Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I felt like I was in a deep sleep, enveloped by an infinite and comforting darkness. The emptiness was so welcoming that I could stay there forever, floating in nothingness, without worries, without haste. There was no cold, heat, or any uncomfortable sensations—just an absolute silence that cradled me as if I were a cosmic womb, protected from everything.

But suddenly, something changed.

An invisible force pulled me without warning, tearing me out of this serene state. The transition was brutal. The darkness that once enveloped me began to shatter like shattering glass, fragmenting into thousands of pieces before being swallowed by a blinding light. The intensity was absurd, as if someone had shined a spotlight directly in my face.

If I had limbs, I would have raised my hands to cover my eyes, protecting myself from that unbearable glare. But there wasn't. If I had eyes, I would have blinked or looked away, but I didn't even have eyelids to ease the discomfort. It was as if my existence was trapped between one state and another, without a defined form, without a body. Just awareness and discomfort.

Then, the tugging intensified.

I was dragged at an absurd speed, as if I was being sucked into an invisible vortex. The nothingness around me fluttered and distorted, swirling in a whirlwind of indescribable sensations. I wanted to scream, but I didn't have a mouth. I wanted to fight it, but I didn't have the hands to grasp anything. I was nothing, just a thought being spat out into the unknown.

And then everything stopped.

The movement ceased as abruptly as it began. The silence returned, but it was not the same. Now, he carried a different weight, a suffocating expectation. I felt an immediate relief, thinking, for a brief moment, that I could finally rest, that this meaningless journey was over.

Until a voice interrupted my peace.

"I think marriage is a truly happy thing... It is a ceremony that shapes the thoughts of people who love each other and really want to be together. It is something that happens when a person finds another person they really love out of all the people in the world, and that person reciprocates... And I think that's really amazing."

The phrase came out of nowhere, echoing softly around me, like a whisper carried by the wind. The voice... There was something about her that made me shudder. It was gentle, soft, and at the same time absurdly familiar, as if I had heard it before—but from where?

That feeling of déjà vu made me uneasy. A shiver ran through my body when I realized something even stranger: I had a body now. The absence of form, of senses, of everything he had experienced in the previous void, was gone.

My vision, once taken by pure light, began to adjust. Gradually, the contours of the environment around me became visible. Blurred shapes gained sharpness, shadows were outlined, and colors began to fill the space.

I was in a large place, filled with neat rows of wooden benches. In the center, a long corridor led to an ornate altar where I stood. The walls were adorned with majestic stained glass windows, through which the moonlight entered in multicolored tones, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

"Huh....?" I would murmur confused.

It was a church.

This realization made something in my brain fire. The structure was familiar. The scenery, the colors, the way everything was positioned... I had seen this before.

I turned my head slowly, absorbing every detail. It was then that I realized that I was not alone.

There were dozens of women sitting on the benches, lined up almost symmetrically. They were all wearing simple, monochromatic clothes, and, most disturbingly, they were all motionless. None blinked, none reacted, none even seemed to be breathing. They just stared into emptiness, like dolls that had been left there, lifeless.

A shiver went up my spine. That bothered me more than I could explain. Silence, immobility... something was terribly wrong.

And yet, no matter how hard I tried, my mind remained blank. I couldn't remember anything before I opened my eyes in that place. No memory of who I was, where I was before, how I got there. Just a gut-wrenching feeling that something very important was escaping me.

That's when the voice sounded again, pulling me back to reality.

"Regulus, why do you refer to your wives by number?"

The shock ran through my body like lightning.

Regulus...?

The name reverberated in my mind, activating an instinctive reaction, as if it were something I knew well. My gaze turned to the origin of the voice, and as soon as I saw it, my breath (if I was still breathing) was forcibly torn away.

Before me was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

She appeared to be about eighteen years old, her skin was as white as freshly fallen snow, and her silver hair shone in the light filtered through the stained glass windows. Her eyes had a vibrant shade of purple, with bluish pupils that seemed to contain a universe within them, pointy ears, exposing her elven descent.

I recognized her immediately.

My mind, once shrouded in fog, cleared up in an instant.

The young woman before me was Emilia. One of the main characters of Re:zero, an anime/light novel that I had a lot of affection for.

The shock was so great that my body became rigid.

I felt like reaching out and touching his face (I would probably get the biggest slap in history, even though I didn't take any damage), but that urge was totally overshadowed by a sudden realization.

And then, like a piece of shrapnel piercing my sanity, reality hit hard.

Emilia called me Regulus.

The word "Régulus" echoed in my mind like a deafening thunder, each repetition intensifying the sense of dread that settled in my chest. With a mixture of hesitation and fear, I slowly lowered my gaze, and what I saw confirmed my worst fears. The immaculate white suit that adorned my body was unmistakable, every detail referring to the characteristic attire of that obnoxious individual.

I held out my hands in front of me, watching them with horrified fascination. As I touched the fabric of the suit, a strangeness took over me; The texture seemed nonexistent, as if my hands were crossing the void. In addition, I realized the absence of the need to breathe, an anomaly that only reinforced the terrible truth unfolding before me.

A whirlwind of emotions enveloped me, but above all, one stood out with overwhelming intensity: hatred. Hatred for being imprisoned in the body of one of the beings I despised the most in the Re:Zero universe. Régulus CornAss, the Archbishop of the Witch Cult's Sin of Greed, whose mere existence disgusted me. That character was the embodiment of everything I hated:

Superficial: he has no concrete motivations, there are no layers in his personality that explain the reason for his actions. He does not carry a tragedy, a philosophy, or even a plausible justification for his behavior. He simply acts, driven by the absolute belief that he has the right to do anything. There are no internal conflicts, no moral dilemmas, just an empty shell that dresses in arrogance. In a world where villains often have complexity and depth, he's just a caricature of himself.

Arrogant: His every line is a wall of empty words. Régulus drowns in his own endless monologues about his supposed superiority, his "unquestionable rights," and how no one has the right to contradict him. There is not a single moment where he demonstrates anything other than an ego inflated to the extreme. And the worst? It doesn't even add weight to the narrative. Reading his dialogues is a burden, a test of patience that does not reward the reader, I skipped almost all of his lines that I knew were not important. The anime, at least, had the decency to cut out a good chunk of that—and honestly, that only made it more tolerable.

Poor development: When a character has a past, it usually serves to contextualize their actions, to give layers to their personality. But Régulus? His past is played in a shallow way, without impact, reduced to a few lines that add little or nothing, and the worst? They were made when he was about to be defeated, certainly in order to make the audience feel nothing for him. All we know is that he was trash from the start and would remain trash even without his power. There is no tragedy, there is no journey, there is no evolution—just a waste of narrative potential. He could have been a fascinating villain, but instead, he was reduced to an insufferable lunatic without any nuance.

And an anime adaptation that left a lot to be desired, Régulus, in the light novel, was a genuine threat. He was a monster who warped space-time itself with simple movements, someone who forced even Reinhard to fight seriously. The reading of the battle was tense, the danger was palpable. But in the anime? He became an invincible, spoiled punching bag, without any real weight. Reinhard completely dominated the fight, turning one of the most intense clashes in the work into an emotionless sequence. In the end, I found myself feeling sorry for the bastard, something I never imagined would happen. And feel sorry for Régulus... it is simply revolting.

It was made not to be likeable.

I clenched my fists so tightly that if it weren't for the damn invincibility afforded by the "Lionheart" ability, I probably would have crushed my own bones. Frustration bubbled up inside me, threatening to boil over at any moment. Every fiber of my being screamed in revolt against the absurd situation in which I found myself.

"You must be playing with me," I muttered between my sawed-off teeth, saved from being shattered by my invincibility, my voice laden with venom and contempt, as my eyes remained fixed on the hands that now belonged to a monster.

The reality was cruel and ironic. I was trapped in the body of the character I hated the most, at the most critical moment of his trajectory.

Fate, it seemed, had a sadistic and twisted sense of humor.

But even though I'm in the body of a monster like Régulus, I refuse to have the same fate as him. His death was deserved—there's no doubt about it—but at the same time, it was an agonizing spectacle.

The scene still echoed in my mind, even though I had only read and watched it. Regulus, suffocating in despair, unable to breathe, his own invincibility turned into a cruel curse. Before, he could stop his body's time indefinitely, as long as he was connected to his wives through the "Little King" ability. This technique allowed him to transfer the burden of his stopped heart to them, using their heartbeats to maintain their existence. However, without his wives around, he was limited to just five seconds of invulnerability before feeling a searing pain in his heart. In that final moment, he alternated between the agony of a heart about to fail and the asphyxiation of a man who could no longer breathe, until death finally took him. That moment of absolute impotence, where he felt the same terror on his skin that he inflicted on so many others... In the end, he tasted his own poison.

And that's exactly why I don't want to die like him.

Because I am not Régulus.

I may be stuck in this obnoxious body, but my mind, my essence, is still mine. I will not be a villain doomed to a pathetic ending.

If there's one thing I can do... it is fighting.

Fight for my survival.

But first... I have to answer Emilia's question, because I needed to formulate an answer that sounded authentic to Régulus, but that also carried a little of my own vision. After a brief reflection, I lifted my chin and, in a tone that I expected to exude disdain and conviction, I replied:

"It's because, for me, names are irrelevant. Each of them is a piece in my collection, chosen for its singular beauty. Reducing them to numbers is a way of emphasizing that, individually, they do not have distinct importance; together, they make up the perfection I deserve."

Saying those words hurt.

Every syllable came out bitter, as if I were spitting venom. For a moment, my own voice sounded strange to me, as if it didn't belong to me. The coldness, contempt, and arrogance that Regulus carried in his speech were so repugnant that my body reacted instinctively—my stomach would turn if I could, and an urge to vomit would rise up my throat, if I could at least vomit.

I wanted to wipe my mouth, as if I could erase the rotten taste of the words I just said. But I couldn't afford to falter now.

For now, I would have to act like this.

It was not a matter of pride, nor of choice. It was survival. I had no idea what would happen if I suddenly looked at Emilia and said, "Hey, I'm not Régulus, I'm someone else who fell into this body out of nowhere!"

Perhaps she looked at me suspiciously. Maybe she thought I was trying to deceive her. Or worse... maybe it activated some hidden effect of my new condition, some cruel mechanism of the universe, like the tightness in the heart that Subaru felt when he tried to talk about RBD, ensuring that I remained faithful to the role of Régulus until the bitter end.

I didn't have enough information.

And until I did, I would need to continue playing the role of the monster I hated so much.

Emilia furrowed her brows, clearly disapproving of my words.

Taking a deep breath, she replied firmly, her voice carrying a tone of restrained sadness

"Nobody likes to be reduced to a number. I appreciate my name and feel joy when Subaru calls me 'Emilia-tan'. There is an evident affection in his voice when he uses this nickname. And, in the moments when he simply calls me 'Emilia', it's always clear that it's a special occasion. A name should carry that kind of meaning and consideration."

As she spoke, even though they are almost the same words she said in the anime, I felt a growing weight on my chest. The words I had spoken earlier, trying to imitate the contemptuous attitude of Régulus, now seemed even more repulsive.

The atmosphere in the church became dense with the unspoken tension between us. The sitting wives now showed concern, clearly afraid of what I might do to Emilia, as if I was going to do something.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure in the face of the rising tension.

"Bringing another man into the conversation? Don't you know that when a woman is about to get married, it's extremely rude and unreasonable to mention another man, especially in front of her future husband? Even if it's someone you don't know well, still, it hurts my heart. Do you understand that?"

Emilia, with a firm and determined expression, did not hesitate to answer:

"He's not someone I don't know well," he retorted. "Subaru is my knight, the one who says he loves me, calling me by my name."

The devotion evident in his words struck me deeply. It was surprising how, at this point in history, they were not yet officially a couple. Emilia often claimed not to know how to respond to Subaru's feelings, but when she needed to defend him, she spoke of him with a passion and conviction that revealed the depth of her feelings.

If I were really playing Régulus, this would be the moment when he would lose control and threaten all the women present. However, I decided to try a different approach.

"I don't want to hear any more words from you!" I declared, straining to adopt an intimidating tone. Inside, however, I felt like a fake, a chicken about to run away.

I turned and my eyes found Sylphy, wife number 184. Although I felt uncomfortable referring to her by a number, I knew I needed to keep up appearances.

I raised my hand and pointed at her, watching her cringe slightly, overcome with fear.

"184, gather all the wives together and leave the church through the back. Go to a safe place or as far as you can," I ordered seriously.

Even terrified, Sylphy nodded and began to gather the other wives. They moved quickly, and within minutes the church was empty, leaving only me and Emilia alone in the vast, silent hall.

I had a good time, as approximately two minutes after the wives left, the doors of the church were abruptly opened. One of them opened violently, hitting the wall, while the other was torn from its hinges by a powerful kick, flying directly towards me.

With no time to react, I was hit squarely, being dragged to the back of the church. The impact against the wall was so intense that part of it gave way, collapsing on me along with the door. If I were an ordinary human, I would certainly be dead under the rubble. However, thanks to the authority of the Regulus, I felt no pain; My body remained unharmed.

Underneath the wreckage, I heard voices approaching. I moved slightly, moving some rubble to be able to see the newcomers. In front of me were two figures that I recognized immediately.

The first was an elegant man, dressed in an impeccable knight's uniform. His red hair and attractive features drew attention, and he carried the legendary Reid sword. A friendly smile adorned his face, contrasting with the tense situation.

Next to her, a young man with dark hair and determined eyes wore a black sweater with orange details. A whip was stuck around his waist, with a confident smile.

As I watched, they struck up a conversation:

"We both shot at the same time, but the results were very different. What are your legs made of?!"

"I apologize, I failed to contain myself. At least I aimed right at the target, so could you forgive me for my previous mistake?"

"Yes, but our levels of coolness are totally different now. My kick opened the door, but yours turned it into a direct attack..."

The voices belonged to Natsuki Subaru and Reinhard van Astrea, in the flesh, and they were strangely... Attractive.

Before I could rise from the rubble, the sight of Subaru brought up memories that had been obscured until then. Suddenly, I remembered what happened before I woke up in the body of Regulus.

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I was a normal Japanese student in high school, during my senior year in high school, I went on a long-awaited school field trip. A four-day trip was the result of a collective effort: Throughout the year, my colleagues and I saved and raised funds to cover the costs of staying at a beachfront hotel.

It was fun

We went to the beach, swam in the hotel pool, went to a party that was happening nearby, however, time seemed to fly by, and soon it was time to return home. We got on the school bus, still immersed in the memories of the previous days, and started the return trip.

During the journey, one of the professors responsible for supervising the trip got up from his seat and went to the microphone near the driver's cabin. In a clear and authoritative voice, he announced:

"Attention, students. We will stop at a shopping mall. You will have a two-hour break before we return to the bus. So pay attention to the time."

The news was received with enthusiasm by all. The prospect of exploring the mall, stretching our legs, and perhaps picking up some additional souvenirs before we concluded our trip brought renewed energy to the students, even to me.

When we arrived at the mall, the excitement was evident. Groups of students dispersed through the illuminated corridors, exploring window displays and sharing laughter. I joined a group of approximately eight colleagues. Although he was not particularly close to any of them, our school life kept us united at times like that.

As we walked through the mall, we entered several stores, perusing products and occasionally buying small items. However, as time went on, I began to feel a growing distance between myself and others. Perhaps it was a result of us being placed in separate rooms that year or simply because our friendship was fraying. I was naturally reserved, and my tendency to silence made me easily forgettable. Even so, it hurt to see my colleagues sharing moments of joy without me really being part of them.

"Are you okay?" The voice of one of the colleagues interrupted my thoughts. He must have noticed my unusual silence, for now all eyes were on me.

"Yes, just thinking too much," I replied, trying hard not to look like a nuisance. They seemed to accept my answer and we continued our walk through the mall.

As we pass a bookstore. I stopped for a moment at the entrance, looking at the shelves filled with manga and books. Meanwhile, I noticed that the group continued to drift away. I decided it would be polite to let them know of my intention to stay there.

"HEY, I'M GOING TO CHECK OUT THE MANGAS, OKAY!?" I yelled at them. They turned briefly and replied in unison:

"OKAY!"

Then they resumed their walk, leaving me alone at the entrance of the bookstore

As I entered the bookstore, I went straight to the manga section, my usual destination in places like that. Although I didn't consider myself an avid collector, I always enjoyed the feeling of flipping through a physical manga, something that digital reading couldn't replicate. The shelves were filled with renowned titles: "Dragon Ball", "Naruto", "Shingeki no Kyojin", "Jujutsu Kaisen", "Blue Lock", as well as a variety of romance manga and other genres.

As I explored the volumes, one in particular caught my eye: volume 9 of "Re:Zero." This isekai has always had a special place in my heart, especially with the highly anticipated fourth season about to be released, promising to adapt arc 6 in its entirety. Flipping through the pages, I immediately recognized the beginning of the battle between Regulus and Reinhard, with Subaru's participation. Although the complete fight extended to the next volume, it was fascinating to revisit this fight, which without offense, is much better in the manga.

I reflected on Regulus' potential as an antagonist. It would have been interesting if Tappei, the author, had chosen to have him escape for future confrontations, although this would have significantly altered the events of arc 6.

After pondering, I returned the manga to the shelf and left the bookstore.

As I walked through the mall, something in a window captured my peripheral attention, making my heart race. I quickly approached to confirm: it was a Subaru stuffed doll.

Without hesitation, I entered the store and bought it, feeling the weight in my pocket, but an immense satisfaction in my heart.

I sat on a nearby bench to admire my new acquisition. The puppet, although simple, was meticulously made and exuded cuteness. I smiled, reminding me of a recurring joke in the fan community:

"It looks like I was faster than Satella haha."

This prank arose from the shortage of Subaru-related merchandise, leading fans to speculate that Satella would have "confiscated" all the products in the inventory for himself.

"Well, now just over my dead body for her to take that from me." - he said, Playing with myself

I pulled out my phone, eager to share a photo of the doll with my... "friends". When I unlocked the screen, I noticed an unseen audio from the teacher. Curious, I hit play:

"Attention, due to scheduling problems, we are forced to leave early. Be at the boarding point at 11 a.m. sharp. There will only be a 10-minute tolerance for delays."

I quickly looked at the clock and felt the blood running from my face: it was 11:05.

"SHIT!"

I exclaimed, grabbing my things and making my way back running to the boarding point, hoping I wouldn't miss the bus back home.

I managed to hurriedly leave the mall, my heart racing and breathing heavily, aware that every second counted. As I turned a corner, I saw the school bus parked across the street, about to leave. The momentary relief I felt was quickly replaced by panic when I realized that the pedestrian light was red. Ignoring the signal, moved by the urgency of not being left behind, I decided to run across the street.

However, in my haste, I did not notice a car approaching at high speed along the cross road.

The shrill sound of tires squealing on the asphalt was the only warning before the brutal impact.

And then I got run over.

The vehicle's bumper violently struck my left leg, resulting in an immediate fracture of the femur, as my body was thrown over the hood. The shock caused my head to collide with the windshield, causing severe head trauma. I was then thrown to the ground, where my back sustained additional injuries due to the impact.

As I lay on the cold asphalt, my consciousness began to fade. Sounds of sirens and screams from passersby and students became muffled and distant.

My vision blurred, but before I succumbed to unconsciousness, my eyes fixed on a nearby object: the Subaru stuffed animal I had bought moments before. Interestingly, it remained intact and clean, an anomaly amid the chaos around me. Before he could ponder it, shadows began to envelop the toy, making it disappear from view.

In the midst of the growing darkness, a soft, ethereal voice whispered in my ears:

"Thank you for adding this to my collection."

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Emerging from the rubble, I felt an overwhelming wave of negative emotions consuming me. The dust around me seemed to symbolize the inner turmoil that was plaguing me. Each stone that fell represented a fragment of my old life, now distant and unreachable.

A feeling began to boil inside me, a raw and intense emotion that I had never experienced with such force, I didn't think I had enough reasons for it to form, but it was still there.

The hatred.

Being imprisoned in the body of Regulus Corneas, a detestable monster known for his atrocities as Archbishop of Greed, was constant torture. I had not only inherited his physical form, but also the consequences of his despicable acts. Every look of contempt directed at me was a painful reminder of his actions, not mine.

The prospect of facing Reinhard van Astrea, the legendary Holy Swordsman, was terrifying. Known for his unparalleled strength and superhuman abilities, Reinhard was an adversary that few would dare to face. The idea of me having to fight him, even though I was invincible, was scary.

The hatred of having to hurt Natsuki Subaru, a brilliant strategist because of his power to rewind time, he was the only one who could achieve my defeat.

What gnawed me most was the injustice of being torn from my peaceful life in Japan and thrown into this chaotic and unforgiving world. All because of a plush that I had innocently acquired.

The memory making me hate Satella with all my might.

With these thoughts tumultuous in my mind, I stood up, turning the debris to dust around me. Reinhard and Subaru turned their attention to me. Subaru's eyes reflected genuine concern, while Reinhard adopted a defensive posture, ready for any eventuality.

I took a deep breath, trying to contain the inner storm that threatened to overwhelm me. My voice, although calm, carried a veiled threat:

"Listen carefully to my words."

I stepped forward, closing the distance between us, and continued:

"I'm not in a good mood. If you don't get out of my way right now..."

My voice rose in intensity, resounding through the walls of the destroyed church:

"I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASSES OFF THIS PLANET!"

Chapter Text

"I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS OFF THIS PLANET"

After my threat echoed through the ruins of the church, a sepulchral silence settled. The tension was palpable, as if the air had become denser.

"Heh, it looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed!" - Subaru says, his smile was an attempt to relax, but his eyes revealed apprehension.

When our eyes met, he instinctively cringed.

"So... Who should you two be? Don't you know how rude it is what you have done now? Not only have you invaded and interrupted my wedding, but you have ruined Pristella's beautiful property."

Curiously — and disturbingly — the words came out of my mouth with a fluidity that I did not expect. As if Régulus's arrogance and distorted sense of justice began to creep into me, even against my will. It was as if the body itself carried the essence of this narcissism, pushing me to act in a theatrical and inflammatory way. And that, far from relieving me, only increased the discomfort and disgust I felt for my situation.

I looked directly at the two in front of me, expecting some immediate reaction. But Subaru... Subaru didn't seem to hear a word.

As soon as his eyes met Emilia's, it was as if all the rest of the world had disappeared to him. His eyes shone with genuine warmth, as if he were seeing a heavenly vision.

"Emilia-tan! You look so cute in this dress! EMT to the max!"

His devotion was so pure and direct that, for a moment, it completely broke the tension in the air. And yet, seeing my presence ignored so blatantly—even within this ridiculous context—made a dull rage well-up inside me.

"Have I been completely ignored now?" I murmured, irritation throbbing through my veins. Even though I knew that this was exactly the kind of taunt Subaru naturally did, I couldn't stop the fury from growing more.

It was strange. I knew that part of this irritation was mine —the result of the humiliation of being treated as nothing—but another part seemed amplified by the very body in which I lived. As if Régulus was just waiting for an excuse to explode.

My teeth clenched tightly before I could control it.

"Hey!" — my voice sounded louder than I intended — "I know you two must like each other, but it's rude to ignore someone's question! Know that this is an affront to my rights to be heard!"

The words came out spitting, sharp and pathetic. And worse: truly angry.

I never imagined that I would be able, or even have the courage, to say so much nonsense in less than fifteen seconds.

Reinhard maintained his impeccable posture and with a slight half-smile on his face, he spoke with an almost disarming politeness

"I apologize for my friend's behavior," he begins, his voice serene but loaded with responsibility. And I deeply regret the damage done to the church. I have full confidence the Astrea house will take care of the reparation when this situation comes to an end."

His words sounded with a tone of sincerity that was impossible to ignore. They echoed through the church, bringing a stark contrast to the brutality of the setting. Reinhard's natural trust and honor meant that, even in the midst of chaos, he shone as a pillar of righteousness.

This phrase managed to take Subaru's attention away from Emilia. As if an internal snap pulled him back to reality. His face, once melted with admiration, now hardened with indignation.

"Reinhard, don't make excuses!" Subaru exclaimed, pointing at me vehemently. "Do you know who he is?! He is the enemy! He's trying to turn the tables with words, to make you feel guilty to demoralize you!!"

His tone carried an almost desperate urgency, as if he were trying to protect the world itself from collapsing.

I still fighting the anger that was growing and eating away at me inside, forced an expression of false offense. With a smug smile, I tried to imitate the theatricality of Régulus—that unbearable air of self-sanctification.

"Wow, do you think so little about me?", I said, with a mellifluous and forced tone. "What kind of monster do you think I am? I would never do something as vile as manipulating someone's guilt."

Sarcasm dripped from every word, but it was clear that I was having fun teasing, even if I didn't mean to.

Subaru crossed his arms, arching an eyebrow contemptuously.

"Wow, I'm going to believe it a lot, coming from the Archbishop of Greed."

His voice was pure irony, almost spitting out the title as if it were poison.

A small muscle in my jaw contracted.

I could feel the weight of that name—Archbishop of Greed—clinging to me like a curse.

It didn't matter what I said or did... for them, for this world, I was Régulus Córneas.

And no one would trust me.

I held back the impulse to sigh and, forcing my voice to sound controlled, asked:

"You know who I am. Archbishop, greed, destruction, blah blah blah... But so far none of you has even had the decency to introduce yourself. If they are going to invade me, threaten and judge me, the least they can do is tell me their names. I would like to have names to associate with my dear invaders."

The poison in the words was almost palpable. And I felt the patience, already minuscule, draining every second.

"I'm Natsuki Subaru, a Spirit Knight... currently without spirit."

The words came out with a mixture of bitterness and shame, as if he were biting a wound that was still open. His stance was firm, but Beatrice's absence seemed to leave him... empty. Incomplete.

Reinhard always the gentleman, made a slight gesture with his head.

"Reinhard van Astrea. Saint of the Sword and heir to House Astrea."

The solemnity in his voice contrasted with Subaru's bittersweet casualness. Two sides of the coin: immaculate honor and contained chaos.

I couldn't help it. The words came out sharp, like razors poisoned with sarcasm:

"Really? A spiritual knight... without your spirit? What the hell did you do?"

I crossed my arms, leaning against the destroyed jamb of the church, letting the dust run between my fingers.

"Were you so irresponsible that you used your spirit to complete exhaustion? I feel sorry for any magical being who decides to make a contract with you. It's almost a cruel fate."

Subaru gritted his teeth. I saw his jaw twitch, his expression harden.

"Wow" - I thought to myself "I'm being a complete idiot now... But for some reason, I can't help it. This is worrying."

It was as if the poison was impregnated in me. The biting words came on their own, as if part of Régulus' essence was trying to come out of my mouth. And even realizing that... I couldn't stop.

"Shut up!" Subaru fired, his voice seething with genuine anger. "Who are you to judge me?! A Beako... she almost sacrificed herself so that she could heal all the legs of those affected by Sirius' authority—because of you!"

The name "Beako" escaped with a terrible weight, almost a contained sob. His eyes burned. Not hate... but of pain. Of impotence. And there, for a moment, I saw the Subaru I knew as a spectator. The one who carried everything on his shoulders, even when it was unfair.

And I was forced to face the cruel irony of the situation: I was now the villain of the story of someone who, deep down, I had always admired.

The tension in the air was dense, almost suffocating. Subaru's words still reverberated through the nave of the destroyed church, and I didn't miss the chance to press even harder, letting my contempt run down every syllable:

"Well, I'm sorry, but if this "Beako" chose to heal those people, instead of having cured only you... so the responsibility is entirely hers. She would be conscious now if she had prioritized her contractor. It's completely her fault."

The effect was immediate.

"Don't you dare..." Subaru growled, his voice cracking between anger and pain. "Don't you dare call her name. You are not allowed to tarnish Beatrice's name with your dirty logic! She is not to blame for anything! It was YOU who started this when you invaded the square and kidnapped Emilia!"

His eyes were red, not from crying, but from pure anger. He trembled as he pronounced her name. And that gave me a chance to hurt him deeper.

"Is that why you are here?" I asked disdainfully." To save this silver-haired half-elf?"

Subaru raised his fist as if he was about to punch me with his words.

"Yes! I oppose this marriage!"

"OK," I replied simply, in a calm, casual tone.

Before they could react, I advanced to Emilia with a sudden movement, wrapping my fingers around her neck, squeezing hard enough that it was clear that I was in control, but not enough to hurt her. His eyes widened in surprise, and the room froze for a moment.

"HEY, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Subaru screamed, his voice a thunder of pure fury.

"I'm willing to give this woman back to you," he said, staring into his eyes, feeling the heat of tension and despair that arose in him. "As long as you obey my demands."

Subaru's face contorted. He seemed to fight every impulsive instinct that told him to move forward. Her jaw was clenched, and her eyes jumped from me to Emilia, trying to gauge what would be safer.

It was then that I noticed the change. Subaru quickly looked to the side and his eyes met Reinhard's.

"They... I thought, frowning. They must be communicating telepathically by now..."

My heart raced (if it was still beating). Not that I was afraid, because, suddenly, the unpredictable had set in.

I had no idea what they were going to do next.

And that was, frankly, the worst kind of danger.

Subaru then looked at Reinhard with a subtle smile on his face. That smile did not convey joy, but confidence. Something that, for me, was uncomfortable.

"Okay. We accept your proposal. What are your terms?" he said, his voice firm but calm.

I was silent for a moment. I could just ask them to let me go, demand that they not attack me and let me get away. But meeting Subaru and Reinhard... there would probably be a trap. Something subtle, perhaps an exchanged look, an early step, a simple movement — and my death would be sealed. They are not amateurs. They are heroes.

"I feel like I'm in a dead end," I thought, with my eyes still fixed on both of them. What should I do? If I release Emilia, I'll be completely vulnerable. Reinhard is too fast. I can't waver."

OK. Here goes. All or nothing. If this is my only chance, so be it.

"I want you to let me go," I declared, keeping my grip firmly on Emilia. Do not interfere. That's all I ask."

Emilia gave me a look of pure hatred. I understand. She wants justice. He wants to free the wives of Régulus, those poor souls who live as shadows in their own existence. But that hatred was not for me. Or, at least, it shouldn't be.

"We accept your conditions," Subaru said.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed when Emilia turned her head to him, with a look full of disappointment. It was subtle, but real. She expected more resistance. Perhaps even an attempt at blind heroism. But Subaru had chosen the safest path... for the time being.

I looked at them with suspicion. Every muscle in my body screamed not to trust. Reinhard remained motionless, but not relaxed. His eyes were sharp, calculating.

My hand still wrapped around Emilia's neck. I hesitated. He knew that as soon as he let her go, he would be at their mercy.

"I need a distraction... something that breaks the tension, diverts the focus long enough for me to escape with my life."

It was then that I remembered.

"Wait... I know something that can work" - I thought, quickly.

"I... I heard you're after Gluttony, right?"

Subaru was taken completely by surprise.

"How do you know that?" He asked, completely shocked. His wide eyes searched for answers, as if I had just revealed a secret he barely wanted to admit to himself.

I gave a wry smile.

"Let's say I've been watching you for a long time."

And technically, it was true. I saw it all—the suffering, the deaths, the bonds. The hellish cycle of starting over. I've watched the anime more times than I'd like to admit, I've read every bit of the novel as far as it's been translated. I knew that world more than anyone should. I was a spectator... And now, I was inside it.

Subaru stared at me as if he had heard a lunatic.

"Dude... That's very weird."

"Weirder than your obsession with talking to a blue-haired maid in a coma that no one remembers who she is?" I snapped, my smile even more loaded with poison.

Checkmate.

He froze. Her lips parted as if to deny it, but nothing came out. The color disappeared from his face. His eyes trembled.

"What...? What do you mean by that? "His voice was now fragile, almost childish. He began to get closer, step by step. "You... by chance remembers the Re-"

"THINK FAST!" - Gritei.

I didn't let him finish. I threw Emilia at him, taking advantage of the fact that my authority of greed was not affecting her at the moment. It would be a shame if Subaru died now—he didn't even know if he would remember anything when he went back in time.

He managed to take her in his arms, the impact making him fall backwards. And at that very second, I jumped. I threw myself with all my might, breaking through the roof of the church with a dry, deafening crash, letting pieces of wood and dust fall like rain behind me.

In the air, for a moment, I felt freedom.

it was short.

From below, I could hear Subaru's protests, the tone charged with fury and frustration.

I knew I had made the right choice. I planted doubt. If he thought I knew Rem—that I might know how to wake her up—he'd have to think twice before killing me. He was stubborn, but he wasn't stupid. And that faint hope could buy me the time I needed.

But there was no time to reflect on it now.

Because something was following me.

It wasn't just the fault. Nor the doubt.

It was a crimson trail... like a comet of death crossing the sky.

I felt it. The cutting, increasing, relentless pressure.

"Not now... I mumbled to myself, looking over my shoulder.

And then I saw him.

Reinhard van Astrea.

The Saint of the Sword.

Motionless above me in the air, eyes like bluish embers fixed on me. He hadn't moved... still.

But I knew.

It was just the silence before the storm.

From there, the real hell began.

a struggle that would make the foundations of the world tremble.

And all that... even before Subaru rebooted.

Chapter Text

Subaru was paralyzed.

From the moment those words came out of Regulus' mouth, something inside him seemed to break. "Rem."

The sound of that name hit him like an arrow going through a vulnerable spot. He stared blankly at the hole in the ceiling of the church, through which the archbishop had fled.

The world around him seemed like a blur. He didn't even notice when Reinhard set off in pursuit of Regulus. All that remained was that name echoing in his mind.

"Subaru, are you okay?" A soft voice pierced the fog of thought. He blinked a few times, feeling his eyes sting slightly. It was Emilia.

"I'm fine... Just with a little pain in my back, that's all. And you, Emilia-tan?" He forced a smile, trying to push away the weight that pressed against his chest. Trying to pretend that everything was fine.

Emilia approached, Her lilac eyes reflected concern.

"I'm fine, Subaru... But I'm worried about you. He stared blankly at nothing for a few seconds... as if I wasn't here."

Subaru looked away, clenching his fists.

"Emilia-tan... that archbishop... he knows who Rem is." His voice was a whisper laden with pain.

Emilia stared at him, surprised. She knew how much that name meant to him, even if she couldn't remember the blue-eyed girl. It was like feeling the presence of a ghost: knowing that something was missing, even without understanding what.

"That's important to you, isn't it?" She said softly.

Subaru nodded, trembling.

"Yes. I... I met Gula earlier. I was so close. If only I were at least a little stronger..."

"Don't say that, Subaru." Emilia took his hand, squeezing it gently. "You have always been there for me, even in the most difficult moments. And now, you're giving it your all to bring Rem back, and so far you've never given up, that alone makes you very strong."

Subaru looked at her, teary-eyed. Those words touched something inside him. Maybe it was the consolation he needed.

Maybe it was just an illusion he wanted to believe. But at that moment... they meant everything.

Subaru took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. The weight of responsibility and hope pressed on him, but he knew he could not let himself be discouraged.

"Heh, thank you, I really needed this..." he said, smiling. But his expression quickly became serious. "Emilia-tan... I know you don't like Regulus, and I'm sure you want to avenge his wives... but we must leave it alive. He is the only way to figure out how to wake Rem. The best we can do is arrest him to extract information."

Emilia frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

"Please." Subaru asked, his voice full of sincerity.

Emilia sighed, fighting her own feelings.

"Okay, but Régulus will still be brought to justice when this is all over."

"Thank you, Emilia" - thanked Subaru, relieved by his understanding.

They both got up and ran out of the church, determined to join Reinhard in the fight against Régulus.

==================================oOo========================================

One thing that, unfortunately, I had to thank Régulus for, is that his Authority, in addition to making him immune to damage, also prevents his senses from being affected. Well, for sure, at this point, I would already be dizzy or nauseous.

Ever since Reinhard caught up with me, I haven't been able to do much other than be tossed to and fro by the blows of his sword's scabbard. It was a strange feeling: I saw the blow coming, but I felt no pain or received damage.

Even though I was launched spinning through the air, destroying houses and walls in the process, my mind remained normal, as if I had never left the ground.

Reinhard, the Saint of the Sword, seemed determined to neutralize me, even though he knew that his attacks did not cause direct damage.

But I knew he wouldn't give up easily. And despite my invulnerability, each impact reminded me of the colossal difference between us. I could not feel pain, but the humiliation of being strong but not getting any gaps to counterattack was palpable.

As I flew through the air once more, I thought about my options. I needed to find a way to turn the tide, to use my Authority more strategically.

For one thing I knew was that I should not just throw cuts in the air anyway, as Régulus did. Reinhard demonstrated in the anime the ability to dodge these attacks, and even though I was very strong and fast, in addition to having a perfect defense, I didn't have enough perception fast enough to intercept Reinhard.

He knew that not even Régulus could do that.

Regulus' Authority, "Lionheart", allows him to stop time for his body, making him immune to physical harm. However, this ability does not grant him an enhanced perception of his surroundings. He may be invulnerable, but he is not omniscient.

Reinhard, on the other hand, possesses abilities that go beyond simple brute force. His mastery of the sword and his hundreds of blessings made him a difficult and boring opponent to fight

Even if I tried to replicate Régulus' attacks by throwing slashes into the air in all directions, Reinhard would probably dodge all of them with ease. My lack of keen perception and combat experience put me at a disadvantage.

I needed to have a smarter approach, something Régulus wasn't, to have an advantage.

And I still need to be quick, because Subaru should already be devising a plan to overcome the Authority of Regulus, which, in itself, was more dangerous than facing Reinhard.

"More than a bag..." — I think to myself, frustrated, as I am once again hit with a powerful kick from Reinhard. My body flies like a projectile, hurtling through the air and crashing into a row of houses, which crumble into rubble behind me.

When I finally come out on the other side of the destruction, amid the dust and debris, I decide it's past time for me to fight back. I can't keep being played like a toy.
With a precise thrust, I spin in the air, sinking my feet into the ground so hard that the ground breaks into a ring of cracks, abruptly interrupting my runaway flight. Finally, I'm stopped.

I look up. Reinhard is already coming towards me, descending from the heavens like a divine spear about to pierce the earth. Without wasting time, I fire a cut in his direction. As predicted, he dodges with ease, practically dancing in the air. Smile.

So, I let the storm begin.

I don't stop. I begin to launch a frenetic sequence of cuts—vertical, horizontal, diagonal, lateral. Trying to cover all possible escape routes.

But Reinhard... it doesn't just deflect. He anticipates. With the scabbard of the sword still sheathed, he defends some cuts with movements so smooth that he seems to be just strolling. Other attacks he dodges by millimeters, the bluish glow of his eyes reflecting each blow that passes too close. He spins, retreats, moves forward, and jumps—as if dancing in the midst of death.

It's like fighting a ghost with the power of a god. Every second that passes becomes clearer: brute force will not be enough.

I need something more.

Something unexpected.

He advanced once again against me. But this time, I was ready, and he couldn't dodge.

"Maybe... that works."

I repressed the instinct to defend myself or counterattack on impulse. Instead, I held the attacking gesture firmly with my hand, and as Reinhard approached, I made a sudden movement as if I were going to throw a straight cut.

He immediately positioned himself to dodge or block, his eyes attentive, his muscles ready.

But the attack NEVER came.

For a second—maybe two—he hesitated.

"... A bluff?" He thought, his eyes widening in surprise.

It was at that moment that I realized: I had him.

While his mind processed the absence of the blow, I was already with my arms crossed in front of my chest, concentrating all the pattern, the cadence, the logic of the hundreds of cuts I had already fired.

Two seconds.

That was the time I had before the Sword Saint started moving again.

"Sorry, Gege Akutami, but in this world there is no copyright..." I think with a wry smile, before releasing my trump card.

A NETWORK OF CUTS.

Not just one. Not a line. Not a predictable sequence.

A deadly mesh of invisible blades crisscrossing space in all directions—like intertwined threads of pure death. Every angle covered. Each output blocked. Each escape attempt sealed before it even begins.

Reinhard tried to move, but it was too late.

The impact was dry, brutal — the air seemed to vibrate with the violence of the blow. The pressure of the cut hit him like a hammer, and the rumble echoed throughout the city.

The blow was so powerful that it drew a visible line on the ground of Pristella, crossing streets, toppling smaller structures, and leaving a superficial mark on the very wall that surrounded the city of Pristella.

And Reinhard?

He was hit squarely, his body was entirely cut into pieces, the only thing left was the mutilated corpse among the wreckage where he was thrown.

For a moment, all was silent.

"... Waffleinhard," I mumbled amusedly to myself, watching the remains that were once a very hot man, now unrecognizable—"I feel like Sukuna now."

But I already knew: this was not even close to being the end.

As if the world had listened to my thoughts—and decided to mock me—something impossible began to happen.

The wreckage where Reinhard had fallen began to glow a deep red hue, almost like the beating of a buried heart. Increasing heat took over the air. From the rubble came small crimson flames, which rose like flaming fingers trying to stitch together the broken fragments.

And then, before my eyes, the corpse began to pull itself together.

Torn muscles rebuilt fiber by fiber, broken bones snapped back into place with muffled cracks. The clothes—which must have been in rags—returned impeccable, as if they had never been touched by any cuts. The scarlet light enveloped the body completely like a cocoon, and in a few seconds, what was dead... He breathed again.

Reinhard's eyes opened, calm and with a smile on his face.

The Blessing of the Phoenix.

An annoyingly absurd blessing, which denies even the very concept of death. It didn't matter the form, the extent of the destruction, not even if the body was reduced to ashes.

The problem was that after he revived the blessing would be spent and Reinhard could now be killed... if Od Laguna wasn't a wretch and gave him infinite phoenix blessings, and as long as he has them, Reinhard would come back. Always. All. Saint. Time

I gritted my teeth, forcing my mind not to despair.

He took a step forward, and the remnants of destruction around him moved away as if afraid to touch him. The ground burned beneath his feet, but the flames didn't spread—they bowed to his presence, as if recognizing something sacred.

His brow furrowed. The same expression as always: not of hatred, not of anger, but of silent judgment.

Like a hero who regretted having to keep fighting.

There we were. Just the two of us.

Staring at each other.

The world around him seemed to have gone into pause. The wind stopped. No sound but Reinhard's calm breathing and the faint crackling of the surrounding magical fire that was soon extinguished, Pristella, that chaotic city, was silent, as if even she wanted to see what would come next.

"So... Reinhard...."I break the silence dense as lead, my voice echoing among the rubble - "How did it feel to die?"

He remains silent for a moment, his blue eyes drifting away from mine to settle on some invisible spot on the floor, as if trying to find words that were beyond language.

"I... I honestly don't know how to answer. "-His voice came out low, carried by a forced calm. " But if I had to define... I would say it was calming."

His fingers touched the hilt of the sword resting on the scabbard with an almost reverent slowness. The gesture was light, but full of weight—as if touching that gun was a reminder of something he couldn't forget. Of something he thought he didn't deserve.

I nodded slowly.

"I see..."- I replied sincerely. And I really did. Like someone who has already died... There was no way not to understand the silent relief of escaping, even for seconds, from the constant war that is being alive.

My eyes fell on Reinhard's sword, motionless as a sealed sentence.

"You won't... take your sword out of its scabbard?" - I asked, already knowing the answer, but wanting to hear it from his mouth.

Reinhard sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Regrettably, I've tried," he replied with a hint of resignation, and then moved his hand to draw his sword. As expected, she didn't even move. Not a millimeter.

"The Reid Sword is only unsheathed when I'm facing an opponent... worthy."

"The Reid Sword is only unsheathed when I am facing a worthy opponent," I thought, repeating word for word along with him in my mind, I already knew that this was the answer, but still, I couldn't help but feel hurt

That was the paradox of facing Reinhard: the strongest man in the world carried a sword that could only be used in conditions that even he didn't seem to fully understand. It was not enough to be powerful, cruel or dangerous.

The sword seemed to have a will of its own, or perhaps it reacted to his conscience, to his judgments, to his deepest emotions.

I knew that my current body—that of Regulus Corneas—carried an absurd authority, a level of power that no one could compare. But even so, it was not enough.

Reid's Sword wouldn't come out of its scabbard for him.

Not even for me.

"She didn't even come out against Vulcanica. In the novel, she was only drawn twice... against Puck, when he was freezing the world, and against Theresia van Astrea."

"I still don't know if it was out of respect for Theresia... or if it was because, at that moment, you wanted to fight for real. Maybe that's it. Perhaps the sword does not obey strength, nor danger, but the heart of the hero."

A silence settled between us again. There was no crowd, no allies, no distractions. Just the two of us, two extremes of a war bigger than anyone would like to admit. And even with all my strength, even with the Authority of Regulus and my experience about the universe of Re:zero.... I didn't know if I wanted to continue.

Reinhard and I exchanged one last silent look. There were no more words to be exchanged between us for the time being.

We both understood at that moment: it was time to stop talking.

At the same time, we have taken a step forward.

Reinhard assumed his characteristic stance.

I realized then that the real struggle... it was just beginning.

We threw them at each other at such absurd speeds that, to human eyes, we were just blurs crashing into the air. My clenched fist met the scabbard of the Reid sword in full force, and the result was devastating.

The impact generated a shock wave that swept away everything around it — dust, rubble, and any trace of tranquility. The ground shook under our feet. Glass exploded in buildings hundreds of meters away, nearby walls caved in and cracked like crumpled paper.

If someone had been there by bad luck, they would have been thrown like a rag doll for dozens of meters — if they survived.

For a few seconds, we were locked at the point of impact. None of us gave in, none of us took advantage. The tension between us was almost tangible, until I saw my opening.

In a fluid movement, I took advantage of the moment when Reinhard retreated his defense minimally. My foot flew against his chest with the force of a cannon. My foot sank against Reinhard's chest, clothes will tear, muscles will tear, and bones will break. The crack of the ribs did not escape me.

His body was thrown back violently, crossing several houses as if they were made of wet cardboard. Roofs flew away, pillars cracked, and he disappeared under a cloud of debris.

But Reinhard was Reinhard.

Before the dust even settled, he emerged from the rubble. His wounds were closing in real time, healed by those cursed spirits who seemed to worship him like a messiah. His eyes instantly located me, and like an arrow, he flew back to the battlefield.

Anticipating his advance, I stretched out my arms and fired a sequence of cuts in all directions. Suspended debris, pieces of roof, water from the broken canals—all these turned into projectiles guided by my authority, each fragment moved with the force of a heavy artillery round.

Reinhard dodged the cuts, spinning in the air like a dancer of death. Its scabbard moved with unearthly precision, deflecting projectiles, blocking waves of compressed water, dodging destruction as if it had trained in it all its life. And, in a way, maybe he really did.

As he approached me, I decided to repeat my old trick: I pretended to throw a cut, hoping that he would retreat or defend himself. I waited for the old instincts to betray him.

But they did not betray him.

A strange glow appeared in his blue eyes—like a divine spark—and without hesitation, he rushed forward. In a movement so fast I could barely keep up, he plunged the scabbard of Reid's sword with a well-aimed upward blow... right between my legs.

The world stopped.

I was launched into the air like a gangly, spiraling dummy, and for a moment, only one thought echoed in my mind:

"Thank you, Regulus authority... If I were an ordinary human being, this would have been the end."

The pain didn't come, but the fright did. And the fright hurts the soul.

Before I could regain my footing in the air, Reinhard appeared in front of me—like a sky-red lightning—and punched me in the stomach that sent me back to the ground with seismic force.

The impact buried me in a crater, cracking the surrounding ground, the rubble shaking with the force released.

I stood up slowly as I watched Reinhard land in front of the crater, his expression firm and focused. Still calm. Still dangerous.

"How did you know I was bluffing?" I asked, incredulous.

"I have... the Blessing of Bluffing"- he replied, with the naturalness of someone who says he prefers tea to coffee. "It lets me always know if an attack is real or a hoax.”

I was paralyzed for two seconds. My mind trying to process that absurd sentence.

"Hey, that's crazy. You made it up now!" - I exclaimed, indignant, of course, I didn't know all your blessings by heart, but I knew that this one certainly didn't exist.

"Not really," he said, a little embarrassed. "I received this blessing recently... perhaps out of necessity."

My expression froze. Poker face activated. His eyebrows raised, his eyes half-closed.

"What the fu-"

I didn't even have time to finish the sentence.

Reinhard charged forward once more with the force of a natural calamity, and before I could react, I was hit squarely. My body was launched like a meteor... straight into the waters of Pristella, which exploded into a column of foam and chaos as I fell.

But... wait.

Why the hell would he throw me in the water?

As soon as this thought crossed my mind, a current of panic rushed down my spine. A horrific realization began to take shape.

“HOLY SHIT...”

It was as if lightning struck my consciousness all at once. Subaru and Emilia.

They were still around. And if I'm right... that unfortunate blow between my legs, so sudden and strategically humiliating... It was not a mere reflex of combat.

It was part of a plan.

A plan by Subaru.

At that moment, as the weight of deduction crushed me more than the underwater pressure itself, my eyes widened.

"this is also one of his plans, to achieve what was the weakness of the Regulus authority...!"

I turned around at the bottom of Pristella's canal, surrounded by silence—but the silence was broken.

In a muffled way, distorted by the water around me, I heard a voice that I would recognize even in the confines of hell.

"AL HUMA!"

The scream cut through reality like a magic blade.

And then the sky lit up with a bluish glow.

A colossal glacier began to form above me, magic condensed into its most brutal and lethal form. The ice crystals swirled like heavenly knives, descending toward the water like the very fury of winter.

I stood there, watching.

Motionless for a moment.

Hypnotized.

The glacier descended with full force.

The impact was so massive that the city shook. The water around me was violently pushed everywhere, creating tsunamis that invaded streets and buildings. And at the same time, everything started to freeze.
The temperature plummeted within seconds.

The world around me was turning into crystal.

And I was right in the center of the trap.

The water that enveloped me solidified with supernatural rapidity, becoming a prison of ice indestructible to the common eye. A veritable glacial sarcophagus formed around me, imprisoning even the air.

Yes, I could get out of there. My authority was still active. My body was still intact.

But that didn't make the experience any less agonizing.

The cold didn't hurt me physically, but psychologically... Ah, that was another story.

To be there, immobilized.

Buried at the bottom of the city, caged in an ice chamber, conscious, watching everything from the inside...

It filled me with impotence.

I waited a few seconds under the thick ice, just long enough to pretend I was immobilized, before I started tearing my way to the surface. I gradually accelerated, my authority eating away at the ice like invisible acid until...

BAM!

The surface broke with a crash, and my body exploded from the center of the glacier like a spear of destruction. Ice shards flew like shrapnel everywhere, completely surprising Emilia and Subaru, whose eyes widened in shock. Reinhard, however... it just stayed there. Looking at me. In silence.

Without wasting time, I took advantage of their momentary distraction and ran in the opposite direction, entering among the rubble and Pristella's houses. I knew Reinhard would follow me. He always followed me. But this time, I wanted him to do it.

I wanted to test something.

Reinhard chased me through destroyed streets and endless alleys, until he came to an open, completely silent square. Nothing. No sign of me. Just debris and an empty field.

For two seconds.

The sound of something cutting through the air intensified behind him.

CRASH!

An entire house—a whole damn house—hit him in the back, crushing him with no chance of reaction. The impact broke the structure like paper and Reinhard's body as if it were glass flesh.

But, of course... the Phoenix Blessing would take care of the rest. And within seconds, the familiar red light began to glow.

And again, Reinhard was brand new.

I began cutting down houses at the base with my authority, each structure being enveloped by my presence, turning them into deadly projectiles.

Reinhard appeared and disappeared among the wreckage, dodging with absurd precision, slicing through structures at the last second.

But then...

I threw a colossal building.

And I saw him cut in half with a single blow.

It was time.

“Prepare thyself.”

My voice echoed from within one half of the broken building. Yes, I was inside it the whole time, using the structure as cover. I fired at top speed, spinning my body with the help of authority, aiming like a human torpedo.

Reinhard didn't have time to dodge.

"Die."

My double flying hit his face with brutal force. A dry crack echoed through the city.

His head flew back, disconnecting from his neck like a piece of a dummy The impact threw me into a wall, cracking it, but I laughed as I stood up.

On the ground, his head, deformed and still burning with the red glow of the resurrection, had the exact mark of the sole of my foot.

"It's not so beautiful anymore, right?" I mumbled, coming out of the rubble.

I ran to the headless body, surprisingly still standing, waiting for regeneration.

"Great."

With a swift and brutal movement, I pierced Reinhard's chest with my hand. She went through his chest as if it were nothing. The regeneration had already begun... The red glow took over the corpse.

It was then that an idea came to me.

A low idea. Clumsy. Sordid.

But hell, why not put it into practice?

I took off, carrying Reinhard's still-regenerating body with me. High in Pristella's skies, I saw the city from above—and the exact spot where Regulus originally died. Almost like poetic justice.

"Hey, Reinhard..." - I said as the flames of resurrection enveloped him. - "Have you ever drowned? No? So... Sorry about that."

I launched it.

Like a human meteor.

Reinhard's body fell into flames, cutting through the sky like a celestial projectile, until it exploded against the ground, blowing a huge hole in the city's main canal. Water began to invade the hole immediately.

I landed and watched the hole made.

Smiling.

… But why?

Why was I smiling when I saw him die like that?

Why was I having so much fun?

The answer came like an icy whisper:

These feelings are not mine.

They are...from Régulus.

My consciousness was still ahead, overriding his. But your emotions, your reactions... were seeping in, slowly taking up space inside me.

"Damn you, Régulus..."

I looked around: destruction everywhere. Houses reduced to ashes, streets like scars, and the wall of Pristella... still marked by my previous blow.

And suddenly, I found myself reflecting:

Am I becoming like him?

Is this my destiny?

To be consumed... until it becomes what I swore to hate?

"That's not who I am—"

But my thoughts were interrupted.

Reinhard emerged from the canal, wet but intact.

Like a spirit that refuses to die.

And everything I had reflected up to that moment... It went down the drain.

As if he had been thrown out of the window.

"Hey, Reinhard... What was it like to drown?" — I asked, with a maniacal tone in my voice that was not mine.

And that I hated.

"Bad," he replied simply, as if he wanted to forget the experience. And I smiled at that.

I ran to him before I could react.

I kicked him between the legs.

His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

I grabbed him by the leg and started spinning him in the air like a toy of destruction.

"Are you sick, Reinhard?" I teased, but inside, I hoped he wouldn't answer something in a speccific

"I actually have the Blessing of Dizziness. I'm immune to motion sickness."

I stopped for a second. My eyes became empty.

"FUCK YOU, REINHARD!"

And I threw it in a random direction.

Anger boiled.

"Now I understand Al's frustration... Fighting against this bastard is illogical."- Every damn blessing of his feels like a cosmic joke.

I jumped after him, following his trajectory as he flew out of Pristella.

The farther away from Pristella, the more her telepathy blessing would lose its effect.

He hadn't even reached the stratosphere yet and had already lost his signal in the anime, so at least I stopped him from communicating with Subaru.

=============================================================o0o==============================================================

In a forest that everyone avoided, where there was no life there, or trade route that passed through it, where the ground was covered in a grayish moss that seemed to rot the earth itself, there was an entity that should never have been born.

A black mass. Hooray. Pulsating. Hungry.

It crawled like a serpent made of pitch and darkness, with slimy tentacles that left a trail of death wherever they went. Everything that was alive — animal, human or Majuu — turned to ashes on contact.

The forest itself, once dense and verdant, had been reduced to withered trunks and gnarled ochre trees, as if begging for relief from the corruption that gripped them.

She didn't see it.

She didn't listen.

She didn't think.

Its existence was driven by a primitive, blind and absolute impulse: to devour, corrode and destroy.

And that was all he did, his sole purpose, silently, patiently, and relentlessly.

But on that silent, dark night, something changed.

She felt it.

Two presences that burned like shooting stars tearing through the firmament, touching the forest floor with such intensity that the world seemed to hold its breath. If the creature could see, it would have seen the impact of a burning body falling into a newly formed crater—a red-haired horseman with an aura so pure and gleaming that it seemed out of place in that doomed world. And right in front of him, a man with white hair and a white suit.

If the creature could hear, it would have heard the furious indignation of the second man echoing through the dead forest:

"OK! SO YOU DON'T COME OUT OF THE SHEATH FOR ME... BUT FOR A STINKY BLACK GOO YOU COME OUT?! WHAT IS THE LOGIC, REINHARD? WHAT'S THE CRITERION, MAN? THE SMELL???"

He gesticulated wildly, as if he wanted heaven to explain his frustration.

The knight only shrugged, with the quiet naturalness of someone who had already accepted the absurdity of his own existence.

If the creature had feelings—which, luckily, it didn't—it would have felt absolute fear.

The knight before her was Reinhard van Astrea, the Saint of the Sword, now with his legendary weapon finally out of its scabbard, the glow of the sacred blade cutting through the very darkness around it like a divine torch.

The strongest Archbishop of the Witch Cult, Régulus corneas, the most unpredictable and dangerous being.

And both looked at her with intensity.

The creature, even without knowing it, had chosen the worst moment of existence to emerge.

And that night, the Black Serpent realized...

That he would go through a REALLY, VERY, VERY BAD time.

Current location: Black Serpent contamination zone.