fics I read

The White whale and Sloth were dead. The subjugation unity already left it was finally done, the archbishop of Sloth Peltelgeuse Romane-Conti was slain.

Subaru was making his way in the forest [ it's pretty silent now still it's finally over I'm free from these hell's loops!] He thought with joy now he could go on and think of a future with those he loved.

[ It's too silent where are the birds? The battle with Sloth was intense but it shouldn't have scared all of them off.] He noted.

Dread crept on his spine he knew that feeling, he knew it far too well damn it. Killing intent filled the forest.

[ Move Move now idiot or you'll die!] He yelled frantically in his mind. He threw himself on the side just in time to avoid being impaled.

Helplessness hit him.[ Why now when I finally won.!]

" How amusing to think thou would be able to dodge this attack abomination"A figure shrouded in shadow boomed.

Ice crept on the floor, tree withered life sucked from them by this very figure presence.

[Death] has descended onto this World.

[What? Who is that? A witch cultist? Some survived damn it.] Subaru thought his mind going on overdrive.

[ And yet that feeling I never felt it before while still being alive. The tree withered, he's the reason the forest is empty, isn't he? My chance to win is way too slim the knights are gone. I need more information and loop again.] Subaru thought grimly.

" Who are you ?! Why are you targeting me ?" He yelled.

" Abomination thou had escaped from my grasp far too many times, this one has descended to rectify this mistake. Thou should be honored and quietly surrender your life. " A skeleton shrouded by darkness slowly made his way in the clearing power radiating from his form the very space bending around him.

" As for my identity, this should be a given my presence denotes my divinity. "

Subaru recoiled with shock.[ That's the grim reaper isn't it there's nothing nothing nothing I can do. It's over, isn't it? ] He thought, fear and silver of relief warred within him for if he died here he knew that he wouldn't return by death.

" Thou seems to have realized thy position. Rejoice mortal thy life will the first this one shall reap in this world an honor an abomination such as you do not deserve and ye shall receive. " [Death] boomed his scythe slowly rising.

[ Huh wait the first, what a strange way to phrase it? Does that mean that he'll kill other people? what about the villager?] Subaru slowly stood up this single thought filling him with determination.

" After I die will you kill others?" He spoke while pointing at the said figure with his finger.

" Thou can stand while in this one presence how surprising."

" Stop with this Thou business and answer my question damn it !" Subaru yelled with all his might.

" Why should one such as I care about the lives of ants? I am Death to reap life as I please is my right " Death spoke amusedly.

[ Damn it I can't allow this! After all, I sacrificed to save them I refuse to let it end like that! No, it will not end like that.] Subaru decided [ It's a fool errand but that never stopped me before did it?]

" Thou has chosen to resist, very well do entertain me, Abomination."

A shadow appeared on his left once again he threw himself on the side to avoid being impaled.

[I have no weapon damn it what should I do think ] Subaru suddenly moved on the side guided by his instinct[ Don't think too much he's still there]

A scythe once again slowly moved toward him; its owner in no hurry to kill the worm before him, all shall die in due time.

[A scythe huh, that may work. If I get the angle right then] Grim determination filled Subaru.

As the scythe moved to reap his life Subaru threw himself toward it instead of dodging.

It was a foolish move and a suicidal one.

By throwing himself on the scythe he managed to change its direction. It was one chance out of a million. Natsuki Subaru was cut in half. The scythe made its way toward its wielder cutting through his core.

A god was slain.

Natsuki Subaru died.

All around the World a wave of power was felt.

A middle-aged man overlooking a coliseum turned his head toward the east a feral grin on his face.

A young man making his way in a snow-covered landscape turned east, nodded, and continued his route.

All around the world heads snapped toward the East in fear and awe, reverence and trepidation. All acknowledging that a mortal accomplished the impossible. A God was slain.

The Third Campione was born.

Once again Natsuki Subaru triumphed over death.

In a different realm sat the overseer of the circle of usurpation. The All giving woman observed the child before her.

Using a piece of a god, to time and time again defy death. All to save the one he loved, trapped in a circle of doom with no one to understand his struggle, truly a tragic hero.

That one was without a doubt worthy of being her child, she nodded.

"I have decided I Pandora, the All-giving woman, the witch who brought forward all evils of this world and a shred of hope, claim this child as my newest son !"

"By the black art I and Epimetheus left behind, this is a sacred birth of an illegitimate child, shrouded in darkness, born of a fool and a witch. A secret of usurpation only made possible through the sacrifice of a God."

"I grant you my blessing's, so that you may be reborn as the new God-slayer, King of Kings, a Campione."

A spike of fear ran through Subaru half-awake as he was; he could still feel that something within him changed.

"Fear not my child for now on you shall be free of Fate, death shall no longer haunt your very step for you have slain it. Go walk tall my dear and never forget that your Mother will always be on your side."

His eyes opened to witness a radiant smile, the All giving woman happily waved goodbye to her youngest son.

Subaru stirred from his sleep after a while his eyes opened.

"It was quite a strange dream I had hee, actually winning against someone in a fight how laughable all I did was losing since I came in this world."

But still, something changed. He could feel it deep down that nothing would be the same.

"I have to quickly change it's well past morning Ram is going to scold me again!"

He started changing and stopped in surprise.

[My scars are gone, the Wolgarm's bite and Elsa's strike disappeared. ]

" Did Felix heal me? Damn, I knew that he was The greatest healer in Lugnica but still that's impressive."He marveled.

He quickly changed clothes and left his room.

[ I defeated Sloth then what happened, huh my memory is foggy] A spike of fear ran in his back [ Did I die, what happened next? Damn how far did I go back ?]

He kept walking absentmindedly.

[How strange Rem should have woken me up already. It's strangely silent, well it's past noon I think but still where is everyone? Movement I need to know how far I went back]

" Nee-san, wait for me" he yelled while waving.

"I'm sorry I didn't wake up but still ignoring me like that. That's a bit harsh don't you think ?" He joked.

Ram turned and looked at him in shock, her eyes wide open.

" Are you alright Nee-san ?" [This never happened before, I didn't return by death then. I need to know what happened after Sloth died.]

" Forgive me for my rudeness Subaru-sama Ram didn't wake you up to avoid bothering you. Ram shall accept any punishment for her transgression" She bowed deeply.

[ Huh what happened really, did I wake up in the wrong world or what ?]

" Nee-san what are you talking stop joking come on !"

Ram kept her head down without answering.

[ Seriously what? I need to know I need to fix this.]

" Ram what happened, after Sloth died my memory is foggy?" He asked seriously, his slanted eyes shining with determination.

" Subaru-sama seems to have forgotten his act. Ram shall guide you to the dining room where Roswaal-sama awaits you along with a meal. If that is your wish?" Ram spoke slowly while still bowing.

[ Think Subaru Roswall know what happened and a meal wouldn't hurt] [ How strange I never realized how hungry I was then again I did skip dinner and breakfast.]

" Drop the sama nee-san that's weird," he asked" a meal wouldn't hurt please lead the way"

"Understood" Ram stood up and started walking.

[ That's weird she was never this professional even when I was still a guest. No dig at my expense she didn't even call me Barusu. Perhaps finally accomplishing a hero worthy act made her respect me ?] The thought didn't warm his heart as it would have just a month ago.

[ That's what I wanted right? To be recognized as a hero to be respected and loved by the people of this mansion. A true Isekai hero. And yet now All I feel is apprehension.]

Subaru walked down the hall deep in thought.

He jolted [ I know that feeling it's coming from this door isn't it? Huh it must be Beatrice.] He thought absentmindedly. Subaru reached for the doorknob turning it without thinking.

Once again Natsuki Subaru entered [the Forbidden Library].

She could feel it, that enormous magic power moving around the mansion, it was like the sun blinding her and yet no light reached her eyes.

" To think that boy would do the impossible, how laughable I suppose." She sighed.

Truly she did not care about the world. There was a time where she awaited with anticipation the future, the day when [They] will finally appear.

Now all she wants is for it to end and yet.

" Perhaps it's him, he always found her door with no trouble. And now he accomplished the impossible. A Campione is without a doubt worthy of the [Forbidden Library] I suppose." Hope burned within her, finally, after 400 years she could end her contract.

Now she waits for him to meet her again, soon her contract will end. Beatrice hoped.

The door opened.

Shelves upon shelves filled with countless books, knowledge lost to the ages. The Forbidden Library is a place containing the Witch of Greed knowledge protected by the artificial Great spirit, Beatrice.

Subaru entered this place once again to meet its guardian.

[ Beako isn't in her seat] he noted.[ Now where is she? ]

"Betty right here I suppose." A blonde little girl announced right under his nose. Subaru looked down, finally noticing the Great spirit.

" There you are Beako, sorry you're so small I didn't see you there !" He said joyously.

Beatrice looked at him intensely then slowly shook her head.

" Betty has a more important thing to concern her with, will you listen to Betty, I suppose?" She asked uncertainly.

" Of course I'll listen to you Beako what's wrong?" Subaru answered worried by her sudden attitude. [Did I wake up in the Twilight zone or what everyone suddenly changed.]

" Are you Betty's [They]? I suppose." She asked with hope glittering in her eyes.

[What is she talking about now ?] Subaru thought, confused by the sudden turn of event while he was questioning himself light slowly left Beatrice's eyes.

" So it wasn't you after all I suppose. Betty still has one last request if you're not Betty's [They] then will you kill me ?" She asked eyes dead, light leaving them along with her last hope.

" Now wait a minute Beatrice I didn't answer you yet! Please explain it to me. I was never the brightest light bulb you see! Talk to me ... please Beatrice." Subaru yelled, panic-filled his eyes as Beatrice's words dawned upon him.

[They that's a far too vague term what can it mean Betty's They. Think Subaru someone belonging to her? Who could it be? No, it's obviously her contractor, right? ] He thought frantically.

" Beatrice" Subaru talked slowly " why do you want to form a contract with me ?"

Like a flame light slowly entered Beatrice's eyes.

" Betty's Mother left her to guard the Library. Betty waited for 400 years patiently, diligently for [ They] to come. Betty must surrender the Forbidden Library to [They]. To fulfill her contract to Mother. That's why Betty waited for so long holding on to a blank gospel who wouldn't answer her. Waiting and praying for it to end ! Answer me, are you Betty's They ?" She yelled with tears in her eyes.

" I...I Beatrice [They] could be anyone, " Subaru answered at last.

" That's not what Betty wants to hear, this is not the answer I waited for !" She yelled.

" You spent 400 years patiently to fulfill a task with no good answer. Never leaving this place trapped from space and time all for a woman who left you behind." Subaru trailed off suddenly he chuckled.

" Is Betty's suffering amusing to you I suppose ?" She cried.

" No, it's just that in the end both of us are pretty similar living according to the words of other.

[ A closed room with no light days spent playing and ignoring the world while worried parents watched him. No achievements being recognized as his no matter what he did he was always that person's son]

How funny both of us trapped ourselves in a room distracted from the outside world by books waiting for someone, anyone to drag us out Subaru thought with tears in his eyes.

"Living for others is painful and oh so empty isn't it Beatrice? '' Subaru said, his eyes slowly shining with determination.

" That's why you should live for yourself, Beatrice ! Choose yourself who is that [They]!" He yelled.

"And if you are okay with a clueless broke man and an idiot with no worth then ... Choose me, Beatrice !" He declared with his hand reaching toward her.

Was it alright to take that boy's hand one who declared that he wasn't [ They]? The one who told her to live. For 400 years she waited for someone who'll never come isn't it fine to end it now. That foolish boy who told her to make him [ They].

Surely no one would fault Betty for her choice, no one would have the right to that's why slowly she extended her hand to reach him.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity she held that boy no Subaru's hand and asked: " Will you be Betty's They ?"

And so the Fool answered, " Of course Beatrice !"

After 400 years the Great spirit Beatrice formed a contract with the Campione Natsuki Subaru.

Something was strange, the atmosphere of the mansion changed completely.

Emilia was studying in her study; she needed to learn more to become a worthy candidate for the throne.

And yet she was quite morose; no one had talked to her in the past day; the twins' maids and Roswall avoided her.

Oh, they were as polite as always, and yet the way they carried themselves was tense.

No one told her what happened to Subaru, she knew that he returned victoriously. A hero who slew the White whale and the archbishop of Sloth. A friend she didn't deserve. Still, she was glad to have one friend in this World who saw as Emilia and not the Witch of Envy.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

" You can enter," Emilia said.

" Rem apologizes for bothering you Emilia-sama, Roswaal-sama summon you to his study." Rem answered.

" Very well I shall meet him lead the way Rem." Emilia slowly stood up feeling hopeful she would finally get answers. After a short walk, she entered Roswal's study. He was seating solemnly his face devoid of his usual makeup.

" Emilia-sama I'm happy to have you join us please take a seat." He gestured to the chair in front of him.

She took a seat.

" Emilia-sama what do you know of Campione ?" Roswaal asked seriously, his eyes never leaving her.

" Hum, I studied their story and the current Campione of course." She answered, " Why this question ?"

" Indeed why are you asking Lia such an obvious question? I hope you're not trying to involve my daughter with them huh?" Puck asked menacingly.

" I fear that it is too late after all Emilia-sama is already acquitted quite intimately with one" Roswal answered with no fear.

" Eh that's impossible I never met the Gladiator king or the Spirit King " She exclaimed in surprise.

" Yesterday a Campione was born in Lugnica this Campione ascended upon slaying the Death God and is now the Third Campione of this era," Roswaal announced slowly.

" This Campione's name is Natsuki Subaru the very same boy who works in this mansion." Roswaal finally declared.

"Ehhhhhhhhhh?!" Emilia exclaimed in shock.

" That weak boy killed a God, impossible !" Declared Puck.

" This is indeed the truth Natsuki Subaru has accomplished the impossible and now outrank us all, do hold your tongue spirit, as for now you are no match for him." Roswaal declared.

What will happen now she thought worriedly.

Their tears dried after the moment both shared. They still held each other tightly.

" By the way, Beatrice do you know what happened ?"

" You're truly hopeless, Subaru's Betty shall help you, after all, you are her contractor now I suppose."

She stood up from his knee and made her way toward the bookshelves.

" Do you need help Beako?" Subaru asked

" No need Betty knows every book in this library, I suppose."

" You're amazing heh Beako."

"Betty has been living here for 400 years it's natural to know such a thing I suppose." She turned her head answering while blushing.[ How cute Beako is adorable, isn't she.] He thought fondly.

" Here it is come here I suppose"

" What am I supposed to see? I still don't know how to read Yi script ya know ?" Subaru answered jokingly.

" This shall no longer be a problem Betty's Subaru can speak and read any existing language now, I suppose."

" Hey now, what are you talking about ?" He approached slowly and looked up her shoulder to read.

[ I can read it! Wow I got better quite quickly !] Subaru thought happily [ Now what's written there let's see. Campione's History]

" Hey Beako what's a Campione? " Subaru spoke distractedly.

" This is what Betty's Subaru is now I suppose," Beatrice said. She then opened the book and start reading a verse

" A Campione—a Godslayer—is a supreme ruler.

Since he can kill a celestial being, he can therefore call on the sacrosanct, divine powers wielded by the gods.

A Campione—a Godslayer—is a lord.

Since the power to kill a deity is in his hands, he, therefore, looms over all mortals on Earth.

A Campione—a Godslayer—is a devil.

Since for all mortals who live in the world, none can assume a power to match his!"

" This is what Betty's Subaru became when he killed the impossible I suppose."

[A devil I'm not that awful to deserve that title right ?]

" Beatrice what in the world are you…" Looking at her he stopped speaking her eyes were serious not an ounce of mockery shined in her eye.

" Subaru do you remember fighting an impossible enemy I suppose ?" She questioned him.

[An Impossible enemy, a skeleton shrouded by darkness,death creeping on him] he jolted

" I ... I remember meeting a figure calling himself Death but …" He trailed off.

" Do you remember killing him and dying, I suppose? " She continued.

" I do " he answered tiredly. The feeling of death is not easily forgotten.

" The being you slew was a Heretic God born of myth, you killed a god and usurped his power, I suppose."

" Now wait a minute you are not making sense a God how can someone as weak as I kill a God I can't even kill a Wolgarm ..." He interrupted her bitterly.

" Betty shall explain slowly then. Heretic Gods are Gods who rebelled against their legend and descended in this world from the realm of immortality. These Gods create disaster upon descending, for example, a God of war descent causes war to start a Sun God burns his surroundings. These Gods cannot be harmed by mortal magic or normal means. Only divine power can harm a god." She explained seriously.

" Wait a divine power? How did I kill one then?" Subaru exclaimed.

" Betty getting there, sometimes through luck and foolishness, a mortal manages to slay a god. Upon slaying their foe the All-giving woman adopts these fools as her children granting them comprehension of any language, bones of steel, enormous magic reserve superior by a thousand times to the greatest mortal mage, and immunity to any mortal magic. And yet Their greatest gift is without a doubt the authorities, divine power usurped from their foes. These authorities can match a God's power. Do you understand now I suppose?" She asked upon finishing her tirade.

" No mortal will be able to match you, only Gods and your fellow Campione can harm you now. Your words are law, you outrank everyone in this country, you are a Supreme King now, I suppose." Beatrice announced.

[A Supreme King, a God slayer don't make me laugh! After all this time when I gave up on getting any power. When I finally accepted my powerlessness now I get to be overpowered] he thought bitterly.

[Wait a minute what about Rbd?] Suddenly Subaru turned toward Beatrice.

" Beako I ...several times in the past I returned by death!" He yelled his eyes tightly shut waiting for pain that would not come.

"What is Betty's Subaru talking about I suppose ?" Beatrice asked worriedly about her contractor's sudden change of attitude.

Like a puppet whose strings were cut Subaru no longer moved.[ I'm free, free finally !]

" Is Betty's Subaru alright, what's the matter ?" the blonde loli asked again her concern for her contractor growing quickly.

" Beako I since I came in this world I died many times The Guthunter gutted me, the Wolgarm's curse killed me, Rem crushed my head, Ram slit my throat, Betelgeuse killed me, Puck froze me alive...I .. died time and time again in this place..." Subaru started vigorously then trailed off.

[ I can talk about it, how strange I can't feel the pain or trauma. Why is it that my thoughts are so clear? That shouldn't be possible right?] Uncertain of how He should feel Subaru was lost. Not noticing Beatrice's growing horror.

" You died in this mansion and Betty didn't help you ?" Beatrice started tearing up, she truly was slothful. She left her contractor that boy who reached time and time to her die.

Subaru noticed at last Beatrice's question.

" No no no you saved me, it was thanks to you that I managed to save the people of this mansion. Without your help, I would not have discovered the curse. I would have been stuck in this loop. That's why I thank you from the bottom of my heart Beatrice !" He exclaimed while moving to hug her.

" Without the amazing Beako, I wouldn't be here. That's why please cheer up Beako." He smiled softly at her.

After a while, hugging each other Beatrice's tears ceased. Slowly she turned toward him.

" Betty doesn't understand something, why are you still here, I suppose ?" She asked confused by her contractor's action.

" You died here, the very habitant of this mansion killed you. Why didn't you run away? Betty is concerned for her contractor's mental health I suppose." Beatrice announced looking straight at her speechless contractor.

" I did try to run away after meeting the White whale. I wanted to elope with Rem and leave this hell behind. Rem encouraged me to face them head-on. And now here I am." He answered her thoughtfully.

"That's not what Betty means dying to save someone you barely know that's pure folly, I suppose." Betty trailed off.

" Betty doesn't understand why Subaru didn't run away after dying for the half-elf or after dying in this mansion." She asked him seriously, wanting to understand her contractor's mind.

[ Why? Because she was kind to me? Still dying thrice for someone you barely know staying in a hell mansion to save those who never cared. That's weird why did I do that? Why didn't I mourn the loss of my life? Surely I didn't resent my parents this much to instantly discard the thought of going back to them?] Subaru was completely lost in thoughts his past action impossible to make sense of.

By becoming a Campione his body and mind were healed, he was now bereft of his inhuman low self-esteem and his distorted sense of worth. As such his action made no sense to him.

" I don't know...I don't know" he answered, at last, defeated.

" What does Betty's Subaru wants to do now I suppose ?" Betty questioned him.

" Betty contract is free to do as he please no one will be able to stop now, I suppose. "

" I ... I don't know... No, I think that I want to leave this place? I don't know" Subaru answered unsure why did he die so many for the sake of those who didn't care a wit for him.

No dying for someone even if you love them can be done once, twice no more than that. One can only sacrifice so much before love fades away.

Subaru's stomach growled, interrupting his thought.

" Ah I'm hungry I should have followed Ram to eat something before coming here !" Subaru exclaimed while clutching his stomach.

" Very well Betty shall lead her contractor to the dining room I suppose," Beatrice announced before opening her crossing door.

The Campione and the Great spirit entered the dining room while holding each other's hands.