Note- So before we start this chapter, you all should have noticed by now Carlisle's sword is inspired from kamen rider, as author is big fan of kamen rider. This chapter he wanted to use the author of kamen rider to break fourth wall. We will get to know a bit about Carlisle's past, but this would happen only once cause this was, wish of author, as he is big fan of Kamen rider.
Also as mentioned before no one, even Carlisle won't know about Rebirth by death, as it is main premise of the story
This is going to be long chapter, so let's get into it.
....
"Huh? Is Another World like this?"
His tone held a hint of confusion, yet also a touch of keen interest.
"It's very different..."
The man's gaze quickly settled on the illusory Flame Sword in the Witch of Envy's hand.
His expression instantly became serious. He pushed up the brim of his hat, his tone gentle but firm.
"Ah, excuse me, could you please return that to him?"
He pointed to the unconscious Carlisle. "This sword... is a promise between me and that child."
The Witch of Envy slowly looked up, her purple pupils coldly observing this uninvited guest.
She didn't know him, but she instantly understood one thing, this man... wanted to take back this sword.
And the Flame Sword was precisely the existence that could threaten her, and even potentially expose the secret of Return by Death.
Seeing the Witch's lack of reaction, the man sighed softly, his tone still calm:
"No? I understand."
His gaze swept over Subaru, who was bound by shadows.
"You just want to protect someone important... Don't worry, I'll solve this problem."
The Witch of Envy's shadows suddenly surged, black tentacles spreading towards him like a tide!
The man took a small step back, smiling helplessly: "Whoa, such hostility... Don't you trust me?"
Subaru's eyes widened, staring incredulously at this man who had suddenly appeared.
Japanese men's clothing... modern attire... She opened her mouth, her voice hoarse:
"You are...?"
The man turned his head and gave her a gentle smile.
"Hello, nice to meet you."
He placed one hand on his chest, performing a somewhat casual bow.
"My name is Touma Kamiyama, and I'm a novelist."
After a brief self-introduction, Touma Kamiyama's gaze returned to the Witch of Envy. Looking at the constantly approaching shadows, he shook his head helplessly.
"Still want to fight...? I understand. I'll give it my all."
His eyes suddenly sharpened, and he clenched his right hand in mid-air-
"Clang!!"
A dazzling light suddenly burst forth! The light was not merely bright white, but like the brilliant starry river at the beginning of the universe. The radiance of countless stars gathered and compressed in his hand, finally solidifying.
As the light receded, an exquisitely ornate longsword appeared in his hand.
The sword body seemed to be forged from the starry sky, with a deep background color flowing with a milky way-like light. Countless tiny specks of light flickered within it, as if the entire universe was sealed within the blade.
Ancient runes were carved on the sword's spine, each exuding a distinctly different aura. Power circulated between the runes, intertwining yet remaining distinct.
The sword's edge was enveloped in an extraordinary glow, not reflected light, but the energy of Another World leaking out from slightly torn space itself, presenting a multicolored, iridescent distortion.
Blade King Sword Ten Holy Blades
After pulling out the sword that glittered like the Milky Way, Touma Kamiyama's movements did not stop. His left hand gently flipped, and a crimson, fire-like tome appeared out of thin air.
[Brave Dragon]
His gaze fixed firmly on the Witch of Envy in the distance, then he suddenly inserted the red tome into the scabbard at his waist!
Touma Kamiyama boldly drew the Galaxy Sword from his waist!
"Roar!!"
An earth-shattering dragon roar echoed through the sky, and a crimson giant dragon phantom soared from the book pages, circling around Touma Kamiyama! At the same time, ten legendary swords of various forms appeared one by one, circling at his side, each emanating a unique and powerful aura.
The light of the ten swords intertwined, like a brilliant galaxy, illuminating the entire battlefield as if it were day.
Touma Kamiyama took a deep breath, gripped the sword hilt with both hands, and declared in a deep voice.
"Transform."
With the stirring sound effects, the galaxy-like light completely erupted! When the light dissipated, what appeared in its place was no longer the novelist wearing a fedora, but a knight clad in blue armor.
The helmet was streamlined in the shape of a Holy Sword, and the compound eyes were as transparent as crystal, with a galaxy-like glow flowing within them.
The chest plate displayed a cosmic starry sky pattern, its edges burning with an unquenchable flame of courage.
The leg armor had sharp lines, and dragon-scale-like blade guards extended from the knees.
And in his hand, the sword intertwined with ten-colored flowing light, each swing causing a slight distortion of space.
Touma Kamiyama looked up slightly, his gaze under the compound eyes, like a sharp sword, pointed directly at the Witch of Envy.
"This is not my story... But, I must rewrite the ending that follows."
— — — — — —
In the distance of the battlefield, atop a towering cliff, Pandora and Regulus stood quietly, looking down at the sudden anomaly below.
The Greed Archbishop crossed her arms, her golden pupils reflecting the blue figure, Touma Kamiyama in his Juusatsuken form. Her brows were tightly furrowed, her mouth pouted in dissatisfaction, and her tone was filled with irritation.
"What the hell! Are there two more of those guys?!"
She suddenly flung her arm, pointing to the center of the battlefield.
"I've seen enough blue today! Why is it still blue?! I'm telling you"
She turned to look at Pandora, her eyes filled with obvious arrogance.
"That Witch can take care of the other guy, right?! I absolutely cannot let that bastard who violated my rights..."
However, her voice abruptly stopped.
Because at that moment, she saw, fear on Pandora's face.
Greed stared incredulously at the Witch of Vainglory beside her.
She was... afraid?
This was simply absurd!
Pandora, the Witch whose true nature was always unclear, a lofty existence, was now shaken by a suddenly appearing novelist?!
"Hey! What's wrong with you?!"
Greed's voice carried a hint of panic that she herself didn't notice.
"It's just another blue knight, isn't it?! He can't do anything to us anyway, you"
"Archbishop Corneas."
Pandora suddenly spoke, her voice still soft, but with an undeniable coldness.
"You can go back."
Greed opened her mouth, still wanting to retort, but the next second.
"Swish!"
Her figure instantly vanished from the spot, leaving no trace of her aura.
Pandora stood alone at the edge of the cliff, her snow-white hair gently fluttering in the wind. She took one last look at the blue knight on the battlefield, an unspeakable apprehension flashing in her pupils.
She didn't say another word, her figure slowly dissipated like melting snow, her aura completely fading from the battlefield.
— — — — — —
In the battlefield, Subaru's eyes widened, staring incredulously at the brilliant figure, Touma Kamiyama's transformed appearance, sparkling with galaxy-like light in the sunlight.
"Kamen Rider!?"
Her voice trembled slightly from shock. Although she had never seen this Rider, the iconic transformation process, the magnificent armor design, and the Holy Sword shining with the power of stars... all perfectly matched the image of "Kamen Rider" in her memory.
Subaru had lost consciousness after transforming into the dragon of hope, completely unaware that Carlisle had also fought in the form of the ancient dragon.
Before she could sort out these chaotic clues, the situation on the battlefield had already changed.
An impassioned voice echoed across the battlefield, and the moment the blade was unsheathed, the powers of ten Holy Swords intertwined into a dazzling rainbow light, like a cascading galaxy!
The shadows on the ground surged like a tide, transforming into countless inky black tentacles, overwhelmingly rushing towards Touma Kamiyama, attempting to completely engulf him.
However
"Swish!!"
Touma Kamiyama swung his sword down!
The rainbow sword light surged like a torrent, and wherever it passed, the dark shadows rapidly melted and disintegrated like ice and snow meeting scorching sun, ultimately turning into nothingness.
Destruction...?
The Witch of Envy's expression faltered for the first time. Her shadows were not merely dispelled, but utterly erased by some higher-level power.
As the shadows dissipated, the restraints on Subaru were also lifted. She staggered to her feet, her knees slightly weak from prolonged confinement, but at this moment, she had no time to worry about such things.
'Now is not the time to marvel at how strong he is...!'
Her gaze quickly locked onto Carlisle nearby, who was lying unconscious on the ground, his face terribly pale after being freed from the shadow restraints.
"Carlisle...!"
Subaru gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain in her body, and desperately ran towards him.
'I must get him out of here...!'
She knelt beside Carlisle, her trembling fingers reaching for his neck... there was still a pulse!
Subaru let out a long breath, her hands passing under his armpits, trying to help him up.
"No...!"
The Witch of Envy watched helplessly as Subaru fled with Carlisle. She suddenly raised her hand, and the shadows on the ground surged again, black tendrils shooting like arrows towards Subaru's back.
However, just as the shadows were about to touch Subaru.
"Clang!"
A brilliant sword light streaked across the battlefield
As the sound rang out, the entire battlefield suddenly erupted with light comparable to a supernova! As the blinding light swallowed the entire battlefield, the Witch of Envy only felt a lightness in her hand
What...?
She looked down, and the Flame Sword Blaze she had been tightly gripping had vanished without a trace!
"Give it back to me...!"
The Witch's voice lost its composure, becoming distorted and sharp. The shadows around her violently raged, like an enraged black tide, but Touma Kamiyama merely took half a step back calmly, lightly turning his sword.
[Cross Slash!]
He spun in place, his blade tracing a perfect arc. In an instant, dozens of phantoms of the Flame Sword Blaze appeared in the void, each burning with colorful starlight, like the dazzling aurora at the dawn of the universe!
The Witch of Envy stared blankly at the overwhelming light.
Her shadows turned to ashes the moment they touched the sword light. For four hundred years, she felt a threat beyond comprehension for the first time.
'My immortality... is ineffective against this sword?'
As the Witch of Envy, she should have been indestructible. Because of this, the Divine Dragon, Sword Saints, and Sages of that era could only choose to seal her rather than kill her.
But at this moment, the most primitive instinct of a living being was frantically warning her.
This novelist... can truly completely erase me... The starlight, after utterly annihilating the Witch of Envy's shadows, suddenly receded, dissipating into the air as if deliberately suppressed by some force.
Touma Kamiyama slowly lowered his blade. He took a step forward, standing before the Witch of Envy, his voice steady and gentle.
"I know."
He looked directly into the Witch's purple pupils, as if he could see through to her deepest, most primal obsession.
"You just want to protect her, right?"
The Witch of Envy's expression subtly shifted, her silver-white hair gently fluttering in the residual energy wind. But she did not answer.
Touma Kamiyama continued. "However, that sword, I cannot give to you."
"The ability of this newborn sword... I will seal its function of transmitting memory fragments."
He paused, his tone becoming more solemn.
"Which means, until all of that ends, the secret of that girl's ability Return by Death, will absolutely not be leaked."
His gaze was sincere and earnest, and he even bowed his head slightly, making a gesture of request.
"So... please."
"Let's make a promise."
Touma Kamiyama, still in his Ten Holy Blades form, slowly walked towards the unconscious Carlisle and the wary Subaru. He gently raised his left hand, and a purple longsword appeared in it.
Darkness Sword Moon Shadow.
Although Subaru knew that Touma Kamiyama was there to help them, seeing him approach with two swords in hand, she instinctively hugged Carlisle tightly.
Touma Kamiyama stopped, the compound eyes of his Ten Holy Blades helmet flickered slightly, and his voice came through the armor.
"Don't worry."
He knelt on one knee, placing the Dark Moon Sword flat on the ground, signaling he had no ill intent.
"This sword will only seal the 'memory transfer' ability; it won't cause any harm to his life or strength."
His voice paused, the light from his compound eyes dimmed slightly, carrying a hint of apology.
"...However, I might have to trouble you."
He looked up, meeting Subaru's eyes, his tone heavy and sincere.
"I'm very sorry. The burden of your ability... cannot be known by others yet."
Subaru's arms, holding Carlisle, trembled violently.
"You... you know everything?"
Her voice was hoarse, almost unidentifiable.
Return by Death... the pain of reincarnation... all the despair and loneliness, this person... knew it all?!
Her mind went blank, but the next second, an even more terrifying thought struck her like lightning, no... that's not right!
Subaru bit her lower lip hard until she tasted blood, then she came to her senses and finally understood.
This ability couldn't be known by others, not by her own will, but because the Witch of Envy was deliberately concealing this secret!
And this man, who called himself a "novelist"... was even stronger than that Witch.
So strong that even the Witch of Envy feared his interference... Touma Kamiyama didn't directly answer Subaru's question, he just nodded gently.
He picked up the Dark Moon Sword, its tip glowing with a purple aura, and slowly pointed it at Carlisle's chest.
"Please trust me."
His voice carried a promise that could transcend time and space.
"This seal... will only last until the 'correct ending of the story' arrives."
Subaru immediately tensed. The sword tip gently touched Carlisle's chest, and purple energy rippled outwards. The next moment, countless tiny phantom chains extended from the sword tip, wrapped around Carlisle's body, and then quickly dissipated. To her surprise, Carlisle's previously furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and his rapid breathing became steady.
"This is...?"
"A temporary seal."
What Subaru didn't notice was that several invisible wisps of energy were seeping from Carlisle's chest, twisting and swirling in the air, searching for a new host as if alive.
And... there was a suitable candidate right here.
Touma Kamiyama turned to the Witch of Envy, who stood silently nearby. "It's done. The Flame Sword's memory transfer function, and this child's reincarnation memories, have all been sealed. This secret will remain dormant until the ending you anticipate arrives."
The silver-haired Witch remained silent, no emotion visible on her pale face. But when her amethyst-like eyes swept over the two embracing figures, her Fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.
She did want to completely eradicate this hidden danger... but this swordsman from another world would never allow it.
"Our agreement. You should fulfill it."
The Witch gave Subaru one last deep look, a gaze that sent shivers down Subaru's spine. The next second, her figure vanished into thin air without a trace, like a painting being erased.
"She... really left?" Subaru was stunned for a moment, then vigilantly looked around. "Wait, that Pandora shouldn't still be"
She stopped mid-sentence. Looking around, the battlefield was nothing but scorched earth, with only the three of them remaining. The Witch who always wore a fake smile had clearly retreated wisely.
After all, with a monster like this guy around... Subaru's gaze returned to Touma Kamiyama, her tense nerves finally relaxing slightly. Just how strong was this guy? Even the Witch of Envy... if he were to fight Reinhard... No, now isn't the time to think about that... She looked down at Carlisle, sleeping peacefully in her arms. The knight's calm sleeping face was a stark contrast to his earlier pained expression, and Subaru suddenly felt her eyes welling up.
"Idiot..."
Touma Kamiyama looked back again, his gaze sweeping over the scarred battlefield. Scorched earth, annihilated forests, dried and cracked riverbeds, this area looked as if a god had smashed it with a giant hammer.
"It seems... that child made quite a commotion..."
"Child?" Subaru paused, then suddenly realized. Could it be... that "big brother who is great at telling stories" was him?
Before she could think further, the sight before her completely stunned her. Touma Kamiyama suddenly made a perplexing move; he re-sheathed the Ten Holy Blades, which glowed with starlight, then swiftly drew it again!
Blade King's First Scroll Slash!
"Wh-what happened?!" Subaru instinctively hugged Carlisle tightly, looking around warily. Had Pandora not left yet? Or had the Witch of Envy returned?
But the next scene made her eyes widen.
Touma Kamiyama began to wield the Holy Sword, and the trajectory of its blade left brilliant rainbow-colored light trails in the air. Even more astonishingly, wherever these lights touched, the destroyed land began to miraculously revive!
The scorched soil became fertile and soft again.
The destroyed forest re-rooted like a film played in reverse.
Clear streams once again flowed in the dried riverbed.
Even the smell of char in the air was replaced by the fresh scent of grass and trees.
This... how is this possible... he's actually... creating...? Everything destroyed by the battle!
Touma Kamiyama's movements were fluid and graceful, his figure appearing and disappearing within the rainbow light, like a painter wielding his brush, with this barren land as his canvas.
This was far beyond the realm of magic... it was like... rewriting reality... When the last sword strike fell, the entire forest had returned to its original state. If not for Carlisle, still unconscious in her arms, Subaru would have almost believed that the thrilling battle just now was merely a nightmare.
Touma Kamiyama sheathed his sword, turned, and looked at the dumbfounded Subaru. "This should be fine now." His tone was as light as if he had just done a trivial little thing.
Touma Kamiyama's star-like compound eyes gazed at Subaru, who was kneeling on the ground.
"I'm leaving soon... Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Leaving...? He's not going to explain his connection with Carlisle? Is he leaving without seeing Carlisle?
Subaru opened her mouth, but her throat felt as if something was blocking it. She looked down at Carlisle, sleeping peacefully in her arms, then looked up at the miraculously restored forest. An indescribable emotion suddenly welled up in her heart; it turned out that the desperate situations that had broken her were so... easy for this person.
But... why... why in the previous reincarnations... when Carlisle dissipated into specks of light... didn't you appear...?
This thought gnawed at her heart like a venomous snake, but she bit her lower lip, forcing back the accusation that was about to escape her lips.
She had clearly been saved... if she were to accuse him... that would be too ungrateful... Touma Kamiyama quietly watched her trembling shoulders. When he spoke again, his voice carried deep apology.
"I understand what you want to ask. The escalation of this situation... indeed exceeded expectations. If I hadn't intervened, that sword would have been taken forever, and that ending... would have been irreversible."
His fingers gently brushed the scabbard, and the Ten Holy Blades hummed softly.
"This is not my story; I cannot presumptuously write the ending for you. Your decisions, your choices, your... love, only you can write that ending that belongs to you."
Subaru's tears finally flowed uncontrollably. She hugged Carlisle tightly, as if clutching a last piece of driftwood.
"But... can we really..." Her voice was choked, almost inaudible.
"Look at the person in your arms." His voice took on a comforting smile. "And your companions who fought for you. Isn't this the best proof?"
Subaru's throat convulsed several times. She blinked hard, trying to force back the tears welling up.
"W-wait a minute!" Her voice trembled slightly as she called out to Touma Kamiyama just as he was about to turn. "I... I have one more thing..."
Touma Kamiyama's star-like compound eyes gazed at her silently. Subaru took a deep breath, her fingernails digging deep into her palms, the pain finally allowing her to fully articulate the sentence.
"If... if you go back to Tokyo..." Her voice became softer and softer, then suddenly firmed up. "Please find my parents... their names are Natsuki Kenichi and Natsuki Naoko... Please tell them..."
Her gaze fell on Carlisle's peaceful sleeping face, then swept over the miraculously reborn forest, a tearful smile subtly gracing her lips.
"Tell them I'm doing very well here. I have companions who trust me... and people who love me... So... so please tell them not to worry..."
As she spoke the last few words, the deliberately suppressed longing suddenly broke free... all memories of home became incredibly clear in that instant.
Touma Kamiyama listened quietly. "I've noted it. Is there anything else you want to convey? For example..."
"No need!" Subaru suddenly raised her voice, interrupting him, then, as if real
izing her impropriety, she quickly shook her head. "This is enough... knowing that I'm alive... and doing well... that's enough for them..."
Touma Kamiyama watched her side profile, feigning strength. He didn't expose the obvious lie, only nodded solemnly: "I understand."
"Hmm... saying too much... would only make them worry more..."
Subaru looked down at Carlisle, who was still unconscious in her arms. In the open space not far away, the gray, ethereal curtain had long since vanished. Touma Kamiyama had already left. That mysterious entity named'Shi' had sent the swordsman from another world back to his original world with just a simple command.
Is everything over...?
She looked around. The destroyed forest had been completely restored by Touma Kamiyama's power, and the tender green sprouts were even more vibrant than before. A gentle breeze rustled through the treetops, making soft whispers.
Our initial goal... was clearly just to repel the Greed and gluttony Archbishops who attacked the convoy... This thought made Subaru smile wryly. Events unfolded like Russian nesting dolls, each layer revealing a new challenge. Killing the White Whale attracted two Archbishops of Sin, and to fight them, they had to rely on the Flame Sword's power. The Flame Sword, in turn, attracted the even more terrifying Pandora and the Witch of Envy... What kind of hell-difficulty dungeon is this...? According to the normal progression, shouldn't the final boss be the Sloth Archbishop of Sin?
Why did the final boss turn into a monster capable of altering reality and a calamity that devoured half the world...? Subaru's Fingers caressed Carlisle's collar. The fabric still bore the dust and bloodstains from the battle. It had only been a short day, but it felt as long as an entire century.
Greed and Pandora had indeed left... This time... it's truly over, isn't it...? But with that came a series of unanswered questions. Subaru's thoughts drifted uncontrollably to that snow-white figure.
Pandora... what was her ultimate goal?
She should have come for the Flame Sword, which nullified authorities... But she was also the founder of the Witch Cult... Fragments of memory began to surface. When Geuse was the Sloth Archbishop, the fervent light in his eyes when he mentioned that Witch... If Pandora founded the Witch Cult... and the Witch Cult's goal was to resurrect the Witch of Envy... then why did the Witch of Envy appear here?
Shouldn't she be sealed? And... why choose me... and grant me this ability...? These complex mysteries intertwined in Subaru's mind, like a ball of yarn with no end in sight. She unconsciously hugged Carlisle tighter in her arms, the only anchor keeping her sane.
A faint groan from her arms made Subaru tremble. She hastily looked down, meeting Carlisle's slowly opening eyes. Those blue eyes, usually as clear as a sunny sky, were now clouded with a film of tears.
"Carlisle! You're awake!" Subaru's voice unconsciously rose an octave. "Are you hurting anywhere? Are you dizzy? Do you want some water? I'll just"
She fumbled for her water pouch, but as she turned, her sleeve was gently pulled.
"Subaru..."
He uttered this simple syllable in a broken voice, and Subaru froze, she had never seen Carlisle like this. The knight who was unyielding against evil now showed a fragile bewilderment in his eyes.
"Yes, it's me..." Subaru softened her voice, as if comforting a startled animal. "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"
Carlisle's fragmented memories flashed through his mind. He clearly remembered that the moment the Flame Sword's flames pierced Pandora's body, the Witch's falling figure suddenly twisted and deformed. Her pure white dress was stained with glaring crimson, her white hair turned into familiar black hair, and the face that always smiled at him was now filled with pain... His heart almost stopped. The sound of blood dripping from the sword's edge was clearly audible. The whole world spun at that moment, until the Flame Sword suddenly erupted with a scorching light, forcibly tearing apart this terrifying illusion.
It was an Authority... She altered my vision... Cold sweat drenched his back. Carlisle only now realized that Pandora hadn't created an illusion of 'killing Subaru' to torment him.
Of course, it wasn't that Pandora was soft-hearted, but that Pandora couldn't do it. Carlisle didn't know that in the first loop, his own will, residing within the sword, protected two beings who must never be harmed: the black-haired girl looking at him with concern, and Rem.
The question had barely surfaced before it was drowned by more chaotic memories. The oppressive presence of the Witch of Envy descending, and the sight he saw before falling into darkness... Everything was like looking through a pane of glass, so close yet impossible to see clearly.
"Carlisle? Your hands are so cold..."
Subaru's voice pulled him back to reality. He then realized he was clutching her wrist. His vision suddenly blurred, and warm liquid uncontrollably streamed down his cheeks, dripping onto their clasped hands.
Subaru was startled. In all her loop memories, even when his soul dissipated, this knight had never shed a single tear. And now... "W-what's wrong?" She frantically wiped away his tears. "Is something hurting? Or are there any side effects from using that sword?"
Carlisle's body suddenly leaned forward, and he collapsed into Subaru's embrace. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist, his forehead resting on her shoulder, his entire spine trembling violently.
"I... I saw..." His voice was choked with an unprecedented sob. "I thought... I really... killed you..."
Subaru was slightly pushed back by the sudden weight but quickly regained her balance. Her arms instinctively wrapped around Carlisle's trembling shoulders. She could clearly feel his rapid heartbeat.
So that's it... Pandora played the same trick on him as she did on Rem... This realization caused a sharp pang in Subaru's chest. She gently stroked the back of Carlisle's head, her fingers running through his sweat-dampened hair, gently pulling him closer.
"...It's okay now, that wasn't real, I'm here." Her voice was softer than ever. "Being able to hold you like this... that was just an illusion created by the Witch, none of it was real."
Carlisle's sobs grew heavier. His fingers clutched the fabric of Subaru's clothes behind her back. Subaru could feel warm tears soaking her shoulder.
"Is that so... an illusion...?" His voice was muffled against her neck, filled with deep lingering fear. "At that time... my chest... blood... so much blood..."
"Those were all Pandora's tricks." Subaru firmly interrupted him, cupping his tear-streaked face in her hands. "Look at me, Carlisle. I'm right here, alive and whole."
She gently wiped away his tears with her thumb, a warm smile gracing her lips. "If you're still scared..." She actively pressed his head back onto her shoulder. "Hold me tighter. I won't disappear, I promise."
Carlisle's arms tightened even more, almost making Subaru gasp for breath. But she didn't complain, only gently patted his back, stroking rhythmically as if comforting a frightened child.
The last rays of the setting sun cast long shadows of the two. Subaru and Carlisle remained tightly embraced, melting all the fear and unease of that time into this hug. Carlisle's chin rested gently on Subaru's head, and he could smell the scent of her hair, more comforting than any flower.
Just then, a familiar whinny broke the silence. Patrasche had appeared nearby. She slowly approached, her golden eyes filled with worry. She carefully nudged Subaru's shoulder with her nose, as if confirming her master's safety.
"Patrasche..."
Subaru released the embrace, joyfully stroking the Earth dragon's skin. "Did you come back to pick us up?"
The Earth dragon obediently lowered her head, allowing Subaru to stroke her scales more easily.
"It seems we worried everyone." Subaru turned to Carlisle, her smile bathed in a warm golden glow by the sunset. "All right, please stand up. It's time to go back. Rem must be terribly worried."
Carlisle nodded, gently helping Subaru straighten her disheveled collar. His voice had calmed. "Mm, let's go back."
The two mounted the dragon in unspoken agreement, Subaru sitting behind, pressed against Carlisle's back. She could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, completely different from the earlier panic. Patrasche also seemed to sense her master's mood, moving briskly towards the village.
Subaru didn't know that in the aftermath of the illusion, Carlisle's deeply buried emotions had finally surfaced. He realized that he must cherish the people before him, and he could no longer shy away from these feelings out of shyness, neither for the girl who always risked her life for him, nor for the blue-haired maid anxiously waiting in the village after being sent there by flying magic.
Furthermore, neither of them knew that Rem was not so strong in some matters. In the village, tears had already soaked her cheeks. The strong maid was now sobbing like a child, all her fear and unease transforming into hot tears.
[Royal Selection Arc Ends]
Note- I personally don't like, this Kamen rider thing but since this is going to happen once, I'll let it slide.
Anyways this was long chapter .
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.