is Mother Fortuna.
The person behind Emilia begins to shake as her voice beings to tremble.
?: I see. I guess her evil plots do good things sometimes.
Emilia: Are you... crying?
?: Don't be ridiculous! I don't cry. I don't have the right to cry now.
At this point, Emilia has had enough and decided to fully turned around.
Emilia: Hold on! What do you mean-
She was interrupted as the person that was behind her grabs her and pulls her to her chest. Sort of like a mother would to her child.
It is revealed that the person Emilia was speaking to is the Witch known to Kaoi, Minerva of Wrath.
Minerva: What did I tell you? Not turning around was the right choice. You're a bad girl.
Minerva then turns Emilia around so she faces a huge black door.
Minerva: Go straight ahead, and the trial will be over. The barrier will be opened.
The Witch of Wrath gives Emilia a small push and the half-elf grabs the door knob.
Emilia: Hey, witch… If you see Echidna, could you tell her something for me?
Minerva: What?
Emilia: Next time we meet, let's have a tea party. With you and the other witches, if possible.
Minerva gasps for a moment before happily replying with tears in her eyes.
Minerva: Alright! I'll be sure to pass that along then! And if she says no then I'll drag her there by the scruff of her neck!
With that Emilia smiles and opens the door.
Reality
Waking up on the cold stone floor, Emilia gets up and sees the door that was closed before is now open.
Walking through it, she sees several glowing lines of magic emanating from a glass coffin and as she approaches. Emilia notices
Emilia: Who is this? This should be Echidna's grave…
Despite wearing the same clothes and accessories as the witch of greed, Emilia does not recognize the woman's face. Setting those thoughts aside for now, Emilia looks up at what seems to be the source commanding the barrier.
Emilia: Wow... This is the spell generating the barrier? It's so incredible, I have no idea what it's doing.
She then notices that her hand begins to glow. She begins to instinctively feel what she needs to do.
Emilia: I think... right here.
She raises her hand into a fist as she reflects upon her trials.
With a single swing, she brings her fist down on the glass coffin. Breaking the lines of magic like they were made of glass. The spell that had held up the barrier was broken.
Emilia has fulfilled her mission.
Emilia: Seems like that ended it.
She takes one last look at the woman inside the coffin. Still wondering who she is but she puts it aside for another day.
Emilia: I need to tell all the people who are waiting for me.
The half-elf runs back to the entrance, ready to tell everyone the good news but when she reaches there she is confused.
Emilia: Huh?!
For at the entrance she is met by the sight of a harrowing blizzard
Mathers Mansion
Play Takt of Heroes - Awakening
[Clang]
Having fought as the fire grew, Garfiel managed to shatter one knife with his fist and the other with his own teeth.
Elsa discarded the bladeless knives and pulled out two cleavers.
The two were about to resume, the wall next to them crumbles as the Rock Piggie crashes through.
Meili: Come on, Rock Piggie! Get up already!
Elsa: Meili, I was hoping you'd stay out of my way.
The little girl turned to the older assassin.
Meili: Elsa?! I don't want to hear it! I had to go through so much work because you rushed things! Show a little respect, would you?!
Frederica runs through the newly formed hole in the wall.
Frederica: Garf! So this is where you were?
Garfiel: Big Sis?! Why the hell are you still here?! Shouldn't ya be with the wimp and the kid?
Frederica: I have completed the mission entrusted to me. And you shouldn't be the least bit surprised why I'm here.
Garfiel although still a bit reeling from the fact that his estranged sister stayed here for him. Figuring that out wasn't his priority.
Garfiel: You sisters sure are givin' us hell!
Elsa and Meili stood confused by the comment as if no one, not even themselves called them sisters.
Elsa: Sisters? Yes, we are sisters. So it seems that, oddly enough, both of our sibling duos are complete.
The Mabeast Tamer claps her hands and the Rock Piggie wakes up.
Elsa: Can I assume this is a good time for a fresh start?
Everyone stands in silence for a moment then Frederica notices the army of mabeasts approaching them.
Frederica: Garf, do not worry about my—
Garfiel: They say the Master Swordsman Reid laughed as he drew his sword against a dragon!
Elsa: That's an idiom used to describe someone who's crazy.
Garfiel: And don't you forget it!
With a stomp of his foot, Garfiel sent several large rocks flying at the assassin sisters. Knocking Meili from the Rock Piggie but Elsa manages to catch her.
Garfiel: That's my divine protection of earth spirits. So long as my feet are on the ground, everything I can see is within my strike range!
Elsa puts her little sister down.
Elsa: Stay where you are, Meili and don't take a single step forward.
Garfiel: Watch Big Sis, and stay behind me.
The older assassin sister and the younger beast brother approached each other across the inferno.
[Clang!]
Shield met blade once again.
Meili: [whistle!]
Deciding to help her sister, Meili signaled her mabeasts to attach.
[shish!]
Only for Frederica to intercept and tear them apart with her claws.
Frederica: Don't mind them, Garf! I will handle this one!
He smiles at his sister before blocking another slash from Elsa.
After another block, grabs her by the wrist but that gives her an opening to stab his shoulder.
Garfiel: [Screams]
The tiger screams as he transforms his arm into his great tiger's form.
Elsa had only a moment to react before Garfiel swatted her away. Taking off a chunk of her head.
Meili: Get him, Rock Piggie!
The giant mabeast charges at Garfiel head first, the tiger manages to no be trampled and take a hold of its head.
Meili: Crush him!
Garfiel: [Roars]
Pulling out his trump card, Garfiel fully transforms into the Great Tiger. Stopping the Rock Piggie in its rampage.
Garfiel: [Roars]
Jumping in the air with the Rock Piggie's head in his claws, Garfiel spins himselfs so that he twists the mabeast's head a few times.
[splash!]
And twists it off, leading it's body to spray a ton of blood from its neck.
Garfiel: [Roars]
The Tiger roars in victory over its foe.
Meili: No…Piggie..
Like the child she is, Meili calls out to her older sister figure.
Meili: Elsa! Do something!
Elsa: Goodness, what a little taskmaster you are.
The Bowel Hunter said as she got up with her head now fully healed.
Garfiel, exhausted, returned to his regular form.
Elsa: While your body becomes injured all over, my wounds continue to heal themselves. Are you starting to find it unfair?
Garfiel: Huh? I ain't broken yet. If I just keep killin' ya until you die, you'll die. Right, vampire?!
Elsa's eyes widened a bit.
Elsa: How'd you know?
Garfiel: Believe it or not. I always liked readin' books. One of the witches was a vampire a long time ago. That witch is dead, so I can kill you, too. If you swear you'll never do bad shit again, I might just let ya off the hook.
Elsa: You really are absolutely precious… Gusteko, the land to the north where I was born, was a very, very cold place.
Garfiel: grrrr….
Elsa: I was abandoned as a child. I hurt people and stole from them day after day. I had no time to think about things like living or being happy. One day, during a blizzard, I was stealing from a shop, and its owner captured me.
Garfiel: Shut up! No one asked!
Elsa: Since I was a girl, he took off both my clothes and my underclothes… But I just happened to find a shard of glass. I didn't give it any thought. I just drove it into his belly. At that moment, even as I felt like I might freeze in that blizzard. I had a thought… blood and innards are so very warm.
Garfiel: …
Elsa: If there is happiness in this world, it is the warmth that makes one forget the cold. It was the first happiness I ever found. But you can't understand that, can you?
Garfiel: If ya know that, why the hell did ya blather on about it?
Elsa: Uh… Excellent question…It must be because you're so very endearing.
Garfiel: Sorry, but there's already a girl I like. I ain't got time for some psycho bitch!
Elsa: How cold but that's all right. It's only your insides that I have business with.
Garfiel: I will kill you Elsa Granhiert
Elsa: My love for you will begin after I kill you, Garfiel Tinzel.
The tiger goes and punches Elsa in the head and twists it. Only for it to snap back to place and the wound closing up as Elsa smiles with glee.
After a few more clashes, Garfiel manages to disarm one of Elsa's blades but she then shatters his shields in one blow.
Before he could decide on his next move, Garfiel sees that the Bowel Hunter has grabbed a new weapon, a shard of glass. Fully intending on recreating her first experience.
Meili: [Screams]
Elsa: Huh!
Distracted by Meili's scream, Elsa turn to see that she is about to be crushed by some falling debris. The Bowel moves to save Meili but Frederica got to her first now in her full beast form.
She grabs the little girl by the scuff of her clothes with her mouth and leaps through a window.
Meili: Elsa!
Returning to the fight, Elsa is caught off guard as Garfiel lunges at her and bites her neck.
Returning the favor, Elsa bites Garfiel's shoulder. The two struggle on the ground as the bite harder to get the other one to stop.
Eventually, Garfiel relents and jumps away.
As Elsa lifts herself up, she touches the bite wound that is still there. Her healing ability has reached its limit. She smiles in excitement before noticing the looming shadow over her.
Garfiel had picked up the corpse of the Rock Piggie. With one throw, her chucks the hulking corpse at Elsa.
With the end being near, The Bowel Hunter reminisces back to that moment. That moment with the shopkeep in the blizzard.
Elsa: What a thrill.
Her final words before being crushed.
Garfiel has fulfilled his mission.
Sanctuary Forest
[Boom!]
Leaping away from another fire magic attack, Ram was in the range of another before a huge ice chunk blocked it.
Puck: You all right? Being too reckless is bad for you, y'know.
Ram: No need for concern. Thanks to you, Great Spirit, at least I'm able to fight.
Roswaal: I was correct to bring you outside. I can't have that place—specifically, that magic crystal—destroyed. Of course, I must commend you for replicating Kaoi's mana technique. You should still be able to achieve your goal. Will you not attempt to do so?
Ram: You mean I should ask the great spirit to stall you, and use that opening? You jest. Even if I do that, my wish will never be fulfilled.
Roswaal: Then you must know that things will only get worse if we continue. You did strike terror in me, but even a great spirit is not perfect.
Puck: I have to commend your meticulousness.
The feline spirit puts on an angry expression.
Puck: When did you put the spell on Lia?
Roswaal: Before heading for the Sanctuary. Doctoring the contract between you and Miss Emilia while she was depressed after a fight with Kaoi was simple.
Puck: Your goal in doing this was to make sure she stayed discouraged?
Roswaal: Yes. Admittedly, restricting Kaoi actions took more effort than anything else. He is the last key to the unlocking of my dearest wish. Unlike you, I am not merely testing him to see if he is worthy of my dear daughter.
Puck: Don't get cocky, witch's disciple.
Puck summons more ice crystals. Ready to be thrown at the mage.
Roswaal: Am I correct in guessing that you now remember what happened before your contract?
Puck: There are plenty of guesses you could make. But… I was remembering a man who spoke a lot like you. Is it so I'd remember that wound, or perhaps a warning? Either way, it's just backward-facing.
Roswaal: Backward-facing, indeed… Yes, of course. I am forever looking back upon the past. For me, all the wonderful things that ever happened were in the past. All that exists now is a phony standing atop a pile of corpses.
Puck: 'm not going to find fault with what you are. But...
Roswaal: Go on…
Puck: You're going to make Betty sad, Roswaal.
Roswaal:... enough, Ul Goa!
Summoning another fireball, Roswaal throws it at the two.
Puck: What a childish way to react just because I hit the bull's-eye!
Puck sends his ice crystals to intercept the fireball. Making one large ball of steam.
Ram tries to channel her magic through the sword again but-
Roswaal: Too late!
The mage emerges from the steam and intercepts Ram. Grabbing her and punching her in the stomach.
Puck: Get back!
Seeing that Puck was launching more ice chunks, Ram leaps out of the way while holding her stomach with one hand.
Puck: If you don't get up now, the next one'll hit you, and you'll lose.
Ram: You make it sound so simple...
Roswaal: I could not be more disappointed, Ram.
Breaking the ice crystals
Roswaal: I wanted you to succeed. To exact justice for your brethren and find happiness.
The oni did not respond.
Roswaal: Ram?
Ram: After repeating it so many times, after touching upon it so many times, you still haven't realized my true intentions.
Getting up, the pink maid places her hands over her chest.
Ram: I only wish I was just a demon burning with hatred in her wish to avenge her brethren. If I were only out for revenge, my heart would not hurt so. But… Master Roswaal, I… love you.
Roswaal: …[scoffs] Love me? What a joke.
Ram: I only said what I truly feel.
Roswaal: And what of Kaoi? I'm sure you noticed that our resident Demon Slayer seemed to be enamored by you. At least before now….
Ram: … I cannot deny my heart beats for him as well…
Looking at her sword.
Ram: He has done so much for me and I returned so little. I do not deserve to be the object of his affections. That is why what I do here is to both save you and to repay him!
Roswaal:...[scoffs]... Personally, I do not believe what you are saying but oh well…
Turning around Roswaal faces the unaddressed person witnessing their battle.
Roswaal: Perhaps you would like to take your sister's place and avenge your clan, Rem?
Ram: [gasps]!
Now looking behind Roswaal, Ram can see her twin sister who had been watching the whole time along with the look of horror on her face.
Ram: What are you doing?
The Mage turns his head to look at the pink maid once again with a smug look.
Roswaal: Giving her a chance to avenge your brethren, of course. It is only fair after all.
Rem: Ram…? What does he mean by "avenging our brethren"?
Roswaal: Tell me, Rem, how much of the situation do you know?
Rem: Only that Lord Roswaal is behind disasters occurring at the Mansion and here…
Roswaal: Do you know why that is…
Rem: Because you have a book- that is similar to the gospels of the witch cult despite not being a member yourself…
Roswaal: Good, Kaoi informed you well… I have been following the Tome of Wisdom to fulfill a certain wish of mine. I had to do many things to get to this point including…
Ram: [gasps] No! Master Roswaal! Don't-
Roswaal: Procuring two oni children after the destruction of their village.
Rem: You mean…
Roswaal: That I knew your home was going to be attacked by the witch cult! And I waited at the last moment so I can recruit the two of you as servants. All for the purpose of fulfilling my wish….
Ram: Rem….
The blue oni stood there unresponsive.
[crackle]
Pink electricity starts emanating from her forehead as her horn takes form.
Ram: No! Rem stop-
However the maid was not listening as she summons her morningstar and swings it at Roswaal who dodges it.
The blue oni was seeing red.
Roswaal: [laughs] Yes! This is more like it!
Ram: Rem!
Puck: That was clever of Roswaal.
Ram: Huh?
Puck: Don't you see, Ram. He's making you choose. Either you join your sister and kill him to avenge your clan or…
Ram: I stop my sister from killing the man who let our home burn.
Puck: That's right. So now the question is who are you gonna choose… your Master…
Roswaal: [laughs]
Puck: Or your sister?
Rem: RAHHHH!
Ram: Master Roswaal… or Rem….
Falling to her knees, the Pink maid felt trapped as the man she loves and the only other person she cares about in the world are fighting. She couldn't choose. Not between the two of them.
This shouldn't be happening. She had planned it out so she could face Roswaal alone and Rem should have stayed by Miss Emilia's side.
Ram: What should I do…
Kaoi: Set your heart ablaze!
Ram: [gasps]
Puck: Ram?
Ram: I can't help but care about him and I will always look after my sister. So I will fight this game Master Roswaal has me in! Just like Bakaoi is right now! [focused breathing]
Soon mana starts channeling into the sword.
Puck: Should I assume you have a plan?
Ram: Yes. Can I count on your cooperation?
Puck: Of course! Next to my beloved daughter, it's girls in love that I'll always side with!
Roswaal: Yes! Rem! Come at me with all you got!
Rem: AHHHHHH!
Just as Rem was about to swing her morningstar again. The two were then stopped in their tracks as snow began blowing around them.
Puck: Sorry about breaking up this little feud but I have a job to do!
When the snow stopped blowing, Rem and Roswaal found themselves surrounded by large ice crystals with no sight of each other.
Ram: Rem!
Rem: Huh!
Looking over the blue oni sees multiple reflections of her supposed twin sister.
Rem: How could you! How could you, Ram!
Ram: Sister, this is more complicated than-
Rem: Than nothing! He let our home burn! He let out let everyone we knew-
Ram: You mean everyone that scorned and spurred you for being different from the rest of them!
Rem: [screams]
The blue oni clutches her head as she tries to recollect her memories of the oni village.
Ram: Had I not defended us, we would have been executed for being twins with one horn each. Only our parents truly loved us without any expectations
Rem: And then you have the gall to love the man who let them die!
[crash!]
She swings her morningstar at her sister's reflection. Crushing any ice crystal in her way.
Ram: I do feel as if I've wronged them. I cannot help that I love him but I also love you. I will prioritize my own feelings over those of the dead.
Rem: RAHHHHH!
Meanwhile with Roswaal, he had been blasting away at the ice crystals that held the reflections of Puck that surrounded him when he felt a familiar presence.
Puck: Where are you looking?
Roswaal:It can't be...
Turning around, Roswaal braced himself for the worst but was instead dumbfounded as Puck simply made himself the size of his true form.
Puck: Surprise! I just got bigger, that's all!
He launches two large ice chunks at Roswaal. He punches one into piece and does the same to the other one with a kick.
Putting his hands together, Roswaal lets out a huge blast of fire magic obliterating the huge visage of Puck and the ice that surrounded him.
Recovering from being in the radius of the blast, Rem spots Roswaal standing in the center but when she goes to attack.
A huge ice crystal appeared in her path.
Rem: No!
Puck: Sorry but I can't let you pass!
Roswaal turned his head and was momentarily distracted by the commotion. A moment was all that Ram needed.
Slicing the huge chunk of ice with her sword, Ram came at Roswaal from behind fully powered via use of synesthesia and borrowed Rem's horn.
With all her might, Ram thrusts her sword at the margrave.
Standing unharmed, Roswaal was confused on why that is and turns around to see the pink maid as she kneels from exhaustion and coughs up blood.
Roswaal: How could you!
Ram: As far as I'm concerned,
She then lifts up her blade as the Tome of Wisdom is pierced at the end.
Ram: This is the root of all… evil.
Roswaal screams at Ram to stop but she pays no heed to her master. She channels wind magic though the blade and the black book was instantly shredded.
As the remaining pieces fall into the flames, Ram softly smiles.
Ram: Now it's done. At last…
Ram has fulfilled her mission.
Rem: RAAAHHHHH!
The blue maid swings her weapons one last time at the great spirit before he disappears. Destroying the last ice chunk in her way.
Puck: Looks like my time is up!
With that the spirit leaves. Allowing Rem to see Ram kneeling as a large fireball was heading at her from behind.
Rem: [gasps] Ram!
The blue maid rushes over to her sister. Just as she was within reach of the pink oni-
[Boom]
The attack lands, engulfing both in flames.
Author's Note
Wow! What an amazing chapter to write. I hope you all enjoyed the action. I especially liked how I handled the Rem v Ram & Puck v Roswaal battle at the end. Just three more chapters to go!
Anyway, feel free to leave any thoughts and feedback in the comments. Have a good day!
Post Credit Scene
Elsewhere
Play Gyutaro and Daki Emotional Theme
Elsa: Where am I?
No longer finding herself in the burning manor that belongs to her employer. The Bowel Hunter finds herself instead standing in a black void.
Elsa: I remember fighting and….
Her mind flashes as she recalls the corpse of Meili's Rock Pig being thrown at her.
Elsa: That's right… I suppose then this is supposed to be the afterlife… More empty than I thought…
Walking for what seems to be an indefinite amount of time, Elsa takes this chance to reflect upon her life.
Not when she was homeless and living off the streets. The time she considered herself living was when she discovered the warmth of people's inside.
Even now she can recall her early victims.
A traveling merchant.
A random demi-human.
A young couple in love.
All of them, she still remembers how warm the bowels felt. She had done it long enough that People had started calling her the Bowel Hunter even though no one knew how she looked like. She became almost like a frightful legend for parents to tell to their children.
Then came that fateful night.
Elsa: I knew something was off about that man…
As usual she did her stalking for new prey when she came across a lone man walking alone at night. She smelled something weird about him but she shrugged it off.
Elsa: I should have trusted my instincts…
The next thing Elsa knew, she was lying on her face in a pool of her blood. Beaten and broken within an inch of her life. She tried to get up only for her head to be stomped into the snow by a small foot.
?: So this was the naughty stray that was giving my children a hard time.
It all happened so fast, Elsa still couldn't believe that she witnessed the man morphing into a petite child with Golden Hair and Scarlet Eyes.
[crack!]
Elsa: [Screams]
She still remembered how she screamed in pain when the little girl took her time in breaking her fingers.
Although Elsa would be able to heal from this, that fact made the little girl sadistically giggle as this means she could continue her punishment.
?: Now, now, don't be like that…
She then lifts Elsa's chin so she can look at her sadistic expression.
?: Afterall it's a mother's duty to discipline her children.
Like that, Elsa had been "adopted' by Mother.
Mother…
Elsa's eyes spotted the red glow of flames as she seemed to have reached her destination.
If there was a silver line in all of this…
It was the fact that she wouldn't be punished for failing the assignment.
But for Meili…
Elsa reflects upon her time with the little girl. Ever since she found her in nothing but rags that long ago.
Elsa: Demon Slayer… if you could hear my words from beyond my grave… Please grant Meili mercy and give her a swift end…. To spare her from Mother's wrath…
With those final words, Elsa Granhiert the Bowel Hunter of Gusteko walks into the inferno.
Next Time
Play Next Time on One Piece
Kaoi: Now that Elsa and Meili are taken care of. All that is left is getting Beatrice before this mansion burns down to the ground.
Beatrice: When will you listen, Betty's student. This is Betty's wish, I suppose.
Emilia: Well things are getting hectic around here. This snowstorm appeared out of nowhere and everyone is getting scared. With Kaoi away, I have to help everyone keep calm.
Kaoi: Next Time on Re: Slayer - The Flame Tsuguko in Another World, Chapter 39: A Spirit's Choice. See you there!