The Royal Selection
It had been years since Satella and Subaru were dubbed the Sorceress and the Sage. Their titles were known far and wide, and they most certainly held weight.
They still worked as traveling healers (though it was more of a generic miracle worker if Subaru was being frank), but they often spent time at either Echidna's old mansion or the Pleiades Watchtower.
The Tower was his pride and joy. His greatest achievement. Within it, he created a direct connection to the Od Laguna: a feat thought to be impossible.
Now, he was the only person to have ever communed with the Original Spirit. Apparently, it was not merely the heart of this world, but all worlds. Without a doubt, this was the being that brought him here.
Perhaps this is what people referred to when they spoke of "God." Needless to say, the researcher in him was both baffled and ecstatic to talk to such an entity.
And that was how he discovered how truly loathed he was.
The Od Laguna did not love and hate like a human. It merely granted certain souls an aptitude towards Divine Protections, but no matter what, all were bound to its laws.
The exception was Satella. Her gate was one with the world. She had no Divine Protections, for she was above such petty things. If she willed it, it would happen. Such was the Od Laguna's love for her.
Subaru wanted to find out why. Why was Satella exempt? Why was she so loved? Was it like the stories of the robot discovering emotion? Were her eyes so beautiful that it enchanted the heart of the world?
When asked these questions, the Od Laguna gave the equivalent of a shrug. It was truly random, like the roll of a die.
Subaru, on the other hand, was loathed by the world. However, his body was created by Satella, who was loved by the world. So, the Od Laguna kind of just…dealt with him.
That was fine. It still gladly "talked" with him, and he presided over the realm like always. It may not be sapient in the traditional sense, but it almost seemed to…enjoy their time spent together. It even acknowledged Subaru as its master. After all, it did not hate as a human would. It merely provided an aptitude towards the antithesis of Divine Protections, known as Authorities.
He left the Corridor of Memories as he ruminated on the nature of Authorities. They were tremendous powers granted by the Witch Factors, but where did said Witch Factors come from? Did they spring into existence alongside the Od Laguna? He hated to say it, but he may never know.
But those Witch Factors…They were indeed strange. He had never seen one, mind you, but he knew of the Witches that possessed them. He despised one of them, and he was familiar with many others, though he would admit to having a favorite.
"Flu-Flu!"
Speak of the devil…or, rather, the Witch.
Standing in the center of the massive Taygeta Library was Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony, wearing an innocent smile that hid a horrifying power. Her Centipede Coffin, and the restraints it bore, was nowhere to be found.
"Hey, Daph," he said casually. "I didn't know you would be stopping by."
She tilted her head to the side. "Why do you need to know?"
They had been over this dozens of times. "You need me to accompany you. If you went out during Sand Time without protection, you could get seriously hurt or die. It's dangerous and—" He stopped himself, realizing that her attention was already elsewhere. "Hey, no eating the table!" he snapped.
"But I'm so hungry!" she whined.
He crossed his arms and glared at her as he pointed out, "That's why you have your mabeasts ."
"They're not as filling as your tables," she grumbled. "Flu-Flu is so mean…"
He sighed upon seeing the look on her face. "All right," he conceded. "One table."
She gave a fanged grin and promptly devoured the entire table in a couple of bites. He sighed at his weakness; he always had a soft spot for lolis, even if they were eldritch abominations.
She rubbed her belly and groaned. "I'm still hungry…"
"That table was bigger than you!" he cried. "How does it even fit?!"
She ignored his question and walked over to him. "Hug me," she demanded.
Subaru, the pathetic weakling that he was, didn't even protest.
Daphne's mere presence caused an unbearable hunger. If one looked her in the eyes or touched her, they would eat themselves alive.
The title of Witch fit her well.
But…she was a child. She was nine when she received her Witch Factor and was now eleven. She was starved for affection. Her mother would not hug her, for she was driven insane with hunger. Her father would not touch her, for he had long ago eaten himself to death.
There was only Subaru, who was loathed by the world and whose body was made of magic, and as such, was unaffected by her Authority.
He wrapped his arms around her, and she buried her face in the crook of his neck, humming a little tune as she did so. It followed no rhythm, no rhyme or reason, and its harsh tones sent a shiver down his spine. Even so, he didn't mind, for he cared for her as his own.
Subaru had no children, even though he desperately wanted them. After all, it was infeasible to raise a child while Satella was sick.
…That was an excuse, wasn't it? The truth was that he was a coward, afraid of revealing himself to anyone, even his own wife. His scars burned with every passing second. He was one of the two greatest healers to have ever lived, but Echidna's flames were cursed. Her magic could not be undone so easily.
Suddenly, his shoulder felt wet, dragging him out of his thoughts. He pulled back, shocked. Daphne's golden eyes, unblemished by a blindfold, were tearing up.
"What's wrong?" he asked in a panic. "Did I hurt you?" He began to pat her down, feeling for any bumps or bruises.
She shook her head as her eyes widened. "I feel…full," she said in disbelief. "I'm not hungry! I'm not—"
Subaru's anxiety fled as he laughed joyously. "I didn't know that was possible!" he exclaimed. "Are you saying my hugs are greater nourishment than my tables?"
She gave a fanged grin. "Your hugs are the best, Flu-Flu!" she chirped. "Let's celebrate!"
"What, with more hugs?" he asked cheekily.
Overwhelmed by her newfound satiation, she excitedly said, "No, with a mabeast!"
Subaru stiffened. "Uh, Daph?" he began slowly. "That's…not a good idea."
She looked at him, confounded. "Why?"
'Because they're literal nightmares,' he wanted to say, but wouldn't.
Instead, he gave a shaky smile. "Just…not in the mood."
She tapped a finger to her chin in thought. "What if we both made it?" she suggested.
He considered her carefully. If he could temper her Gluttony with his own will, perhaps they could make something…somewhat normal. It wasn't like he didn't have the power. He had come a long way from the boy who cowered before Echidna. Now, the world revered the might of the Sage.
Perhaps a mabeast would be fun to make. He nodded slowly and she cheered.
At the base of the Watchtower, surrounded by a sea of sand, Sage and Witch danced an unholy dance. His body, made of the same magic that flowed through him, clashed with her will as they battled for dominance. Their souls sang as the heart of the world trembled in fear, for the fourth great mabeast was about to come into existence.
Perhaps it was understandable why the Od Laguna loathed him.
From the sand, her body. From the cacti, her limbs. From the atmosphere, her lungs. From the sun, her heart.
From Daphne and Subaru, her soul.
In Subaru's arms, he held a small brown and orange bundle: one he never thought he would hold. A child, a baby, of unbelievable strength and will. A soul filled with the single-minded love of the Sage and the exuberance of the Witch of Gluttony.
Chestnut-brown hair, to enchant all with their gaze. Dark green eyes like the forests of his homeland. A face of purity and joy, stunning all who looked. The tail of a scorpion, hidden to all. Indomitable power, to be unlocked with time.
She would be loved, and as she experienced that love, she would grow into a fine woman.
As Subaru looked down at the sleeping child, he knew he would never let her go. Forget about the Tower: she was his greatest achievement.
Like a father with his newborn daughter, the Sage fell in love. With awe in his voice, he whispered:
"Without a doubt, you are one of the brightest stars I've ever seen. Your name shall be…Shaula."
The idyllic days spent at Astrea Chateau were coming to an end. Subaru would miss the wonderful shades of ruby that lined the walls and the sunlight streaming through the windows. Roswaal's mansion was just as lovely, sure, but it also had Roswaal. It went without saying that Subaru preferred Reinhard's company.
A ray of light caught on a button as Subaru straightened out his knight's uniform. He needed to make sure he looked presentable for the Royal Selection, but it was difficult to tell when the mirrors were all covered. So, he stood before Beatrice and held his arms out, asking, "Is it on right?"
She put a hand on her chin and eyed him critically, "Almost, I suppose," she muttered. She walked around him, straightening out parts of his knight's uniform. With her hands on her hips and a satisfied nod, she said, "All done, in fact."
He ruffled her hair. "Thanks, Beako."
She narrowed her eyes, dissatisfied with his response. "What, that's it, I wonder?" she asked grumpily. "Praise Betty more, I suppose."
He grinned mischievously. "You asked for it." Lifting her up by the waist and twirling her around, he exclaimed, "Beako is the best! Woo! Yeah!"
"Gah! Too much praise, I suppose!" she shouted, flailing her arms about.
He laughed and set her on the bed, patting her head as he did so. She crossed her arms and tried to look frustrated but failed miserably.
A voice like a silver bell cut through the moment. "You two are sooo weird, you know that?"
Emilia stood in the doorway, a soft smile on her face. Subaru gave a dramatic gasp and attempted to hide behind Beatrice. "I'm doomed, Beako!" he cried. "My waifu can't know I have a side chick!"
Beatrice turned around and gave him a withering glare. "Which one is which, I wonder?" she asked dangerously.
Subaru gave a cheeky grin as he happily informed her, "The waifu is Patrasche and the side chick is Reinhard."
Emilia rolled her eyes. "You're such a knucklehead, Subaru," she said fondly.
Coming out of his (admittedly terrible) hiding spot, he said, "Heh, I haven't heard that one since elementary school."
Smiling at the familiar banter, she said, "I'm sorry, but I don't know what that is."
Beatrice huffed. "Is this your attempt at flirting, I wonder?" she asked, annoyed. "You two are terrible at it, I suppose."
"Pfft, you haven't seen anything yet." Subaru leered at Emilia and placed a hand on his chest. With great passion, he told her, "Oh, my darling Emilia-tan, your skin shines in the moonlight! Your eyes are an infinite pool of lavender, entrapping me with your gaze!"
Emilia grinned coyly and played along. "Oh, my precious Subaru," she cooed, "how I long to be in your arms! My dear knight, my chosen hero, I love you sooo much!"
Beatrice covered her ears as her face twisted in disgust. "Ew, ew, ew, ew!" she shrieked. "You two are sickening, I suppose!"
Subaru waved a hand at her dismissively but didn't take his eyes off Emilia. "Hush, Beako. Mommy and Daddy are talking."
Emilia covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her giggles. "Why don't you go play with Puck?" she recommended. Her eyes lidded as she gazed at Subaru with desire. "Your contractor and I need some…alone time."
Beatrice's eyes widened with fear, and a moment later, she disappeared. Subaru and Emilia held their positions for another second before dissolving into hysterics.
He wiped his eyes as they wound down. "She really is just a kid, isn't she?"
Emilia's eyes danced with mirth. "Mhm. You know, you're reeaally good with children, Subaru." For an instant, an image of herself, Subaru, Beatrice, and another child flashed through her mind, but she squashed it down. That was too much to hope for. Plastering a smile on her face, she said, "The kids in Arlam Village idolize you."
He gave her a strange look, and her heart pounded. He wasn't thinking of the same thing, was he?
Could she really hope…for a family of her own?
Once again, that wondrous image popped up, except…it wasn't the same image. She was wearing a black dress that covered everything. The man had Subaru's eyes, but he looked different.
He was not with Emilia, but the one he was supposed to be with all along. Her other half. The one she was replacing.
'You're not a replacement,' she berated herself. Subaru had proved that to her time and again. But that image…It wouldn't leave her head.
She clenched her fists. 'It's not fair,' she seethed, her mind aflame with sadness and longing for a future that could never be. 'That's supposed to be me. That is me. Was me? Could have been me?'
She resisted the urge to grab her head in frustration. 'We shouldn't even be two separate people,' she mourned. Not for the first time, Emilia cursed Echidna for creating this horrific, confusing situation.
Her soul—mangled as it was—and Subaru's were bound together. They should have been happily living out their days together, but one person's greed took that away.
'I wish I could fix it.' It was not the first time she thought such a thing, and it most certainly wouldn't be the last. However, even if she could find a method of merging that wasn't "The Ordeal," there was one thing she wasn't sure she could give up: her individuality.
"I am Emilia," she would say upon introducing herself. "Only Emilia."
Then again, she had introduced herself as "Satella" to Subaru. Was that a sign of her fate? If she were part of Satella's soul, did she even have individuality? Was she truly her own person? Perhaps she—
Subaru broke through her thoughts and muttered, "I'm not sure what to say. The little ankle-biters love messing with me." He looked out the window as if he could see all the way to Arlam. "That reminds me…do you think Regulus's wives are doing all right?"
"I believe they're fine," she assured him, pushing away her morbid thoughts. She could pity her convoluted love life later. "You gave them an excellent situation. You must have put a lot of thought into it."
"Let's just say that I don't like leaving people homeless," he said distantly. "That reminds me…I'd love to hear more about your home."
Her mouth dried up. "My…home?" she asked hesitantly as she gently rubbed her arm in nervousness. "I'm not sure what to say. It was a forest, and we built our home out of trees."
Subaru chuckled. "A fantasy world indeed," he murmured. Speaking normally, he clarified, "I was actually wondering about the people more than the place itself." He smiled softly as he lost himself in memories. "Take it from a wanderer: a home is the people you make it with."
She smiled back. "I suppose it is." She thought for a moment as she considered two of the people most important to her. "I'd love to tell you about Fortuna, but there's not much to say about Juice," she admitted. "After all, you know him better than me."
He shook his head. "I know Geuse the student," he pointed out. "I don't know Geuse the dad."
She shuddered. "Don't remind me," she grumbled, still a bit creeped out by the thought. "I still don't know if you're eighteen, thirty, or over four hundred."
"You're just as bad," he shot back. "Are you fifteen, nineteen, or over a hundred?"
"Still not as old as you," she teased. "Need a cane for the Royal Selection?"
He smirked. "Not a chance, grandma."
"I'm not a grandma," she whined. "And hey, in your homeland, you're too young to drink."
"And you're a loli," he responded, a bit too excited for her liking.
With mock pride, she declared, "Only the best for the Lolimancer."
"I resemble that remark," he said cheekily. At her giggle, he pointed out, "I still win in the weird department. I mean, your dad calls me 'Master.'"
They paused for a moment before they broke down laughing. She gave a wry grin. "Our situation is weird," she conceded, "but we make do with what we have." Her eyes lost their focus. "Anyway, about Juice…we can talk about him and Mother Fortuna when we have more time. I'd like to hear about your home, too."
He hummed but ignored the last part. "I guess we do need to head out. Speaking of that…" He spread his arms wide, displaying his knight's uniform. "How do I look? Cool? Heroic? Knightly?"
She slowly looked him up and down. "You look handsome," she decided. She frowned at his stricken look. "Did I say something wrong?"
"It's nothing," he muttered, looking away. "I guess I expected a joke or something."
She considered him carefully before realization settled in. "Subaru," she whispered with a hint of pity, "when was the last time someone complimented your appearance?"
His silence spoke volumes.
"B-but what about your old life? Didn't she ever…"
He kept avoiding her eyes as he admitted, "She tried a few times. I kinda freaked out and changed the subject." He scratched at his arm through his sleeve. Emilia didn't know what it meant, but he did it a lot and it was beginning to concern her. "Neither of us were good at hearing that kind of stuff. She'd cry and say she's ugly, and I'd make a stupid pose before leaving the room. Neither of us were comfortable in our own skin."
After all, their scars were more than physical.
"That's why you hate the mirror," Emilia said quietly. They really were similar, weren't they?
They were silent for a moment, then—
"I'm sorry," she murmured.
He looked at her, surprised. "Huh? For what?"
She wrung her hands together. "Every single day, you tell me I'm beautiful," she said anxiously, "but not once have I said you're handsome."
He rubbed his neck nervously. "I mean, why would you? You're not a liar."
He probably intended that to be reassuring, but if anything, it upset her more. "But it's not a lie," she insisted. "You are handsome. I just haven't said it."
Her eyes lit up as she got an idea. "I know! Every time you call me beautiful, I get to call you handsome." She nodded to herself, satisfied with her solution. "After all, it's sooo selfish that I take your compliments and don't say anything back. Puck taught me better than that."
Subaru stared at her for a moment before chuckling. "Never change, Emilia-tan." He interlaced his fingers with hers. "You ready for today?"
"Mhm. Ready as I'll ever be." She smiled at him. "I'm glad you'll be by my side."
He laughed, much to her confusion. "Oh, man…The me from a couple of years ago would have loved to hear that."
She cocked her head to the side. "Um…we haven't known each other for that long," she pointed out. He gave a cheeky grin but didn't respond. With a pout, she realized, "You're teasing me again."
He gasped as he clutched his chest. "Moi? Tease my darling Emma? Never!"
She blinked. "Emma?" she asked as if tasting the unfamiliar sounds. "Is that another nickname?"
"Maybe," he said, dragging out the word. "Is that a problem?"
She shook her head. "I like it much better than your last nickname," she admitted. "I wasn't a fan of 'my sexy half-elf waifu.'"
He grinned playfully. "If the shoe fits," he sang.
She rolled her eyes before frowning. "'Emma' sounds kind of like 'Ella,'" she noted, carefully gauging his reaction.
'You're not a replacement,' she repeated like a mantra. Those were his words, and she clung to them like a lifeline.
He was quiet for a moment before he gave a genuine smile. "How fitting," he mused. "Emma and Ella. Two halves of the same whole, but wonderful in their own ways."
She took a deep breath as she smiled. She was being silly, wasn't she? This was Subaru: a man who wore his heart on his sleeve. There were no ulterior motives, no deception. He loved her for who she was, not her soul.
Emma. It was…nice.
It didn't make her any less angry at Echidna, but she could let that go for the moment. Emilia and Subaru were simply making the best of a bad situation.
He wrapped his arms around her as the world around them disappeared. "I love you, Emilia," he murmured. "Thanks for sticking around a mess like me."
"Always," she whispered back. "Through everything, I'll be by your side."
"You're not a replacement," he had assured her before listing off everything that made her unique. "Don't you see? These are the things that make you who you are. That's not because of her soul, but you. I'm in love with you, and that's because it's you. I love you because you're Emilia."
She was Emilia, only Emilia. That's why he loved her, and it made her feel warm.
That realization…It truly was a memory worth living for.
She held him for a while before becoming cognizant of the time. Reluctantly, she broke the silence to say, "We could sit here all day and dilly-dally—"
"Who even says that in this day and age?" he muttered affectionately.
"—or we could get there early. I prefer the latter if that's okay."
He put a hand on his chin and pretended to think. "Hmm…Stuffy politics…or alone time with EMT…Tough choice."
She laughed and pulled him up. With twinkling eyes, she told him, "Come on, my knight. The Royal Selection is about to begin."
Considering how close they were to the castle, they could have walked, but Subaru insisted it was more proper if they arrive in a carriage. He went to grab Beatrice as Emilia went outside. At the front gates, Rem stood at Patrasche's side and gave a slight bow.
"Good morning, Miss Emilia," Rem greeted. Her voice was not cold, but it was certainly tense. "I trust that Subaru will be arriving shortly?"
"Mhm, he'll be along in a minute," Emilia responded, a bit wary. "Did I, um, do something wrong?"
Rem's eyes softened slightly. "My apologies, Miss Emilia. I had something on my mind and let it show on my face. It will not happen again."
Emilia frowned. "None of that," she scolded lightly. "If you're upset, let me help. We're friends, aren't we?"
The maid plastered a smile on her face, but Emilia wasn't fooled. "It's nothing of consequence," Rem said unconvincingly. "Please, focus on the Royal Selection, and I will tell you after."
"Okay, but I'm here for you," she said emphatically. "Remember that I'm not Miss Emilia. I'm only Emilia. You can talk to me if you want."
Rem's smile shifted to something more genuine. "Thank you, Emilia. That means a lot to me." Emilia, satisfied with that answer, stepped into the carriage, where she was joined by Subaru and Beatrice a minute later.
He plopped down beside Emilia and said, "All right, time to get into Knight Mode."
Unfamiliar with the term, she asked, "What's 'Knight Mode?'"
"It's something I made up just now," he said as if that was something knights were supposed to do. He set Beatrice down on his lap before continuing. "It means I'll be all formal and stuff."
Emilia raised an eyebrow at him. "I didn't know that was possible," she teased.
"Shush, you," he grumbled. "Don't you remember when I showed you a knight's etiquette?"
She nodded as pink dusted her cheeks. "Mhm. I think that's when I first realized I liked you."
He gaped. "Seriously? This whole time, I could have just done that?" He looked away, mumbling to himself. "Wait, I said that last time, so does that mean—"
"Subaru, what are you talking about?" she asked, a bit worried. He often talked about events that never happened, though they were often much more morbid than this conversation. She couldn't help but wonder what he really meant when he said he couldn't tell her something.
He shook his head to clear it. "N-nothing," he said quickly. "Just happy a beautiful girl likes me."
Pushing her thoughts away, she smiled and said, "And I'm happy to have a handsome knight."
He looked uncomfortable, but at least he wasn't upset this time. "Th-that's—"
"Betty is still here, I suppose."
Emilia jumped a bit in her seat. "S-sorry, Beatrice," she mumbled with a wince. "I guess I'm just so used to you being around Subaru."
Beatrice glared. "So, you forgot Betty was here?" With a huff, she grumbled, "Betty will make her presence known more often, I suppose. Perhaps you'll stop your shameless flirting, in fact."
Subaru laughed and she turned her ire upon him, asking with a hint of danger, "What's so funny, I wonder?"
He twirled a lock of blonde hair around his finger. "You're cute."
She blushed and stuttered out, "That's not something to laugh at, in fact!"
"It is when you're a tsundere loli," he rebutted.
On the verge of a tantrum, she cried out, "I hate those words, and I don't even know what they mean, I suppose!"
Laughter filled the carriage for the remainder of the ride.
When they arrived in front of the castle's gates, Subaru's entire demeanor shifted. His back was straight, and his face was carefully blank. Beatrice hopped off his lap and stood by his side, matching his posture and expressions perfectly.
It was clear they had practiced this.
Bowing and offering his hand to Emilia, she daintily accepted his help getting out of the carriage. "Thank you, Subaru."
With a regal tone, he declared, "It is an honor to serve, Lady Emilia."
She raised her eyebrows. Knight Mode was indeed quite…knightly. "Um…you don't need to call me that, you know. I'm still only Emilia."
Subaru grimaced as if she suggested something unthinkable. "Nonsense, Lady Emilia," he said with dawning horror. "You are the future queen of Lugunica, and I am merely your knight."
She gave a coy smile. "Merely my knight, huh? Nothing more?" She leaned in and whispered something in his ear, causing him to turn beet-red.
"N-not fair, Emma…" he said quietly. "I'm trying to be serious…"
She grinned victoriously. "I just wanted to make sure my Subaru was still in there. But, uh, can you keep acting like that? It's cute." She paused, noticing the look on his face. "I mean, it's charming and knightly."
Subaru schooled his expression, but his eyes smiled. "I aim to please, Lady Emilia." He looked somewhere past her and tensed up slightly.
"Um, is everything—" She was interrupted by someone clearing their throat. She turned to find a tall man, perhaps a few years older than her, with purple hair and a knight's uniform.
"My apologies for interrupting," he said with an air of importance. Judging by the emblems on his lapel, he was one of the highest-ranking members of the Royal Guard. This was a man who was born to be a knight. "You are Lady Emilia, are you not? My friend, Sir Reinhard, told me about you."
She smiled slightly. "All good things, I hope," she said lightly. "I'm surprised you recognized me with my hood up. Um, what's your—o-oh…"
He kneeled before her, took her hand, and gently kissed her fingers. "It is an honor to meet you," he said reverently. "My name is Julius Juukulius, and I am the appointed knight of Lady Anastasia Hoshin. On behalf of my Lady, I would like to thank you for your victory over the Sin Archbishops of Lust and Greed."
He looked up, sincerity and gratitude shining in his eyes. "The Witch Cult has caused Kararagi much grief over the course of many centuries, and a blow of this magnitude will not be taken lightly. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you."
Emilia couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. "Y-you're kind, truly, but, um…I didn't—"
Subaru stepped to her side. "Please forgive my Lady," he interrupted. "Considering her heritage, it is a new phenomenon to be complimented."
Julius eyed him disdainfully, asking, "And who might you be?"
Subaru held out his hand for Julius to shake, saying, "I am Subaru Natsuki, Emilia's one and only knight. Reinhard mentioned you as well. It's a pleasure to meet another spirit knight."
Julius rose but did not take Subaru's hand. "You claim to be a knight, but I am not familiar with your name." He put a hand to his chin in thought, not bothering to look at Subaru. "Perhaps you are a trainee? No, I oversee all trainees, and I'd know if they assigned one to a Royal Selection candidate. So, if you're not a knight, and you're not a trainee…Ah, I see."
Julius smirked as he said, "You must be a self-proclaimed knight, wearing a knock-off uniform. Truly, a man without honor."
Emilia wanted to jump to Subaru's defense, but a hand on her arm stayed her.
Subaru held his head high, his gaze unfaltering. With confidence and honor, he said, "I am not a knight of the kingdom, but a personal knight under the jurisdiction of Lord Roswaal L. Mathers. I earned my title by protecting Lady Emilia with my life, and I will continue to do so regardless of your perception of me."
It was clear that neither was willing to back down. Eventually, Julius's smirk dissolved into a smile as he said, "I see what Reinhard was saying. A knight of necessity, yet even more honorable than many of the men we fight alongside." He bowed his head respectfully. "Truly, a pleasure to meet you, Sir Subaru."
Subaru's façade broke ever-so-slightly. "You were…testing me?" he asked, a bit hurt.
With a hint of regret, Julius said, "Forgive me: it is rare for Reinhard to offer such high praise, and I wanted to see for myself if his claims were true. You have exceeded my expectations, Sir Subaru, and you have my gratitude for the same reasons I gave Lady Emilia."
He held out his hand, palm-up, as six lesser spirits came into existence. "You implied you were a Spirit Knight, yes? I would like to see your contracted spirits if you don't mind. It is rare to find another spiritualist."
Subaru nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. He held out his hand, mirroring Julius.
Nothing happened.
Julius tilted his head. "Are you…messing with me?" he asked, slightly annoyed. "Then again, I suppose it is only fair…"
Subaru grinned, his eyes shining with mischief. He turned his hand palm-down and rested it on a head of blonde hair. With obvious pride, he said, "May I introduce Beatrice, Guardian of the Forbidden Library, and a Great Spirit."
Beatrice huffed and crossed her arms. She looked at Subaru, and the two rapidly cycled through a variety of facial expressions before she settled on a scowl as he grinned victoriously. She pointed at Julius with anger in her eyes. "You are not Betty's Subaru, I suppose!" she accused with all the weight of a judge condemning a criminal. "You will never be as good as my contractor, in fact!"
Subaru's smile fell. "That's not what we agreed you would say," he scolded.
She stomped her feet as she vented her anger. "The purple-haired one is making Betty's maidenly heart flutter, in fact! He must be using the Divine Protection of Gathering Spirits to try and take me away from my contractor, I suppose!"
It was clear she was trying to make Julius angry, but if anything, he was impressed. He stared wide-eyed at Beatrice. "A Great Spirit," he said in awe. "I never thought I would meet one."
At Emilia's silent command, Puck floated out of her hair with a yawn. "Well, now you've met two," he mumbled as he rubbed his eyes.
She scratched under Puck's chin, much to his delight. "This is Puck," she introduced with a fond smile. "He's the current Great Spirit of Fire."
Julius looked pale. With shaking hands, he muttered, "I think…I will return to my Lady." He walked away in a daze, barely managing a goodbye.
With boundless amusement, Puck told her, 'I never knew my daughter could be so mischievous.'
She gave a sly smile. 'Subaru's rubbing off on me,' she admitted. The fact that Julius tricked Subaru had nothing to do with it, of course. 'Say, Puck…you'll be watching, right?'
'You can count on it,' he replied, his pride in her evident. 'I'd never miss such an important event.'
With a wink, he vanished into his crystal. His presence filled her with warmth and confidence; she didn't know what she'd do without him.
She turned to Subaru, a bit surprised at his massive grin. She couldn't help but match his smile. "Someone's happy," she teased lightly.
His eyes glistened. "I didn't realize how much his approval would mean to me," he said lowly as if embarrassed someone might hear him admit that.
She couldn't imagine how it must feel for a new knight to receive praise from a member of the Royal Guard. Still, for Subaru, it almost seemed personal; it was as if he had craved this very moment, but never expected it to happen. He sent a blinding smile her way, telling her, "I'm glad I'm here, Emilia."
Warmth filled her as she said, "I am, too."
A booming voice broke through the moment.
"May I have your attention, please!" A wizened man with a waist-length grey beard stood at the front of the room as he announced, "My name is Miklotov McMahon, and I am the representative of the Sage Council. Due to my position, I will be presiding over the Royal Selection. "Candidates, present yourselves!"
Subaru, Emilia, Beatrice, and several others made their way to the center of the room, flanked by the Royal Guard on their left and the nobility on their right.
Miklotov made his way to his seat alongside various others: The Sage Council, Emilia presumed. They were backed by a massive tapestry of a golden lion: the former crest of the Royal Family. Now, it was a symbol representing the people's hope for a Lion King that will deliver them to an era of peace. Unfortunately, one had not appeared in four hundred years.
Miklotov faced the crowd and resumed speaking. "As you know, the standard method of choosing a ruler is defunct, and cannot be reinstated until the Royal Selection is completed, as mandated by the Od Laguna. So, the Royal Selection will have three phases.
"First, your introduction here, which will serve as your profile. By the power of the Dragon Tablet, every citizen of Lugunica will have a memory of this event placed in their minds, preventing a reporter's bias from influencing their decision…"
Subaru raised an eyebrow. Leaning in, he whispered to Emilia, "Since when is that a thing?"
She looked at him strangely. She was under the impression that the Sage created the Dragon Tablet, so surely, he would have known how it worked. Then again, judging by the name, it was probably Volcanica's work. Another detail lost to history, she supposed. "Both this event and our achievements in the coming year will be known to everyone outside our Camp," she explained.
"Huh," he muttered in a daze. Under his breath, he said something about "last time." She had no idea as to why, but that was expected when dealing with him.
Miklotov continued, oblivious to the whispered conversation. "…The second phase is your chance to show the good people of Lugunica what kind of ruler you will be. Will you build a public facility? Defeat a monster? Save a business? Perform community service? The choice is yours.
"Lastly, in one year, when the Dragon's Tablet glows, the public shall vote. The winner and her bloodline shall rule this country. Are there any questions?"
"Jus' one." A short, purple-haired woman stepped forward. Judging by her place at Julius's side, Emilia guessed that this was Anastasia Hoshin. She spoke with a thick accent and was somewhat hard to understand, but it had a certain charm to it. "Ain't there supposed to be five candidates? I only see four." Her eyes drifted to Reinhard, who was standing between Emilia and an orange-haired woman. "I'm guessin' the Sword Saint ain't one of them."
Reinhard bowed his head. "You are correct. I am merely representing my Lady."
"And she's late?" Anastasia asked, shaking her head in disappointment. "That ain't a good sign. A ruler's gotta be prompt, ya know?"
Reinhard shook his head. "On the contrary, my Lady is on time. She's simply waiting for the proper moment to introduce herself."
An armored man, standing beside an orange-haired woman in a red dress, let out a chuckle. "'The queen is never late,'" he said with a falsetto. "'Everyone else is simply early.'"
Despite the metal helm he wore, he was smacked upside the head by the orange-haired woman, who scowled. "Can we get on with this?" she grouched. "I have more important things to do than listen to this drivel."
Anastasia rolled her eyes but cleared her throat, nonetheless. "I may's well start." Upon hearing no objections, she told the crowd, "My name is Anastasia Hoshin, and I'm the head've the Kararagi Trading Company." She indicated towards Julius. "This is my Spirit Knight, Julius Juukulius."
He bowed deeply but said nothing.
Anastasia stood tall—or, well, as tall as she could. "I came ta Lugunica not tha' long ago, and I fell in love," she said fondly. It was impossible to doubt the sincerity in her voice. "Y'all are lovely, yer land is gorgeous, and yer food is somethin' else. But yer economy…"
She grimaced like she'd eaten something especially sour. "It's disgustin'," she spat. "Easily the worst problem yer facing. Yer national debt is through the roof, your inflation rate's ridiculous, and half've ya are in the lower class."
With all eyes on her, she asserted: "You're lookin' at the woman who brought fortune ta a dilapidated land. I took the poor and made 'em rich. I took our national debt—the equivalen' of millions of Holy Coins—and brought it ta zero. I brought back our ancien' traditions, and the public is as happy with me as they were with Hoshin himself. If I'm yer ruler, it's not a question of how much I'll save the economy, but how lon' it takes ta do it."
She bowed her head to the crowd, for a queen served her people. "Two years. That's a promise."
Mumbling could be heard throughout the nobility. The thought of a better economy…It was enticing. Emilia had lived a simple life in Elior Forest, bartering pyroxene crystals for supplies, but even she could see the appeal.
Crusch stepped forward and faced the knights. She had an imposing presence, and all eyes gravitated towards her. "I suppose it is my turn," she began, as dignified as always. "My name is Crusch Karsten, head of the Noble House of Karsten. This is my knight, Felix Argyle."
Felix grinned and waved.
"Miss Anastasia," Crusch continued, briefly looking at the purple-haired woman. "I would like to thank you for your observations. You are correct in saying that our economy is…less than stellar." Her eyes hardened as she said, "However, it is not the biggest problem we face."
She turned to the knights once again; it was clear who her target demographic was. "Our population decreases by the day. We are fighting wars on multiple fronts, and for what? Does anyone even remember why we began these fights, or if we even started them in the first place?" Passion and anger filled her voice as she thought of the injustices done to her people. "That's where Miss Anastasia is wrong. Our debt may be increasing, but it's nothing compared to our death toll."
A fire burned in Crusch's eyes. "The good citizens of Lugunica are suffering. The Dragon, our supposed 'protector,'" she spat, like she couldn't bear to use that title, "is nowhere to be found. We need to stop waiting for him and stand up for ourselves!"
With rising passion and hope, Crusch spoke to the soldiers: "I will end the wars at our borders. Whether it's through a peace treaty or subjugation, it doesn't matter. What I care about are Lugunica and its people. Humans, demi-humans, it doesn't matter! I love this country, and I will see its success! Vote for me, and our soldiers will be home by the Winter Solstice!"
She pumped her fist into the air, and the Royal Guard gave a resounding cheer. The nobility's quiet and thoughtful response to Anastasia was one thing, but the patriotic cheers of the knights were simply uplifting.
Emilia couldn't help but smile. These were good people that wanted the best for their brethren, though she didn't approve of the "subjugation" part.
The cheers died down and the orange-haired woman stepped forward as she haughtily announced, "My name is Priscilla Barielle, and I am the head of House Barielle." She flicked her hand behind her. "This armored buffoon is…Well, I don't care to remember its name. All you need to know is that this entire process is pointless."
Miklotov raised an eyebrow as the crowd became somewhat restless. "Why do you say that, Miss Barielle?"
She smirked derisively as if she'd already won. "Because the world is built for my success, of course. I exist, therefore the throne is mine. Simple as that. You fools will vote for me, simply because my luck demands it."
She took her fan out and thrust it forward as if challenging those who would dare deny her. "I know I'll be an excellent queen, but that matters not. Even if you wish for someone else to rule, it will not happen. Go ahead, try to vote for another candidate. Your hand will drift towards my name, for all beings are under the jurisdiction of the Od Laguna, and as such are bound to my will. So, why don't we all go home and—"
"Will someone please shut her up?"
Emilia whipped around as the door slammed open. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her. There, at the front of the room, clad in a flowing yellow dress, was Felt.
Emilia had her suspicions about Felt's candidacy after speaking to her in Reinhard's home but never considered that the younger girl could look so…proper. She walked forward with all the grace of a thief in the night, her head held high. Her light footsteps made no sound, no echo, despite the silence of the room.
Reinhard kneeled before her. "It's wonderful to see you, my Lady," he said with a wide smile, ignoring Priscilla's sputtering at being interrupted. "I was beginning to worry you would not come."
She huffed as she reached him. "You think I'd miss a chance to make an entrance like that?" she asked incredulously. "Do you even know who you're talking to?"
Reinhard chuckled at her antics, as he turned to face the Sage Council. "Apologies for the interruption," he said politely before placing a hand on Felt's shoulder. "I'd like to introduce you to the next Queen of Lugunica."
One of the nobles angrily exclaimed, "Is this a joke? I recognize that thief. You'd bring a commoner into these sacred halls?!"
To the noble's surprise and frustration, Felt laughed derisively. "Oh, that's rich," she mocked. "I can't wait to knock this guy down a peg!"
The noble sputtered with indignation. "Who are you to speak to me like that? I am—"
Felt scoffed. "I don't care," she said defiantly. "You want to flaunt your status? Go ahead. I did a bit of digging, and it turns out that I have all of you shitheads beat!"
With a flourish, she pointed behind her to the tapestry of a lion. "Look at that!" she ordered. "What do you see?"
"It's the former crest of the Lugunican Royal Family," answered Crusch. "What does that—" Her eyes widened in hope and awe. "Your hair and eyes…Could it be?"
Felt smirked, as her eyes brightened with victory. She spoke confidently as if she knew that what she was about to say would swing the votes in her favor. With all the authority of a queen, she spoke:
"I, born as Freya Lugunica, the daughter of Ford Lugunica, am the first Lion King in four centuries! I hereby call off the Royal Selection and claim this throne as my birthright!"
The room was in an uproar. Some were furious that a rude, lying peasant would dare interfere with their ceremony, but many demanded that she be placed on the throne this instant. After all, what was the point of choosing a ruler when their rightful queen was right in front of them?
The Lion King had returned. Their savior had come.
"It's hopeless," Emilia mourned, bemoaning her brethren's fate. They would stay frozen forever. She would never gain access to the dragon's blood.
Subaru, on the other hand, was grinning. "Looks like we got this one in the bag."
She looked at him in surprise. "B-but their queen is—"
"Standing right in front of me." His eyes conveyed his faith in her. "Don't doubt yourself, Emilia. You're easily the best choice out of all the Candidates."
Her mouth dried up, and she still didn't quite believe him, but the pit of anxiety in her stomach lessened as warmth filled her.
At the front of the room, Felt folded her arms as she gave the nobility a haughty look. "I wish it were that simple, but it's not. You pretentious assholes couldn't save your own Royal Family, and I was left to rot in the slums. So, I guess we're stuck doing this your way."
She grinned, a single sharp tooth sticking out. With passion and charisma, she told them, "Vote for me, and I'll tear this establishment down and rebuild it from scratch! I'll make this country the best it possibly can be, instead of this shithole you call Lugunica! Live strong, my subjects! Let the Lion King rule!"
Emilia thought that Crusch's speech inspired patriotism amongst the knights, but it was nothing compared to what Felt received. Sure, some were muttering at her brash behavior, but most were cheering that the Royal Family, the bloodline they pledged their allegiance to, had returned. Even Crusch looked like she wanted to vote for Felt, policies and manners be damned.
Felt—no, Freya Lugunica was the Lion King. That was enough for them.
However, one candidate remained: a divisive being that could unify or divide the country. One to bring hope or fear, and it all depended on how she presented herself.
Amidst the chaos and cheers, Emilia stepped forward and slowly took off her hood.
The room fell silent at the sight of her ears and hair. She turned around, her amethyst eyes on full display, and the room erupted into jeers and whispers.
"A half-elf?"
"Get her out of here!"
"The Cult's going to come!"
"A silver-haired, purple-eyed half-elf has shown itself in Lugunica! We're all doomed!"
"But didn't they say that a half-elf stopped the Bowel Hunter?"
"Not a silver-haired one, they didn't!"
Emilia tried to keep her face blank, but it was difficult. She had never gotten used to how the world views her.
A devil. A half-demon. A Witch.
The knowledge that, in a sense, she was Satella did not help her tumultuous emotions.
The terrified face of a child tore through her mind. The disgust in the mother's eyes and the rage on the father's face. "The Witch!" they had cried, venom and fear coating their every word. "It's the Witch! Get out of here, Witch!"
There was a reason she lived in the forest…and that's where she should have stayed.
"Get away from us!"
"A toad would make a better ruler than you!"
"Begone, half-demon! Go back to the hell you crawled out of!"
"Die, Witch!"
She was a cursed existence. She didn't even have a complete soul. How could she stand there and pretend to be one of them when she was an abomination?
This was a bad idea. She shouldn't have taken Roswaal's hand. She should—
A hand, gentle yet firm, rested on her shoulder. Torn from her thoughts, she hesitantly looked up to find her knight with his head held high.
"I'm disappointed in all of you," Subaru stated, his voice reverberating around the room. The whispers died down as many turned their ire upon him, but he was unfazed. "I expected more from the good citizens of Lugunica. Perhaps that was my mistake."
One of the nobles raised a clenched fist. "So, you're openly siding with a half-elf?!" he asked incredulously. It was left unsaid, but the underlying threat hung in the air.
"If you say yes," he was saying, "you'll reputation will be ruined."
"Indeed, I am," Subaru stated without a hint of hesitation. "And you would, too, if you were in my position."
Most were angry, but some were attentive. They had all heard that there was a half-elf watching out for them, even if her identity was a mystery. It was no surprise that her resemblance to the Witch of Envy would throw them into a tizzy.
However, Subaru and Reinhard's careful spreading of rumors had paid off: the people's minds had been opened enough that they were willing to listen, albeit reluctantly.
Subaru knew that, and he capitalized on it. "When I came to this country," he began, "I had nothing. No money, status, power, or knowledge of your written language. Within the hour, I found myself on the ground, beaten senseless by a group of thugs. I was an inch away from death…until Lady Emilia saved me."
Emilia's breath caught in her throat. That wasn't what happened at all! She was backed into a corner, terrified of her own power, when Subaru came to drive off the threat. Why would he make up such a story?
Except…he wasn't lying. His eyes shone with gratitude, admiration, and love. It never happened…but somehow, it had.
She already knew he couldn't tell her what it meant.
The entire time, his hand didn't leave her shoulder. Perhaps he was drawing strength from her the same way she was from him. "Something precious was stolen from her, but she let the thief escape just to help a fallen stranger." His gaze was distant and lost in memories, but his voice never wavered. "She drove off the enemy, healed me, and stayed with me until I was conscious once more.
"I've never forgotten how she saved me, and I never will. Since then, I have followed in her footsteps, trying to be half the person she is. She is my strength and my motivation. She is the reason I am the man you see today: a Spirit Knight worthy of standing by her side."
An unbidden smile spread across her lips. Those words were a memory worth living for.
His clothes had been bloody and torn, but his smile was radiant. "I'll become a knight worthy of standing by your side," he had promised.
She had been a sobbing mess, but she couldn't help but feel warm. He saved her from Capella, and he was questioning his worth? With unbound affection, she had told him, "You're already worthy, you dummy."
With confidence and poise befitting a knight…no, a king, he implored the people of Lugunica: "Please, hear her out. Listen to the woman who has committed no crime aside from existing."
He could have left it at that; after all, the people were giving him looks of respect and were prepared to listen to her.
However, Subaru Natsuki never did anything by halves. His grip on her shoulder tightened, and he spoke the words that would change Lugunica forever: "I swear by the Sage that it's worth it."
The room held their collective breath as Miklotov looked at Subaru in shock. "Sir Subaru, I beg of you to reconsider that statement," he pleaded. "To make such an oath…The Od Laguna does not take it lightly. I know you are a foreigner, but even you must know how much weight it holds to swear to the Great Sage, Shaula."
Emilia saw the unending pain in Subaru's eyes, but everyone else saw him smile. "Shaula…" he murmured. "What a lovely, kind person. A bit energetic, but I've always appreciated that about her."
The room erupted into mutterings. Miklotov tried to keep them quiet, but it was clear that he, too, was thrown off-kilter. "Not only do you claim to know the Sage, but you'd speak about him with such levity?" He furrowed his eyebrows at the perceived slight. "And in such an important ceremony, too…Have you no respect for our country's history?"
Subaru raised his chin in defiance. "Do not worry. I have nothing but the utmost reverence and adoration for Shaula," he declared, his regal expression never changing. "I am not lying when I say that I know her quite well. She is very important to me."
"If I may be so bold as to interrupt," said Reinhard from his place by Felt's side. "Sir Subaru speaks the truth. Shaula is very dear to him, and she respects him above all else. If anyone has the right to swear by the Sage, it is Sir Subaru."
The room erupted as questions were shouted left and right. To have the backing of the Sword Saint—one who had the Divine Protection of Wind Indication, at that—was nothing to scoff at. Could this previously unknown knight truly be affiliated with such a legendary figure?
However, one question rose above the rest. "She?" Crusch asked incredulously, successfully silencing the room. "If you've met the Great Sage, then surely you know that he is male."
She narrowed her eyes at Subaru. "Look me in the eye and speak the truth," she demanded. "I must see this for myself."
Subaru met her glare head-on, completely unfazed. "I know Shaula better than anyone," he declared. "She is precious to me, and…" He took a deep breath, carefully considering his next statement. "…she is unwaveringly loyal to mine and Lady Emilia's souls."
The room was still, as if expecting the Od Laguna itself to strike him down for such a statement. Crusch, however, looked like her entire world was ripped out from under her feet. "He's not lying," she whispered, but it was unclear if it was in shock, amazement, or grave disappointment. Louder, she announced to the room at large, "Sir Subaru is not lying! The Great Sage wishes for Lady Emilia to become queen!"
At that, time seemed to stop. Because of the power of the Dragon Tablet, the entire country heard those words.
The mere idea that the Sage who sealed Satella would want a silver-haired half-elf to be queen shocked the world into silence.
Taking advantage of the moment, Subaru gently pushed Emilia forward. "Now's your chance," he whispered. "You got this, Emilia-tan."
She looked at her knight, amethyst eyes shining. 'Thank you. I know how hard that was for you. You didn't have to do that. I don't deserve someone like you. I love you.'
To her dismay, a lump formed in her throat, and all she could manage was a nod. With firm resolve, she vowed to thank him properly later.
She stepped forward to face the silent crowd as they awaited her speech with bated breath. Their expectations piled on her like the ice that had once encased her. Could she truly be the queen they believed her to be?
She glanced at the man beside her as he gave a comforting smile. At the very least, she could try.
At first, she had wanted to say something simple: a speech along the lines of, "I want everyone to be equal." It wouldn't even be a lie; after all, equality was one of her goals.
Subaru's words drifted through her mind. "Anyone can stand up there and claim they want equality," he had told her as they were writing her speech. "You need something substantial if you want to win their hearts, let alone their votes."
"But what can I say?" she asked hopelessly. "Nothing I can provide will be good enough when they're looking at a half-elf."
His eyes gleamed, but whether it was with faith or mischief, she did not know. "Believe in yourself," he said softly. "By the end of your speech, they'll be clamoring to put you on the throne."
It was time to put his theory to the test.
"Citizens of Lugunica," she called out, forcing her voice to remain steady. "I am Emilia. Only Emilia."
She was somewhat meek by nature. Subaru told her that her kindness and innocence would be taken advantage of in politics and that she couldn't allow that.
She knew that she was stronger than she was a few months ago, but was she strong enough to rule a country?
"This country is hurting," she said solemnly. "The other candidates are correct: our economy is abysmal, and we are at war. However, there is another threat: one that causes those issues and will perpetuate them for eternity, lest we stop them."
She had their attention now; it was not just because of Subaru's words but her own speech.
"You know who it is. They are spoken of in the darkest of alleyways and the shadiest of taverns. The topic is skirted over in war councils and the Royal Guard fear them." With eyes of steel, she said, "I am talking, of course, about the Witch's Cult."
This strength, this façade she put up…it was a lie. She was weak. She was a follower. She relied on Subaru for everything. She was not fit to be a ruler.
"They burn your buildings, pillage your roads, and manipulate politics from the shadows. They destroyed your history and replaced it with their warped view. They're a menace to society."
…Or was she? If this was a lie, then why did it feel so…right?
"It's not fair," she insisted, compassion oozing from her every word. "What have you done to deserve this? What have you done to earn their ire?"
Her eyes passed over them as she put the truth in words. "Nothing. You've done nothing wrong." With the strength and will of a ruler, she promised them, "But now, I'm here. You shall suffer no longer."
She felt confident. She was confident. With every word increasing in volume and strength, she passionately told the crowd:
"I will tear the Witch's Cult to pieces."
That was not merely Subaru's goal, but hers. The radicals of the Cult had destroyed her home.
"These are no mere platitudes, nor are they unjustified boasts. My Camp has killed the Sin Archbishop of Lust and her servant, the Bower Hunter." Many gasped at her statement, but she paid them no heed. "Our crusade against the Sin Archbishop of Greed was successful. With our blood, sweat, and tears, we freed dozens of slaves from that madman."
Was this what Subaru saw in her? Was this the strength she sought?
Or…did she have it this whole time, but didn't see it?
"Whether you vote for me or not will not change my fight or my drive," she declared. "I will eradicate the cult. I will save the good people of Lugunica. I will eliminate every Sin Archbishop."
It was always in her. She was merely afraid of it, but no longer. This was who she was.
She was worthy. She was powerful. She was a queen.
Lowering her voice, she told them, "When my conquest is complete and the Archbishops lay dead, my Camp will cross the uncrossable desert, and achieve what the Great Heroes could not."
She paused for effect, knowing that she was about to legitimize her candidacy. With determination and resolve, she vowed:
"We will kill the Witch of Envy, once and for all."