Mine Greed Connoisseur!
Subaru smirked faintly as he stood amidst the swirling sands, the air heavy with tension. His body moved with a fluidity that felt almost foreign, guided by the pulse of his newfound Authority. He'd decided on a name for it: [ Lion's Veil ] . A mockery of Regulus's Lion's Heart but also a quiet acknowledgment of the twisted power it represented.
The ability was deceptively simple at its core—slashes and cuts, invisible but devastating, arcing out to meet his opponent's every move. Yet there was a nuance to it that Subaru was quickly learning. Its strength wasn't raw or unrestrained; it relied entirely on Subaru's emotions, his deep-seated will to win. The more resolute his desire, the more precise and overwhelming the slashes became. But therein lay the problem.
He wasn't sure he wanted to kill Reid.
Reid, who stood across from him, brushing sand from his bloodied cheek, was still grinning like this was the best fight of his afterlife. The Sword God was battered but unfazed, and the blood dripping from his cuts only seemed to invigorate him.
"Lion's Veil, huh?" Reid called out, his tone amused as he licked a bit of blood from his lip. "Fittin' name, I'll give ya that. But if yer gonna borrow somethin' from that pompous bastard, ya better use it right!"
Subaru's grip tightened as he focused his gaze on Reid. Another wave of slashes surged forward, the air shimmering faintly as the Authority manifested. Each cut was sharp, deliberate, slicing toward Reid with precision. Reid dodged most, his movements impossibly fast, but a few connected—thin red lines appearing across his arms and torso.
"Not bad, Omee," Reid said, his grin widening as he planted the wyrm tooth into the sand for a moment. "But ya ain't tryin' to kill me, are ya?"
Subaru froze for a split second, his eyes narrowing. "What makes you say that?"
Reid tapped his temple, smirking. "These cuts hurt, sure, but they're not fatal. They're precise, controlled—like yer holdin' back. That Authority of yours knows it too. It's only as strong as yer will to win. If yer not all in, it's never gonna reach me where it counts."
Subaru gritted his teeth. Reid wasn't wrong. The Authority seemed to respond to his inner turmoil, reflecting his hesitation in its attacks. Each slash was sharp and intentional but lacked the ferocity needed to end the fight.
"C'mon, Omee," Reid said, hefting the wyrm tooth onto his shoulder again. "Yer fightin' me like yer afraid of what happens if ya win. That's no way to use Greed. Either ya want somethin', or ya don't. So what is it? You gonna finish me off, or are ya just dancin' around?"
Subaru clenched his fists, the invisible arms of Invisible Providence hovering protectively behind him as Lion's Veil shimmered faintly in the air. He didn't answer immediately, his mind racing. Did he want to kill Reid? The man was clearly testing him, pushing him to his limits, but there was no malice in his actions. If anything, Reid seemed more like an enthusiastic teacher than an enemy.
But the Authority didn't care about Reid's intentions. It cared about Subaru's.
He exhaled slowly, the Authority humming in his veins as another wave of slashes surged forward. This time, the cuts were faster, sharper, and closer to their mark. Reid's grin faltered slightly as he blocked one with the wyrm tooth, the force of the impact pushing him back a step.
"That's more like it!" Reid bellowed, his laughter echoing across the dunes. "Now yer startin' to get it, Omee! Fight me like ya mean it!"
Subaru's heart pounded as he focused every ounce of his will into the Authority. The invisible slashes grew more relentless, weaving through the air in unpredictable patterns. Reid was pushed to his limits, dodging and parrying with skill born of centuries of experience.
But still, none of the strikes were fatal.
Subaru's hesitation lingered, his resolve faltering even as his attacks grew more intense. Lion's Veil recognized his uncertainty, its precision unwavering but its power restrained. The fight hung in a delicate balance, and Subaru knew that unless he made a decision—unless he fully committed—he wouldn't win.
Reid, noticing the subtle shift in Subaru's energy, chuckled softly as he leaned on the wyrm tooth. "Ya better figure it out quick, Omee. Fight like this, and yer Authority's gonna make the choice for ya."
Subaru's breath hitched at the warning, the weight of Reid's words sinking in. If he didn't decide, the Authority might decide for him. And that was a risk he couldn't afford to take.
Reid let out a long, exasperated sigh, his grin faltering as he stood amid the swirling sands, his wyrm tooth resting casually on his shoulder. "Alright, Omee," he said, his tone light but tinged with a sharp edge of impatience. "If yer not gonna figure this out on yer own, I guess I'll just have to speed things up for ya."
Before Subaru could even process the words, Reid vanished, his body moving at blinding speed. In an instant, Subaru felt the crushing force of Reid's boot slamming into his chest, sending him hurtling back into the sand. He hit the ground hard, the air knocked from his lungs as the pain radiated through his body.
"Here's the thing, Omee," Reid said, now standing over Subaru, his grin returning as he twirled the jagged wyrm tooth in his hand. "I could finish this whenever I want. But where's the fun in that? Nah, I think I'll take my time. Teach ya a thing or two."
Subaru struggled to push himself up, his breaths shallow and labored, but Reid didn't give him a chance. With a casual swing of the wyrm tooth, he slashed across Subaru's chest, the jagged edge tearing through fabric and skin. Pain erupted through Subaru's body, a searing, visceral agony that made his vision blur.
Reid crouched beside him, his grin widening as he grabbed one of Subaru's arms and pulled sharply, bending it at an unnatural angle. Subaru cried out, the sound raw and guttural, as the Sword God continued his cruel game.
"Don't look at me like that," Reid said, his voice almost playful as he twisted Subaru's wrist. "I'm just helpin' ya find yer limits. If ya wanna play with the big boys, ya gotta learn to handle the pressure."
The torment continued, Reid pulling at Subaru's limbs with brutal precision, his strength overwhelming. Subaru's mind swam with pain and fury, his vision swimming as he writhed beneath Reid's unrelenting grip. Every fiber of his being screamed in defiance, the pulse of [Lion's Veil] growing stronger with each passing second.
"C'mon, Omee," Reid taunted, leaning closer. "Is this all ya got? Where's that fire I saw earlier? Don't tell me yer givin' up already."
Subaru's teeth clenched, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The Authority of Greed stirred within him, its rhythm intensifying as his emotions surged.
Anger. Defiance. A desperate, burning will to survive. It all coalesced into a single, overwhelming force, the invisible slashes of [Lion's Veil] suddenly becoming sharper, faster, and far more dangerous.
Reid's grin faltered for the first time as he felt it—a sudden shift in the air, a deadly precision behind the strikes. The invisible blades lashed out, carving deep gashes into the sand around him, the force sending shockwaves through the battlefield. One of the slashes caught Reid across the arm, drawing blood as the Sword God let out a low whistle.
"Well, now," Reid said, his voice quieter but no less amused. "Looks like ya finally found it."
Subaru's body trembled as he forced himself to his feet, the jagged wound on his chest still bleeding but ignored. His eyes burned with a fierce determination, his stance steady despite the pain wracking his body. The invisible arms of [Invisible Providence] hovered protectively behind him, while the slashes of [Lion's Veil] crackled with raw energy in the air around him.
"No more games," Subaru said, his voice low but filled with an unmistakable resolve. "You wanted me to fight seriously? Fine. Let's end this."
Reid's grin returned, wider and wilder than ever, as he hefted the wyrm tooth onto his shoulder. "That's more like it, Omee! Now let's see if ya can keep up!"
The battle had shifted. What started as a brutal game of cat and mouse had turned into something raw, visceral, and undeniably dangerous. Subaru moved with unrelenting precision, his invisible slashes of [Lion's Veil] cutting through the air like death's whisper. Every strike was aimed to overwhelm Reid, forcing the Sword God to step up his game or risk being overtaken.
Subaru's breaths were ragged, but his focus was razor-sharp. His injuries burned, his chest and limbs screaming in protest, but he pressed forward, the Authority of Greed pulsing in his veins. He had to win. There was no room for doubt, no space for hesitation.
Reid, meanwhile, was grinning like a madman, his golden eyes alight with excitement. He blocked another invisible slash with the wyrm tooth, the makeshift weapon cracking slightly under the strain. "Yer really somethin', Omee!" Reid shouted, his voice booming over the battlefield. "Never thought ya'd push me this far!"
Subaru didn't respond. He was done with banter. His strikes came faster, sharper, forcing Reid to dodge and weave with movements that blurred in the desert heat. The Sword God's grin began to waver as he felt the noose tightening, the relentless assault of [Lion's Veil] driving him back step by step.
Then, it happened.
The Holy Dragon Sword strapped to Reid's back began to glow faintly, its ethereal light piercing through the shifting sands. Subaru's eyes flicked to the blade, his heart skipping a beat as the radiant energy grew stronger, its hum filling the air with an almost musical resonance.
Reid noticed it too, pausing mid-step as he turned to glance at the sword. For a moment, his grin faded, replaced by a look of mild surprise. "Well, I'll be damned," he muttered, reaching back to grip the hilt. "Guess this thing's got a mind of its own, after all."
Subaru's body tensed, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for whatever came next. "What are you—?"
Reid interrupted with a booming laugh, his grin returning full force as he unsheathed the glowing sword in a single, fluid motion. The light from the blade was blinding, its aura crackling with an ancient, almost divine energy that made the very air vibrate.
"Ya did it, Omee!" Reid roared, holding the sword aloft like a king declaring victory. "Ya forced me to use this bad boy—my final tool! I didn't think ya had it in ya, but here we are! Ya broke my limits!"
Subaru's stomach sank as he stared at the sword, its radiant energy unlike anything he'd ever encountered. The blade seemed alive, its glow pulsating in rhythm with Reid's own heartbeat, as if it were an extension of the Sword God himself.
Reid pointed the sword at Subaru, his grin wider than ever. "This ain't just a sword, Omee. This thing's got a soul of its own, and right now, it's burnin' to finish this fight! So c'mon—show me what ya got!"
Subaru clenched his fists, the invisible arms of [Invisible Providence] flexing behind him, while the slashes of [Lion's Veil] hung in the air like specters. He took a deep breath, steadying his resolve as he prepared for what was coming.
"Fine," Subaru muttered, his voice steady but tinged with a sharp edge. "You want me to fight you at my best? Then don't regret it when I do."
Reid laughed, the sound echoing across the battlefield as he lunged forward, the glowing blade slicing through the air with terrifying speed. The fight had reached its climax, and both fighters knew there was no turning back.
The heat of the battle reached its apex as Subaru, bloodied and battered, stood firm against the indomitable force that was Reid Astrea. The Sword God's grin was feral, the radiant light of the Holy Dragon Sword blazing with an intensity that seemed to tear the very air apart. The sands beneath their feet shifted wildly, caught in the maelstrom of their clashing wills.
Reid leveled the glowing blade toward Subaru, his golden eyes burning with anticipation. "Let's see it, Omee!" he bellowed, his voice ringing across the battlefield. "Show me what yer Authority's really worth! Gimme everything ya got, or this is where it ends!"
Subaru's breathing was ragged, his vision blurring, but his mind was sharper than ever. The Authority of Greed surged within him, the pulse of its power synchronizing with his heartbeat, its rhythm like the tolling of a great bell. This was it—the breaking point. The moment he could no longer hold back.
His lips moved, the words coming to him unbidden, as if whispered by the Authority itself.
"Unbid by everything that matters…" Subaru began, his voice low but growing with each word, a chant that echoed with a power far beyond his own. The world seemed to still, the air thickening with an oppressive weight.
Reid froze mid-step, his grin faltering as the air around Subaru began to distort, cracks appearing in the fabric of reality itself.
"…reach unto the soul and take what is not to take."
Subaru's eyes glowed faintly, the Authority coursing through him like a tempest, his body trembling under the strain of its unrelenting force.
"Crush this world and all beneath me."
The sands beneath Subaru's feet rippled outward, spiraling into a vortex as his power surged to its peak. The Authority of Greed, now fully unleashed, manifested around him in layers of shimmering, cutting force—slashes that hung in the air like spectral blades, poised to strike at a moment's notice.
"Heir to an empire unbound, give me all that I can take… and then sum owed."
With those final words, Subaru's voice boomed like thunder, and the Authority ignited in a blinding flash of energy. The slashes converged, layers upon layers of invisible strikes combining into a singular, overwhelming attack. The ground trembled, and the sands roared as they were thrown into the air like a tidal wave.
"Lion's Veil—!" Subaru roared, and the multitudes of slashes surged forward in a massive arc, their power converging into a devastating crescendo.
Reid's grin returned, wild and unyielding, as he raised the Holy Dragon Sword to meet the onslaught. The blade's radiant light intensified, clashing head-on with the tidal wave of Subaru's Authority.
And then—everything turned white.
The light consumed the battlefield, erasing all color, all sound, and all sense of space. For a moment, there was nothing but the pure, overwhelming brilliance of their combined powers. Time itself seemed to stop, the world holding its breath as the clash reached its apex.
When the light began to fade, the battlefield was unrecognizable. The sands had been carved away, the once-shifting dunes now reduced to a flat, glass-like surface. Subaru stood at the center, his body trembling, blood dripping from his wounds, his vision blurred but his spirit unbroken.
The aftermath of the clash was felt far beyond the shattered sands of the Agurā Dunes. The shockwave rippled outward from the center of Subaru and Reid's battle, its force tearing through the fabric of the desert and creating an upheaval that spread across the region. A deafening roar echoed as the ground cracked and shifted, sending tremors far and wide, shaking the very foundation of the Pleiades Watchtower.
Within the tower, the air was thick with tension. Shaula stumbled, bracing herself against a pillar as the shockwave rocked the ancient structure. Cracks spiderwebbed along the walls, and the once-unchanging air of the tower now seemed heavy with dread. Her wide, golden eyes darted to the direction of the battlefield, her usual confidence shattered.
"Master… what have you done?" she whispered, her voice trembling. For the first time in centuries, the indomitable guardian felt fear—not for herself, but for the man she called Master.
Meili clutched her talismans tightly, her young face pale as she tried to steady herself. "That's not normal," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's not normal at all."
Garfiel growled low in his throat, his claws digging into the stone floor as he braced against the vibrations. His expression was a mix of awe and frustration. "Damn it, Captain… what the hell did ya just pull out there?!"
Halibel remained silent, his sharp eyes narrowing as he stood unwavering despite the tremors.
Hienkle sat slumped against a wall, the tremors barely registering in his state of despair. His gaze was distant, yet even he couldn't ignore the sheer weight of the energy that had just been unleashed. "This power…" he murmured, his voice hollow. "What kind of monster are you, Subaru?"
Back in the Matthers domain, Roswaal lay in his bed, his breathing shallow and labored. Even in his weakened state, the shockwave reached him, a faint tremor rattling the windows of his room. He opened his mismatched eyes, a weak chuckle escaping his lips.
"Oh, Subaru… you've certainly stirred the pot this time," Roswaal rasped, his voice barely audible. "What… have you done, I wonder?"
Ram entered the room, her usually stoic expression etched with worry. "Master Roswaal," she began, her voice steady despite the unease in her tone, "the tremors were felt even here. Could it be—?"
Roswaal raised a hand weakly, cutting her off. "Let's not jump to conclusions, Ram. But if my guess is correct… the boy has taken another step toward something… extraordinary."
In the capital, Anastasia stood on the balcony of her estate, her sharp eyes narrowing as she gazed toward the horizon. The faint tremor had subsided, but the unease lingered in the air. Beside her, Julius adjusted his stance, his normally calm demeanor laced with tension.
"Anastasia," Julius said, his voice firm, "did you feel it? That energy…"
Anastasia nodded slowly, her fox scarf, Echidna, twitching as if sensing the residual power. "That's not somethin' ya feel every day, Julius," she said, her Kagaragan accent faint but present. "Something's stirring, and I reckon Natsuki right in the middle of it."
Ricardo joined them, his towering frame leaning against the doorframe. "That was ancient," he muttered, scratching his chin. "Old and dangerous. Boss, ya think this ties into what he's been pokin' at lately?"
Anastasia sighed, her gaze still fixed on the horizon. "Could be. Or it could be somethin' worse."
In Emilia's manor, Felt stood by the window, her arms crossed as she stared into the distance. The tremors had shaken the building, knocking over vases and unsettling the staff. Emilia stood beside her, her amethyst eyes wide with concern.
"Felt," Emilia began softly, "do you think…?"
Felt scoffed, though her voice lacked its usual bravado. "Yeah, it's him. It's always him. And if it's not him, it's because he's involved somehow."
In the council chambers, Bordeux and Miklitov exchanged uneasy glances as the tremors subsided. Miklitov, his expression grave, adjusted his glasses as he spoke.
"This is no natural phenomenon," he said. "The energy released is unlike anything we've seen in decades."
Bordeux grunted, his hand gripping the edge of the table. "Do you think it's the Witch Cult?"
Miklitov shook his head. "It's possible, but the scale of this power… it's unprecedented. We must investigate immediately."
As the blinding white light faded, the world came back into focus. The once-shifting sands of the Agurā Desert had transformed, their golden grains fused into a vast, jagged expanse of glass. The battlefield was eerily silent, the echoes of the clash lingering faintly in the air. All traces of Reid Astrea had vanished.
Subaru stood alone in the stillness, his body trembling. Blood dripped steadily from the gashes across his chest, his breathing shallow and uneven. The Authority of Greed hummed faintly within him, its presence fading as his adrenaline ebbed away. Reid was gone.
All that remained was the Holy Dragon Sword, lying inert on the scorched glass before him. Its radiant glow had dimmed, leaving only a faint shimmer across its blade. Subaru's eyes fell on the weapon, and despite the weight of everything that had happened, he bent down and picked it up, his movements slow and deliberate.
The sword felt unnaturally heavy in his hand, its hilt cool to the touch. Subaru studied it for a moment, the sheer simplicity of its design belying the immense power it once held. For a brief second, he thought he could feel Reid's presence lingering faintly in the blade, a quiet echo of the Sword God's indomitable spirit.
"Well," Subaru muttered to himself, his voice hoarse, "guess this is mine now." The words felt strange coming out of his mouth, as if he were speaking someone else's thoughts aloud. He slung the sword over his back, its weight settling uncomfortably against him.
Turning his gaze upward, Subaru squinted at the towering silhouette of the Pleiades Watchtower, its spire stretching endlessly into the sky. The structure loomed over the battlefield, its ancient walls untouched by the devastation that had reshaped the desert. For a moment, Subaru allowed himself a wry smile.
"That's a long walk," he murmured, glancing at his shattered left leg, the numbed pain starting to throb dully as the Authority of Pride's influence began to fade. His body swayed slightly, his exhaustion finally catching up to him. "A long walk on a broken leg…"
His words trailed off as his knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the smooth, glassy surface beneath him. The faint shimmer of the desert sun reflected off the glass, casting fragmented light around his prone form. Subaru's vision blurred, his consciousness slipping away as he gave in to the overwhelming exhaustion. Not again!
The last thing he saw before everything went black was the distant shape of the Watchtower, standing tall and unyielding against the horizon. The climb back would have to wait.
Subaru's senses slowly returned, drifting up from the depths of unconsciousness. The familiar haze of pain and fatigue lingered, but it was countered by an overwhelming softness pressing on either side of his head. His thoughts stirred sluggishly, and he groaned, forcing his heavy eyelids to crack open.
What greeted him wasn't the dull gray of stone or the harsh light of the desert sun, but the vibrant hue of green. The room around him pulsed with a soft, otherworldly glow, as if the walls themselves were alive with energy. His head rested awkwardly, and when he shifted slightly, a cheerful, melodic voice broke the silence.
"Master! You're awake! You're alive! Oh, you were so cool out there—just like I knew you'd be!"
Subaru's vision finally cleared, and he found himself staring upward at the exuberant face of Shaula, who was beaming down at him. His eyes widened as he realized the precarious position he was in—his head was nestled firmly between her barely-covered breasts, her scant bikini outfit leaving very little to the imagination.
"Wha—Shaula! What the hell!?" Subaru croaked, his voice cracking as he instinctively tried to pull away.
Shaula held him firmly in place, her grin never faltering. "Relax, Master! I'm just takin' care of ya! You were amazing out there, you know. I mean, I always knew you were great, but watching you fight the Sword God? You were so—"
"—OUT OF LINE!" Subaru shouted, squirming as much as his battered body would allow.
Before he could say more, a sharp and familiar voice cut through Shaula's gushing. "I told you to stay still, I suppose! Your leg isn't healed yet, Subaru!"
Subaru froze, glancing to his side, where Beatrice sat perched on a low stool, her tiny hands glowing faintly as she channeled healing magic into his shattered leg. Her stern gaze locked onto him, her irritation barely masking the worry in her tone.
"Beako…" Subaru began, his voice softening, but Beatrice cut him off.
"And another thing," Beatrice said, glaring at him. "Shaula was actually being helpful, I suppose. She carried you here to the Green Room after you collapsed and made sure you didn't bleed out like an idiot. So for once, I allowed her to stay close—don't make Betty regret it, in fact"
Subaru blinked in surprise, his protests caught in his throat. "Wait, she did what?"
Shaula grinned proudly, puffing out her chest—much to Subaru's discomfort. "That's right, Master! I carried you all the way up here! I mean, it wasn't a big deal for me, obviously, but you were pretty banged up. I couldn't just leave you out there!"
Subaru groaned, flopping his head back against Shaula's chest, utterly defeated. "Of course… of course, this is my life now."
Beatrice huffed, her hands still glowing as she worked on his leg. "You're lucky this room exists, I suppose. The Green Room is a unique part of this tower that accelerates healing. Without it, your leg would have taken weeks to recover, even with my magic."
Subaru looked around again, taking in the verdant glow that seemed to seep into every corner of the room. The air itself felt thick and rejuvenating, a stark contrast to the harsh desert outside.
"And this is supposed to heal me… while I'm stuck between Shaula's…" Subaru trailed off, his face flushing slightly as he tried to avoid saying the obvious.
Shaula giggled, tightening her grip just slightly. "Hey, you're comfy, and you need rest! Don't fight it, Master!"
Beatrice rolled her eyes, clearly exasperated. "I suppose you're beyond help in this moment, Subaru. Just… don't move too much, or I'll have to start all over."
Subaru sighed deeply, resigning himself to his absurd situation. "Right. Fine. I'll stay still. But someone's gonna explain why this," he gestured vaguely at Shaula's bare skin and his own awkward position, "was necessary."
Shaula grinned mischievously. "Because I'm just that helpful!"
Subaru muttered something incomprehensible under his breath, letting his head fall back as Beatrice continued her work. This tower was going to drive him insane.
Shaula's cheerful voice broke the awkward silence. "Y'know, Master, you used to love this kind of thing, back in the day. You'd always compare stuff like this to those anime tropes you talked about from Japan! What was it you said? Something about the 'quintessential moment'? Sounded real fancy, though I think you were just teasing."
Both Subaru and Beatrice froze mid-breath. Subaru's mind ground to a halt, replaying Shaula's words with mounting confusion. His gaze shot up to meet hers, his face pale. "Wait. What did you just say?"
Shaula tilted her head innocently, her golden eyes glimmering with mischief. "That you'd compare moments like this to your favorite anime. That's what you said before, right? Something about how it was classic or whatever."
Subaru blinked, his thoughts racing. "No, no, I got that part," he muttered. "But how do you know about anime? Or… or Japan, for that matter?"
Beatrice, her small hands still aglow with healing magic, glanced sharply at Shaula, her expression guarded. "Yes, I suppose that's an excellent question, in fact. How do you know about such things? It's not exactly common knowledge in this world."
Shaula blinked, clearly confused by their reactions. She waved her hand dismissively. "Well, it's because you told me about it, obviously. You're my Master. Who else would I've heard it from?"
Subaru stared at her, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to form a coherent response. Finally, he managed to croak, "I told you?"
Shaula nodded enthusiastically. "Yup! You've always been into that kind of stuff. It's one of the things that makes you you!"
Beatrice's eyes narrowed suspiciously, her gaze flicking between Shaula and Subaru. "If that's true, I suppose… how could Subaru have told you these things? There's no way he would've known you before we came to this tower."
Subaru's voice was barely above a whisper as he muttered, "Shaula, just… who do you think your Master is?"
Shaula giggled, her tone light and carefree as always. "Isn't it obvious, Master? It's you! Who else could it be?"
Subaru sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose as he leaned back against her with a groan. "Right. Of course, it's me. Great. Guess I'll save this existential crisis for later."
Before anyone could press further, the sound of heavy footsteps approaching interrupted the tense moment. The door creaked open to reveal Halibel and Garfiel, both looking worse for wear from the trek up the tower but alive and alert.
Halibel leaned casually against the doorframe, his sharp eyes scanning Subaru. "You look like ya been through hell, Natsuki. Feel like explainin' what in the world that was down there?"
Garfiel followed close behind, his usual energy bubbling just beneath the surface. "Captain! That fight was nuts! You really took on the damn Sword God and lived to tell the tale?"
Subaru offered a weak smile, gesturing vaguely to his bandaged body. "Define 'lived,' Garf. Pretty sure I'm only breathing right now because of this magic room and Beako's hard work."
Halibel smirked faintly, stepping further into the room. "From the balcony, we saw the whole thin'. The light show, the shockwave, all of it. I'll be honest, thought ya were dead for sure. Looks like I underestimated ya."
Subaru chuckled weakly, shaking his head. "Trust me, so did I."
Garfiel grinned wide, stepping closer. "That last move, though! What was that? Looked like somethin' straight outta a storybook!"
"More like straight out of a nightmare," Subaru muttered, his smile fading. "But yeah, it worked… somehow."
Shaula beamed proudly, tightening her hold on Subaru slightly. "Of course it worked! Master's amazing! Did you expect anything less?"
Beatrice sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I suppose there's no point in arguing when he's surrounded by this many fools, in fact."
Halibel crossed his arms, his expression growing more serious. "Whatever it was, it stirred up somethin' big. I'm not just talkin' about the tower. That energy? It wasn't just ancient—it was world-shaking."
Subaru's face darkened as the weight of the situation settled over him. "Yeah," he murmured, his voice low. "I figured as much."
The room fell silent, the group collectively grappling with the enormity of what had just occurred. The Sword God was gone. The desert was changed forever. And the ripples of their clash were only just beginning to spread.
The room's tension was shattered by a sudden, loud, and unmistakable cry from above.
"Ahh, fuckin' damnit!"
Everyone froze, the voice sending a chill through the group. Subaru's exhausted mind struggled to process what he had just heard, but the familiarity of the tone sank in quickly.
"That's…" Subaru muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"…Reid," Halibel finished, his sharp eyes narrowing in realization.
Before anyone could react, there was a thunderous burst, and the door to the Green Room slammed open. Dust and wind swirled into the chamber as Reid Astrea barreled through, shoving past Halibel and Garfiel like they weren't even there. His golden blue eyes blazed with frustration, and his wild grin hadn't lost any of its vigor.
"Hey! Omee!" Reid bellowed, pointing directly at Subaru as he stood in the center of the room. "That wasn't fair, ya hear me? I wasn't done yet! Round two, right now!"
Subaru's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me?! Round two?! No! No round two! Absolutely not!"
Reid groaned dramatically, throwing his arms up in exasperation. "C'mon, Omee! You can't just leave it like that! I was just gettin' into it!"
Beatrice crossed her arms and glared at Reid, her small frame radiating disapproval. "If you try anything, in fact, I'll turn your oversized head into a pretzel, I suppose!"
Reid scratched the back of his head, letting out a loud sigh. "Fine, fine, I get it. Omee's had enough for now. Ain't much fun fightin' someone who's barely standin' anyway."
Subaru slumped back, glaring at Reid from his awkward position in Shaula's arms. "Thanks for the consideration," he said dryly. "But maybe save your tantrum for when I'm dead. Again."
Reid smirked, planting his hands on his hips. "Alright, alright. Ya win this time, Omee. But don't think for a second that this is over. Next time, I'm expectin' ya to be even tougher. Maybe once ya get all them Witch Factors, it'll be worth it again."
Subaru's eyes snapped to Reid, his tired mind latching onto the casual remark. "Wait—what did you just say? Witch Factors? What do you know about those?"
Reid shrugged nonchalantly, leaning against the doorway like he hadn't just fought a battle that nearly tore the desert apart. "Not much," he admitted, his grin growing wider. "Just that they're nasty little things. Flugel's nasty little things, to be exact."
Subaru straightened slightly, wincing as the pain in his leg flared. "Flugel?" he repeated, his voice filled with curiosity and suspicion. "What do you mean? What's the connection between me and Flugel?"
Reid waved a hand dismissively. "C'mon, Omee. Don't get yer hopes up. You're you, and Flugel's Flugel. That's all there is to it."
"Not exactly the most helpful explanation," Subaru muttered, narrowing his eyes.
Halibel crossed his arms, stepping closer. "You're sayin' Flugel, the sage, is tied to the Witch Factors? How?"
Reid's grin didn't falter, but his tone turned almost dismissive. "Tied? Maybe. He did some weird stuff with 'em, that's all I know. The details? Not my thing. I leave the overthinkin' to people like him. Me? I just fight."
Garfiel, who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally broke his silence. "Hold up. Yer tellin' me this Flugel guy's the reason we've got all these messes with the Witch Cult and the Witch Factors?"
Reid laughed, the sound loud and carefree. "Not quite, kid. But he definitely stirred the pot. As for Omee here…" He pointed at Subaru, his golden eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and respect. "Let's just say yer carryin' somethin' real special. Something that's gonna make things real interestin'."
Subaru scowled, his patience running thin. "Yeah, great. More cryptic nonsense. Just what I needed."
Reid straightened, clapping his hands together. "Well, this has been fun, but I'll let ya rest. For now." He shot Subaru one last grin, his tone filled with excitement. "Don't go disappearin' on me, Omee. Next time, we'll see just how far ya can really push it."
And with that, Reid turned and left the room, his laughter echoing through the hallways of the Watchtower.
The group stared after him, the silence heavy with unanswered questions. Subaru let out a long, exasperated sigh, slumping further into Shaula's arms. "What is it with these ancient lunatics and their obsession with vague hints?"
Beatrice huffed, placing a hand on her hip. "It's always riddles with people like him, I suppose. But we'll figure it out. One thing at a time, in fact."
Shaula grinned, ruffling Subaru's hair. "Don't worry, Master! You've got me here to handle all the tough stuff!"
Subaru groaned, closing his eyes. "Yeah, that's what I'm worried about…"
Notes:
At first glance, [ Lion's Veil ] seems to be an awfully overpowered ability? It may seem that the gist is, "Subaru just needs to want to kill them? That makes him way to overpowered!" However, across his journey, Subaru wont come across many enemies he's willing to totally annihilate if were being honest, maybe Todd and the Archbishops at most?
Thus the damage of the slashes equal out to Subarus willpower, (how much is necessary in order to subdue an enemy.) The slashes aren't as prevalent as Regleus's ability either, they can be blocked by physical objects and what not.
The drawbacks to this version of the Greed Authority come back to bite Subaru in the ass in future chapters, of which I will not reveal till then. (･ _･) ( Not to mention the conditions of his contract with Regleus.)
Overall I try to downplay the ability, I want out protag powerful but not a world ending threat ya know?
Either way, hope ya enjoyed todays chapter. ( PS: Ability Inspired by JJK. )