Chapter 27 - "Back to The Place it All Started"

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

In a dark room, a man is sitting behind his desk looking through the window, watching the moon shine.

Next to him, stands a short girl, a maid in fact, with pink peach hair. She looks at the moon and responds to the questions the man, her superior, asks her.

??? : "Roswaal-sama… We triumphed at the Crusades against the Witch Cult during the Day of the Royal Ceremony."

Roswaal : "Aaaaa~h, truly wonderful. Amazing. So that's the case. Any victims Ram?"

Ram : "Yes. A maid which supposedly worked here, has been erased from the World's History by the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony, Ley Batenkaitos. Meili Portroute has disappeared from our maps and is nowhere to be seen. Melissa Lestrange, the girl that was brought here is recovering. Yang Xiao Long was brought to this Mansion too, and is recovering from her injuries. Same goes for the people that you brought here, Sapphire Northshire and Lethias Greenway."

Roswaal : "A-M-A-Zing. Truly extraordinary. What about Elis? Has he returned yet?"

Ram : "Yes. Should I bring him to this room?"

Roswaal : "No, he can wait. Whaaaat about the booooy?"

Ram : "Jens? A truly idiotic fool!"

Roswaal : "Ram. Seriouslyyyyy~, what's with him?"

Ram : "It seems he gained an ability which allows him to create weapons. He's also able to manipulate reality with those weapons."

Roswaal : "Wonderful. Alright then. Thaa~nk you very much for this. We'll talk later, Ram."

Ram : "Understood Roswaal-sama."

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

??? : "Waaaaake up! Ah! Sleepy head! Wake up!"

A girl was trying to wake the boy up, but without success, until—

??? : "Sorry Jens!"

Suddenly, he felt a freezing feeling around his lower body, around his butt, and suddenly, he woke up immediately.

Jens : "AAAAAAAAH! W-W-What?! Emilia? What are you doing?"

Emilia : "I-I'm sorry. You weren't waking up, so I had to freeze your lower body. We arrived at the Roswaal Mansion, you were asleep for around a day."

Jens : "That's not a reason to freeze my ass!"

He sighed, but then realized something and looked Emilia straight into her eyes.

Jens : "Emilia, I was asleep for a whole day?"

Emilia : "Correct. We already loaded the Dragon Carriages, and everyone is back in their room."

Jens : "Why did Roswaal call us? He said it was extremely important, right?"

Emilia : "I don't know Jens. I haven't seen Roswaal in this mansion, it seems he's gone."

Jens : "What? Where could he else be?"

Emilia : "Well, there are multiple villages, cities and towns around here that are under his control… We should ask Beatrice."

Jens : "So that's the case. I see. Would you mind walking with me for a bit? I want to take a look how everyone is doing."

Emilia : "A-Ah! Of course!"

Jens stepped out of the dragon carriage, scratching his butt sometimes, which went unnoticed by Emilia.

They walked towards the Mansion, where Otto Suwen was standing with a bird on his shoulder.

Otto : "Yes! Please, look for that man, would you?"

Blue Bird : "I understand, Young Master."

The bird suddenly spread her wings and flew away.

Otto : "Aaaah! Jens! I'm so happy to see you again, standing here."

Jens : "Same goes for you Otto. I'm happy that you're alright."

Otto : "I'm doing alright indeed. But it appears we've some new guys here. Some people that know you, in fact. Yang Xiao Long, Lethias Greenway, Sapphire Northshire and Melissa Lestrange."

Jens : "What?! What are they doing here?"

Emilia : "Ram explained us that someone brought them to the Mansion. They were found lethally injured somewhere."

Jens : "I see."

Otto : "Well, let's go inside I guess?"

Emilia : "Hmh. Let's go to the living room."

Otto opens the door, and Emilia and Jens follow him.

After approximately one minute of walking, they enter the Living Room and sit down.

Emilia : "So… About what happened, Otto Suwen."

Right when he heard his name, he shaped a fist of his hand put it on his chest.

Otto : "Y-Yes Emilia!"

Emilia : "Could you explain what happened, during the Battle against Adam Taurus, was his name, right?"

Otto : "Yes. Adam Taurus. He's a High Commander of the Blood Cloud…"

He opened up his arms, showing that he was explaining something and that he was trying to convince Jens and Emilia of something.

Otto : "He possesses some incredible powers. Everyone got hurt quite badly except Reinhard-sama. If I understand it correctly, the Blood Cloud is an organization which is loyal to Masquerade and Regulus Corneas. Because of this, they're directly loyal to the Witch Cult. It seems that Regulus Corneas, the Sin Archbishop of Greed, and Masquerade, the Jester, are the ones that are pulling the strings mostly. But they kept mentioning their 'Lady', which I do not recognize."

Suddenly, a door opens. It was Nathan Harmonia, he was completely back to his normal state and walked casually into the room. Behind him, stood someone else, it was Elis Rose Evergarden

Nathan : "Can we join?"

Emilia : "Ah! Of course!"

Nathan sat down next to Jens, on a couch. Elis sat down in a chair and looked at everyone, waiting for the conversation to begin.

Nathan : "Sorry to say this, but I might've heard a little bit of the conversation. Their Lady could be the individual which goes by the name Sirius A."

Emilia : "Wasn't she confirmed to be Melissa Lestrange though? She was found in an awful state, unable to do anything."

Elis : "Is it known who brought her to the Mansion?"

Otto : "No. Though, Ram stated that she found them in a Dragon Carriage near the Gates of Roswaal's Territory, so she brought them in."

Elis : "Oh? So that's the case. When did she find them?"

Otto : "Around… twelve hours ago."

Elis : "I see. It's weird that we could've overseen a Dragon Carriage on our way back, could they've been brought after we arrived?"

Emilia : "That's a possibility, but the questions stays, who brought them to the Mansion and who saved them?"

Elis : "Saved?"

Emilia : "Yes. Someone brought them here, so it means that person brought them from the Capital, to this area, which is a big distance."

Elis : "I see. Were there any traces of Teleportation Magic?"

Emilia : "No. I checked the area myself."

Elis : "I see."

Nathan : "Then what about the knowledge we gained during the Battle for Lugnica?"

Jens forgot that he was part of the conversation for a while, and then realized that question was directed towards him.

Jens : "A-Ah… Well…"

Nathan Harmonia, Otto Suwen, Elis Rose Evergarden and Emilia, all looked at Jens.

Jens : "It seems I've a very long relationship with Regulus Corneas and Masquerade. I do not recall any moment with them. Regulus mentioned that I was there for him back in the days, and Masquerade erased my memories, and most likely brought me to the Capital when I woke up."

Otto : "Hmh. That's…. Weird though."

Jens : "What is?"

Otto : "Considering your looks, you would be eighteen, right?"

Jens : "Something like that, yes."

Otto : "Well… Regulus Corneas is over a hundred years old."

A silence fell.

Elis : "How do you know that? I never heard of The Sin Archbishop of Greed until the attack."

Otto : "15 years ago, a city in Volakia got attacked by that Sin Archbishop, a man with [Invincibility]… 50 years ago, an individual known by the [Greed] with the power of [Invincibility] destroyed the bridge of Pardkia in Gusteko."

Elis : "Ah? The Bridge of Pardkia, you say?"

Jens : "I've never heard of that bridge."

Nathan : "The Bridge of Pardkia is a bridge that leads to Larikt, one of the Three Major cities of Gusteko. Larikt is a city which surrounds the Mountain of Pardkia, which is a mountain that is being guarded by one of the four Great Spirits, Odglass, the Spirit Beast."

Jens : "Odglass?"

Elis : "Yes. Odglass is a Great Spirit that chooses the Holy King of Gusteko every now and then. That's the story that is being told, right?"

Otto : "Y-Yes. But what do you mean with the latter?"

Elis : "A Holy King. How could Masquerade be the Holy King of Gusteko?"

Otto : "A-Ah! That's true! I never thought about that, why would Odglass choose a King like the Crazed Prince Masquerade?"

Nathan : "Though Masquerade isn't his actual name. It seems that the Prince is living a second life? He was also Lucius, so he's living a lot of lives actually."

Elis : "Yes. Indeed."

The conversation slowly shifted from Regulus to Masquerade, but then–

Jens : "What about the Four Maidens?"

Another silence fell. This one was shorter than the former one.

Nathan : "I've read a book about the Four Maidens. But that was supposed to be a fairy tale."

Elis : "The Tale of the Maidens? I remember reading that one. But… The Four Maidens are real."

Otto : "Hm?"

Elis : "The Four Maidens, Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall. They're real."

Jens : "What are they? Are they some kind of Chosen Ones that receive incredible power?"

Elis : "It's very hard to explain. But back when I studied in Flanders, I remember encountering an organization in the Black Society of Flanders, and they told me about it-"

He interrupts his talk with a sigh of relief.

Elis : "The Four Maidens are the hosts of a vast natural power that has existed in this world for thousands if not millions of years. They are said to be the physical embodiment of the four seasons."

Jens : "So… Cinder Fall is the Fall Maiden, right?"

Elis : "Correct. It seems she killed the former Fall Maiden and received her powers."

Jens : "Hm? What do you mean? How do the powers transfer?"

Elis : "When a Maiden dies, the powers which resides within them get transferred to an individual which was in their final thoughts."

Otto : "Ah… But what purpose to they play in these 'Games'"?

Jens : "Games?"

Otto : "The Witch Cult and The Blood Cloud possess powerful people and artifacts, while they seek for more. Apparently, they have a Maiden in their possession. But what role does she play in the Games that Masquerade created?"

Nathan : "Oh right! I doubt Regulus made this plan, Masquerade, the brain behind everything, probably has a reason for them being there, am I right?"

Jens : "Like that… Emilia, what do you think?"

Emilia : "I… I never heard about Maidens that possess the origin of Magical powers. So I don't think I can add useful information to this conversation… But I do have an idea…."

Jens : "Hm?"

Emilia : "Paaaaaaaaaaaaakkuuuuu!"

Suddenly, Emilia's cat appeared on the table in the middle of the living room.

Pack : "Hmh. What is it Lia?"

Emilia : "Do you know something about the Four Maidens that might be useful to use against the Witch Cult or the Blood Cloud?"

Pack : "Ahh! You're asking it to the right Great Spirit!"

Jens looks at Pack, putting up a curious and thinking facial expression.

However, his mind does not trust the cat for some reason. The Cat acts very suspicious and hasn't helped the Emilia Camp that much.

Pack : "Each Maiden is able to open a Seal in a country."

Nathan : "What?! So the seals were created by the Four Maidens?!"

Pack : "Nono you dummy! There are Four Seals in this world. The Pleiades Watchtower Seal, The Glazed Hall Seal, The Path to Hell Seal and the Bridge to The Starry Sky Seal."

Emilia : "What? Pack, why have you never told me about anything like this?"

Pack : "I did not know you would encounter a Maiden. The chances are extremely low."

Nathan : "Do you know more about the Four Maidens? Their origin, their powers, their potential—"

Before he was able to finish his sentence, Elis Rose Evergarden stood up and interrupted Nathan Harmonia.

Elis : "Excuse me, but this is very personal. Pack, do you know what is behind those seals?"

Pack : "Hm? Not exactly. It's possible that… Behind one fo these seals are one of the Remains of the Fallen Witches. Maybe some Artifacts?"

Elis : "Artifacts you say? Hmm… That's very possible. The Pleiades Watchtower Seal might have what I'm searching for."

Nathan : "What do you mean?"

Jens : "The Pleiades Watchtower Seal? What kind of Artifact might be there Elis?"

Elis : "The Relic of Knowledge. It's an Artifact I'm searching for…. for many years."

Pack : "Oh right, I completely forgot about that Relic… You're right. The Relic of Knowledge is indeed there."

Suddenly, the door opens.

Weiss : "So the Maidens. These Seals. The Sin Archbishops. Relics and Artifacts. It's all true?"

Weiss walks into the room and stands near Nathan.

Emilia : "Weiss. Thank you for coming. It seems that they're all true indeed."

Weiss : "Well… The Witch Cult is after these seals for sure, the Relics and Artifacts that are behind these seals are extremely useful for sure. We're abandoned with more questions than answers. We also don't know what relevance Jens has to this World Problem, or who Masquerade truly is. We don't know the motives of the Witch Cult, and don't know where the other Maidens are."

Emilia : "Yes. That's true. We need to find answers to these questions. Perhaps that will be quite a journey, but I'm sure we're able to do that!"

Jens : "Weiss. You promised me a talk."

Weiss : "J-Jens…?"

Jens : "Who am I? Who were I to you? What am I?!"

Suddenly, Jens throws an extremely important question–

Well, rather questions into the room.

Weiss : "You… You're Jens. Just Jens."

Weiss Schnee said that, with an extremely happy facial expression and watery eyes.

Jens : "What am I to you?"

Nathan : "Wait! Why are you asking Weiss this?"

Jens : "In the Capital… We had some talks. Apparently, she knows more about me than I do."

Weiss : "Me and Jens… Yang and Jens… Jens was our Master."

Suddenly, everyone widened their eyes.

Jens : "What?!"

Elis : "Rather interesting, in fact!"

Nathan : "How?!"

Weiss : "Back when Team RWBY was active, Jens was the one that trained us all. He was the one that made us continue our journey. He was the one that lead us to Victory back in the days. Haha, how stupid of me."

Weiss started tearing up slowly.

Jens : "Don't cry. Please."

Jens stood up and put his hand on her shoulder.

Jens : "I'm sorry for not being able to remember any of that. But we will win for sure. We will endure even though our goal is far. I'll regain my memories one day, and everything will go back to normal. I-I promise."

He didn't hesitate at promise at all. Yet, his voice trembled.

It planted a seed of doubt in Weiss' mind, which didn't blossom.

Jens is sure that they'll defeat their enemies, but he isn't sure if he's strong enough.

Weiss : "Ha…"

Jens : "Sorry… to swap subject."

Elis : "Again."

Elis added to Jens' original saying.

Jens : "Yes… What about the other Sin Archbishops?"

Otto : "Gluttony is… very complicated. If it's true–"

Weiss : "The Sin Archbishops of Gluttony possess the Witch Genes of Gluttony. The Genes allow them to use the Authority of Gluttony. It's a very situational power. Ley Batenkaitos, Roy Alphard and Louis Arneb… They can eat the name and memories of their opponent. To eat a name, the Archbishop touches them with their left hand, then licks the palm of the same hand. Things such as experience, talent, and the likes and dislikes of human relationships serve as food for the user, allowing them to take advantage of any abilities or memories their opponents had. However, if the user eats a fake name, they are plagued with severe nausea."

Elis : "Impressive Schnee."

Weiss : "Hm!"

Emilia : "Is that what happened to…"

Jens : "The Blue Haired Maid? Yes. I'm completely sure."

Emilia : "I see. Then what about Regulus Corneas?"

Weiss : "His power is [Invincibility]. He cannot die."

Otto : "W-What?!"

Elis : "Is that so?"

Everyone immediately questioned what Weiss stated.

Jens : "N-No. That's not true. I suddenly remembered during the Greed Crusade. It was as if someone whispered it in my hear. Regulus' authority is based on a fairy tale, [The Tale of The Leo King]. It's a fairy tale about a Kingdom which is divided by another King."

Emilia : "Another King?"

Nathan : "What the hell are you talking about?

The reactions were negative, as he expected.

Jens : "It might sound weird, but it's true. To destroy a Kingdom, you must destroy the Gates of the Kingdom, which are Regulus' limbs and head. After that those are dealt with, he becomes unable to use his other Authority… Stillness of an Object's Time."

Weiss : "I've heard of that. That Authority allowed him to stop time and use air, sand, leaves or what ever, as bullets or ranged shots. Even swinging his arms is capable of destroying anything, no matter how hard that substance is."

Nathan : "So that's how he was able to move so fast? That's rather… interesting and fascinating actually. Think about it, even if we would dash towards him, he would be able to stop time and cut is in half. That was the others thought his Authority did… [Invincibility]. Which is now… Confirmed to be not true. It's possible to hurt him, though what is the ability which allows him to come back from the dead?"

Jens : "Perhaps that's something else. If I remember correctly, the Tale of The Leo King didn't have kind of feature like that. I think that the Stillness of an Object's Time is literally the power of the Witch Genes, he represents Greed, so he is greedy for time?"

Emilia : "Ah! That makes sense! Him returning from the death is rather worrying. There is no such Magic as returning people from the death except the Immortal King's Sacrament."

Weiss : "That kind magic has never been summoned successfully, I doubt anyone of the Witch Cult possess a Blue!"

Jens : "S-Sorry, but what's a Blue? What's the Immortal King's Sacrament?"

Emilia : "In The Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica, the King gives Titles which represent a certain element of Magic. If you gained that Title, it officially states that you're the best Mage of that Magic. Blue is Water Mana. Red is Fire Mana. Green is Wind Mana. Yellow is Earth Mana. Black is Yin Mana and White is Yang Mana. The latter two are not given to anyone yet—"

Otto : "Also, Felix Argyle possesses the Title of Blue. Roswaal L Mathers possesses the Title of Red. Sinon Elysia from Priestella possesses the Title of Green. Taliyah possess the Title of Yellow."

Jens : "Taliyah… Sinon Elysia… those names sound familiar."

Otto : "Hm? Where have you heard those names before? Sinon Elysia is the Guardian of the Water Gate City Priestella. Taliyah is a random wanderer who hasn't appeared in years."

Jens : "Ah… I see. What about the Immortal King's Sacrament?"

Emilia : "It's the top of the top Water Magic. It allows the user to resurrect someone they were bonded with. However, it has never been used successfully…"

Elis : "Well! Time for me to ask you all information!"

Suddenly, Elis interrupted the conversation and changed the tone of his voice.

Elis : "I doubt someone like Jens would know any of the following. But I'm asking you to state all the bad guys you know. In Kararagi, we only had one incident with the Blood Cloud. It could possibly mean that we're lacking defense and knowledge."

Suddenly, everyone looked at Elis Rose Evergarden.

Emilia : "A-All the bad guys? That's a rather… random question."

Elis : "My apologies. But after I witnessed the day in the Royal Capital… I'm seriously scared about what might happen to Kararagi. Remember, I might be for the Emilia-sama Camp, but I still want to protect my Kingdom!"

Nathan : "Well… First of all, Jens, what baddies do you know?"

Jens : "A-Ah.."

He started thinking, and immediately some people came up in his mind.

Jens : "The『Blood Hunter』Elsa Granhiert. She was the assassin that attacked us few weeks ago. The 『Crazed Prince』of the Holy Kingdom of Gusteko. Which also is 『The Jester』Masquerade. The Witch Cult and The Blood Cloud of course… I think that's it?"

Nathan : "W-What? Really?"

Elis : "What is it Nathan?"

Nathan : "Well, Jens doesn't even know about the bad bad guys. The Witch Cult are bad, but there are people worse, easily."

Jens : "What are you talking about? No, who are you talking about Nathan?"

Otto looked at Nathan carefully.

Nathan : "There are bandits everywhere, but the Head of all the bandits on this world is easily the 『Raven of Death』Raven Branwen. Remember when she attacked this Mansion? We barely stood a chance."

Jens : "Oh right… I forgot about here. She also said some–"

Elis : "More? I'll remember her."

Nathan : "Then there are the—"

Suddenly, a spark of memories flashes through Jens mind.

Jens : "The man with red hair. He.. tortured me. The night Masquerade erased my memories, a man with red hair and blood red eyes tortured me. I remember one eye missing and having no limbs… and other stuff."

Nathan : "O-Oh.. I remember you talking about it now that you say it."

Emilia gets slightly irritated hearing that.

The fact that the only one who understands her got hurt, hurt her even more.

Nathan : "Sorry. Then there is the Demi-Human Alliance, which is still active but leaves no traces of themselves. It's an organization which fights for revolution, willing to sacrifice anything to have Demi-Human as the superior race."

Otto : "Oh right! I know them too!"

Nathan : "And then… The worst of the worst. These people lost their soul and sacrificed their humanity to the Witches of Sin. They are the crazy motherfuckers that are unable to be dealt with–"

Weiss : "The Endbringers."

She interjected.

Nathan : "R…Right."

Everyone paused. A silence of death occurred.

Jens : "W-What or Who are the Endbringers?"

Nathan : "They're… presumably humans who sacrificed everything they had to the Witches of Sin and lost it. They're crazy as hell and they are incredibly strong, possibly as strong as Masquerade and Regulus Corneas combined."

Weiss : "You clearly forget something. There are three End Bringers—"

??? : "Emilia-sama, may I intrude?"

A woman's voice calls from outside the living room.

Emilia : "Yes."

Jens watches on with no particular intention at the opening door, when suddenly a doubt hits him.

He was pretty sure this voice was one he had never heard before. It wasn't Yang Xiao Long. It wasn't Lethias Greenway. It wasn't Sapphire Northshire. It wasn't Melissa Lestrange.

??? : "I have brought refreshment and additional hand towels– Ah? It appears you have awoken."

The form of the smiling woman imprinted itself into Jens' eyes.

It was a woman with long, almost translucent blonde hair, the lines of her back were in perfect posture. Her appearance and behavior was in every way refined, and in her fluid motions there was not a hint of unnecessary movement.

She was wearing the same familiar outfit as other servants of the Roswaal Mansion —the cute and practical maid's uniform, with not so much as a crease or wrinkle visible.

The plate in her hands held a water pitcher and hand towels, which she placed softly down on the stand in the center of the room without making a sound. —If she were being scored, she would have passed with flying colors…

…that is, only if you overlooked her ferocious-looking physique and her fiendish smile.

The uniform may be worn perfectly, but the one wearing it was slightly taller than Jens, with an athletic build similar to his. If she were a he, it would have seemed healthy and strong, but when it was on a female, everything instantly crumbled.

What's more, the smile at the end of her perfectly fluid motion —was completely ruined by the set of sharp fangs peeking out through the corner of her mouth. Looking even closer, there was something unnatural about the sharpness of her gaze, and her greens pupils seemed to give off a glinting light, like a carnivorous, feline beast eyeing its prey.

??? : "It graces me to have made your audience. My humble station is to serve the mansion of the Margrave Roswaal L Mathers, Frederica Baumann is my—"

frederica.png

Jens : "W-W-What are you?!"

Her respectful introduction was interrupted by the overly candor words that slipped out of Jens' mouth. Upon hearing this, the woman's expression congealed, and after her fiendish eyes blinked several times ——tears began to form.

Frederica : "A-Ah.."

Jens : "O-Oh…"

Emilia : "Jens! You Idiot!"

The Half Elf stood up and punched Jens' arm.

Emilia : "That's a terrible thing to say to a girl! Frederica did so much to take care of you…"

Frederica : "I-I ask that you might let it go, Miss Emilia. It is quite alright. I was…I was the one in the wrong after all. I was so happy to have been called back to the mansion, I got too over-excited…and forgot that my looks are usually unpleasant for many…"

Emilia : "Nooo! Don't think it that way!"

Otto : "A-Ah, Frederica-san! Don't worry please!"

Nathan : "Fred-chan! Don't feel bad please! He didn't mean it!"

He looked around him, and everyone was familiar with Frederica, except himself.

Jens : "Sorry… About that, but who are you?"

Emilia : "What do you mean? Frederica Baumann, along with Ram, are the Head Maids of the Roswaal Mansion?"

Jens : "Sorry? That was Re–"

Suddenly, he realizes what's going on. The Authority of Gluttony affects the History of the World he's in too. By erasing Rem from the original timeline, it would be impossible to end in the same place where they currently were, without her.

However, Frederica stated that she was called back to the mansion, so this isn't the first time she's being hired. Jens thinks about questioning that, but he keeps it for later.

Jens : "Oh right, sorry for forgetting Frederica."

Frederica : "Ah! No, please accept my apology! It seemed I troubled you for a bad second!"

Jens : "N-No, not at all. Can we continue?"

Frederica : "Alright! I'm leaving the room aga—"

Jens : "Actually, stay here please. I want to hear your information to."

Jens interrupted the Beast Human Frederica Baumann. He wanted to know what stuff she knows, even if she's the replacement of Rem.

Weiss : "Right. There are three Endbringers, or End Bringers, what ever you want to call them—"

Otto : "The Leviathan."

Weiss : "Hmh."

Otto interrupted and mentioned the first one.

Weiss : "His name before he lost his humanity is unknown actually, but his Endbringer name is Leviathan."

Jens : "L-Leviathan? What is he?"

Weiss : "He an giant monster. Though… his power is unknown, as nobody survived to face him."

Jens : "W-What?!"

Nathan : "Though, he lives in the water, and as there aren't much lakes and waters in this world, him making a reappearance is barely possible. He was last seen 400 years ago."

Jens : "I… I see."

Nathan : "Then, there is The Simurgh."

Elis : "Hmh?"

Frederica : "A-Ah… am I allowed to give information?"

Jens : "Of course."

Frederica : "I've heard about The Simurgh. It went by the name of Angel of Hell. She's an flying, seemingly a woman, who's capable of destroying realities with telekinesis."

Jens : "J-Jesus… Did the Witches of Sin do that to her?"

Frederica : "Yes. Her name was Militia Skyfallen. The Stories which were told at the Sanctuary, is that she was a villager that desired only freedom. All that she witnessed around her was destruction and death. She wanted help from the Witches of Sin, the Witch of Greed offered a deal, in exchange for Knowledge, she'll grant her wish and give her freedom."

Jens : "The Witch of Greed? Echidna?"

Frederica : "Yes. Instead of giving her freedom she desired, Echidna stole Militia's humanity and transformed her into The Simurgh. An End Bringer which destroys everything which disturbs her freedom."

Jens : "Oh god."

Jens sighed.

Frederica : "Don't worry Jens. There's no way she'll appear. She rests at the top of an mountain at the far east of Lugnica. An idiot approaching her would result into chaos, but I doubt there's someone as strong as End Bringer."

Otto : "What about the Sage, The Sword Saint or The Dragon?"

Frederica : "Those are exceptions."

Nobody replied to that, and so, Nathan continued.

Nathan : "Then there's the final End Bringer, a serpent which seeks vengeance it's whole life. It's massive and it's poison is able to plague lands eternally and kill people within a second."

Weiss : "The Black Serpant, Medusa."

Jens gulped. The name Medusa reminded him to Mythology.

A woman which was capable of turning people into stone.

That sure sounded like Capella when she transformed Otto to stone.

Weiss : "Hm? Isn't that just a Demon Beast?"

Nathan : "No. However, Medusa is capable of controlling all Demon Beasts. She's considered to be extremely strong and dangerous."

Jens : "She also sacrificed her humanity to the Witches?"

Nathan : "Yes. Though her tale, along with Leviathan's, remain untold."

Frederica : "I might be able to find the book when we're at the Sanctuary again."

Nathan : "S-Sanctuary?"

Frederica : "O-Oh… Ram didn't tell you guys?"

Emilia : "Excuse me? Ram didn't tell me either!"

Frederica sighed out of exhaustion.

Jens was still confused about the End Bringers, and Elis just shrugged and shook his head.

Frederica : "There is some… Problems at the Sanctuary."

Jens : "Sanctuary? What is that!?"

Frederica : "That's a village where I grew up along with my family. However, the Barrier of The Graveyard is disappearing. If that happens, the Witches of Sin will come back to this reality. I can bring you to the Sanctuary."

Suddenly, everyone stands up.

Nathan : "What?!"

Elis : "Frederica-san! How could you keep that–"

Jens : "WAIT!"

Suddenly, everyone looks at Jens.

Jens : "The Graveyard? Is that… The place where…"

Weiss : "That's the place where the Witch of Greed died. However, her soul and the souls of the other five witches are also there. The Graveyard of The Witch of Greed is surrounded by a barrier, created by The Dragon."

Frederica : "Yes! But the Barrier is fading, which means you all have to go to the Sanctuary and find Roswaal and Ram there. It's one hour walking from here."

Weiss : "I see. Well, what are we waiting for?"

Nathan : "Haa.. Can't a man just sit down for a day?"

Otto : "A man wouldn't be knocked out in every single fight. Hahahaha!"

Otto laughed at himself.

Elis : "That's a rough one. Beatrice-sama wouldn't even make that one—"

Jens : "BEATRICE!"

Immediately, Jens is reminded, he was supposed to go and talk with Beatrice.

Jens : "Guys, go to the Sanctuary without me. I've to talk to Beatrice!"

Jens runs towards the door and leaves the room.

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Emilia : "A-Ah…."

Elis : "That was rather rude to leave his love behind without even saying goodbye.

Emilia blushed.

Otto : "That's also true!"

Nathan : "Hey guys! Stop being dicks."

Elis : "Whatever you say Nathan."

Otto : "R-Right… sorry"

Everyone sat down. Until another door opened, there four persons entered the room. Every single one of them was known to the group by atleat one person.

Yang : "Good morning lads! That sure was a rough last night, wasn't it?"

Melissa : "H-Hello everyone!"

Sapphire : "Hm? Nathan? Emilia?"

Lethias : "Ah… A Fated Reunion, it seems?"

Yang Xiao Long.

Melissa Lestrange.

Sapphire Northshire.

Lethias Greenway.

They all returned to the group, but this time, without Jens.

Immediately, Nathan ran towards Melissa and hugged her.

Melissa was left in shock, and was paralyzed.

She was physically and mentally unable to move.

Nathan : "Melissa… I missed you."

Melissa : "N-Nathan."

Nathan : "The things you did in Lugnica… I cannot forgive you."

Melissa : "Hah?"

Immedaitely, she responds with a sound that literally means 'what'.

Nathan releases her from the hug and looks at her shocked.

Melissa : "N-Nathan… What happened? I don't remember anything until the point that I got abducted by Lucius von Rosewald."

Nathan : "W-WHAT?!"

Immediately, everyone looks at the two having a conversation.

Melissa : "I remember waking up in the Prison of Lugnica, but I don't remember anything past that."

Elis : "That's correct."

Elis Rose Evergarden walked towards the two.

Elis : "The Sword Saint, Reinhard van Astrea ordered me to check her in the prison. So I did, but you seemed to be unable to talk to. You were possessed by something."

Melissa : "A-Ah.."

Elis : "Ah right.. I forgot to introduce myself. Sorry for that! My name is Elis Rose Evergarden. I'll be supporting the Emilia camp during the Royal Election."

Nathan : "Yes. I'll explain everything later. But first, take some rest please."

Melissa : "B-But… What about us? Royal Election? Are you participating? What is even going on?"

Nathan : "Calm down Melissa. Everything will be alright."

Yang : "That sure is sweet, ain't it? Truly heartwarming!"

Suddenly, Weiss takes a step forward.

Elis : "Oh my…"

Weiss : "Yang…"

After hearing that, Yang Xiao Long turns towards the very familiar voice and stares Weiss into the eyes.

Yang : "Weiss… It has been… Many years."

Weiss : "Prepare to die!"

Yang activated her gauntlets and fired gunshot of fire.

Immediately, Weiss summoned a wall of Ice.

An unexpected battle blossomed in the Roswaal L Mathers' Mansion.

The Wall of Ice grew extremely high and collapsed the roof.

Yang : "WEISS SCHNEE! YOU'LL DIE TODAY!"

Weiss : "YANG XIAO LONG! SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!"

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Jens looks around himself and opens the first door he sees. Immediately, he finds himself in the Forbidden Library.

In the middle of the room, there are the same cups as ever, and Beatrice is drinking her tea.

Jens : "Beatrice… I haven't talked to you in a while."

Beatrice : "Hm? How are you still alive, I suppose?"

Jens : "Does that matter?"

He responded with a wink. Beatrice looked irritated at him.

Jens : "Anyway. I have to talk to you. I met Sin Archbishops, I met the Crazed Prince. I met Echidna."

Hearing that, Beatrice raises her head.

Beatrice : "Echidna?"

Jens : "The Artificial Spirit Echidna. She told me I've to go to the Sanctuary. She told I had to meet her."

Beatrice : "Echidna said that, I suppose? That's rather fascinating."

Jens : "So you know Echidna, don't you?"

Beatrice : "I do, I suppose."

Jens : "Then tell me. What the hell are you hiding from me Beatrice?"

He points his fingers towards Beatrice. He puts on an angry expression and calls out her name with a disrespectful tone.

Beatrice : "You're talking about stuff you which you don't know a single thing about, I suppose. In fact, you would be better off dead."

Jens : "Is that so?"

He sighed.

Jens : "Then explain me… Why does Echidna want to meet me?"

Beatrice : "How would I know, I suppose?"

Jens : "Because—"

And suddenly, the two of them hear the roof, near the Library, collapsing.

A Battle of Reunion between Weiss Schnee and Yang Xiao Long is destroying the whole mansion.

Who will fall and who will Rise?

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

??? : "I think it's our turn… Meili."

On a top of the mountain, two individuals were looking at the Roswaal Mansion.