fics I read

When I utter that cursed words, it was like torture. The Witch of Envy touch is cold, cold like ice. Now imagine them in the shape of a hand, and they also feel like one save for the temperature.

The sensation when that hand touches me... It was... It was painful. Your body technically is warm inside, the human's body temperature is 36.5 to 37.5 C, just dropped two or three already enough to make you have to be checked to hospital. Now imagine what if zero or temperature minus suddenly touches the organ that keeps your body working and alive.

Yeah, it is safe to say that just after saying the curse two or three times I need to warm myself with a blanket and sit in front of the fire.

Not to mention the painful sensation I have on my chest, I'm sure if it is not because lesser spirits are healing me right now the skin on my chest will be blue from the cold.

Now I know why Subaru almost never kills himself using Return by Death. Seriously, it was painful and clearly not the best feeling you wish to have if you are about to die.

The reason I did that is so the Witch stench around me to become more reek. In order to draw Petelgeuse or Witch Cult to me I need for them to be able to sense or smell me, just like when they smell Subaru's when he is on his way back to the manor.

Thanks to that I also became a target of the local Wolgarms.

I lost count after I killed the twentieth beast, seriously I never expected the number of those mutts still that much. I mean, I sure as hell already killed more than a hundred during the Wolgarm incident, after I blow them all with Strike Air when they try to swarm me.

Luckily for me there is no demon beast that comes... Well at least not in the last six hours, usually they popped their head here once per two but... Maybe I manage to reduce their numbers and they know to not mess with me anymore.

SSRKK! SSRKK!

Oh Fuck You Fate! Fuck you to the Yomi, Tartarus, and all Hell that each pantheon have!

The sound itself is actually barely existent, it was small and can be mistaken as wind simply breeze the bush, but I know wind did not make a sound like that, no, it was something else. I know this because I had spent the day keeping alert so I did not get ambushed by Wolgarm after all.

I waste no time to stand and call Excalibur to my hand, my eyes instantly peering to where the sound comes from, my legs widened in preparation to sprung or to keep my balance if the demon beast comes.

The bush split and I was about to jump but I was forced to stop myself when it revealed something that I never expected.

A certain pink haired oni.

"Ram." I said the name with shock and surprise

"Aaron-sama." Ram gives a nod of courtesy as a greeting, face stoic and emotionless. "Are you not taking a bath today? You smell like rotten meat."

"I may not clean myself to the fullest but I did wash myself." I replied with a twitchy eye, there is a lake near here after all. "Wait! That was not the problem! What are you doing here?!" I hissed as I dismissed Excalibur and approached her. "You shouldn't be in here! It is dangerous!"

"Ram checking around the area since Ram feels something foul in the wind, never expect it to be Aaron-sama." Ram said in monotone.

"You sense something in... Of course..." I end my sentence with a murmur, she specializes in Wind Magic. Even if she doesn't have mana, it doesn't change the fact she is powerful, she only lacks the energy to use her power! She still can sense if something is wrong, and with her Clairvoyance ability, she won't have a hard time tracking me.

"Does Aaron-sama know just how much the smell of the witch's stench around Aaron-sama? It's so bad to the point it makes animals walk away from you."

"That is my purpose!" I groaned as I slapped my forehead. Wait, she can smell it too? As far I know only Rem could… Nevermind that! "I need to smell like a Witch! You shouldn't be here in the first place!"

"Thanks to Aaron-sama for that." She deadpanned. "Aaron-sama's witch stench attracts all demon beasts to you. Seriously it is bad enough that Aaron-sama already smells strange now Aaron-sama added with the witch stench..."

Under normal circumstances, I am going to retort that insult but I know that now is not the right time.

"Listen." I grabbed her shoulder and I noticed her body stiffened when I did that, something that was strange but I chose to ignore it for now. "I'm serious, Ram, I'm waiting for dangerous people, you cannot be here! I can't protect you while dealing with them!"

I won't have what happened in Arc Two repeated here! Unlike Wolgarm, this one is far more dangerous! The risk is far more big! It was pure luck that I managed to get to her just in time! There is no way I can make the same thing happen twice!

"Please remove your hand from Ram Aaron-sama." Ram said as she pulled and released herself from my grip, her pink eyes gazing at me in an analytical and cold manner. "Dangerous people... What kind of people did Aaron-sama wish to meet in the first place?"

"What kind of people do I want to meet by making myself reek like a witch?" I asked back in a sarcastic voice.

And since Ram is obviously smart and sharp, it did not take long for her to know what kind of people I want to meet.

"Why does Aaron-sama want to meet with Cult of the Witch?!" She demanded, her eyes wide and her whole body tensed, I could sense the mana around her shifting and ready to be used.

Wait, I can sense mana? That...

I will save that for later.

"Because they will come and try to kill Emi." I answered grimly. "Think about it, the Witch of Envy is Half Elf and has silver hair. All in all Emi's appearance matches her. What do you think if some crazy cultist finds there is someone out there that looks like a person who they thought of as their Goddess? Do you think they will let such things slide just like that?"

Ram's eyes narrowed further, her face confronted with a mixture of concentration and trouble. It only takes a few seconds for her to get what I mean "Ram can see Aaron-sama point." She said in a reluctant voice. "Then, we should inform everyone in manor about this, fortify the mansion and-"

"That will be too complicated." I shake my head in disagreement. "We can't just wait for them when we know they will come. No, we are going to strike when they are not ready."

"By yourself like this?" Ram gave me a skeptical look. "Aaron-sama, while Ram knows that Aaron-sama can handle himself but there is a possibility the cultist number is around hundred. And hundred people is different from hundred Wolgarm. Not to mention there is a chance they will bring the Archbishop with them."

"I am sure as hell they will bring one with them." I grumbled. "Of course no, I don't intent to tackle them all alone, I'm not that suicidal." I said with a small sigh and pinched the bridge of my nose. 'I intend to trick them, why do you think I make myself smell like a witch?"

"Because Aaron-sama stench is more reek than the Witch's?"

I give her glare, one that says "right now is not time you pinkie" but she only stares at me with a nonchalant face. "Because I want to trick them, if they sense that I have an aura like one of them and also sense my strength then they will think of me as someone who is in a higher position, and after that I can make them cooperate then make us able to ambush them perfectly."

"Ram doubts that going to work." She said. "While that could work, Ram doubts the Cult of Witch will allow Aaron-sama slip that easily, especially if they have an Archbishop with them. They probably know and are close to each other, so Aaron-sama's plan has a very high chance of failing."

If you consider Witch Cult as an organized group then yes, my plan is doomed to fail but fortunately they are not. And every Archbishop also screwed up in head, they practically hate and barely tolerate each other's presence. Save for Sirius who is in one-sided love with Petelgeuse. They also do not work to resurrect Satella, no, they use the gospel for their own gain, not to mention there is a Archbishop Pride position that remains vacant until now.

They are in literal sense, a crazy cult that doesn't have any clear purpose and their system literally fucked up.

The only people who can make very good plans and have screws still attached to their heads are probably only Capella Emerada Lugnica the Archbishop of Lust, Regulus Corneas the Archbishop of Greed, and Pandora the Witch of Vainglory.

"Oh they will be alright, I have my way." I said mysteriously. "Look, it doesn't matter. You can report this to the people in manor if you wish but do not make a move until I come back. Because if you did then there is a chance they might panic and assault the village fully." Then I grimaced. "Imagine that happened, it won't be pretty for Emi." And Roswaal, but I left that unsaid.

"... Until Aaron-sama comes back?"

"If I do not come back in the next two or three days then go barricade the village and mansion. Ask villagers to evacuate from the village quietly, and defend yourself. Hunt them down by asking help from Puck-dono." I said gravely. "Do not engage them without him, only Puck-dono strong enough to protect and attack them at same time." There is Roswaal as well but fuck that clown, I sure as hell he won't do anything to help us, I won't be surprised if he go out for another 'business' when I come back and report this to everyone.

"And Aaron-sama sure he can handle it? Based on what?"

Let it be say that I'm not stupid, my grade practically oppose the word of 'stupid'. I'm not the sharpest person and I have my flaws, many perhaps.

But I'm not dull enough to not notice that from the beginning until now Ram has been nothing but hostile and distrusting to me.

From her body posture to the mana that right now keep shifting and ready to be used anytime

"... If Aaron-sama is done leering over Ram, can Aaron-sama answer Ram's question?"

I ignore her insult, this is not the time, she clearly also notices that I am aware of something wrong with her and she tries to hide it. Well too bad that won't work. What with her behavior? Why does she seem so... Distrusting and angry? Ram... She is not...

Oh...

"Is it Rem or that man?" I asked, I practically can feel how I spat the word when I spoke about him though I try to tune it down.

Judging by how her face turned into a rage, it clearly did not work.

"Don't speak about Roswaal-sama using that tone!" She replied heatedly.

"It is Rem isn't it?" Of course it is her. Knowing Roswaal, there is no way he is going to tell Ram. He is that kind of person after all. And I nearly groaned as I came to that conclusion. Rem, it wouldn't be a bad idea if you told her that I am about to kill Roswaal after I finish with Petelgeuse! Not now! I don't need this kind of bullshit right now!

"It doesn't matter if it is Rem or Roswaal-sama. What matters is that there is a Witch Cult out there that is ready to strike us any moment, Aaron-sama avoiding Ram's question. How can Aaron-sama be sure that his plan will succeed?"

"I don't, but let's just say my plan has a chance." I answered honestly. "And how? Let's just say I have my way." That is the only thing I can say. I can say it is my special ability as the person who shares the same blood with the "Great Dragon" but I am worried if I say that it will come to bite me back in the ass in future.

In the future, I will learn that I should've just done that since the fucking beginning.

Unfortunately that seems the wrong thing to say judging by how Ram intake of breath becomes sharp to the point I can hear it, thanks to Servant's hearing sense for that.

"... Which witch Aaron-sama is working for?"

Wait what?

"Excuse me?" Of all things she was going to ask, that was not what I expected.

"The book Aaron-sama has. Ram can't read it, Rem can't read it, even Roswaal-sama can't. That was gospel." Ram glared at me, if she looked before the cold now it became downright antarctic.

Gospel book... How is that even?!

I would laugh if this situation was not so serious. Seriously, me? Working under a Witch? The only Witch that kind and I want to work under is Minerva or Sekhmet if she is still alive but even so I am still going to reconsider it a dozen times before making my decision.

Not to mention I sure as hell Witch of Envy won't like it if I work under other Witches, she is pretty much angry when Echidna confronts Subaru after all and does not even hesitate to attack her.

"... While indeed it made sense for you coming to that conclusion but I assure you I'm not working under any Witches. Though there is no solid proof other than my words."

Then she snorted in a very unlady manner. "Hmph, that's Aaron-sama's answer? Best defense? Ram expects better from someone at your caliber, maybe Ram overestimated Aaron-sama intelligence until now."

Unlike her usual mocking words, this time there is real heat and insult in there, and I clench my jaw.

"I don't want to hear that from some girl that was leashed by a monster."

Ram glared at me the moment I said that, her nostril flared once. "Don't you-"

"What? Admit it, that man is as monster as the Witch." I sneered, not even holding back my contempt. "He is a pretty good actor, a very good puppeteer but I know what I saw the moment I meet him." I said coldly "And if it is not because of you as a pillar for Rem, I won't hesitate to cut you as a lost person."

And I was being honest. After Rem got her existence erased by the Archbishop of Gluttony I became utterly disgusted and found Ram character to be very less charming. Her infatuation on Roswaal rises to a level that can be said insane, maybe not the level of that clown's insanity but it is still comparable.

She was strong, even if she was incapable of fighting like Rem but her character is strong. She is a pillar for her sister, and she knows how to shoulder a burden, not just her own but Rem's as well.

But after Gluttony removes Rem's existence... She became nothing but a weak girl that leaned completely on Roswaal, like an obsessed fan girl.

When she declared her love to him, I felt nothing but contempt, it wasn't love, it wasn't romance, it was a mad obsession.

And I was fine with it, it was a fictional work after all, even if I didn't support it but I didn't care much but now? To see a woman like her... Someone like her that now I know personally turned out to be like that…

It is disgusting.

I saw her flinch visibly at my words and glare, and seeing her reaction I felt guilt gnawing in my stomach. Clearly I have gone too far and I should phrase my words better. I was about to apologize and rephrase what I just said but she cut it with another look.

It is not an angry glare... But it gazes of distrust... And expectant?

"So this is Aaron-sama's true nature? The real face of your dark side?" She commented darkly. "Ram expects no less from you."

The way she spoke... The way she utters those words...

"... So you never trusted me in the first place, even until now."

"Never."

The answer that comes from her is as expected, swift and straight.

And I'm not surprised... I really don't...

Unlike Rem and Emilia, Ram is a different woman. She is not gullible or naïve, she is someone who shoulders, someone who endure. So despite her World and vision narrow like Rem but her mind clearly far more sharp and dark, more cynical, more suspicious, because that was what kind of person she is, someone who endure and those who endure always being careful.

But to hear she distrust me even until now...

It hurt more than any guilt I ever felt...

"I apologize for using such harsh words, that clearly can be easily misinterpreted but I'm sure you won't believe me." I spoke, voice dull and flat. "And I don't care whatever you said or your feeling, not from someone who leashed herself to slave of Witch."

I saw her stiffened, eyes wide and jaw clenched but I ignored it as I closed my eyes.

"Do what you wish, go back to the manor, inform everyone that the Witch Cult is coming if you want, but under any circumstance do not make any move. Like I said, wait for me or wait for at least three days from now on."

I turned from her, not wishing to look at her anymore and I walked back toward my camp.

"Very well, good night Aaron-sama."

Her voice is cold, uncaring, and hollow. The voice that is always filled with heat, sarcasm, smugness, arrogance, pride and... Friendly... Gone as if they were never there...

I did nothing but stand and stare at the bonfire that crackled and illuminated the darkness around me. Even when she had already left for more than minutes – I don't know the exact time since I'm too lost in my mind – but I still did nothing other than staring at the orange flame beneath me.

Why? Why Ram?

There are a dozen questions crossed in my mind, and a dozen things I want to say. That conversation was illogical, doesn't make any sense, and it was wrong, very wrong. We were not supposed to talk like that, we are better than that, we are above that, that was our emotions blinding our minds, such conversation should never happen in the first place.

But they did happen...

I only can let out a dry and bitter laugh as I slumped to the ground like a puppet without strings.

"Fuck..."

It was the sound of birds chirping followed by their loud flap of wings that alerted him.

He don't know when and how long he fell asleep – perhaps only not long after Ram leaving – but the sounds that those birds made enough to wake him up, he groaned and fought against the ache that invading his head, his eyes slowly open and he rose from the ground, feeling his back also aching just like his head.

'Sleep in the wrong place and position obviously.' He thought as he recognized the symptom. His eyes that still dazed briefly noted that he did not sleep in a tent but outside, no wonder he felt his body sore.

Something is coming...

He felt his whole body tensed in an instant and less than a second he was already on his feet without him being aware.

Something is coming...

His eyes focused on where his... Instinct, scream at him. His fingers clench and unclench themselves in preparation, without doubt Excalibur will come and ready for action the moment he moves his hand.

'Wolgarm or...'

He did not need to continue his thought as the 'something' came out from the bush and it was not Wolgarm.

It was someone who he had been waiting for.

They all come one by one, at first only five, then it increases to ten, to twenty, and they still keep coming and he lost count after thirty. They all just like how the anime and manga depict when he read/watch them. Clad in purple outfits that cover their whole body, pointy... Hat? Mask? Hood? That blocking their faces from the World save for a pair of red eyes that glowing in a menacing manner.

And he can't sense anything from them...

No, not their presence but... Their... Existence...

It's almost like they... They are not Human, they are not living beings... They... They are almost like a puppet, like someone who is not alive, they all... They all look artificial...

Like a Homunculus.

He had read about it, about the discussion from the fanpage and from a little fanfiction. Those who touch the Root or at least reach it cease to exist on the spot as their souls are either going back to "where they came from", becoming absorbed into the Root, or something similar.

These people... These cultists... They all recruited by having a Gospel book given to them, making them touch it, and then they all recruited...

'And seeing the Gospel book is a book that can predict the future of the holder... It was without doubt that the book clearly connected to something like Root or Akasha, and the moment they touched them...' Aaron does not need to finish his thought as he has a big guess what will happen to these people. They all lose their mind and become devoted because part of their souls are gone.

He watched as they all began to surround him, taking circle position slowly. He did not show any panic or emotion as he stared at them all, he kept his face calm and stoic.

Then they all bow to him, dropping to the ground, kneeling with one hand crossed over their chest as if they were Knight before King.

"My, my, my, my this is certainly interesting!"

A voice comes from the same direction where the cultist appears and Aaron shifts his gaze to him.

Pale... Inhumanely pale with a shade of green... Unlike Tear who is pale like a sick person or Emilia that has a healthy shade of whiteness, this man's paleness is almost like paint. His face was marred by a grin so wide that like the grin of a deranged person, his green hair styled into a strange cut..

There is no mistake... He was just like what he expected, this man...

"Hmph, you're very slothful. You should arrive sooner to make the best preparation, Sloth." He called, cutting the man before he could talk.

Petelgeuse blinked once, then he tilted his head almost to ninety degrees to the point Aaron was wondering how the hell his neck was not broken. "This strong smell of Love, and the power that comes with it!" His mouth curled to a big grin. "You are Pride, right?"

In response Aaron merely pulled out his magical book, one that stuffed into his coat pocket, his lips curled to an arrogant and prideful smirk as he showed it to the man "Archbishop of Pride, Aaron Pendragon."

"Ooohhhh!" Petelgeuse makes a voice of interest. "Pride! Pride! Pride!" He uttered the word as if it was sacred and holy. "To think I will meet Pride before the day of the ordeal! And he also has Love! OOOHH!" He cocked back his head while holding out while shuddering. "My brain trembleeee!"

Aaron, while uncomfortable with the way the insane man behaves, still can't help but feel there should be sweat dropped in the back of his head if he is in anime. 'Holy shit, he really said that aloud.' He thought.

Still... He can't help but feel this has clearly gone better than he expected. To think Petelgeuse bought his lie and act like this...

Well, he is a better liar and actor than Subaru's, and the man's mind condition is also questionable and unstable so it clearly won't be hard to lie to him. As long he has.

What is surprising though is the book... He didn't think Petelgeuse was going to accept it as a gospel book so easily. He already prepared some excuse and lie that can be used if the man thought there was something strange with his 'gospel' book but...

'Now is not the time to think about such a thing.' He thought as he brushed away that for later. "The Day of Ordeal will come soon, how many men do you bring with you?"

"Ah? How many?" Petelgeuse asked back with a wide grin. "So manyyy! All of them! All of them come to celebrate the raise of our beloved Goddess!" He declared while spreading his arm in a gesturing manner to his surroundings.

'Damn that was certainly not helping.' He thought with annoyance. "I see, then what about the other? You bring others with you?" He asked, then he put on his best sneering face. "You do not bring Greed with you right?"

At the mention of Greed Aaron watched as Petelgeuse grin was gone, his lips slowly curled to poker expression before turning to snarl.

"DO NOT MENTION THAT NAME!" He spat with rage, so much anger to the point there froth in his mouth "That disgusting and vile man!" He threw his head back and let out a small roar. "Disgusting! Disgusting! Disguuuusting! Just remembering him make me want to rip out his heaaart!"

Aaron blinked, he did expect that Petelgeuse would not like Regulus since they have history and the hatred probably still there but he never thought it would be... To this extent...

Well, more advantage for him.

"Agree." He said with a spat. "To think he dares to be disloyal and favoring other women than our Goddess." Was that pretty good? It must be judging by how Petelgeuse looked at him as if he just spoke holy words.

"My brother! You understand!" He exclaimed before he took steps forward and embraced him in a hug, and it took everything Aaron had to not strike him down when the archbishop did this. "You understand! Understand the way of Love! Aahhhh! As I expected! You truly are wondrous! Wondrous! As expected from my brother! Haaaa! My brain tremble!"

"Hmph, our Goddess deserves no less." Aaron replied blankly as he pushed the man away. He is really going to need to wash himself in hot water when he is done with this. "If it is not Greed then who comes with you? My Gospel mentions you bring something else."

This is actually a lie that is risky, if Petelgeuse did not bring anything then it will make him suspicious but Aaron can claim that the Gospel means for him. However if he did have something then Aaron can make better preparation.

Petelgeuse glanced at him with his usual toothy and big grin. "Yes! Yes! Yes! I got what you mean, I had been blessed and gifted with certain things! Very, very, very useful and lovely things!" He then turned to one of the cultists. "Bring them here!"

The mentioned cult member nodded with bow before he or she retreated back to the forest. It wasn't long before they returned and Aaron watched them drag six unconscious children.

He feels slight dread at the sight of innocence caught by these people in an instant but he can't help but feel a bit relieved when he notices that he did not recognize their faces, which means they are not children from the village.

"Children?" He said and he can't help but put a disbelief tone in his voice.

"Not just any children!" Petelgeuse exclaimed as he approached the children and caressed one of their cheeks in a loving manner. "They are children that are blessed by Love! Love! Loove! Haaaa!" He let out a sigh that was filled with pleasure.

Children who are blessed by love... Aaron instantly concludes that these children will be used as a sacrifice, worse right now they possibly already no longer themselves and only something that needs a snap of fingers to be activated.

"They will be the one that tests the half demon I take?" He asked.

"Yes brother! Yes! They will!" Petelgeuse cackled. "The Day of Ordeal soon will come! Only in the next three days! We shall have that half devil to judge if she is worthy for our Goddess or not! Ahhhh! My brain trembles just imagining it!" He exclaimed while holding his head and shivering in pleasure.

'Three days huh... Well I got the date I wished for and... Should I ask what these children are capable of? No, that would be too suspicious. Petelgeuse insane and gullible due to his mental state but I doubt he is stupid if I keep pushing.' Aaron glanced at the children stoically but inside he can't help but feel like iron just dropped to his stomach. There is a big chance that he is going to fight against them... Or whatever they would become tomorrow, and if that happens then it is highly possible he would be forced to kill them.

... He can't stay here any longer... He can't maintain his facade any further, not with such weight in his mind, there is the matter of Ram as well that still bothers him.

He already gets what he wants so he should leave before things become worse.

"Then I leave the rest to you, I have my own preparation and I will share it with you tomorrow." He said, then he gave the man a smirk. "A big preparation for our Goddess."

"Ahhhh! Yes! Yes! Such diligence! Aahhh!" The Archbishop of Sloth seems deeply moved by the man's words. "Then no need to waste time here! Go! Go and prepare the best for our Goddess!"

"Everything for her." He said in a sweet voice. "By the way, do you happen to have a Conversing Mirror that is connected to your link? It will be easier to contact you if I need to tell you something else."

"Of course! Of course! I have! I have!" Petelgeuse nodded and turned to one of the cult members that stepped forward and gave him the mirror. "Here! Here! Take this!"

Aaron took it graciously and nodded. "Then, I will take my leave now. See you soon then Petelgeuse!"

"See you soon brother! Hahahaha!"

The cult members split and parted away, giving him space as he walked. Aaron kept walking, even when he was already out of their sight he kept walking for ten minutes and after that he bolted away, running as fast as he could.

Until he is sure he at least already one kilometer away from them, he stopped and begin to breath heavier than normal

It's not like he was tired, no, very far from it, but he is mentally exhausted. It takes everything he has to keep his facade and lie, the mention of Ram still hurting him, he won't admit it aloud but he really feels like an ass for... Saying the truth in such a way, he really went overboard to her. He should phrase it better but...

And then there are these children's matters... Great Akasha, things really went hill for him didn't they? While it seems to go smoothly, the mental burden that was given to him is… Very heavy.

He shook his head before slowly lifting his eyes to above, to the sky that clear, blue and filled with countless clouds with numerous shapes.

'Tomorrow... Gods, hopefully everything will go according to the plan.'

He prays to any Deities out there that it will. Even if everything went right now without any mistakes, tomorrow is the climax and if something goes wrong then... The result will be very bad.