Chapter 2
Elsa was walking back towards her temporary home in the capital of Lugunica, hoping to take her target off guard due to the plan she had planned with the thief to steal her target's precious insignia.
"Why waste my time tracking her down when I can merely hire some random thief to steal it for me? And it was so easy since all they desire is money to leave this place." Elsa said to herself as she chuckled before seeing Meili outside of their temporary base. She saw a man speaking to her until the two turned to look at her approaching the home.
"Ah. You must be this child's big sister, correct?" Subaru asked as Elsa narrowed her eyes at the boy before nodding in response.
"Yes. Meili is my little sister, and I would like to know who you are as well as how you met my sister."
"Ah, well, my name is Subaru Natsuki. My apologies, but I'm new to Lugunica, and sadly, I found this little girl all alone without any adult supervision, so I wanted to make sure she was returned to her family." Subaru said that Elsa could detect no false signs of information coming from his words, but that doesn't mean she couldn't trust him.
"I see. Thank you for taking care of Meili." Elsa said as Meili smiled and hugged Elsa by the waist before the older woman gently smiled down at her until she told her to wait inside the house. Meili did so while Elsa then looked at Subaru before seeing that he was sitting on a comfortable box.
"It was no problem, but she did tell me that you were hired to kill a woman named Emilia, the silver-haired half-elf that is a candidate for the throne of Lugunica, yes?" Subaru asked as Elsa's eyes widened in shock and confusion as to why Meili would tell a stranger this before Subaru merely smiled and replied.
"Now, don't worry. I'm not going to arrest you or anything. In fact, I want to hire you." Subaru said as he spoke to Elsa about the business proposal, which shocked Elsa before Subaru began to explain the proposal.
"My proposal is simple. I want you to work under me as my subordinate and tell me everything you know, and in return, I'll grant you three wishes." Subaru said as he held up three fingers, which shocked Elsa since all this man wanted was information about the world in exchange for wishes.
"How am I supposed to trust you, much less believe what you say?" Elsa asked as Subaru pondered as he replied.
"You make a point. In that case, then how about a trial? I assist you in dealing with any witnesses in your little extermination mission, and if I impress you, then you'll accept my deal?" Subaru asked as he held out a hand for Elsa before the assassin saw that having an outsider's help deal with the witnesses she couldn't get to would be beneficial. Hence, she shook his hand, unaware of the chain that wrapped around her hand as it then extended to her mind.
"Excellent! This is the start of a wonderful partnership." Subaru said as Elsa nodded before the two entered the house. Elsa began to speak to Subaru on everything from the Royal Selection to the candidates of said selection to the past of the former Royal Family that died mysteriously, to even her and Meili's origin story.
Subaru remained silent as he absorbed all of this information like a sponge soaked up water before he had a look of melancholy on his face as he heard their origin stories.
"Oh my. That must've been not very pleasant for you two. Being under the control of such an awful person who doesn't give a shit about you two and decides to use you as tools? How truly cruel to an amazing woman and such a sweet child as you two." Subaru said as he then saw Elsa sigh as she replied.
"Indeed, but there's no one who can stand up to her, so I just swallow my pride and dignity and let her do as she pleases," Elsa said as Subaru was silent before he changed the subject by asking what she knew about the capitals classes and such before Elsa then explained the ways of the upper class and lower class citizens and the discrimination of the DemiHumans who are basically treated as enslaved people, servants, or any other lowly position.
Subaru narrowed his eyes at this as he recalled seeing many innocent children and adults being forced to work in such terrible circumstances given their heritage or work, which was what he desired to change in his new world since he felt saddened when he heard of the Chainsaw Man's origin story and desired to make sure no child would ever be left in the streets to die alone and unwanted by anyone.
Subaru then looked at Meili sleeping on her bed before Subaru gently patting her head. He then looked at Elsa, who was amazed by how gentle he was with Meili, before speaking to her.
"I am well aware of how cruel life can be when it comes to life. I wasn't raised in poverty like you. Still, I was able to see so much sadness and depression in the slums of my world that it sickened me that the world merely forgot about them, so I decided that in the new world, I desire to create a world where the children are able to gain not only an education, a home but also a family that will love them and nurture them into amazing people. That is my dream." Subaru said. Elsa was amazed by this; as the wind began to blow into the house, Subaru's form began to move in a fantasy direction, with Elsa seeing that he wasn't an ordinary man.
No, he was a man who had a goal and a dream he wished to fulfill.
A man who was worthy of becoming a king.
"Then I would be honored to help you, Your Majesty," Elsa said as Subaru smiled at her before sitting down beside Elsa and speaking to her.
"Now, why don't we discuss how to deal with this, shall we?" Subaru said that he was going to enjoy this since he always enjoyed playing the villain role that people thought he was, and while Subaru will admit that he has killed before, he never raised a hand to one that was innocent or did him no wrong.
And just like that, Subaru has gained a powerful follower to help him in his goal to recreate the world he desires in this world.
Later at the Trading Post.
Elsa was smiling as she walked into the Trading Post and smiled at the small thief girl as she handed a small pouch of gold coins to the duo; however, just as she was about to take the insignia, a voice stopped her.
"Wait! That doesn't belong to you. Give it back." Emilia, the silver-haired half-elf, said as Elsa raised a brow and replied.
"I'm afraid I hired her to take the insignia, and now it's mine since I paid for it, so unfortunately, it doesn't belong to you now," Elsa said as she taunted Emilia by waving it in her face before Emilia then pulled out a purse as she then placed a few coins on the table.
"Then I'll buy it back from you," Emilia said. Elsa smiled as she knew that this was what her future ruler and king would do.
"Then I'm afraid we have reached an impasse. My boss hired me to take the insignia from you and bring it back as proof, so I'm afraid I can't just give it to you." Elsa said as Emilia let Puck out. The two were ready to fight, which is just what Elsa wanted, as Emilia replied to her.
"Then I guess we'll have to take it back by force," Emilia said as Elsa chuckled at her as if the girl said a funny joke before pulling out two knives from underneath her cloak.
"I'd like to see you try," Elsa said as Old Man Rom roared as he tried to slam his club into the woman, but the assassin merely dodged the attack. Felt then tried to strike her using her Blessing of Wind to give her more speed.
However, it was in vain as Elsa saw the attack and grabbed Felt's head before slamming her into the counter and throwing her back at Old Man Rom.
Rom caught her as he then placed Felt behind him. "Run while I hold her off and go find someone to take her down."
"B-But I can't just leave you!" Felt shouted as Rom then tried to strike Elsa, but she weaved around his attacks before Emilia blocked her path thanks to Puck shooting ice spikes her way.
"You don't stand a chance against her, so run and don't look back!" Old man Rom shouted as Felt clenched her fists before running with her Blessing of the Wind, avoiding Elsa, who didn't seem to care about her fleeing.
"Well then, now shall we take this seriously? I'm starting to get bored here." Elsa said as she looked at the giant man before zipping past Emilia and Puck and stabbing Old Man Rom multiple times. The giant staggered a bit until Elsa looped off his head with her knives, which frightened Emilia as she then generated more of her ice magic.
"You'll pay for that!" Emilia shouted as she fired more ice spikes at Elsa, who didn't seem fazed by this. She continued to slice through the ice magic before scaling around the ground and buildings to make her target look at her and only her.
'That's it, little girl. Keep your eyes only on me.' Elsa said in her mind as Emilia kept trying to stab her with her ice magic until she felt something bite her neck.
CHOMP!
"Ah!" Emilia yelled as she grabbed her neck and saw that she killed a spider that had bitten her.
"Are you okay, Emilia?" Puck asked as he kept up the pressure on Elsa before Emilia shook it off and nodded before feeling strange as she collapsed on the ground with a dazed look in her eyes, shocking Puck before Elsa smiled at the cat with a cocky grin as she then pointed to the setting Sun.
"Looks like time is up for you, little spirit," Elsa said as Puck tried to remain in the world a bit longer. Still, his contract prevented him from doing anything about it, so he used the last of his magic to create a barrier between Emilia and Elsa before he teleported back into his crystal.
Now, normally, Elsa could've easily destroyed the barrier that the spirit put up and killed Emilia, but her new boss had some use for her.
"I'm surprised you didn't disobey Lord Subaru and kill her," Felt said as she came out of the alleyway, but Elsa wasn't so easily deceived when she saw the spider mark in her left eye.
"I wouldn't betray my boss's orders, plus I was curious if you would've been able to claim that girl's body or not since I have never actually seen a being possess another." Elsa said as 'Felt' innocently smiled as she responded to Elsa.
"Demons are capable of many things, and once you fully become a Fiend, then you'll be able to do many things that go beyond your body's capabilities." 'Felt,' she said as she left Elsa to report back to Meili then shattered the barrier easily and recalled what Subaru told her.
"Emilia is worthless as a Pawn in the long run, but she does have some purpose. Make sure you don't kill her and have the pink-haired maid take her back when I send her your way."
Elsa wasn't sure what her boss was thinking, but before she could ponder anymore about Subaru's words, some steps were heard.
"Come this way! She's over here!" Subaru's voice shouted as he appeared with the said pink-haired maid and the Sword Saint himself, Reinhardt Van Astraea.
Elsa smiled as she then took a bow. "My apologies, but I'm needed elsewhere. I've already completed what I had to do. Farewell."
Elsa then took out a small bead before crushing it, and the whole area became covered in smoke, which blinded the trio temporarily until it cleared to reveal that Elsa Grandheirt was gone from sight.
'Not bad. Elsa made good use of the smokescreen I made for her.' Subaru said in his mind as Reinhardt looked at Subaru and thanked him.
"I thank you for informing me of The Bowel Hunter's whereabouts, Subaru Natsuki. You not only prevented one of the Dragon Sage Candidates dying, but you also saved that little girl as well, granted there is one casualty that we must report." Reinhardt said as he looked at the body of Old Man Rom.
"I do apologize for not informing you sooner, but you were difficult to reach out to. The blame is on my shoulders." Subaru said as he bowed his head to apologize while Ram picked up Emilia.
"I'll be taking Lady Emilia back to the Roswell mansion to make sure there are no injuries. I thank you for your assistance, Sword Saint." Ram said as she then left before turning back to Subaru.
"But I would also like to bring him along with me so he may receive compensation for saving Lady Emilia's life," Ram said as Reinhardt allowed it. Still, his eyes quickly caught Subaru's hands brushing against the insignia that Emilia had, and it then shined a bright red light in front of all three of them.
Reinhardt was shocked to see that the final one to participate in the Royalty wasn't another woman but instead a boy of unknown origins.
"I do apologize, Subaru Natsuki, but I'm afraid I can't let you go with Lady Emilia," Reinhardt said as Subaru then asked why not before Reinhardt knocked out Subaru by pressing a pressure point on his neck lightly, knocking him out, at least to the Sword Saint, before he escorted Subaru back to his mansion.
"What?!" Ram shouted at the knight, "You can't just do something like that and keep quiet! I demand to know why you changed your mind."
Ram glared at Reinhard with a wrathful glare, showing how determined she was to obtain answers as she stood in front of Subaru.
Even though Reinhard asked with an incredibly polite behavior worthy of the "knight among knights," he was, his serious expression and gaze didn't help to reassure the Oni maid.
Seeing how much the situation seemed off for most, Reinhard decided to clarify as much as he could.
"Don't worry, Ram-sama. This is not something that could bring harm upon him, but...Something that I cannot let pass without further investigation."
Ram raised her eyebrow in confusion and incomprehension. She wanted to know more and push her investigation further, but it wasn't possible as of now. Reinhard walked forward as he picked up Subaru in a bridal style.
Seeing this, 'Felt' could not help but let out a small chuckle at the ridiculous sight as she watched her master get carried by the Sword Saint, whom she knew thanks to the girl's memories.
He approached Ram with the insignia in hand and presented it to her; the red jewel shined brilliantly, something that made Reinhard only frown more.
It represented what was at stake.
"I shall contact you once I'll be sure everything is in order."
The knight bowed to Ram, who wordlessly gazed at him once she accepted the insignia, walking away with Emilia's savior with him.
As he walked out, the clouds dispersed to let the moon shine brilliantly above him, as if it was watching over the knight and the boy making their way to the Astrea mansion. Reinhard looked up to meet the white orb with his sky blue irises, narrowing them, thinking about the recent events and, most importantly, the moment the jewel shone.
"Tonight…Might be our last chance to gaze calmly at the moon," whispering wearily, Reinhard van Astrea lamented the moments of past events and worriedly thought about the future, feeling a more significant weight placed upon him that is greater than the noble-hearted boy being carried in his arms, or perhaps it was the feeling of heaviness that carrying this boy's destiny in his arms would feel like.
Later.
Subaru slowly opened his eyes as he looked around the room he was in before he cracked his neck with a sigh of relief.
"Mm. That feels much better." Subaru said as he saw that he was in a new room with his old clothes off of his body before seeing that he was in a nightgown of sorts.
'This is something I didn't see coming.' Subaru said in his mind as he then closed his eyes and spoke to his comrade.
'Princi. Where are you?' Subaru asked as he then saw the window open from the outside as Princi emerged into the room.
"Apologies for being late to awaken you, Subaru-sama, but I wanted to make sure the Sword Saint didn't interrupt us," Princi said as Subaru merely patted her head and replied.
"It's fine, Princi, though I am surprised he brought me here. Do you think he knows of my powers?"
"No. Reinhardt doesn't seem to notice your powers or your contracts with Elsa and Meili."
"I see. Then do you have any idea why Reinhardt brought me here after 'knocking' me out?" Subaru said as he wasn't really knocked out but pretended to be so he wouldn't have to deal with the chatter.
"I believe it has to do with the insignia. From what I recalled about the insignia from Felt's memories but also Elsa's, it appears that the shining light emitting from the insignia is undeniable proof that you are recognized as the final candidate for the position of 42nd ruler of the dragon kingdom of Lugunica." Princi said as Subaru's eyes widened before smiling at the idea that appeared in his mind.
"Oh really? Ruler of Lugunica? Now, that sounds like a great start to my plans to create the world I desire." Subaru said as he imagined standing in the throne room rebuilding Lugunica in his image with Princi, Elsa, Meilia, and the other Fiends he creates until that time comes.
"Now, before I lose focus, have Elsa and Meili returned to their 'mother?'" Subaru asked as Princi nodded before Subaru smiled. He then summoned a crystal orb from his storage before looking at Elsa and Meili reporting to their 'mother.'
"Then that means that Phase One is starting to begin. Oh, I can't wait to see what the future holds for us, Princi. What do you say?" Subaru asked as Princi smiled and bowed before him.
"I, Princi, the Spider Demon, give all of myself to you to use as you see fit. I only ask that you do not abandon me, Subaru Natsuki, the Demon King." Princi said as Subaru smiled at the loyal demon before patting her head and hugging her.
"I will never abandon you, Princi. We're in this together. All the way." Subaru Natsuki said as the full moon shone brightly through his window as if the moon gave Subaru its support as well.
And from that point on, the Demon King would begin his quest to build his world in another world!
Scene!
I hope you like it and don't forget to Follow, Favorite, and leave a review since Subaru will be there to save the children of Arlam Village, but there may be a death or two in the arc due to a certain Oni going berserk after smelling his scent.
Subaru Natsuki does have kindness in his heart, but only to those who are loyal to him and who he trusts with all his being to watch his back like Princi.
See you all later. Ta-Ta!~