YES! Eris don't you see that! Nagumo! You see it too right? That's the damn gate of the city!

Hahahah, Ahead!

*Alek points his finger towards the gate and starts jovially marching forwards (like a certain demon emperor) his hand outstretched the entire walk.*

*As they enter the city and stroll up to the palace Alek is stopped by a guard.*

Hey you! State your business!

Hmm me? Man don't waste my time.

*Alek grabs the man by the arm and pushes him to the side with monstrous strength. The soldier in full plate mail falls onto the floor and struggles to get up like a turtle flipped upside down. Soon thereafter Alek nears the grand entrance door and slams on it, BANG, BANG, BANG*

LET US IN! WE HAVE BUSINESS WITH THE EMPRESS!

*Alek shouted out*

So anyway, whilst we're waiting, you do know etiquette right Eris? And you Nagumo, I don't doubt one second on etiquette.

*Subaru hears some familiar voices enter the mansion. Along some of them he hears one particular voice, someone who he hasn't seen in a while. Someone he thought he had failed during the war as their reunion was cut short. Her warm voice that desired nothing but kidness echoed through the mansion hallway. He wanted to go up to her, hug her and tell her everything will be fine but he has something to do. Someone he needs to go find*

*Subaru then slowly takes a few steps and looks at the hall to see if there's anyone there but no one shows up in his sight. He then walks up to the door as he tries to leave the mansion but he's stopped by someone*

《Huh....?》

"Survive Gun's barrage and get to the castle, then we'll proceed. Good luck, all three of you~"

Roswaal drives the carriage pulled by Patrasche, Subaru holding Emilia in his arms inside the wagon, with Beatrice close by. The Margrave's eyes are piercing through the surroundings. Looking for any hint of fluctuation in mana as they head back to the Roswaal Manor.

To finally assure the safety of Miss Emilia.

My apologies for taking so long, I had to do extra paperwork this afternoon as I am currently in charge of the Hoshin Trading Company while my lady is sick. I hope the outfit didn't disappoint you, it was mainly my Great Spirits who have chosen it for me.

I will be returning and formally taking my position back at the Head of the Gustekan Fatui State. If you wish to join or return, apply beneath this notice.

We will not be doing any major campaigns this is more just a formal position to manage and ensure my people are safe from foreign agents.

Innovation is the Blood of Man, We will pursue creation till we Die. - Zandik, Year 2 after the Fall of Luginica.

After finally getting the code from Flugel, Subaru and his companions go back to Emilia's seal. There, Subaru opens the box again.

☆Maia, Atlas, Pleione, Alcyone...☆ He mumbles.

A key is revealed inside the box, one that Subaru had seen when trying the code at the tower for the first time. He steps forward, inserts the key into the seal before twisting it. The doors of the seal open themselves as Subaru takes a step back.

Art source: https://x.com/Ai\_Nex\_303

This time, he doesn't need a Subaru.

There’s been a rumor going around saying that I pick favorites among my wife. First of all, I would like to disprove it. I love all my wife equally, even if we have canonically yet to meet. And if I were to pick favorites, it would be to the person I am currently talking to, which is a fair condition to all my wives. Second, I’m aware that misunderstandings occur. And that is why whenever I give one of my wives extra attention, I make sure to do the same for the rest. The extra post for Roxy marks the end of this cycle.

And thirdly, I have a confession to make. I have made a cardinal sin whilst in the middle of resolving such misunderstanding. And that sin is the ultimate sin of bias, which led me to spam Eris with dozens upon dozens of affection, clearly putting her first among the trio. https://www.reddit.com/r/TheWitchCultUniverse/s/OrXkDlpaLY

The balance will be restored. I will make sure to shower Sylphy and Roxy with the same treatment in the following days to come. I swear upon my Greyrat family name.

After being transported by Dantes, Subaru and his group enter the Pleiades Watchtower with one goal in mind. Get the code to the box in order to unseal Emilia.

"These grocery bags are really heavy.. I need help..."

Time:5:29 Pm

Place:Domain of the Devil Of Death.

Cecilus comprehends everything at inhumane speed, everything appears slow , almost stopped in time as the witch cult launched the final attack at him

"Should I let it end here.... I can dodge it, maybe take out a few of them, but for what...?"

He thinks about his choices, weighs them.

"What good would it do if I lived...?"

He thinks about everyone.... 'Greedboss... Rusty... Satoru... Waru....Myboss.... Vincent.... '

"I have to live... I need to survive.....I Will Survive."

At that moment, Cecilus' stand acts on its on, just as the finishing blow is about to be delivered, it uses all the kinetic energy it spilts up into 10 afterimages, and puts it into one, making the most carbon perfect afterimage of Cecilus, so much so that you could not tell the difference between the two

I Will Survive

Ability Activation-Re:Fusal to Death.

In case Cecilus is ever killed, he would instead he reset to the equivalent of one hp, where his strength would be lowered along with his speed, the enemy must kill him again , though this time it would take a lot less effort.

But even Cecilus Segmunt himself does not know of this ability, as he had never experienced death so closely before, hence neither did his opponents know they had failed to kill Cecilus.

The Attack lands on Cecilus and His stand immediately puts his swords on the afterimage, Selling the lie perfectly that "Cecilus Segmunt" is dead.

After Death Devil had dispelled her domain, Cecilus looks

Towards the people who tried to assassinate him, he remembers each and every one of their faces, burns them into his memory.

*"*You All Are Already Dead."

With this Cecilus Disappears.

A Few Days After "Cecilus Segmunt Died".

Cecilus Segmunt rests in a shack, regaining his strength and waiting for his body to heal when he falls asleep, he sees a dream, about a few hours before he goes to fight Ainz.

The Dream...

A person dressed in full white,with snow as white as snow stands before Cecilus,they hold a fan which is also white in their hands.

"Hello,Chisha."

Cecilus starts the conversation,it seems that he had invited Chisha to talk.

"Look Cecilus I don't have time for your games,just get to the point already,we are in war and the nation needs it's strategist"

Cecilus laughs fondly and says.

"It's nothing too long Chisha,I'm just here to say.....I entrust His Excellency To You... Please keep him safe,I don't think I will return from this battle of mine..."

Chisha is absolutely shocked at what Cecilus says,the same Cecilus who boasts about his power,his speed,the one who is destined for the Heavanly Sword ....is here confessing to Chisha about going to fight a losing battle.

"What the heck do you mean by that?!"

Chisha screams at Cecilus who keeps a straight face

"Exactly what I said,I Entrust His Excellency To You."

Cecilus Grips His Masayume Tighter And slowly walks out without looking back, leaving chisha confused and very worried.

Right After The Dream Ends..

Cecilus wakes up in a cold sweat..

'A dream....that means...'

He feels in his hand,the hilt of a sword,he lifts up the covers to reveal Masayume,The Sword Of Dreams, Which uses Cecilus' Dreams As A Sheath.

Current Day,Just Outside The Imperial Capital Of Lupugana.

A blue haired man stands on a cliff overlooking the imperial capital,he has a blue sheathed blade on his waist.

*"*it's Good to be back,now let's see how Vinny is Doing!!"

A fully Recovered Cecilus Segmunt makes his way towards the Imperial Palace.

"Well quite an unexpected turn of events but I was wearing.. something from my past and seem to have gotten a date with Julius. Wonder how this'll go."

Natsumi and Julius go on a walk through Banan bonding