What now?

...

As Rem and I walked hand in hand, we admired the rising sun in silence. It was a calming experience to say the least.

And as we walked, I was going over the various scenarios I had planned out. The White whale was dead, but I wasn't finished yet.

I still had much much more to do. Now I could go ahead and leave, but I want to keep on with the current events of the story. However, I have already reached a change in my plans.

And that change is currently holding my hand in silence. Without Rem's disappearance, Roswaal won't forget her. And since Roswaal can't forget her, his 'gospel' is incorrect.

The only thing I could do is either kill him while he's weakened from the books instructions or make a bet with him like the original Subaru did.

Hmmmmmm..... I will definitely have to think this over before I get to Sanctuary. But I need to figure out on what I should to do with Betelgeuse.

I will certainly fight tooth and nail to rip out his throat, but I need to find a counter to unseen hand. Because of my lack of 'deaths', I don't have the same connection with the Witch that the original Subaru did.

My only advantage over him is both Julius and a surprise attack. But I also have the advantage in knowledge, I know a way to find all of his fingers and cut the all off leaving only 'me'.

But if my plan works correctly, I won't have to worry about his possession ability. But I have also avoided sending a letter to the Roswaal mansion.

As Emilia is currently working in Roswaal's stead, she would get the letter. And knowing her personality, she would alert all of the witch cultists by trying to slaughter them all.

But as we silently walked and I was lost in my thoughts, I felt Rem suddenly nudge me. Turning towards her, she then pointed her head behind us.

Looking back, I saw Crusch standing there with Wilhelm by her side. She then smiled at me before putting her hand towards me.

"Natsuki Suburu, I thank you for your amazing performance. I will be sure to send that blacksmith of yours the best parts and pay all your funds using house Carstens resources."

Taking her hand, I shook it firmly before giving her a bright smile.

"The pleasure was all mine, this battle has shown that I have a lot to improve in."

Yes, looking at the capabilities of Wilhelm and the Ricardo, I have now found a goal for myself. A goal to someday reach and surpass them.

"And I appreciate the hospitality you have shown me by covering my equipments expenses."

Releasing our hands, she gave me one last look before nodding to Wilhelm before going off to manage the remaining soldiers.

Wilhelm then took a step forward and got right in front of me, he then looked down at me before smiling and getting upon a knee.

"Natsuki Subaru, because of you, I have finally completed my reason for living. And because of this, I will make it up to you in any way possible."

He then raised his head before thumping his hand upon his chest.

"That is why I, Wilhelm Van Astrea, wish to follow your commands only second to my lady. Whatever you wish of me, I will do. For I owe you my everything."

Looking at this powerful man down on his knee declaring his servitude towards me. I felt a bit complicated before feeling his conviction , that is when I made the decision to accept with his wish.

I then exhaled slowly before taking on a serious expression.

"I, Natsuki Suburu, accept your wish. I hope we can do amazing things Sir Wilhelm."

I then reached my hand out and pulled him up before patting him on the shoulder. We then stared at each other for a couple seconds before I then gave him an awkward face.

"Say, I may need your services right now."

...

After speaking with Wilhelm, I decided to wait for merchants to arrive. I just stood near the main road and talked with Rem for a bit before seeing the merchant's come over a hill. With them was Anastasia's backup.

The backup consisted of a small amount of young knights and Julius. Julius was of course probably going by 'Juli'.

Seeing them, I decided to wait for the merchants to set up camp before approaching them. Julius noticing my approach waved over a couple of the younger knights before coming to greet me.

"I'm guessing you a Natsuki Suburu?"

"Yes I am, and I'm guessing you are Julius correct?"

He then gave a light cough at the name that was used before looking past me as if searching for someone before pointing towards himself.

"I have no idea who that is, I am Juli a 'mercenary'."

Looking at his antics, I have a smile of understanding before turning serious. "Alright then Juli it is, can you gather all of the people under you?"

Seeing my expression, he just nodded before sending a glance towards a young knight by his side. The knight seeing his glance then went off to collect everybody, this 'everybody' included Ricardo and the rest of the Fang of Iron.

When everyone was gathered around in a circle I motioned for them to take a seat. Most of the mercenaries took a seat except for 'Juli' and the knights under him.

"Shall we begin?" Julius then said calmly.

I then looked at him before shaking my head. "We still have two more people to wait on."

"Who exactly are these people?"

"The sword demon and Fer-"

Before I could finish,a familiar weight crashed onto my back with a quiet nhya.

"Nyhatsuki! We are all ready!"

Knowing it was Felix, I felt a slight tingle in my ears again before suddenly feeling an extremely cold gaze land on me.

Turning, I saw Rem standing next to Wilhelm with more soldiers behind them. She was currently looking at me and Felix with an unsettling blue glare present In her eyes.

"R-Rem, I-Is something the matter?"

Felix feeling the gaze looked over a Rem before looking at me. He then blew in my ear before sending her a sly grin.

"No need to worry Rem, Ferris won't take Nyatsuki from you."

He then got up off my back before walking in front of Rem and giving her a soft smile.

"Ferris loves Lady Crusch after all."

Rem then drilled her gaze into his face for a little while longer before it started to soften. Once chilled out, she looked towards me with a slight pout before walking over and sitting next to me in silence.

"You better make this up for me Suburu."

Hearing her, I put my hand in hers. "Don't worry Rem, I'll be sure to make it up."

And with our hands still interlocked I looked over at the two groups which where now gathered together. All of them where staring at me and Rem. Some showed no visible interest in our interaction, but Ricardo and some others gave me a teasing grin.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I coughed to clear both my throat and embarrassment before turning my gaze back to them.

"Alright, now its time to discuss my counter to the Witch Cult's plans. Today is the day we kill a Archbishop and set an example to the rest of that disgusting Cult of Simps."

With the mention of the Witch Cult and an Archbishop, many of the people there visibly stiffened up in rage. And this made sense, the witch's cult literally destroyed whole kingdoms just because they where 'offended'.

This caused a lot of hatred to form between the people and the Cult. All of these people in front of me would get off to slaughtering these crazies.

"Excuse me Suburu, but you mentioned an Archbishop?" Julius said to me with a serious gaze.

"Yes, The Archbishop of Sloth is going to run the attack on the village. And YOU are going to be the one to kill him."

"And how will I do that?"

I then gave him a sly smile before pointing at the White Whale being dismantled behind me.

"By using the knowledge I possess of course."

...