Chapter Text
In the City Hall of Priestella the part of Emilia camp that did not go to the Pleiades Watchtower continued their discussion. There were a lot of things needed to be discussed: events that transpired in Priestella, revelations about the Sage and his old companions, knowledge that was left by Subaru and even plans for the near future.
"Fascinating, is it not? In mere hours Subaru-kun managed to flip the entire Kingdom Lugunica on his heeead."
"With all due respect, Roswaal-sama, it's ill advisable to praise Barusu. It will get into his head. Even if he isn't here."
"Ram, I am sure even you were quite surprised with recent revelations, diiidn't you? I told you he is rather spectacular maaan."
"Yes, Ram did not expect him to be even more bizarre than you, Roswaal-sama. Ram admits that you were correct and two of you are oddly similar, even if it makes her stomach turn. But Barusu like every other mutt needs a harsh discipline, first and for most."
"Haha, the first thing is certainly true, Ram, Subaru-kun is quite bizaaarre, I just wish you were a tad bit more honest with yourseeelf."
"Ram is always honest, honesty is one of her defining traits."
"Along with your humility, 'ey, Ram."
"Yes, Garf, Ram is exceptionally humble, unlike the three of you."
"Hey, what was that for?! I did not say anything!"
"Ha, Brotto got hit by a stray bullet."
Ram scoffed.
"So, you began using these weird Barusuisms too, Garf? Predictable."
"Ram, don't be a hypocrite, I'm pr'tty sure you were usin' Captain-speak too. Probably more often than me too."
"Urgh, Barusu's influence is contagious. Like a disease."
Despite her gruff expression, everyone knew Ram was actually a bit embarrassed by this habit of hers.
"Sigh, I'm more worried what happens when Natsuki-san finally gets fully sober."
"Yep, Captain's gonna have a mother of all hangovers."
"Aside from that, Garfiel, we can not go back to how things were now. Part of me things Royal Selection is not just halted, but canceled completely already."
"What do you mean, Otto-sama?"
"Well, Petra, if the Sage's plan comes to fruition, who will be attributed with this success the most? Of course, the one who shown the most initiative and kick-started the whole reformation progress. I'm afraid it's not going to end on just "Unfuck the World" part. Besides, Natsuki-san is already quite popular among the common people and in a reasonably decent standing among the nobility. I'm sure in a few years the crowd would literally carry him all the way to Royal Palace and place him on the throne whether he wants to or not. What happens next is anyone's guess."
"I'm sure in that case Subaru-sama will make a fair power transition after Royal Selection finishes."
"That's optimistic, Frederica. Power corrupts, you know. If anything, what would happen if the Sage, the Dragon, the First Sword Saint and the Wi- Satella barge into the Royal Palace and say they will be the permanent rulers?"
"You don't need to. Barusu is not here. He won't bash you with his sword."
"Well, Ram-san, you did not see what Natsuki-san done with those tables. Your sister had it easy. In any case, this is what makes me worried the most."
"Implyin' that Captain taking the reins will be bad for any of us."
"It won't, I guess..."
"In that case, Otto-kun, Royal Selection would hold a different purpose, would it nooot?"
"What do you mean, Roswaal-sama?"
"It would be selection of noble maidens, vying for the position of briiide."
Petra was pouting. She did not like the clown's answer. Not one bit.
"Nii-chan is quite populaaar. But doesn't he have plenty of wives already – nee-chan, black nee-chan, scorpio nee-chan and oni nee-chan?"
Petra began pouting even harder. She wasn't even on Meili's list!
"Huh, maybe that was an original reason for this Royal Selection in a first place. What if that was why it was maidens specifically?"
"I mean, Brotto, can't we just ask the Dragon 'bout that?"
"Do you think he knows, Garfiel? There's no way Volcanica could predict all of this. You have seen him being surprised at Natsuki-kun "memory loss", haven't you?"
"When it comes to Subaru-kun things seem to often go against the plaaan. Well there should be another way to confirm something like this. Isn't that right, Otto-kuuun?"
Otto did in fact had a way. There was a Book of Wisdom that he set out to repair in this city. Wait, was Roswaal aware of that? He sighed. That was to be expected from someone like him. Still, the book wasn't repaired quite yet.
"Regardless, I think this party is pretty much over. Petra, Meili, shouldn't you both be asleep?"
"Suuure, I'm tired already."
"Frederica-neesama, I'm old enough to stay with adults! Besides, Subaru-sama might return soon."
"Come on, Petra-chan, Subaru-sama and the others are probably going to bunk up at the tower."
"Urgh, okay."
-----
"Can Mimi hang out with Garf?"
"No! Last time you "hanged out" with Garfiel we had to pull you off him."
"And the time before that it nearly got you killed, sister."
"Urgh, alright. You always ruin all the fun. Mimi is bored, Mimi is going to nap."
"Kittens, I think party is pretty much over, you should have some rest. I'd stay to keep watch."
"Of course, Ricardo. We are retiring too."
Tivey and Hetaro made sure to escort their very grumpy sister back to their rooms.
-----
At the other side of the room another discussion was held.
"Grand- Reinhard. I want to apologize."
"Grandfather?"
"I want to apologize for what happened. Both recently and when you were young. That was uncalled-for coming from me. I… understand that you wanted to distance yourself from the fact that you had to end Theresia. I was just stupid old man grieving for what I already lost long time ago…"
"Ah, father. So you still think you can patch up things again? Even after you made it worse like you always do?"
"I want to apologize to you as well, Heinkel. There's no more point in these arguments in our family anymore. For Theresia's and Louanna's sake."
"Ah, so you believe we won't be back at each other's throats once the Sage is done doing whatever the fuck he wants?"
"No, I believe… I hope that we will not. I also believe Sage is capable to unite the camps into a single cohesive unit capable of changing the world, and, in doing so, help us three as well."
"How optimistic. Do you trust in that lousy pup that much?"
"I do. I know that without Subaru-dono White Whale subjugation would have failed. I know that without him Priestella would have been lost. I heard how three of you managed to end Greed, Reinhard, it was necessary for him to be there. And there's one more thing that made me trust the Sage. Back before this chaos began he was the one that asked me to seek reconciliation. For both my and your sake, Reinhard. I know he's your friend too."
"Ah, I see. That's why he was the one fuming the most. I ruined his efforts."
"Yes. And I can see how our situation could look frustrating from the outside. So I'll try again what I had tried back then. I am sorry. You are not some monster, Reinhard, the strength you had was frightening for this stupid old man, but you are the genuine person first and foremost, and my grandson of course, not a living weapon. Heinkel, you are not the failure you believe yourself you are, you don't need to live up to any expectations, the important part is that you are my beloved son, and I'll do anything to help you in whatever situation you find yourself in. We will find a way to wake Louanna up."
"How? The Sleeping Beauty disease..."
"… is likely connected to the Witch Cult. When Subaru-dono destroys it, that problem will be solved. It was one of his primary goals."
"Father..."
"I don't know how much trust you could place into the person you just met, but I trust the Sage explicitly. So are you, right, Reinhard?"
"Yes, that is right."
"'lright, we'll see how it will go, father."
"Ha, so the commoner actually made it work. Completely unintentionally, which is comical, but still. Touché."
The red-haired princess chuckled, clearly quite amused by this.
"Priscilla-sama, with all due respect, I can't allow you to interject again. I vowed to my self to fix our situation."
"Yeah, get lost, bimbo. Nii-chan wanted these three to get along. So am I."
Priscilla wasn't the only one overhearing the discussion that Astrea family had.
"I have no intention of destroying his efforts, slum rat. I do wonder where did you found the resolve, old demon. You clearly did not have it before."
"It is not my own resolve, I merely borrowed it from the one who has it in abundance. I believe that the Sage is a miracle worker, and he can help us make this work when just my own efforts will be insufficient."
"I see. So like everyone else, you are relying on him. Funny. Well, frankly it became rather stale in here as of late. Without either the commoner or my other clown, no one here is capable enough to entertain me."
"Priscilla-sama, where is Sir Aldebaran, by the way?"
"'Tis unknown to me. He ran like a pig about to be butchered just prior to the arrival of the Dragon. Regretfully, even my Schlut is already asleep. Boys like him need a good rest to continue being adorable, of course. In any case, I'll be off as well. Make sure you don't embarrass yourself again, drunkard."
"As you say, Lady Priscilla."
"Oi, Rein?"
"Felt-sama?"
"I'm done too. Do you wanna stay?"
"It would be unwise to leave that early. We should stay until the end of the party."
"Well I'm going. I need sleep too, you know. If you want to stay, I assign you as my representative for the rest of this."
"Do you need…"
"No, I don't need an escort! Cmon, Rein, I'll be fine."
-----
Gradually the city hall became emptier and emptier. The Vollachian princess wasn't the first one. Crusch and Felix left first, due to the former's poor health, leaving only Wilhelm as the camp's representative. Joshua and Pearlbaton triplets soon followed, Ricardo was capable enough to pass on anything useful from the other camps to his employer if he was asked to. In a few hours Emilia camp retired as well, leaving only their internal affairs officer to stay 'till the party's official end. Kiritaka and Liliana were eventually gone too, as were Ton-chin-kan trio (they left along their ring leader). After about three to four hours after Sage's departure the dining hall was almost empty, leaving servants to clean up the mess. Reinhard, being the last person left (he never needed too much sleep anyway), decided to help them out.
"Subaru did leave quite a ruckus. That was rather unforgettable night."
-----
Some time ago.
He was tired. After dashing across the ruined city and grabbing the tamest ground dragon he could find, he simply pointed the beast into the right decision and let it do the rest. It was only matter of time 'till he was suspected, so gaining a few days and vanishing somewhere in hopes no one will find him was the only choice that he found valid. He hoped that he could hide in Kararagi, for he knew the chances of successfully completing the task assigned by his master went from astronomically low before to near impossible when she arrived. And after he witnessed the Dragon descending while he ran to the stables, he threw that idea out of his head completely. Staying with princess was certainly not an option either, he wasn't valuable enough to keep safe.
"Fuck, let's hope this can buy me some time."
-----
"So what are we doing about "the Sage"?"
"What do you think we can do, Bordeaux, you've seen the Dragon Tablet."
"There's no way it's authentic! Just apprehend him for insulting our heritage!"
"Are you fucking stupid? Did you not learn after the first time? Apprehending the knight of Royal Candidate, the one that slayed the White Whale and Sloth, the one who's favored by the Court Mage and the one called a National Hero? That's the fastest way to the popular uprising! Even if he isn't the Sage."
"I do agree with Marcos. I think it is authentic writing. Let's imagine it isn't, Bordeaux, how do you think he's capable of writing on the Tablet?"
"…"
"My theory is that the boy is a friend of the Divine Dragon and these two struck some sort of agreement. That means no one standing against them politically has any real chance. Unless you want to beg for help from the outside forces."
"What about we sic the Sword Saint on him?"
"And defy the Dragon in the process?"
"So, what, you just think we should cooperate while pleading to leave us at our positions? Don't be stupid, Miklotov!"
"Not pleading. Frankly, we just need to make our case for being here and then we can continue working. Things might change, but not necessarily for the worst. If things go well we might even be better off."
"Insane, absolutely insane!"
"You have to make peace with this, Bordeaux. I know you hate Lady Emi-"
"It's not about half-devil, I know she's just a pawn for either that upstart or Roswaal, it was obvious enough after the first meeting. It's about the boy declaring a take-over!"
"If things go well we might benefit from this. Swallow your pride, Bordeaux. If my intuition is correct, the Sage and his companions will visit us sooner or later."
-----
Kadomon wasn't a religious person. He knew many people praised the Divine Dragon for the safety and prosperity it was given to Lugunica – something that he did appreciate, but he could not say he'd worshiped the thing. Until today the Dragon was someone completely distant from the life of a fruit seller.
It was a mostly normal start of the day for him. One of his suppliers, an old lady named Vanessa owned an appa tree orchard. She was an early bird by nature, and, from what he heard, had to ride two days just to get here, so she always arrived on Mondays way before sunrise. Accordingly, he had to wake up early (which he hated, but what can you do) to arrange the safe passage for the woman through the front gates, and, at the same time, to check the quality of the produce. So he had to leave the house before either his lovely Raksha or his adorable daughter could wake up.
He was on the way to the guard post when something unusual happened on this seemingly ordinary day. Now, at first, he almost did not notice the large shadow covering the moonlight, but then he heard a girly screech and:
"-baru, pull up, or we're gonna-"
Before Kadomon could hear anything else or even raise his head in the direction of the male voice, the shadow above passed over him. Soon he found the source of said shadow eclipsing the full moon in the sky:
"Divine Dragon?!"
He wasn't the first one reporting this of course, but the guards overseeing this event did listen to his testimony.
"The fuck?! Now you're telling me there was someone riding the thing?"
"Yes, I heard two voices, one female one male."
"What direction?"
"I was on the way here coming from Merchant district when it flew over me."
"West, then, huh? Ah, fuck, Aren, just send the newbie to the Royal Castle, let them deal with this."
"Oh, yes one more thing, the reason I came here in the first place. In half an hour an old woman with a carriage full of appas will arrive here. Can she get a safe passage?"
"Ah, you're that seller guy, Kadomon? Yeah, Tavik told me about you. We can work things out."
Fruit seller's hardships did not end on that, however. The woman arrived on time and passed without an issue and soon two of them were near his stall. After some time as he finally finished with unloading the produce from the carriage and considered letting the woman go:
"Oh, Benevolent Dragon! What was that?"
A sudden earthquake caused a wheel on the dingy old carriage to fall off.
"Oh, dear, oh, dear. The wheel broke. Could you help this old woman put it back in place?"
So it took him one more hour to help the poor old hag before he could finally load up the fresh batch of goods into the stall. He was quite irritated by this occurrence, of course. Unfortunately, it was only the beginning of this wild day.