Chapter 13: who do you think is the biggest problem to the world
Beatrice looked at Subaru as he was walking. "How do you keep finding this place".
Subaru looked at her as he Remembers all the dungeon related games he played. "I have some skill".
Beatrice scoops as she looked at them. "So why are you here".
Subaru looked as he spoke. "Just here too talk, who do you think is the biggest problem".
Beatrice narrows her eyes looking at him. "Interesting question, why do you ask".
Subaru looked at her as he spoke. "I have my answer and you have yours".
Beatrice then spoke looking at him. "The witch Cult".
Subaru scooped as she he spoke. "They are just people with too much power, if Lugunica wants them death, they should make a team lead by Reinhard or any other power House, and the people that have the Witch Authority amongst the group, they are just cheep copy cats of the witch".
Beatrice could help but repeat the last words he said. "You speak like you know the witches personally".
Subaru looked as he spoke. "I read a few books".
Beatrice narrows her eyes, she can already make a lot of holes in that. "Fine then who is the biggest problem in your eye".
Subaru looked as he spoke. "The whales, The Rabbit and the Snake".
Beatrice frowned, crossing her arms as she leaned back into her chair. "The three great Mabeasts, I suppose... but what makes you say that, I wonder?"
Subaru sighed, sitting on the floor as he rested his back against a bookshelf. "Think about it. The Witch Cult is a problem, sure, but they're just humans. Dangerous ones, but still humans. They can be reasoned with, manipulated, or—if it comes to it—killed." He tapped his fingers on his knee. "But the three great Mabeasts? They're forces of nature. Monsters that can wipe out entire towns, and nobody has been able to truly get rid of them. No one even knows how the damn White Whale works, not to mention the Rabbit."
Beatrice narrowed her eyes. "And the Snake?"
Subaru hesitated. "I don't know much about it. But if it's anything like the other two, then it's a problem." He ran a hand through his hair. "The world will never be safe while those things are running around."
Beatrice stared at him, her expression unreadable. "That's a rather... pragmatic way of thinking, I suppose."
Subaru smirked. "What, do I seem too smart all of a sudden?"
Beatrice scoffed, looking away. "Hardly. You always have these strange thoughts, I suppose."
["You know, darling~," Pandora's voice echoed in his mind, "you're thinking quite logically about this. Almost like someone preparing for war."]
["I-I agree...," Carmilla whispered. "Y-you're always p-preparing f-for the w-worst..."]
Subaru's smirk faded slightly as he looked down. He had to. If he didn't, people died.
Beatrice observed his change in expression, but she said nothing for a moment. "Still, it's not like you can do anything about them, can you?"
Subaru looked up, a small grin creeping onto his face. "You'd be surprised, Beako."
Beatrice scoffed again, but a small part of her was intrigued.
The conversation continued late into the night, neither of them knowing that the Witch Cult was inching closer by the day.
[Daphne then spoke in his head. "If you ever need away too kill them I can give it there weakness]
Subaru then spoke in his head. "Aren't you the one who made too in your word's 'Fix' World Hunger".
[Daphne giggled in his head. "Fufu~ You say that like it's a bad thing, darling~. I only wanted to help people never go hungry again! It's not my fault they couldn't handle my creations."]
Subaru sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, yeah. Tell that to all the people who got erased by the White Whale or torn apart by the Great Rabbit."
[Daphne huffed. "Hmph. If anything, they're just doing what they're meant to do~. But if you really want to kill them, I could always share their weaknesses."]
Subaru's eyes narrowed. "You know how to kill them?"
[Daphne purred mischievously. "Of course~. Who do you think made them, darling?"]
Subaru's grip tightened. "Then tell me."
[Daphne yawned. "Mmm, maybe later~. I wouldn't want you rushing into things without thinking, now would I? Besides, you don't have the means yet."]
Subaru exhaled sharply, knowing he wouldn't get more out of her. "Fine. But when the time comes, you better tell me everything."
[Daphne chuckled. "Of course~! Anything for you, darling~."]
Beatrice watched Subaru's expressions shift as he had his internal conversation, her frown deepening. "You're talking to them again, aren't you?"
Subaru blinked before forcing a grin. "What, me? Nah. Just deep in thought."
Beatrice scoffed. "You are an absolutely terrible liar, I suppose."
Subaru laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
Beatrice rolled her eyes but didn't press further. "Regardless, if you truly plan to deal with those Mabeasts, you'll need more than just knowledge, I suppose. Power is necessary as well."
Subaru's grin faded slightly. "Yeah… I know."
As the night deepened, Subaru and Beatrice continued their discussion, unknowingly marching closer to the chaos that awaited them in the days ahead.
Subaru then looked as he stretched. "Anyway Good Night".
As he left the library, as he went ok his room, as Puck materialised next to Beatrice.
Puck looked as he spoke. "And there it was the chill again"
Beatrice looked at as she spoke. "This time it was different from when we first felt it".
Puck's ears twitched as he floated beside Beatrice, his usual playful demeanor subdued. "Yeah, this time it wasn't just an eerie presence... it felt more refined. More controlled."
Beatrice narrowed her eyes, staring at the spot where Subaru had left. "Controlled... but by whom, I suppose?"
Puck crossed his arms, his tail swishing. "That's the real question, isn't it? The last time we felt something similar, it was chaotic, unstable... like a storm waiting to break loose. But now? It's like a sharp blade, honed to perfection."
Beatrice's grip on her dress tightened. "I don't like this. He already attracts trouble like a magnet, I suppose. And now, he's walking around with an unseen force wrapped around him."
Puck sighed. "Emilia trusts him. And I don't think he means any harm… but even so, we have to keep an eye on him. That chill—it's not something normal."
Beatrice nodded reluctantly. "I agree… but if he truly is tied to them, then it might already be too late."
Puck's expression darkened. "Then let's just hope that when the time comes… he's still on our side."
The two remained in silence, the air around them heavy with unspoken concerns. Meanwhile, in his room, Subaru lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
["You should rest, darling~," Pandora's voice chimed in his head. "You'll need your strength for what's to come."]
Subaru exhaled slowly. "Yeah… I have a bad feeling about that too."
As the night deepened, the wheels of fate continued to turn, and unseen forces crept closer, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Next morning in Arlam Village, the sun cast a warm glow over the camp as villagers bustled about their daily routines. Subaru, with his daggers strapped at his side and his [Invisible Providence] at the ready, walked alongside Ram. She was busy coordinating with the villagers, helping clear out a few of the weaker monster nuisances that had been lingering near the camp's perimeter.
Next to Subaru, Meili trotted along, her dark-blue braided hair bouncing with each step. Suddenly, she looked up at him and raised her voice a little louder so that a few nearby villagers could hear, "Aren't you keeping too close an eye on me?"
Subaru glanced at her, a half-smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I'm just making sure you don't do anything wrong," he replied lightly. Then, adding with a teasing lilt, "Plus, I feel that if you behave, you'll be less of my worry."
Meili's eyes sparkled with playful indignation as she crossed her arms. "Less of your worry, huh? I might just surprise you, you know."
Subaru chuckled softly. "I've learned not to underestimate you, Meili. But you know how it is—if you're part of my 'problems list,' I prefer to keep you close rather than far away."
As they continued walking, the peaceful chatter of the village mixed with the distant sounds of Ram's laughter and the clamor of villagers finishing their chores. In the back of his mind, Subaru couldn't help but think of the witches' incessant banter and the uneasy feeling that something greater was looming beyond the calm of Arlam Village.
He glanced at Meili, noticing how she kept her head high despite her earlier teasing. "You really do have a strong spirit, Meili. I'm glad you're here—if nothing else, you'll keep me on my toes."
Meili smirked. "And don't you worry, I'll always be unpredictable enough to keep things interesting."
Nearby, Ram nodded in agreement as she finished helping a villager secure a makeshift barrier against a small pack of forest critters. The day's work was hard, but the calm and the routine allowed Subaru a brief respite from the weight of his destiny—even if it was slowly catching up with him.
In that moment, as he walked the dusty path beside Meili, Subaru allowed himself a rare moment of levity. Despite all the chaos, the witches in his head, and the looming threats from the Witch Cult and beyond, there was a strange comfort in these small, ordinary interactions. It was as if every laugh, every teasing remark, and every quiet word with a friend or even a rival reminded him that life was still worth fighting for.
He glanced upward at the clear sky and mused silently, "Maybe these moments are what make it all bearable—even when the world is a constant battle between light and dark."
And with that thought, Subaru took another step forward, determined to protect the peace of Arlam Village—and, in his own way, to find a little bit of hope amidst the chaos of his extraordinary life.
In a dense forest far from Arlam Village, a group of hooded figures moved in eerie silence. The Witch Cultists, usually guided by their Sin Archbishops, were strangely without them this time. Instead, they followed the lead of a man clutching a peculiar, ominous box—one that pulsed faintly, as if alive.
One of the cultists finally broke the silence, turning to their leader with a frustrated expression. "So, Boss, why are we even going there? You still haven't explained anything. You just saw the box pulling you and suddenly ordered everyone to gather. We didn't even report this to the Bishops."
The leader, a tall and gaunt man with piercing yellow eyes, clutched the box tightly in his gloved hands. His expression remained unreadable as he gazed at the pulsating artifact. "This box contains the Witch Factor of Pride," he muttered, almost to himself.
The cultist who had spoken frowned. "Yeah, we know that much, but why Arlam Village? What does it have to do with the Witch Factor?"
The leader's lips curled into a cryptic smile. "I don't know yet. But the Witch Factor is reacting. It's guiding us. That means something—or someone—is there, and the Factor wants to reach them."
A murmur spread through the group. Some glanced at each other in uncertainty, while others clutched their weapons with renewed fervor.
Another cultist hesitated before asking, "Do you think… it's searching for a new host?"
The leader's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with dangerous excitement. "Perhaps. Or maybe it seeks someone worthy. Either way, we follow its will."
The group continued their march through the dense underbrush, the box glowing ever so slightly, its pull undeniable. Whatever awaited them in Arlam Village, it was bound to be something that would change the course of their plans forever.
And in the heart of the village, completely unaware of the approaching storm, Subaru Natsuki continued his day, blissfully ignorant of the Witch Factor's slow and steady approach.
Another cultist, a younger one with a shaky voice, spoke up hesitantly. "C-Could it be that there's The Witch of Pride sealed there?"
A murmur of unease rippled through the group at the mere suggestion. The idea of an unknown Witch, potentially imprisoned in Arlam Village, was both terrifying and thrilling.
The leader narrowed his eyes in deep thought. "Yes… that makes sense. It could be." His fingers traced the surface of the box as if expecting it to respond. "The Witch Factors always seek their rightful owners. If this one is reacting so strongly, then something must be there. Whether it's the Witch herself… or someone worthy of inheriting it."
Back at Roswaal's mansion, far from the scheming cultists, Subaru and Typhon—who was sitting comfortably on a chair with her legs swinging—both sneezed at the exact same time.
Subaru sniffed, rubbing his nose. "Huh… I have a bad feeling. That usually means trouble's coming."
[Typhon tilted her head, giving him an innocent smile as she spoke in his head. "Big brother, does that mean someone's talking about you?"]
Subaru crossed his arms. "Either that or I just developed a cold from nowhere. But considering my luck… I'll bet it's the first one."
[Typhon giggled before shrugging. "Well, if something happens, you can just break it apart, right?"]
Subaru sighed. "Yeah, yeah… let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Meanwhile, the Witch Cultists continued their march toward Arlam Village, completely unaware that the one person they were unknowingly chasing had already been chosen by the Witches.
Meanwhile back with Subaru, as he was going too sleep, he stopped as he spoke in his head. "So from the information I know from this world, thanks too all you brain blasted me with this whole world's Information, how did the witch Cult get your witch factor".
[Pandora then spoke in his head. "Oh, what do you exactly mean by that"]
Subaru sat on his bed, arms crossed as he stared at the ceiling. "I mean…," he spoke in his head, "from what you all shoved into my brain, the Witch Factors belonged to you guys originally, right? So how did the Witch Cult get their hands on them?"
[Pandora chuckled lightly. "That's an interesting question, Subaru. What makes you think we gave them away?"]
Subaru's eyes narrowed. "So they were stolen?"
[Echidna sighed. "It's more complicated than that. After we… well, kinda died, our Witch Factors didn't just disappear. They had to go somewhere—and someone made sure they ended up in the hands of those fools."]
Subaru raised an eyebrow. "Someone?"
[Satella's voice was soft but firm. "The one responsible… was the very first Archbishop of Pride."]
Subaru blinked, sitting up straight. "Wait—so there was a Pride Archbishop?"
[Daphne giggled. "Of course! You didn't think they just skipped that one, did you?~ But he's long gone now. Killed by someone very strong."]
[Minerva huffed. "That man was a complete lunatic. Even by Witch Cult standards."]
[Typhon spoke next, her voice unusually serious. "He didn't just find the Witch Factors—he hunted them down. He stole them from whatever remnants of us existed."]
Subaru felt a chill run down his spine. "And what happened to him?"
[Echidna's voice was cold. "He disappeared. And his Witch Factor… went missing."]
Subaru frowned. "Missing? What do you mean missing?"
[Pandora hummed playfully. "That, dear Subaru, is a mystery that not even we can solve. But~ if the Witch Cult is carrying around a certain box… perhaps the answer is closer than you think."]
Subaru's eyes widened as realization hit him. "So that's why they're coming here…"
[Minerva then spoke. "I would say kill, more like he stole, we aren't dead, we are sealed away]
Subaru then Remember what they told him. "I remember you guys telling me Flugel sealed all of you, and to make sure no will find you, made the story that you all were killed".
[Sekhmet then spoke in his head as she yawn. "And over time everyone believes to be true, or will some people believe it was Satella who hunted and killed us]
Subaru rubbed his temples as he processed the information. "So you're telling me that history itself got rewritten by misinformation?"
[Echidna scoffed. "Of course it did. You humans are remarkably good at distorting the past. The truth is much less convenient than the stories they tell."]
[Minerva sighed. "Flugel was smart. He knew that if people found out we were sealed rather than dead, they'd go looking. So he spread a false history instead."]
Subaru narrowed his eyes. "And let me guess—some idiot eventually found traces of the truth and started the Witch Cult?"
[Pandora giggled. "Bingo~."]
[Satella's voice was quiet. "It was… never meant to be like this."]
Subaru exhaled, staring at the ceiling. "So basically, the Witch Cult is just a bunch of lunatics playing with powers they don't fully understand, based on a lie that they don't even realize is a lie."
[Typhon huffed. "Yep! Pretty much."]
[Daphne then added, "And now~ they have my old Witch Factor of Gluttony, and they're dragging along Pride's lost one. This'll be fun, won't it?"]
Subaru clicked his tongue. "Fun is not the word I'd use. If they're bringing the Pride Witch Factor here, then I need to be ready. Because something tells me… that box isn't empty."
[Pandora then spoke in his head. "So what will you do, when you meet the witch cult in the future]
Subaru though for a bit as he spoke in his mind. "Kill Them".
[All the witches just went silent, supires he said that. "....."
Carmilla then spoke in his head. "W-why d-do you want t-to kill them.]
Subaru then spoke in his head. "They have your authority so they are problem, and second they are using your names and basically destroying your reputation more".
[Echidnas chuckled as she spoke in his head. "It looks like our darling husband doesn't like people slandering Us"]
Subaru though for bit as he spoke. "Yeah pretty much".
[Pandora then spoke. "Should I add that as a main on going mission like a long story quest, in the sin system, yeah I am doing it"]
Subaru rolled his eyes. "You didn't even wait for me to agree, did you?"
[Pandora giggled. "Nope~! But it fits your goal, doesn't it? Consider it a long-term mission, exterminating those who misuse the names of the true Witches."]
A system notification popped up in Subaru's mind.
[Main Quest: Witch Cult Purge
Objective: Eliminate all Witch Cult members and reclaim stolen Witch Factors.
Bonus: Discover the origins of the Witch Cult and how they obtained the Witch Factors.
Rewards: ???]
Subaru sighed, lying down on his bed. "You know, normal people don't get assigned genocide quests before bed."
[Daphne giggled. "You're not normal, darling~"]
[Sekhmet yawned. "Just don't go dying on us, Subaruuu~"]
[Typhon huffed. "If you die, I'll break you myself!"]
Subaru smirked slightly before closing his eyes. "Yeah, yeah... I get it. No dying. But if they come for me, I'm not gonna hesitate."
As Subaru drifted into sleep, far away in the depths of the forest, the Witch Cult continued their march toward Arlam Village, unknowingly heading toward their worst nightmare.
As he went too sleep, he was back in the Hanging garden as saw a House was added too it, as he decided too ignore it as he saw the question again, this time extra things were added
[Main Quest: Witch Cult Purge
Objective: Eliminate all Witch Cult members and reclaim stolen Witch Factors.
Bonus: Discover the origins of the Witch Cult and how they obtained the Witch Factors.
Bonus: Kill all the witch Cult Archbishop of sin, Ps: If you can convince them too leave then it count's: 0/8
Bounus: Collect All the witch full authority and add them too your ability: 1/8
Rewards: ???]
Subaru just sighed as he spoke. "I don't think anyone of Archbishop is even gonna listen too me".
Echidna then spoke looking at him. "Will yes, but this will have this become Witch King Faster".
Subaru growns as he speaks. "Just great, what I need, something to spend my process to become the witch King".
Minerva then came next too him as she spoke. "And with us as your queen".
Typhon then spoke. "And me as your adorable little sister".
Sekhmet yawned as she patted Typhon head. "Wouldn't that make you a princess".
Subaru rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "First of all, why are you all so eager about this whole 'Witch King' thing? And second, if I'm the king, does that mean I get any actual power over you guys? Because I feel like I'm just getting bullied here."
Echidna smirked, crossing her arms. "Oh? Do you want authority over us that badly? My, my, how bold, Subaru-kun~"
Pandora giggled. "Maybe he just wants us all wrapped around his finger."
Minerva huffed. "You already have us, idiot. Do you think we'd be sticking around otherwise?"
Typhon grinned. "Yep! You're our family now!"
Subaru groaned, flopping onto the grass of the Hanging Garden. "You guys are the worst."
Sekhmet yawned. "Mmm… And yet, you wouldn't trade us for anything, riiight?"
Subaru grumbled but didn't respond. The witches exchanged knowing smiles.
After a moment, Subaru finally looked back at the new quest screen. "Alright, ignoring all of you for a second, this quest is insane. There's no way in hell I'm getting the Archbishops to listen to me."
Echidna hummed. "You might be surprised. Some of them are more… open-minded than you'd think."
Subaru scoffed. "Yeah, sure. And maybe Roswaal will stop being a clown."
Minerva crossed her arms. "You'd be better off killing most of them anyway. They're not just lunatics; they're dangerous lunatics."
Pandora, surprisingly serious for once, added, "Even if they were to leave, their Witch Factor might still tempt them back. Be careful, Subaru."
Subaru exhaled. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'll figure it out as I go. But for now... sleep."
As he closed his eyes, the Hanging Garden slowly faded, and reality pulled him back into slumber, the weight of his new quest settling deep in his mind.
To be continued