5

After a good night of sleep. The groups slowly prepared themselves.

Upon finishing they made their way towards the common room to get breakfast.

Melty had a good night of sleep. It's been a long while since she felt this refreshed.

Mama's agents were not watching her as such she felt free.

No longer she has to check behind her shoulder each time she goes out in fear of angering her jailors.

With a spring in her steps, she was on her way to get breakfast.

It was only when she reached the door that she felt a great power. It seemed like the Wind was in there.

Slowly she opened the door only to be met with a new addition to their group.

A beautiful woman was sitting next to her liege and Beatrice-sama.

She could feel that this person was a powerful great spirit. [ Eh? What happened last night ?] She was confused.

Otto returned last night after a day of trying to sell his ware.

He wasn't the only one surprised by this new addition. [ I only left for one night. What in the world happened ?] Otto thought.

A new Great spirit joined them.

" Well everybody, as you noticed someone joined us. Zarestia over there.."

"ZARESTIA ?!" Melty and Otto yelled in a choir.

" Wow, Tia you must be pretty famous if people always get that reaction after hearing your name," Subaru said a bit annoyed to be interrupted.

" Tia? Well, I am indeed famous I am the most beautiful shinigami after all !" The Great spirit exclaimed with pride, puffing her chest.

" That's your nickname now Zarestia is it a bit too long ya know?" He answered the spirit question.

Zarestia nodded, not all that bothered.

Melty and Otto were still trying to recover their bearing. Watching the scene before them they could only shake their heads. Campiones were truly unbelievable.

" As I was saying, Tia over there asked for my help and I agreed. She'll be with us till the situation has been resolved." He declared leaving no room for refusal, his eyes shining with determination.

" Aaahhh Natsuki-san you're truly are a troublesome person," Otto said slowly, shaking his head with an almost fond smile.

" Betty has agreed to help already I suppose." The silent till now loli spoke up.

All the group turned toward the nun who had yet to speak.

Melty took a step back, intimidated by the stares sent her ways. Two great spirits and a Campione staring at her was way too intense for the priestess.

" Ah, I have no problem with this!." The nun exclaimed while throwing her arms in surrender with a nervous smile on her face.

The group sat in a circle all were deep in thought the urgency of the current situation dawning on them.

" So that's the situation huh? " Otto spoke slowly trying to make sense of the situation.

" Indeed It's quite troublesome in fact in the worst case the city could be turned into a Battlefield I suppose," Beatrice added her grain of salt.

" Arr, that's frustrating without knowing who's the thief and where he is we can't do much! " Subaru exclaimed, frustrated.

[ Waiting for the thief to show up and create chaos is an awful strategy. Think Subaru, if you suddenly gained the power of a great spirit what would you do?] He went deep in thought.

Melty slowly raised her hand, she had an idea and wished to help.

" Um?"

Subaru turned towards the nervous nun.

" On Melty? If you have an idea speak up !" Subaru urged her.

She took a deep breath.

"Well, that person currently holds Zarestia-sama's power So his mana must have been overwritten by hers right? We could try to scry the thief using Zarestia-sama mana signature. That could lead us to the thief..." She trailed off at the end intimidated by the intense gaze on her.

" That could work I suppose. I am not well versed in scrying but with your [ Spirit Vision] that will make the job easier. Good idea nun, you outdid yourself I suppose." The great spirit praised the shy priestess.

Melty was blushing, happy with being praised by her pseudo teacher.

" I shall gladly donate you a bit of mana. Catching the thief takes precedence." Zarestia nodded.

" Wait a minute you lost me there, what's scrying ?" Subaru asked confused by the terms used.

" It's a ritual used to track a person using their unique mana signature. But to use it you need a bit of the mana's target I suppose." The blonde loli enlightened her contractor.

" Oh? That's like coupling a GPS with a tracker then." Subaru spoke nodding his head. He was the only one understanding his comparison.

" If you understand it's fine I suppose." Betty slowly shook her head. She wished to understand her contractor's speech.

" Still we need to inform the Town's authorities. If the worst happens Banan will need to be evacuated. " Otto spoke up serious for once.

" You're right. Melty, Beatrice, try to find the thief. Zarestia, stay with them. Otto, you'll come with me we need to inform them." Subaru took commands swiftly living up to his leadership role.

They all nodded.

Their meeting was interrupted by a knock on the door.

[Ah what now?] Subaru thought irritated.

" Yes enter." He said harshly.

Upon hearing his reply the servant girl lamented at her fate. Why did she agree to attend a Campione again?

" My apologies" she entered the room and bowed deeply.

" Well, what do you want? " Subaru asked a bit less harshly, noticing the girl's fear.

[ Great going Subaru. What's with you scarring innocent people haahh] he sighed

" Your guide has arrived "

" My guide? I don't remember asking for one?" Subaru asked confused.

" Natsuki-san you told the guard that you wanted to visit Banan. Of course, they'll send someone to guide you!" Otto spoke exasperatedly.

" Ah make sense then. Well let him come, he could help us with the situation." Subaru commanded.

" I'll send for him." The servant quickly left bowing once again before closing the door.

A moment later a certain shinobi entered the room.

[ Aaah well time to face the music.] The ninja braced himself.

He entered the room and bowed deeply.

" I am Halibel. I was chosen to guide you during your stay in Banan my lord." The ninja presented himself.

" Oh Nice to meet you then Halibel," Subaru replied swiftly.

" Wait Halibel Betty heard that name before I suppose." The blonde loli muttered.

" Um Beatrice-sama, that man would be Admirer the greatest ninja of Kararagi. " Melty answered the blonde untold question.

" Oh! You're that super ninja then!" Subaru exclaimed remembering the discussion he shared with his companions on the road.

Otto was slowly shaking his head a Campione, two great spirits and now one of the strongest mortals were before him.

[ Ah what am I doing here again]

[ That guy can match Reinhard then. Let's be warier around him. Banan sending a ninja for a guide is a bit weird. Rather than a guide, he must be there to watch me or stop me if they think I'm going too far. Well, that's to be excepted no way those government people would have been happy to see me there] Subaru thought derisively he was gazing at the ninja the whole time.

After a while he finally noticed the newcomer position.

" Ah, you can stop bowing now. Actually, we need your help for something." Subaru addressed the silent shinobi.

" I shall gladly assist you in any way you require." He replied swiftly.

" Zarestia over there lost her light ball and we need to recover it before the thief attacks the town" Subaru declared.

The shinobi observed the white-haired woman who seemed to be the Great spirit he geared himself to fight just the night before.

[ Aaah as expected of a Campione that's going to be a troublesome day isn't it?] He thought to himself.

" Betty's Subaru should explain the situation more clearly I suppose." The loli declared.

" Ah well, then it's like that." Subaru sighed tired of explanation and wishing to finally act.

" Even before your arrival Zarestia-sama's departure from her dwelling was noticed. The city's ninjas are already geared up to fight. Still, we shall assist you in this matter. Banan does possess a few Hime Miko. They should make your endeavor in tracking the thief easier." Halibel explained.

" Well, that makes our job easier. Then Hal-san, go alert the town authority about it. We shall go seek these priestesses." Subaru commanded

" Betty's Subaru forgot to ask something in fact, where are these priestesses I suppose?" Beatrice corrected her contractor oversight.

" Ahh, I knew I was forgetting something," Subaru muttered.

" The Priestesses reside in the temple at the southernmost point of the town. You can't miss it" the ninja spoke amusement coloring his tone.

" South huh we should find it easily then"

" Natsuki-san, I can bring you there. I already visited that part of the town." Otto spoke up.

" Oh you're there Otto I forgot about you," Subaru replied while scratching his head.

" That's too harsh Natsuki-san ?!"

" Well, then you'll guide us there thanks, Otto!" Subaru spoke without care.

The group parted ways.

Subaru, Melty, Zarestia, and Beatrice guided by Otto quickly reached the shrine.

" Oh, it makes me nostalgic. It looks like the shrine back at home." Subaru exclaimed.

Before them, stood a seemingly Japanese shrine. After traversing an impressive amount of stairs they reached the shrine courtyard.

The priestesses stood at the front in line having felt the Campione's arrival.

In sync, they all bowed.

" We welcome you in Banan shrine Natsuki-sama"

" That's some impressive synchronization here." Subaru declared.

" Thank you for your warm welcome. Still, I'm here on urgent business." He spoke up.

" Very well then please follow me" the head priestess straightened herself and gestured toward the shrine.

The Head Priestess led them to the temple's main room.

Gesturing for them to sit. Refreshments were brought by other Miko.

"Ah, I'm here because I require your skills, no need for refreshment," Subaru spoke.

" In what way could we assist you?" The Miko asked her surprise, denoted by the slight widening of her eyes.

" We need you to localize Zarestia's light ball." Subaru declared while gesturing towards Tia.

" ... The Great spirit light ball was stolen ?!" The head priestess replied incredulously.

She already knew what a light ball was due to her education as a priestess.

Yet to think Zarestia's light ball could be stolen. That was truly unthinkable.

The Head Priestess quickly regained her composure. The gravity of the situation dawning on her she gestured to the Miko at the back.

" Ready the divination room. We shall start a Divination immediately." She declared.

Subaru nodded satisfied by the Miko reaction.

The head priestess turned toward them.

" Please Zarestia-sama would you follow us in the ritual room?" She respectfully asked the Great Spirit.

" Of course." Zarestia nodded.

" Betty shall also join the ritual along with the nun over there I suppose." The loli announced.

" Heh? Me too?!" The nun exclaimed she believed that her service would not be required. The head priestess was a better and more experienced Hime Miko after all.

" Of course Melty, your help is needed! " Subaru spoke up.

The Head priestess seeing this spectacle could only agree to the Campione s will. A great spirit help would be appreciated and the nun is without a doubt a talented Hime Miko she was a Campione retainer after all.

" Very well then Beatrice-sama, Melty-sama follow me please." She demanded.

She turned toward Subaru and bowed deeply.

" Natsuki-sama until the ritual is completed you cannot enter the divination room I fear. Your power would disturb the ritual. To accommodate you the remaining priestess shall entertain you and your friend until we finish if that is not a problem." She finished her tirade.

" I understand then I'll wait for you to finish." Subaru nodded.

The group following the Head priestess departed only Otto Subaru and a few Miko were left.

" Ahhh why I must stay with you alone Otto" Subaru complained.

" Natsuki-san be patient. And that's way too harsh." Otto replied, used to his friend's antics.

They would remain in this room waiting for a while.

During their wait Halibel would join them having finished reporting the situation to the higher up.

" Ahhhh that's too much we spent a day here!" Subaru complained.

He was being served dinner. And the ritual had yet to be finished.

Thus his patience was diminishing rapidly.

Halibel and Otto silently ate, enjoying the meal served before them. High-class dishes were numerous and perfectly executed. Only the best would be served to a Campione.

" Natsuki-sama, a divination ritual is a hard thing to execute, and locating a being possessing the Wind power is a hard matter. The thief could be constantly moving using Zarestia-sama power thus making him even harder to find." The ninja explained trying to calm the agitated Campione.

" Natsuki-san if you interrupt them now it would have been all for nothing." The merchant spoke.

" Ahh fine !" Subaru muttered petulantly.

After a few minutes, a Miko would interrupt them the ritual had finally concluded.

They all gathered in the ritual room. The room was wide enough to accommodate their groups; many more Miko was sitting in the back exhausted by the ritual. Melty was among them.

Zarestia and Beatrice looked perfectly fine.

" Good job everyone !" Subaru praised his companions

" That's only natural I suppose." The loli declared proudly.

" You don't want me to praise you then?" Subaru titled his head.

At that, the great spirit face morphed to shock then reddened.

" Betty did a wonderful job and she deserves much praise. Subaru should praise Betty far more I suppose" she announced pointing her finger at him.

" You truly are too cute!" Subaru yelled and hugged her. He twirled her a few times before putting her down.

Beatrice seemed pleased by this development, her smile radiant.

The head priestess chose to speak up.

"Now that the ritual has been concluded we can follow the thief path directly. He seems to hide near the mountain. " The head priestess gestured towards the glowing map.

At the center of the room, a map of Kararagi was displayed, the map was in 3 dimensions, surprising Subaru.

[It looks like a hologram very science fy] He thought in wonder

On the map, a dot was shining indicating the thief's position.

To the audience's surprise, the dot started to move rapidly zooming at high speed it traversed the mountain to its destination: Banan.

" Hey, doesn't it look like the dot coming towards us? '' Subaru asked the shocked group.

" Damn it at this rate the thief will reach the shrine in a few minutes! " Halibel declared.

" Hey is there any protection for the shrine ?" Subaru asked the Priestess.

"There are a few barriers but they won't last long enough! " She replied

" I see well then.." Subaru muttered and quickly exited the shrine. Just in time to witness the Fake spirit crashing in front of him.

The sounds of broken glass reached him. The outer barrier had shattered upon impact.

Seeing the situation Subaru quickly released his hold on his mana.

" Ur Shamak! " Chain of shadow appeared and quickly tried to tie down the faker.

Only to be dodged at the last minute by the fake Zarestia.

Subaru finally got a good look at the thief, said thief donned a black kimono and looked like a mirror image of Zarestia.

[ Huh? She looks like Tia, did absorbing the light ball change the thief's appearance too ?! Must be it. Damn it, she dodged. I need to catch her to recover the light ball without breaking it!] He thought furiously readying himself for another attack.

[ If the chain won't work then !]

" Ur Shamak! " This time a Net of shadow appeared and caught the thief.

" Yes!" Subaru yelled fist-pumping.

Only for the net to be torn to shred by the wind.

" No! Why you?! Stay put, damn it!"

The faker didn't seem to hear his words. Reize or whatever was left of her fractured mind was concentrating on locating Tia by defeating her and absorbing her; she'd be whole and unstoppable.

As such in her madness, she ignored the Campione before her. Had she been aware she would not have committed such an act.

The rest of the group finally reached Subaru, Otto and Melty choose to remain in the shrine.

Reise zoomed on Tia and sprung towards her only to be stopped by a kunai. She retreated.

[ Admirer ] entered the fight. Quickly Halibel used his clone technique five of him surrounded the Faker.

" Huh, multi-cloning ?! Really what's this Naruto?" Subaru yelled in shock.

In the meantime, Beatrice finally reached her contractor her short legs unable to follow the other speed.

" Betty's Subaru should be more aware of his surroundings I suppose." The loli scolded him.

" Ah sorry Beako, I didn't mean to leave you behind, my body moved on its own." He replied.

Tia attacked the thief, the wind closed on the Faker Beatrice wasted no time and cast her spell.

" Ur Minya! I suppose"

Crystal reached toward the thief only to be met with a wind barrier. Halibel's clones jumped on the thief; the Faker dodged one attack only to be caught in two.

The figure's bleeding increased, scratches started to litter her body.

" We need to catch her! " Subaru yelled.

" Got it !" Tia replied she jumped along with Halibel both attacking in a flurry.

[ Damn it they're too fast I can't attack without hurting them! Wait if she can predict magic in advance then!] Subaru thought of an idea springing in his mind.

Subaru Quickly activated death Shroud not to hide himself but his next attack.

Using Shamak he wove numerous nets.

Before him, the combat was still raging and the Faker was slowly getting cornered.

As such, she released an impressive wave of power blowing away her opponent.

Subaru took the chance and moved his net. Without the faker's notice, the net caught the thief.

Said thief struggled in vain this time Subaru weaved numerous nets and added more binding at the same time. Tied in a shadow cocoon the thief was finally caught.

Halibel and Tia looked quite worse for wear, scratch and tear littered their body though both were standing up like their injury did not affect them.

Halibel even started to smoke using his kisuru.

Melty and Otto who choose to remain in the shrine were in comparison untouched.

The shrine lawn was destroyed. The tile flew during the fight. Many craters littered the ground. It looked like a Natural disaster had crossed the shrine.

" Huh, how are we supposed to recover the light ball now?" Subaru asked his winded companions.

" Allow me " Tia declared she made her way towards the faker.

Suddenly Tia's hand plunged into Reise's chest. She removed her hand, having caught her gem.

Finally, Zarestia recovered her light ball. And yet her face was quite grim.

For once she'd fuse with it again she'd lose her ability to think.

She may only hold a silver of her power in this body yet her mind fully belonged to her.

She'd miss these people. She barely knew them for a day and yet she felt like she belonged with them.

She was treated by them as a person, not a natural disaster. Though it may be because Campiones were far worse than her.

Thus she was quite sad.

Subaru noticed his companion's unexpected sorrow.[ I thought she'd be happy after recovering her light ball weird]

" What's wrong Tia?" Subaru asked.

" Now that I recovered my light ball I shall fuse with it "

" Yes, what's the problem?" He asked her

" Betty's Subaru is clueless. I suppose. Zarestia is the great shinigami for a reason. Recovering her light ball will surely affect her behavior," the blonde explained.

" Is it true Tia ? " Subaru turned towards her, his voice wavering.

" Yes, my light ball is tainted by bloodlust left from the betrayal I suffered long ago. Fusing with it will make me lose my mind to it." She replied sadly.

At that, the whole courtyard fell silent.

Their faces were all grim at the prospect of seeing this childish spirit become a bloodthirsty Monster.

Melty gathered her courage not wishing to see the one she bonded with lose herself.

" Allow me to try to purify it at least," Melty exclaimed she was determined. At last, she could be useful, something she didn't do since the beginning of this debacle.

" You don't have the Mana for it nun. Your [Disaster purification] won't hold long enough I suppose."

[ Wait if it's just mana then!] An idea came to Subaru's mind. He spoke up.

" Hey, Beako can't I just give her mana then?"

The blonde loli was surprised then quickly fell in deep thought.

" Subaru mana is too potent. If Betty takes some from you then Transfer to the nun it should work then I suppose." She answered at last.

Zarestia who stood silent till then perked up. Hope-filled her that after eons her mind and her power would fully belong to her once more.

" It's worth a try don't you think Tia?" He asked his silent comrade.

" Sure Su-san I want to try," Zarestia answered hopefully.

Melty could feel herself trembling, it was straining; her knees were going to buckle.

With Beatrice regulating the flow of mana Melty only had to concentrate on the task at hand.

Still, millennia of wrath would not go down quietly.

Despite it, she soldiered on she could feel the taint dissipating slowly at a crawling rate.

She did not know how long it took her.

At dawn, the Great spirit light ball was fully cleansed from Wrath.

After eons, Zarestia was truly free.

After a long night, Subaru and his companions returned to the inn, spent.

Halibel returned to report the events to the Banan government.

They were all tired, even Otto who did not fight was drained by the experience.

Upon reaching their room they all fell asleep immediately.

Unaware of the legend spreading in town.

In Banan, a new legend was sung.

A Campione, a ninja, a great spirit, and a Hime Miko allied to save the great spirit of Wind exploration Zarestia from her curse.

After millennia the Great spirit of wind exploration was freed from wrath. No longer would she indiscriminately slaughter her way in Kararagi.

The most beautiful Shinigami was no more.

Banan was saved from future conflict with Zarestia.

The wave of power emanating from the fight was felt by all the citizens yet the fight did not reach the city and was contained in the shrine.

Thus its inhabitants were extremely grateful.

The story would spread to all Kararagi before soon reaching a certain mauve-haired merchant's ears.

But that is a story of another day.

For now, Subaru and his companions were resting in peace.