Crusch, Wilhelm and Barnes were heading back to the capital in Dragon-Drawn Carriages.
Crusch: [We really killed it. One of The『Three Great Mabeasts』that have been ravaging the world for 400 years... The『White Whale』. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Kiyotaka when he wakes up.
Wilhelm: [I also didn't get the chance to thank him, but I'm sure we'll meet him in the capital.]
Barnes: [I was able to redeem myself thanks to him. I also need to show the proper gratitude.]
Felix: [With that plan he came up with at the end, I'm convinced that he's actually insane Nyow.]
Crusch laughed a little.
Wilhelm: [Crusch-Sama... That look on your face... Are you...?]
Crusch: [I guess he did attract my attention quite a bit.]
Felix sat there stunned for a second.
Wilhelm: [I see.]
Barnes: [I don't blame you. He's quite amazing.]
Felix: [Eh!? Kiyotaka-Kun is stealing Crusch-Sama from me?]
Crusch: [I wouldn't go that far, but you do have some competition, Ferris.]
Felix looked annoyed.
Felix: [I'll never forgive him, nyow!] AN: LOL Cat Femboy took critical damage.
Crusch sighed.
Crusch: [But I feel that he chose to serve under Emilia for a reason.]
Felix: [They're too obvious, nyow.]
Wilhelm laughed a little.
Wilhelm: [Indeed.]
Suddenly, they heard an explosion as their attention turned to see a carriage get blown to bits.
Crusch: [What in the... To arms now! Enemy attack!]
A man with white hair and yellow eyes stood in the road.
Crusch: [Run him over!]
The dragon carriage rushed at him as Wilhelm grabbed Crusch and jumped out of the carriage as it was blown to bits by an invisible attack. She looked worried, but then saw that Barnes had gotten Felix out as well.
???: [I wish you wouldn't have done that. Why run me over when I'm not doing anything? That's not something any decent human being would try if you ask me.]
Crusch: [How dare you do such a brutal thing to those brave and loyal soldiers. Now tell me, just who are you anyway?]
???: [Ah, I see. Things are now becoming much clearer. You have no idea who I am. On the other hand, I know exactly who you are. You're a candidate to become the next ruler of this fair nation.]
Crusch] [Whoever you are, you talk too much! Answer my question! Next time, I will kill you.]
???: [Come on now. That's just mean, but I suppose no one could hope to rule a country without some degree of arrogance. I can't really comprehend that sort of sensibility myself, but I recognise...
Crusch: [I warned you. No second chances!]
Crusch slashed at the man as the green wave of wind hit an invisible barrier, and the man made an annoyed face.
???: [Now listen here! Who taught you that it was acceptable behaviour to swing a sword at someone while they're speaking? I do believe that's a violation of my right to freely express myself!]
Suddenly, an invisible attack hit Crusch's arm, taking it off as she screamed in pain, falling to the floor as Felix rushed over desperately trying to reattach the limb.
Felix: [Crusch-Sama! No! No! No! Come on. Heal. Please heal!]
Crusch: [Ferris...]
Felix: [Ferris is here. Right here.]
He said this with tears in his eyes. Then another showed up with long brown hair and knives in his hands, stained with blood.
???: [I keep eating and eating, but it's never enough! I eat. I devour. I chew. I bite. I gorge. I gnaw. I munch. I crunch... Pure gluttony. Thank you for this feast!]
Wilhelm stood off against him.
Wilhelm: [Felix. Heal Crusch-Sama. I will fight this one.]
Feilx: [Be careful, Old Man Wil.]
Crusch: [You are...]
???: [The『Sin Archbishop Of The Witch's Cult Representing Gluttony』Lye Batenkaitos.]
Then the other spoke.
???: [And the『Sin Archbishop Of The Witch's Cult Representing Greed』Regulus Corneas.]
Barnes: [Two of them?]
Lye: [We came here because we heard our pet had been slain.]
Felix: [Pet...?]
Lye: [I expected them to be a good, ripe bunch, considering they managed to kill a beast that had been rampaging unchecked for 400 years... but this is beyond my expectations! Nice! Good! Great! Fantastic! Stupendous!]
Barnes: [Damn Witch Cult...]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka slowly got up as he saw Emilia sitting in a chair next to his bed.
Kiyotaka: [Good morning.]
Emilia: [I was reaaally worried, you know. I was scared that you might have cracked your gate again!]
Kiyotaka: [Felix was on the battlefield, so I doubt I would have died from just that.]
Emilia: [That's not the point, and you know it.]
Kiyotaka: [I know.]
Emilia: [If you overdo it like that again, I'm gonna be reaaally mad.]
Kiyotaka: [Okay okay.]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: [My body feels so sore.]
Emilia: [You were using Yang Magic the entire time to strengthen yourself, right? Felix said that this is the backlash.]
Kiyotaka: [Right... I don't think I'll be able to move for a while.]
Emilia: [Then don't. Lay still. Sleep if you can.]
Kiyotaka closed his eyes.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka then felt someone shaking his shoulders as he slowly opened his eyes.
Emilia: [Wake up. Something terrible has happened. An attack]
Kiyotaka: [What? Who would attack a group as large as ours?]
Emilia: [There's more.]
Kiyotaka: [Hm?]
Emilia: [Wilhelm-San... lost his memories]
Kiyotaka: [He what?]
Kiyotaka got up from his bed and tested his muscles for a second.
Kiyotaka: (I can move. It's not as well as usual, but it's still well enough to fight, though Yang Magic is out of the question.)
Kiyotaka followed Emilia outside when he saw Crusch lying on the ground, as she seemed dazed.
Kiyotaka: [Are you alright, Crusch?]
Crusch: [I... I think so.]
Emilia: [Kiyotaka... is this person your friend?]
Kiyotaka looked at Emilia in confusion. As did Crusch.
Crusch: [What...?]
Kiyotaka: [She's a Royal Candidate. Just like you.]
Emilia: [Um, no... I don't remember her being at the Royal Selection Ceremony.]
Kiyotaka: (What is going on?)
Crusch took out an insignia showing Emilia.
Emilia: [You really are...]
Crusch: [I don't understand what is happening to me, but... Wilhelm, Ferris and I... we were confronted by two『Sin Archbishops』on our way back.]
Kiyotaka: [Did you get a good look at them?]
Crusch: [One was tall with White Hair. No matter how we attacked him, we couldn't hurt him. Whether we used Magic or physical attacks, nothing worked. He introduced himself... as Regulus Corneas... the『Sin Archbishop Of Greed』and his accomplice...]
She groaned in pain.
Kiyotaka: [Take your time. You're still injured.]
Crusch: [No. It's okay. His accomplice has a short stature with brown hair... he was the『Sin Archbishop Of Gluttony』Lye Batenkaitos.]
Kiyotaka: [Understood. Now rest.]
Crusch: [Where is Ferris?]
Kiyotaka: [I don't know.]
Crusch looked around and saw him lying on the grass as she rushed over to him.
Crusch: [You fool. I told you to run! Why did you take that attack for me?]
Emilia walked over.
Emilia: [He's alive. He's just unconscious. I... I think he's waking up.]
Felix slowly opened his eyes. Something about him seemed broken as his eyes darkened as if something important had been ripped out of his mind.
Kiyotaka: (The same as Rem... but the『White Whale』was defeated... gluttony... could the『Sin Archbishop Of Gluttony』have a similar power?)
Kiyotaka grabbed his shoulders.
Kiyotaka: [Felix! Focus! What you're missing. She's right there.]
Felix looked at Crusch.
Felix: [I know he's right, but why can't I remember you?]
Crusch: [Ferris...]
Felix began crying as Crusch hugged him.
Kiyotaka: (Why? Why did this happen? This was meant to be a perfect victory.)
Kiyotaka saw Wilhelm and walked over to him.
Kiyotaka: [Wilhelm. Are you alright?]
Wilhelm: [Um, forgive me, young man, but... who are you?
Kiyotaka: (I have to admit that after everything we'd been through, that stung a bit.)
Kiyotaka: [I'm your student, though I'm sure you don't remember.]
Wilhelm: [Oh, I see. I'm sorry, but I don't remember you. I must be getting old. I can't seem to remember anything. Not even who I am.]
Kiyotaka grimaced internally.
Kiyotaka: [It's alright.]
Wilhelm: [Can I ask you something?]
Kiyotaka: [Yes?]
Wilhelm: [Where is my wife Therisia?]
Kiyotaka's eyes widened.
Kiyotaka: (What? How can he...? Is his love for her that strong?)
Kiyotaka gritted his teeth.
Kiyotaka: [I'm sorry. Your wife... she... I don't know where she is.]
Kiyotaka: (I can't bring myself to do it. Just how sentimental have I become?)
Kiyotaka walked over to see Barnes.
Barnes: [He's been asking that same question all this time. I don't have the heart to tell him either.]
Kiyotaka: (Should I...)
Kiyotaka thought about using Re: Birth By Death.
Kiyotaka: (This is the best result. Crusch has taken a heavy blow in the Royal Selection, but beating her this way... I can't be satisfied with it. And Wilhelm...)
Kiyotaka sighed, walking away to his tent as he created a dagger.
Kiyotaka: (Quick and easy. Quick and... easy... yeah right. Dying is never easy. But this is my choice.)
Kiyotaka did it quickly, stabbing himself in the throat.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ Re:Birth ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka then felt someone shaking his shoulders as he slowly opened his eyes.
Emilia: [Wake up. Something terrible has happened. An attack]
Kiyotaka: (This... is my checkpoint? No chance of victory, huh? Then all that can be done is to move forward.)
Kiyotaka sighed internally.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
The group returned to the Capital as Reinhard greeted Kiyotaka.
Reinhard: [I hear your group defeated the『White Whale』Kiyotaka. That's really amazing that you...]
Reinhard then saw Wilhelm.
Reinhard: [Oh. Grandfather.]
Wilhelm: [I'm sorry. Who are you?]
Reinhard: [What do you mean?]
Kiyotaka: [The『Sin Archbishop Of Gluttony』stole his memories.]
Reinhard's expression contorted into pure agony.
Kiyotaka: [Reinhard... He killed the White Whale and avenged your Grandmother all for the sake of being able to look you in the eye again. When I get his memories back, promise me you'll hear him out and give him a chance.]
Reinhard: [Kiyotaka... I will. Thank you. But for now...]
Kiyotaka grabbed Reinhard's shoulder.
Kiyotaka: [Don't do anything reckless, Reinhard. Even if you could find him, you have no idea if they can even dispel it.]
Reinhard gripped his hand tightly.
Reinhard: [I can't just... I took his wife from him. I ruined his life. I... I need to be able to do something.]
Kiyotaka: [Then spend time with him. He needs you right now.]
Reinhard breathed in and out, calming himself and turned to face Kiyotaka, extending his hand.
Reinhard: [Thank you. I'll take my grandfather with me.]
Kiyotaka: [It's fine... um... He doesn't know... that his wife is dead.]
Reinhard: [I see. So he remembers her.]
Kiyotaka: [He does. I'm frankly astounded.]
Reinhard: [Grandfather...]
Reinhard took Wilhelm and left as Kiyotaka turned to Crusch.
Kiyotaka: [You didn't speak up about it.]
Crusch: [It's alright. He... needs his family now more than ever, and he doesn't remember me. I won't get in the way.]
Kiyotaka: [What about your men?]
Crusch: [Half of them left my camp...]
Kiyotaka: [That's a harsh blow, but once they see you back in action, they should return to you.]
Crusch: [I'm hoping that's true, but my reputation has been completely demolished.]
Kiyotaka: [Then you have every chance to make it even greater than before.]
Crusch made a small smile.
Crusch: [You're right about that. Before you head home... let's have one last meeting.]
Kiyotaka nodded.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Everyone sat at the table.
Emilia: [Kiyotaka told me that you helped us defeat the White Whale. I'm sorry for not remembering you.]
Crusch shook her head.
Crusch: [It's alright. I already understand.]
Felix: [Um... Crusch...sama. I'm glad you're okay.]
Crusch: [Yes. I am fine.]
She said this, but she was distressed at the fact that Felix didn't remember her.
Felix: [Let's... review our position right now.]
Kiyotaka: [You said that by the time the reinforcements arrived, those two had already left? And that there are many people who ended up like Crusch and Wilhelm.]
Felix nodded,
Felix: [I... I can't heal this.]
Kiyotaka: [No one expects you to. An authority defies the laws of nature, an Od Laguna. Damage done by such things isn't easy to heal if healable at all.]
Felix: [After you defeated Sloth, another two show up. Well... it makes sense that...]
Kiyotaka: [I advise you to hold your tongue, Felix.]
Felix: [Huh?]
Kiyotaka's eyes sharpened.
Kiyotaka: [What you're about to imply is a breach in our trust and respectfulness as allies. Do not overstep.]
Felix: [But Emilia-Sama is the...]
Crusch: [Felix!]
Felix: [Why are you treating me this way? We're supposed to be close and...]
Kiyotaka: [You two are, but she is still responsible for you as she is your master. Your actions reflect her's. Don't forget that.]
Felix: [You're not even a knight yet. You...]
Emilia: [It's alright. I'll hear what you have to say.]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (Pandering such behaviour is useless, but she's made up her mind, and when she does, no one can change it.)
Felix: [It's only natural that the Witch Cult would get involved after Emilia-Sama was announced to be vying for the throne.]
Emilia's face darkened a little, considering it.
Emilia: [Maybe... it really is my fault.]
Felix: [That's true. Because you're a half...]
Crusch: [That's a dangerous statement, Felix.]
Felix: [Eh?]
Kiyotaka: [Agreed. Blaming and antagonising allies only assists the enemy. It creates discord. Such statements are unacceptable in an alliance.]
Felix: [Neither of you have said that I'm wrong, though.]
Kiyotaka: [The point isn't whether you're right or wrong. Sometimes the truth is better left omitted.]
Felix: [You're training to become a Knight. How can you...?]
Kiyotaka: [But I'm not a knight. Not yet. You said so yourself, so I can speak however I wish.]
Felix sweated.
Kiyotaka: [Unless... do you intend on using your position to report me for this behaviour?]
Felix turned away, not facing him as he looked down.
Kiyotaka: [As it stands, I believe your camp requires time to recover Crusch. Unfortunately, our Camp isn't very capable of rendering aid to you. We have no armies to bolster your troops or food and water in excess to feed them. Emilia. There is one thing we can do for them, right?]
Emilia: [Um, yes. I'll confirm your involvement in the defeat of the『White Whale』along with Anastasia and our camp. I'm sorry, but my word won't be as good as Anastasia's.]
Kiyotaka: [I doubt Anasasia would spread any kind of word like that without financial incentive.]
Crusch: [I don't think I have much to offer, but our portion of the White Whale Carcass, but I need to sell it to feed my troops. Giving it to her is... not possible.]
Crusch sighed.
Crusch: [I've really found myself in the worst position. Thank you for your help. I would appreciate it if you did spread the word, but I have nothing to offer you in return.]
Emilia: [It's okay. I heard from Kiyotaka that you fought reaaally hard, so that's enough for me.]
Crusch stood up and extended her hand.
Crusch: [From this day forth, even if we become enemies, I will show you favour until the end. I will not forget the debt that I've incurred from both of you. Emilia. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.]
Emilia shook her hand, and then so did Kiyotaka.
Crusch: [I think that is all for this meeting. I wish you the best of luck. If you need aid, please call upon me.]
Emilia nodded.
Emilia: [Okay.]
Crusch and Felix left.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Reinhard entered the house as Felt threw a book at him. He caught it, setting it down lightly.
Felt: [Reinhard you asshole! You should have taken me with you if you were going to see Big Bro and Big Sis!]
Reinhard: [My apologies, Felt-Sama.]
Felt noticed that Reinhard was dejected, making her confused, as she then saw Wilhelm through the open door.
Felt: [Who's that?]
Reinhard: [My grandfather. He... He's lost his memories.]
Felt: [Reinhard...]
Felt hit Reinhard on the head.
Felt: [... Then, hurry up and get a room ready for him to stay in. You're bein' rude to him by makin' him wait outside.]
Reinhard looked surprised for a second before smiling.
Reinhard: [Yes Felt-Sama.]
Reinhard led Wilhelm inside to a room.
Reinhard: [Grandfather, this is your room.]
Wilhelm: [I'm being told by everyone you're my Grandson. I'm sorry for not remembering you.]
Wilhelm looked regretfully at Reinhard, who smiled a bit sadly.
Reinhard: [It's alright. We have all the time to spend making new memories.]
Wilhelm: [I... would like that.]
Reinhard smiled as the two began spending time with each other.
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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