Chapter 34: Sloth (2)

Chapter 34: Sloth (2)

~Third POV~

Emilia opens her eyes rubbing them as she woke up from her sleep greeting Puck in a happy tone, "Ahh… Good morning, Puck."

Puck floating when he tried to wake her up in an upbeat tone nearing her, "You're early today. Morning, Lia."

Emilia merely smiled getting up and preparing to get dressed for the day in a cheerful tone flipping her hair back, "I thought I'd try going to sleep and waking up earlier. Especially with how things have gone a few days of the Royal Selection."

Puck curtly nodded his head in agreement as he replied swiping his paw at her, "Yeah. And Mash has certainly been a good influence on you! Honestly, I woke you up early because, in truth, I was worried about you. You've had it rough lately."

Emilia soon frowns listening to his words granted contained truth within them she asks in a confused tone getting dressed, "What do you think I should do, Puck? No, not just me... How can I be better to everyone, and have them be better to me like he does to me…"

Mentioning one person an image of Mash appearing Puck knowing who's she referring to he shrugged giving his genuine response, "I think you should do what you want. I'll be on your side, no matter what you do. And no matter what, you can't abandon that village, right? Early this morning, Ram headed out there again. Maybe we should wait to hear from her. I'm going to check on Betty."

Emilia finished dressing up and replied a bit saddened leaving through her room, "Oh... Okay. Tell her hello for me."

Leaving her room down to the main entrance of the Roswaal Mansion her eyes widen to see Ram and Wilhelm appearing surprised, "Ram? You are... from Crusch-sama's household, aren't you?"

Wilhelm took a knew to show his respect to Emilia as he began to explain in a serious tone catching her attention, "I am Wilhelm Trias. I have come on my master's behalf."

Understanding the appearance Emilia discusses with Wilhelm the alliance formed questioning him in a curious tone, "On Crusch-sama's behalf? I received a blank letter from her yesterday..."

Wilhelm's eyes widen at the news muttering out loud the dangers as he explains himself to the group surprising them, "I see, so it was true. While this shames me to say, the letter contradicted the message my master wished to send. Emilia-sama and Ram-dono... We would like to evacuate those remaining in the mansion, along with the villagers. That is Crusch-sama's will."

This confused Emilia as Wilhelm explained the seriousness of the situation surprising Emilia that the Witch Cultists were aiming for her life. And the evacuation of the villagers to the capital.

Informed that only half of them would go to the capital and the other half safely to Sanctuary with Ram taking the lead as Roswaal had already been sent there ahead of time thanks to his Gospel following his directed path.

But evacuating all the villagers to the capital will be a difficult task for them. Knowing of this Emilia looks down as she replies about the convince of everything happening, "O-Oh, I see... Then, the discussion on the matter is already over. But isn't there something strange about this? It all seems too well-timed—"

However, Emilia soon got interrupted as Mash came forward along with Rem by his side informing them in a serious tone, "Pardon me. The group hiding in the forest has been observed moving strangely. We haven't a moment to waste! Once they make their move, the entire region will be a sea of blood! What will it be, Captain? No, [Sword Demon] Wilhelm-dono?"

Wilhelm soon turns to Emilia as she is stunned by the news but soon comes over her shock asking in a serious tone, "I understand. I gratefully accept your kindness. Has this been explained to the villagers?"

Rem replied gesturing to a light bow to Emilia in a respectful tone holding her Morningstar at the ready, "They have been informed in a timely fashion, Emilia-sama."

Puck soon returns with the group informing of Beatrice staying under Mash's orders unaware of the group the purpose and why. Emilia frowned at this but reluctantly agreed to Puck's words.

Wilhelm understood Puck's words as the Great Spirit will stick by Emilia's side to the end as he looked over to Mash placing his trust in the young gamer, "You should do what you want. I'm on your side, and yours alone. And Mash? Please take care of those scum why don't you?"

He nodded giving Puck a thumbs up along with a sly grin. Emilia smiled seeing her friend's confidence as she remained firm responding in a determined tone, "We will evacuate. I don't want to endanger the villagers!"

Mash could grin seeing Emilia as they all leave with the Silver-Haired Elf muttering happily at their return, "Also… Mash-san. Rem-san. Welcome back."

Both understood nodding at Emilia's kind gesture as they all began to leave packing up the villagers of Arlam Village…

/////

"We're ready, miss."

Readying a carriage ride Emilia arrived at the village with everyone preparing to leave with a confused expression on her face, "Um, I think there's been some kind of mistake."

Ram soon comes over with Rem as she informs Emilia of the news in a blank tone, "No, given the number of people and carriages, we must ask you to ride with these children. It's a necessary measure."

Emilia surprised by this tries to dissuade the possibility because of her heritage fearing the children will be put in harm's way, "Can't we put them in a different carriage? That would be better for the children—"

However, interrupting her came Mash fully armed in a neutral tone all attention currently on him crossing his arms and shaking his head, "You think no one would want to ride with you? Have you asked the kids how they feel about that? Perhaps you just assume that they hate you and wouldn't want to be around you?"

Moving forward eyeing the kids taking a knee Emilia tries to dissuade Mash's words assuming her plan was the right one, "That isn't... I don't need to ask them. I know it's best for everyone."

Ignoring her Mash patted Petra's hair as he continued explaining with a light grin on his face explaining to Emilia, "Six children and one dragon-drawn carriage. If we stumble here, how will your wish ever come true? What do you think, Petra? Do you refuse to ride in the same carriage as she does?"

Emilia closed her eyes knowing the answer as she visited the villagers before as she received her fear of them. When the Royal Selection candidates were announced, and her face was revealed a majority of people weren't happy at the thought of Emilia participating to be their next king/queen.

Her resemblance is uncanny close to the Witch of Envy. Emilia knew it would be a hurtle knowing the kids would deny the chance…

Yet her expectations were blown out of the way when Mash let go of Petra's head replying happily turning her gaze at Emilia, "Of course not. After all mister Bastion, you helped save us before. You wouldn't be friends with bad people, and he spoke highly of Emilia saving his life. How could we ever do that not since you pleaded with everyone to give Emilia a chance with Rem-sama!"

Emilia's eyes widen as Mash blushed a bit embarrassed grumbling to himself, "Eh! She wasn't supposed to know that!"

Before Emilia could ask more the other kids pleaded with her to come along grabbing her attention.

"Come and ride with us."

"And me!"

"I wanna ride with you!"

"Come on, let's go!"

"Let's go."

"Come with us!"

"And it's gonna be pulled by a dragon!"

"That's so cool!"

Emilia smiled thankful to get the chance to speak with them using her real face. Soon she changed her expression shaking her towards Ram in a serious tone, "Ram, take care of things at the Sanctuary. Be sure to protect the villagers."

Ram nodded as Mash took his cue to leave leaving Rem with Emilia Ram finished speaking to Emilia, "You take care, as well, Emilia-sama."

Emilia nodded as Mash already vanished, she tried to talk to him thanking him only to notice he was missing, "I need to thank you, too Mash – Where did he go?"

Rem soon held Emilia's hand with a sad smile on her face as she got her inside explaining to her, "Emilia-sama Mash-sama has gone ahead to assist in dealing the blow to the Witch Cultist. He is doing everything, he can to save people and told me what must be done. Mash-sama entrusted me under your care. I'll see you again soon Nee-sama."

Rem bowed to her older sister as she briefly smiled wishing them luck as she left. Emilia understood what Rem meant that Mash was battling against the Witch Cultist as she was left to take care of the children.

However, Rem also frowned understanding something they didn't know as she thought to herself in a conflicted tone, 'Mash-sama told me he will defeat Sloth for us to not be next one. He explained to Rem if he kills the Sin Archbishop his abilities and Witch Factor will fall to him. And HIM alone so we won't be messed with the Witch Scent…'

Unaware she clenched her fist silently praying for his safety as Rem was told what the Witch Factor meant when Mash explained to her showing a great deal of trust.

Rem could only think to herself keeping a brave face pleading to anyone listening to her cries for help, 'Please… whoever listens to Rem keep Mash-sama safe from the Witch's corruption…'

////

Elsewhere in the forest one of the Witch Cultists disguised as a Merchant sent the order using his Meteor Conversation Mirror growing a confident smirk and using Emilia as a sacrifice to receive the Witch of Envy.

Yet an arrogant voice echoed throughout their location startling them, "Now, I get it... We couldn't figure out how you guys stayed in touch. Those meteors sure are handy, huh?"

*Thud*

*Thud*

Startled the cultist merchant turned around as Mash having his blade coated with Witch Cultist blood growled at the enemy wiping the blood off his blade, "You owe a heavy price for the crime of interrupting my reunion with my friends!"

Stepping back quickly drawing his dagger worry etched on his face spoke, "You're..."

*SPLAT*

*SPLAT*

Soon the other Witch Cultist fell with Wilhelm's sword drawn near the cultist merchant's neck as Felix and Julius surrounded him with the old man responding in a cold tone, "Too slow."

*THUD*

Slamming the cultist on the ground with Julius pining him down as Mash explained coldly at the Witch Cultist Merchant with disdain in his voice, "You must be wondering how this happened right? Long story short, we knew you were a spy. How we learned is a trade secret. So, we set a trap for you, the contact for the Witch's Cult. 2 hours. You gave your buddies a schedule that was two hours behind."

Stepping forward with his blade drawn luck heavily tilting in his favor, he responded to the confused and scared Merchant Cultist feeling the [Bloodlust] skill directed at him in full force, "We'll use the time to get Emilia and the others away, crush the fingers that know our location, and make preparations to crush your Sin Archbishop. Having your enemy a step ahead, ready to destroy you... You're about to learn just how terrifying that is."

*Shinng*

Decapitating the man with on clean swift of Mash blade his hand shook taking a human life Julius asked in a neutral tone, "First time taking a semtient life Mash-dono? Don't feel sorry for them they are scum needed to be cleaned out. Or do you wish for us to do the heavy work with clean hands?"

Mash shook his head eyes determined in a serious tone towards Julius' words, "No. I'm not letting my weakness get the best of me. Hopefully taking the other monsters will ease my sensation of killing a life…"

Julius nodded in understanding as they began to work, he told Mash in a neutral tone getting his attention, "Very well then Mash-dono. But if this is too much merely asking this Knight to do what must be done. Now come along there is much to be done."

With that, their plan to purge the fingers began all the while Mash ground up EXP like it was no tomorrow chock-full of 100 people that would help him grind to be stronger and ease his will to take a human life…