Witch Hunt

Subaru was with that of Halibal and Shaule as this time the Witch's Hand group had more numbers, as the moon glow illuminated the path way, as the cloud were part too show the stary sky, as Subaru looked down as saw an ancient ruined.

Subaru looked at One of the member of the Witch's Hand. "The Knight been ticked up".

The Member then spoke. "Yup they will arriving here in 2 hour's".

Halibal spoke Unsheathed his two sword. "That is more then enough time for us to take care of this branch of the cult".

Shaule stretched her arms, her usual grin widening as she cracked her knuckles. "Finally, some action! I was starting to get bored."

Subaru, however, remained cautious. Even with their strength, the Witch's Cult wasn't something to take lightly. He glanced at the ruins below. "We'll need a plan. If we make too much noise, the knights might notice something off before they arrive."

Halibel nodded, his swords reflecting the moonlight. "Then we strike fast and precise. No need for theatrics—just efficiency."

Shaula groaned. "Ugh, you guys are so serious. But fine, fine, I'll behave… mostly."

Subaru smirked before turning to the Witch's Hand member. "How many cultists are in there?"

The scout hesitated before answering. "From what we gathered, at least fifty, with one Sin Archbishop leading them. The rest are fanatics, but that leader… they're dangerous."

Subaru sighed. "Great, another Archbishop. Which one are we dealing with this time?"

The scout swallowed hard. "Wrath."

Silence fell over the group for a moment before Shaule broke it with a whistle. "Oof, that's gonna be a pain."

Halibel tightened his grip on his swords. "Then we end this quickly."

Subaru nodded, mind racing through strategies. "Alright. We take out the small fries first, clear a path, then focus on Wrath. If things go south, we retreat—no heroics."

Shaule gave him a thumbs-up. "Got it, boss. Let's go ruin some cultists' night."

With that, the group descended towards the ruins, the shadows of the night swallowing them as they prepared for the hunt.

As they moved through the ruins, Subaru activated [Invisible Providence] to mask his presence while Halibel and Shaula effortlessly followed suit, their steps silent as shadows. The ruins were ancient, covered in moss and cracked stone, with eerie symbols of the Witch's Cult etched into the walls. The stench of old blood lingered in the air.

Subaru gave a silent signal, and the Witch's Hand members spread out, ready to strike.

From the dim torchlight inside, they could see the cultists gathered, their grotesque masks and twisted grins visible as they murmured prayers to their unseen master. At the center of the group, a figure stood—a woman clad in a tattered robe, golden eyes burning with madness. The Sin Archbishop of Wrath.

Shaule leaned close to Subaru and whispered, "She looks unstable. More than usual, I mean."

Subaru frowned. "Yeah, I don't like this. Something feels… off."

Before they could act, the Archbishop turned her gaze directly toward them. "Oh? Guests? So soon?" Her voice dripped with amusement, but her body trembled with suppressed energy.

"Well, that's just unfair," Shaula muttered.

Subaru tensed. "Damn it, she noticed us."

The Archbishop raised her hand, and a powerful burst of force erupted outward, shattering stone and sending cultists flying. Subaru barely managed to push himself and Shaule back with [Invisible Providence] while Halibel dodged with inhuman speed.

The cultists who survived the impact scrambled to their feet, drawing weapons as they screamed praises to their Witch.

Halibel sighed. "So much for stealth."

Subaru clenched his fists. "Change of plans—take them all down, now!"

The battle erupted in an instant.

Shaule vanished in a blur, reappearing in the midst of the cultists and cutting through them with ruthless efficiency. Halibel danced between enemies, his twin blades a whirlwind of destruction. Subaru summoned black tendrils from [Invisible Providence], using them to disarm and crush cultists before they could get close.

The Archbishop of Wrath only laughed, her body twitching violently. "So much anger, so much pain! It fuels me!"

Her presence grew heavier, distorting the air around her. Then, with terrifying speed, she lunged at Subaru.

He barely had time to react.

Subaru then used [Invisible Providence], as then she saw the arm as to slammed into the wall, as Subaru looked at her. "That seemed easy".

"Hahahahahahhahahahahahaa".

Halibal was holding his sword as they saw the Archbishop get up as she looked at Subaru. "When did you have the time too kill Sloth".

Subaru looked as he spoke. "Right people with Witch Factor can see these hands".

The Wrath Archbishop looked at him as she spoke. "I gotta say you are interested, hahahahhahaah".

Subaru then actived [Shadows Control] and [Light Control]. "Bring it on".

[Carmilla then spoke in his head. "S-she i-is not wrath"]

As then she grabbed her face as she started too change as now she has short golden hair with a string of hair down her right and a rose attached at the end of it. She wears revealing clothes, hot pants, leggings, a bikini and nothing more. She also has a yaeba that becomes prominent when she laughs.

[Insert image of Capella]

Capella looked at them as she spoke. "I am not Wrath I am Lust".

Subaru stopped, Halibal killed the last cult members, and Shaule looked at her as they tree spoke together. "Actually this makes things easier considering your the weakest".

Capella's grin widened at their words, her sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Ooooh? The weakest, you say?" she mused, tilting her head. "How rude~! But I can't blame you. That's what all the idiots before you thought too!"

Subaru narrowed his eyes, gripping his fists as [Shadows Control] and [Light Control] flared around him. Capella was dangerous—not because of raw strength, but because of her ability to shapeshift and regenerate from nearly any injury. Killing her was nearly impossible unless they burned her completely.

Halibel twirled his swords. "You talk too much."

In an instant, he blurred forward, his blade slicing toward her neck. Capella didn't dodge—she didn't need to. The moment the blade made contact, her body melted into a mass of black sludge. Halibel clicked his tongue, flipping backward to avoid getting splashed.

"Ugh, disgusting," Shaula muttered.

Subaru narrowed his eyes. That transformation speed… she's even worse than I thought.

The sludge quickly reformed, and Capella stood there unharmed, still grinning. "Awww, what's the matter? Scared of a little touch?"

Subaru didn't waste time talking. Instead, he activated [Invisible Providence], launching his unseen arms to grab her. But the moment they touched her body, the hands sizzled.

"Yeah, no touching, little King," Capella teased. "You might not like what happens if you do~!"

Subaru's face twisted. Even my unseen hands burn? Her body's not just transforming—it's rejecting contact outright.

[Carmilla then spoke in his head. "S-Subaru… Lust's authority isn't just shape-shifting… i-it's complete flesh manipulation… s-she can rewrite her body into anything, even curses…"]

Subaru gritted his teeth. Of course it's something busted.

Halibel dashed in again, this time aiming for her core, but Capella split herself in half mid-strike, letting his sword pass through before reforming behind him. "Too slow~!" She cackled as her arm turned into a dragon's claw, swiping at his back.

Shaule intercepted, kicking Capella away before she could land a hit. "Not happening."

Capella flipped mid-air and landed gracefully. "Oooooh, you're feisty~!"

Subaru clenched his fists. He needed a way to deal with her. Fire was the only real way to stop her regeneration, but his own fire magic wasn't strong enough to fully incinerate her.

He then smirked. But maybe… I don't need to incinerate her completely.

He activated [Light Control], condensing a bright sphere of energy in his palm. "Hey, Capella!" he shouted. "Let's see if you can regenerate from this!"

He fired the condensed light, and Capella's eyes widened just before it exploded in a flash of pure radiance.

The battle was far from over, but Subaru was done playing games.

Shaule then made a spell as her silver hair moving in the wind. "Windra".

As then a magic circle came up from her as tornado hit her as she screamed, as Subaru raised his hand, as magic fire spell came bellow her. "Inferno".

The fire and Air attack mix, as they looked at her. Subaru then spoke looking at her. "So Mages are your Ultimate Weakness".

Capella writhed in agony as the combined flames and wind magic engulfed her. Her body twisted and melted, struggling to reform. Her normally smug expression twisted into frustration as she screamed.

Subaru smirked. "So you can shapeshift all you want, but you can't do much when you're being burned and tossed around like a ragdoll, huh?"

Halibel landed beside him, spinning his swords. "Then let's not give her a chance to recover."

Shaule nodded. "Agreed. Windra!"

Another powerful gust erupted from her, fueling the flames even more. Capella's screams grew louder as her body struggled to stay intact. Her once-fluid movements became sluggish as her regenerative abilities were pushed to their limits.

[Minerva spoke in Subaru's head. "Don't let your guard down. She's still a Witch Cult Archbishop."]

Subaru narrowed his eyes. Yeah, no way she's going down this easily.

Capella's form suddenly exploded into a black mist, spreading across the battlefield.

Subaru coughed. "Tch! She's scattering herself!"

Halibel's eyes darted around. "She's planning something!"

Capella's laughter echoed through the mist. "You boys think you're so clever, huh? You figured out my little weakness, but…" Her voice shifted, distorting. "What happens when you can't even hit me?"

The black mist surged forward, forming multiple tendrils aiming at them.

Subaru's mind raced. I need a countermeasure… something that can disperse the mist completely.

[Carmilla spoke in his head. "L-light… Subaru, use more light!"]

Subaru didn't hesitate. He raised his hand and activated [Light Control], sending a burst of radiant energy outward. The golden light clashed against the black mist, forcing it to retreat.

Capella reformed, now looking furious. "You little—"

Shaule and Halibel didn't let her finish.

Shaule chanted, "O fleeting wind, become blades that sever!"

Halibel lunged, "Swift Fang!"

A storm of wind blades combined with Halibel's lightning-fast strikes, tearing through Capella's weakened form. She let out another scream as her body was torn apart by their relentless assault.

Subaru took a deep breath. "And now…"

He activated [Inferno] one last time, unleashing a searing wave of flames straight at Capella's remains.

The fire consumed what was left of her, and this time, she didn't reform.

For a long moment, there was silence.

Then, Halibel exhaled. "It's done."

Shaule dusted herself off. "That was way more annoying than I expected."

Subaru wiped sweat from his forehead. Yeah… but I have a feeling this is just the beginning.

Subaru then though too him self. "With why did I get my Quest Notification Update".

[Echidna then spoke in his head. "She is not dead"]

They were sent back, as they saw a dragon that came from the ash of Capella destroyed Body. "Now le-".

They stopped as they heard hourse as Capella looked at then as she spoke. "Will shit here come the knight".

Subaru then looked at the man responsibil to get the correct information. "Two Hours you said".

The Witch's Hand Member golped as he looked at her. "Please forgive me leader".

Capella looked at Subaru as she laughed as she looked at him. "Unthle we meet again Witch's Hand". She then looked at Subaru as she spoke. "As much of main you are, you are quite attractive, I wonder how you would have reacted too my real form".

As she then made wings and flyed up, as Subaru looked the Witch's Hand, as they also ran, as they made away as the knight finally arrived

Subaru gritted his teeth as he watched Capella escape into the night sky. Damn it…

[Echidna spoke in his head. "She's more of a cockroach than a dragon. But now you know she won't go down that easily."]

[Minerva scoffed. "Tch, if only I could punch her arrogance out of her."]

Halibel sheathed his swords. "We should move. The knights will search the area soon."

Shaula, who had been watching the skies, frowned. "Subaru, do we chase her?"

Subaru sighed. "No. Not now. The knights complicate things. We got rid of this cult branch. That's enough for today."

The Witch's Hand members quickly regrouped and began retreating under the cover of night. Subaru threw one last glance at the ruins. The knights were dismounting, their armor gleaming under the moonlight.

One knight in particular stood out—a tall, silver-haired man with piercing blue eyes. His gaze swept across the battlefield, instantly locking onto Subaru's departing group.

Shaula noticed. "Uh… Subaru? I think someone just marked us."

Subaru's heart skipped a beat as recognition hit him.

Julius Juukulius.

Subaru cursed under his breath. "Of course he would be here…"

Julius narrowed his eyes but made no move to chase them yet. Instead, he knelt beside the remains of the cultists, inspecting the scene with a calculating look.

Subaru didn't wait around to see more. He and his group disappeared into the night, leaving behind only the ruins, the ashes of Capella's fake death, and the ever-growing mystery of the Witch's Hand.

As the group ran, Halibal looked at Subaru as he spoke. "So are we gonna be concerned that Julius saw us".

Subaru scooped as he spoke. "Nah that man is Dense then a diamond, if anything he will make mental gymnastics to not link me too the crime".

Shaule laugh as she looked at him. "I wonder How many Times Reinhard has said you are Rusa the write to Naruto and Shadow Slave, the same Author who's story his little sister is in love with, ana who is looking for, but every time he gets closer too him, he moves 15 step back".

Subaru laughed as he spoke. "Yeah it happens a lot".

One of the witch's hand member spoke. "So are we not gonna talk about what Capella said too you boss. "Unthle we meet again Witch's Hand". She then looked at Subaru as she spoke. "As much of main you are, you are quite attractive, I wonder how you would have reacted too my real form".

Everyone just looked at the leader as Subaru. "Why are you all looking at me like that".

They then replayed Capella words. "As much of main you are, you are quite attractive, I wonder how you would have reacted too my real form".

Everyone then Blinked and looked at him. Subaru then looked at them. "Hey why are you guys looking at me like that"

[Echinda then spoke in his head. "Actually all the information we have on Capella true from are 3rd level information so even we don't know how she looks like".

Satella then spoke. "So for our information she could look like a 10/10"]

Subaru just kept running with everyone else saw him with a cool collective face, inside he was having a mental what is going on conversation. "You have to be kidding me".

[Minerva then spoke. "You're telling me none of us actually know what Capella really looks like?"]

[Echidna sighed. "Unfortunately, no. Her ability to morph and regenerate has kept her true form a mystery, even to us."]

[Pandora then chimed in. "Oh, but wouldn't it be fun if she was actually breathtakingly beautiful?"]

Subaru nearly tripped as he ran. Why the hell am I having this conversation while escaping a crime scene?

Shaule glanced at him. "Boss, you okay? You look... conflicted."

Subaru put on his best neutral expression. "Just... dealing with some mental noise."

Halibel smirked. "That means his inner voices are arguing."

The Witch's Hand members chuckled, while Subaru mentally screamed.

[Satella then spoke. "You know, Subaru, if you're that curious, maybe next time you can ask her?"]

Subaru nearly choked. Yeah, let me just casually ask the most twisted Witch Cultist to drop her monstrous disguises and show me her 'real' face. Nothing could possibly go wrong with that!

The group continued running through the dark streets, Subaru's mind filled with chaotic voices debating the true appearance of Capella.

The next day, the news was once again reporting on witch's cult and what happened recently, as in the Roswaal Machine, just like everyone in the Capital everyone was split on the Witch's Hand, as they were having this conversation Infront of Subaru with our knowing the leader of this group is seating right with them.

Ram crossed her arms as she sipped her tea. "The Witch's Hand is growing more active. Unlike the Witch Cult, they seem to be targeting the cultists themselves. It's hard to say whether they're a force of good or just another dangerous group."

Emilia frowned. "But they're still attacking people. Even if the Witch Cult is evil, fighting violence with violence just makes things worse."

Otto sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know, Emilia-sama. The Knights have been trying to deal with the Witch Cult for years, and they're still a threat. If someone else is taking them out, should we really complain?"

Beatrice huffed. "But it's still shady, in fact. No one even knows who their leader is."

Subaru, casually munching on a sandwich, resisted the urge to smirk. Yeah, no one knows. Definitely not the guy sitting right in front of you.

Roswaal, ever the wildcard, chuckled. "I must admit, they are quite... efficient in their methods. Almost as if they have inside knowledge, hmm?"

Subaru stiffened slightly. Was Roswaal suspicious? Or just stirring the pot for fun?

Rem, meanwhile, looked thoughtful. "I think their leader must be a strong and righteous person, someone willing to stand against evil no matter the cost."

Subaru nearly choked on his sandwich. Strong and righteous? That's a very generous interpretation of my late-night murder sprees.

Ram gave him a sidelong glance. "Barusu, why do you look so guilty?"

Subaru immediately put on his best poker face. "Guilty? Me? Pffft, don't be ridiculous. I was just thinking about how totally not involved I am in any of this."

Emilia tilted her head. "That's... oddly specific."

Otto narrowed his eyes. "Subaru, you're not secretly involved in this, are you?"

Subaru laughed. "Haha, Otto, come on! That's crazy! Next thing you'll say, I'm also the author of Shadow Slave and Naruto!"

The room fell into silence.

Ram sighed. "You are the author of those stories."

Subaru groaned. Damn it, I need to stop talking.

Subaru then quickly changed the topic. "Elsa, Meili and Lucifer what do you tree think".

Elsa smirked as she lazily twirled a knife between her fingers. "Oh? You're asking me? Well, I think the Witch's Hand is doing a fine job cleaning up the filth. They get the job done, and I do appreciate efficiency."

Meili, sitting next to her sister, pouted. "But big sis, you said you wanted to be the one to clean up all the Witch Cultists."

Elsa chuckled. "True, but I can appreciate someone else doing my work for me." She then gave Subaru a knowing glance. "Wouldn't you agree, Barusu?"

Subaru kept his expression neutral. She knows. Or at least suspects. Damn assassins and their sharp instincts.

Lucifer, the little boy sitting on Subaru's lap, blinked his large eyes and asked innocently, "Big brother, are they good guys or bad guys?"

Subaru patted his head, keeping his voice steady. "That depends, little guy. Sometimes, people do bad things for good reasons. Sometimes, they do good things for bad reasons. The world isn't always black and white."

Lucifer tilted his head in thought. "Then what color is the Witch's Hand?"

Elsa chuckled at the question, while Otto looked disturbed. Emilia sighed. "That's a deep question, Lucifer."

Ram smirked. "Knowing Barusu, probably a stupid color, like lime green."

Subaru groaned. "Oh come on! If I was the leader—which I am not—I'd pick a way cooler color! Like dark crimson or midnight blue!"

Roswaal chuckled. "O-ho, you seem very invested in this hypothetical."

Subaru stiffened. Damn it, I need to stop talking.

Beatrice then poined at Otto. "Quick question here, I am seeing him for the last few days, can someone explain too me how Marchant".

Subaru then spoke. "It happened 5 days ago, he came too sell something saw Elsa, sell the thing too Roswaal and then had a heart attack, not in that order".

Lucifer they spoke. "I remember that day big brother".

Flashback – Five Days Ago

The scene opened in the grand halls of the Roswaal Mansion, where Otto Suwen, the ever-unlucky merchant, arrived with a hopeful expression and a carriage filled with goods. He had just finished negotiating a decent deal with Roswaal when—

SLASH!

A very large knife embedded itself in the wooden table next to Otto's head.

Otto, mid-sentence, turned ghostly pale as he slowly looked to his right. There, standing just inches from him, was her.

Elsa Granhiert.

Her usual sultry smirk was in place, her piercing eyes locked onto Otto with an intensity that made his survival instincts scream.

"I smell fear," Elsa murmured, licking her lips.

Otto gulped. "Ah, y-you must be mistaken, miss! That's not fear! That's, uh… admiration! Yes! I'm just so honored to be in your presence that my knees are shaking!"

Meili peeked from behind Elsa, giggling. "Big sis, I think you broke him."

Subaru, who had been watching from the side, sighed. "Otto, buddy, deep breaths. She probably won't gut you if you stay still."

Otto's soul left his body as he gave Subaru a deadpan look. "Probably?! That doesn't help, Barusu!"

Roswaal, ever the chaotic presence, simply laughed behind his hand. "O-ho, now this is amusing~."

Lucifer, who had been sitting on Subaru's lap the whole time, tilted his head. "Big brother, why is that man shaking?"

Subaru patted Lucifer's head. "He's just having a little moment, kiddo. It happens when you meet someone really special."

Otto, realizing he was definitely not getting paid enough for this, immediately sold his entire stock to Roswaal at a loss, grabbed his heart, and nearly collapsed.

Subaru chuckled, turning to Lucifer. "And that, little buddy, is the day Otto joined the household."

Back to the Present

Beatrice, arms crossed, huffed. "Hmph. So he was bullied into staying, I suppose."

Otto groaned. "I was not bullied! I was… coerced."

Ram sipped her tea. "That's the same thing, idiot."

Subaru smirked. "Don't worry, Otto. If it helps, I'll protect you."

Elsa grinned. "I won't."

Otto paled again.

Otto then spoke looking at Elsa. "So I am still wondering how is the fact that The Emilia camp has an assasin working as Maid/Body Guard not public knowledge".

Subaru then spoke. "To be honest most people that saw her, only saw her once".

Otto deadpanned. "Right, because they didn't live long enough for a second meeting."

Elsa chuckled, amused. "Oh my, Otto, you make me sound so dangerous."

Otto's eye twitched. "You are dangerous!"

Meili tilted her head. "But big sis has been good, hasn't she?"

Lucifer nodded. "Big brother said she's reformed."

Subaru shrugged. "Hey, I never said completely reformed, just... selectively employed."

Otto rubbed his temples. "And no one questions this?"

Ram, sipping her tea, replied nonchalantly, "Most of the nobles are more concerned about Roswaal being Roswaal. Compared to him, a former assassin maid is barely worth mentioning."

Beatrice nodded. "Indeed, I suppose everyone assumes she's just another one of that clown's strange hobbies, I suppose."

Subaru smirked. "And as long as they think that, we don't have to deal with annoying questions."

Otto sighed, realizing once again that he was working for a bunch of lunatics.

To be continued

Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones and enjoy