Suddenly bursting onto the battlefield, fraught with icy flames, was a mysterious young man with white hair.

His hair was neither too long nor too short, and while his features were well-defined, they lacked any pronounced characteristics. With a build that was hard to define as either muscular or slender, he exuded an aura so thin that he seemed poised to be swallowed by the crowd at any moment.

However,

“Archbishop of Sin… ‘Greed’…!?”

The name of this seemingly ordinary young man sent shockwaves through Natsuki Subaru. Unless his ears were playing tricks on him, the young man had absolutely declared himself to be one of the Witch Cult’s Archbishops of Sin.

And surely, such a declaration could not be a lie.

Otherwise, how could he possibly emerge unharmed from the cataclysmic fire unleashed by Sirius?

“Still, I’m glad I made it in time. My bride was nearly turned to ash. I pride myself on not asking too much of others, but I’d prefer my bride to remain humanoid, at the very least. It’s more of a common expectation than a wish, isn’t it? I surely don’t have a perverse kink for whispering sweet nothings to a pile of ashes.”

With an unrelenting fear still consuming him, Natsuki Subaru shook in front of the young man—now known as Regulus—who gazed down at Emilia cradled in his arms, weaving his words.

His flurry of eloquent speech was nothing more than empty gibberish.

Emilia remained utterly still in Regulus’s arms, completely unconscious and unresponsive.

Regulus fiddled with his white hair that fell over his brow and remarked,

“While I’m glad for her safety, sadly, it seems my bride missed witnessing my heroic action of saving her from certain doom. I believe that such heroic deeds are crucial moments to bring two hearts closer together. Well, it’s already foreordained that we’ll end up together, so it’s simply a matter of whether the path is fast or slow; it’s not a big deal.”

“O-what the hell are you talking about…?”

“Hm?”

Regulus, who had been spouting his self-serving logic, suddenly noticed Subaru’s presence and furrowed his brows. He then let out a weary sigh and said,

“You know, do you even understand the concept of manners? I introduced myself first, right? The reason I did that is that knowing each other is the most crucial part of forming human relationships. No matter what kind of relationship it is, it has to start with understanding one another, right? And I consider myself rather considerate, always wishing to engage with everyone in a friendly manner. You see, the other party might be a bit bashful. Even if they want to get close to you, they might hesitate to introduce themselves. Out of consideration for such people, I always try to introduce myself first, attempting to create a space where everyone can feel at ease. Of course, I don’t go spilling my selfless motives to everyone right from the start. But I hope that by the time one reaches a certain age, they can pick up on these underlying intentions, right? I mean, that should be obvious. Or were you raised to believe that discussing matters with someone without introducing yourself is the norm? If that’s the case, then your sense of common decency is a bit different from mine. In that case, I think it’s necessary to clarify things beforehand to avoid misunderstandings. Isn’t it wrong to take advantage of someone’s kindness without doing even the smallest thing to show consideration for them? Rather, that’s downright rude. Losing courtesy shows you see the other person as having little worth. If you underestimate the value of another person, you are effectively infringing upon their life and way of living. You are infringing upon their rights and mine against my unselfish, rational self.”

“O-oh…? S-sorry. My name is Natsuki Subaru.”

Recognizing the growing madness in Regulus’s eyes, Subaru’s heart screamed with alarm. Prompted by that fear, he managed to introduce himself while trembling.

Upon hearing Subaru’s introduction, Regulus narrowed his previously wide eyes and said,

“…Yes, that’s good. By respecting others, you, too, will be respected. Such basic considerations create a world where both can coexist comfortably. By seeking no more than what you deserve and finding happiness within your means, everyone can enjoy their respective happiness. Do not indulge in your desires; simply accept things as they are and be satisfied with your daily sustenance. That is the peaceful way to live.”

Regulus continued spewing absurdly peaceful rhetoric, sounding so calm it was almost amusing. Yet, the sincerity behind his ideals was proven by the fervor in his eyes.

Reading only his words, one might think they were reasonable, much like Sirius.

From Regulus’s demeanor and statements, it was impossible not to sense the same superficiality and distortion found in Sirius.

“Since I’m talking to you, isn’t it only polite to respond? Isn’t it just fundamental human decency? Why are you incapable of doing such a simple thing? How can you not realize that you’re unconsciously continuing to hurt others’ feelings every day, mindlessly and indiscriminately? Even a small hurt is still a hurt, right? From that, something bad can seep in, and you could catch diseases that endanger your life. Body and soul are the same. I can’t stand people who don’t understand they are unconsciously threatening others’ lives. Are you out of your mind?”

“…”

“Being flawed as a human and unaware of it is simply unacceptable. It’s also wrong for those with common sense to shoulder the burdens caused by others’ failure to acknowledge their defects. The world runs smoothly because the majority maintain certain norms without actively being aware of them. How can you not see that before trampling all over the compassion that can be offered by those capable of kindness? If you don’t recognize and assess your own warped, flawed existence, you’re only going to keep trampling on others’ hearts without hesitation, you know?”

Subaru remained silent.

Regulus clearly grew frustrated with Subaru’s response, ramping up the intensity of his tirade.

Gradually, his speech quickened, and his excitement soared. Despite the overwhelming fear, Subaru found it impossible to respond.

“Even after I’ve said all this, you’re still ignoring me…!”

“Thanks for your lecture. —Now burn and turn to ash!!”

An onslaught of fire cascaded down like a waterfall from behind Regulus.

Sirius unleashed the flames that erupted from her raised arms with ruthless intent upon Regulus, who also claimed the title of Archbishop of Sin. Subaru couldn’t cry out in time upon witnessing that heinous act.

“Subaru…”

“I-I know. But it’s alright.”

Beatrice, gripping Subaru’s shoulder painfully, spoke with a tremor in her voice. He could tell she was worried about Emilia, who had been consumed by the flames.

Subaru too felt a pang of fear at the thought of Emilia being caught in that brutal strike. Nevertheless, he felt a certainty.

“—Hey, do you even know how out of touch you are, interrupting me while I’m speaking? If you have something to say, you should speak up first, and if you want to express an opinion, raise your hand. Do you think I can’t wait for the other person to finish talking?”

With a flick of his wrist, Regulus cooled the swirling flames that raged around him as if performing a magic trick.

The heatwave disappeared as if it were a mere illusion, and Regulus stood unharmed at the center. Naturally, that meant Emilia remained untouched in his grasp as well.

After being engulfed in that inferno, there wasn’t even the slightest sign of a burn on him. Not even a drop of sweat.

“Plus, I’m also technically one of the Archbishops of Sin, you know? I’m aware that you’re quite mad, and while I have the kindness to overlook a small mistake or two, I can’t overlook your intent to kill this child. That’s a little too far for me to allow. I mean, it’s only natural—people have always been ready to sing out in anger when their loved ones are harmed. That’s a basic right everyone possesses, and therefore, I also have the equally valid right to seek revenge.”

“Anger! Ha, so you’ve resorted to anger, huh? You’re making me laugh! You’re a superficial little man of small stature, don’t throw words like that around! That belongs to me! It’s something I received from him, my most cherished possession. That right…!”

“Oh, is that so? You’re still hung up on that idiot who died ahead of you? Disgusting as it is, that’s really creepy. Not productive or rational in the slightest. When someone dies, it’s over. Isn’t that the obvious thing? Clinging to memories when you can’t even accept that fact… You really are a defective human being. After you lose someone you love, you should seek anew. While you prattle on about love, you won’t even exercise your inherent rights. It’s incredibly scummy of you to disturb the natural cycle of the world.”

“You who laughed at his death, don’t you dare speak grandly!!”

Sirius spat out the words with venom, her fury igniting as she glared at Regulus.

Driven to rage, she smashed her foot down, cracking the stone pavement, and hurled her fire-wreathed arms toward Regulus at tremendous speed. The iron chains glowed red-hot, ready to deliver the worst kind of fatal damage.

The dull thud of chains striking flesh reverberated, knocking Regulus’s face to the side. But the attack from Sirius’s rage wouldn’t end with just one strike.

Left, right, above, below—devouring the space around them, the crimson chains battered Regulus’s entire body. Just as Subaru realized he was witnessing the creation of a fiery cage from the storm of chains—

“Disappear, disappear, disappear, disappear!! Burn into ash with that damn half-demon!!”

The fiery cage collapsed inward, engulfing Regulus in roaring flames.

The pavement melted under the tremendous heat, and the spot where Regulus stood evaporated the cobblestones and earth beneath them, causing a crater.

Watching the peak of hell’s wrath, Sirius was panting.

The crowd around her shared in her fury, bathed in blood pouring from their eyes and noses as they shrieked in a manic frenzy. Yet,

“Hey, how many times do I have to repeat myself before you understand?”

Stepping onto the glowing, molten cobblestones, Regulus emerged unscathed, as if nothing had transpired.

Neither his white hair, nor his attire, nor Emilia clasped protectively in his arms bore even a scratch.

All that remained was a childish pout on his face.

“I believe that even if I keep repeating myself, those who fail to understand are simply not putting in the effort to do so. And their lack of effort shows a lack of care for the person telling them. It’s a sign of disdain. This leads to them forgetting what was said and forcing the other person to repeat themselves without even trying to reflect, learn, or use those lessons as sustenance for tomorrow. This concept is underestimating the value of oneself and the other person alike. Frankly, this—it’s beyond just lacking words and actions; it’s violence. And this is what I think.”

“Damn bug…!”

“There was once a teaching from the Witch Cult that stated, ‘If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other to ask why.’ It was a lesson in the value of understanding one another. But I think sometimes you must strike back at those who attack you. Particularly—sometimes it’s necessary for those who refuse to know pain.”

On the surface, the words sounded entirely reasonable. Yet something about Regulus’s nature felt fundamentally askew.

“—”

As he stepped out of the hole, Regulus wore a sinister grin directed at Sirius.

It was a smile that held no friendliness whatsoever, similar to the smirk of a predator spotting prey.

How Regulus protected himself from the flames and chains of Sirius remained uncertain. He could be a purely defensive type of power wielder, and it was possible the power of ‘Greed’ did not entail any offensive means.

Regulus’s actions could not be definitively concluded as fatal.

But one thing was certain—if that young man were to act, Sirius would undoubtedly meet her end.

That alone would be no problem; in fact, it might be delightful if the ranks of the Archbishops of Sin were thinned by infighting.

However, Sirius’s demise would undoubtedly complicate matters, as the overwhelming majority around them would be dragged into the chaos. Among them were not only Subaru, but also those entrapped in Sirius’s madness—certainly, Rusbel and Tina, who had offered their lives up to prayer.

“—”

Terror coursed through every fiber of Subaru’s being, refusing to fade away.

His knees trembled, and even his breathing felt erratic.

Yet despite such a scenario,

“Subaru.”

A faint voice called out to him, a shaky whisper that filled him with warmth.

Despite trembling in fear, the effort conveyed by that voice to rely on him surged warmth through his back.

Grinding his teeth against the dread, Subaru stood wobbly.

He couldn’t simply lean on the light weight of that burden behind him. However, he also couldn’t do well without leveraging that power.

Thus, Subaru rebelled against going solo and declined to sit at ease.

If he were alone, he would surely tremble in fear, unable to stand.

But it wasn’t just Subaru standing; he was not alone. Unlike the others engulfed by madness, he was connected to someone.

The feeling of that connection was what caused Natsuki Subaru to resist the fear.

“Beatrice.”

“I understand.”

With a single call, Beatrice nodded, affirming her full consent.

There was no need to confirm if they could genuinely communicate; they would both give their all to fulfill their roles—this would surely yield results.

Sirius and Regulus had both completely forgotten about Subaru’s presence.

They could only see one another, engaged in a fight to the bitter end. If Sirius were to burn Regulus alive alone, that would yield the best possible result; however, such an outcome seemed unlikely.

Thus, Subaru aimed to halt Regulus’s barbaric actions.

He would draw the young man’s attention away and prevent significant harm.

And most importantly,

“Don’t you dare touch Emilia so casually…!”

His endless passion for love engulfed Subaru, pushing back the fear. He told himself that he needed to start by deceiving his own heart to have any chance of standing up.

Before him, Regulus’s movements were slow; similarly, Sirius’s actions were lacking vitality. Such a state was immensely advantageous to Subaru.

“—Shamak!”

The moment Subaru chided his trembling legs into action, Beatrice incanted her magic.

The black fog of Shamak, the strongest magic, enveloped Regulus’s body, admirably obstructing his movements. In that moment, Subaru swung the whip he held towards the position he had seen just before it vanished.

The target was his neck.

He aimed to snag the slender appendage and pull it down vigorously. Surely, Regulus’s ire would compel him to shift his focus towards Subaru if he were treated with such rashness. There remained the possibility his senses had already been thoroughly muddled by Beatrice’s Shamak—

“Nothing…!”

“Here it comes!?”

Indeed, the whip’s expected response was lackluster, prompting Subaru to call out in frustration, just as Beatrice offered a warning.

In the blink of an eye, the white-haired youth burst forth through the black fog, springing toward Subaru with immense speed.

“You’re quite busy rushing back and forth. Do you consider yourself bold enough to disrupt my peaceful existence? Maybe you could just scatter and disappear?”

“Ugh… no, Murak!”

With his right hand cradling Emilia, Regulus nonchalantly extended his unoccupied left hand toward Subaru. Beatrice quickly abandoned her attack in response to the circumstances, casting weight manipulation magic onto Subaru’s form.

Subaru swiftly approved Beatrice’s decision and leapt away, evading Regulus’s outstretched fingertips.

Murak was a type of dark magic that lightened the pull of gravity on the target’s body.

In that instant, Subaru’s body floated upward, as light as a feather, leaving Regulus behind as he tried to chase.

“Why are you dodging?!”

“Of course, I’ll dodge, you creep!”

Regulus gazed up at Subaru, who soared above him, and Subaru struck down with the whip directly above Regulus. This time, the whip connected precisely, crashing onto the top of Regulus’s head. However, his white locks hardly shifted; he remained unscathed. It was as if the whip had merely brushed past him like a gentle breeze.

“What would happen if my bride got hurt? Isn’t it a fundamental expectation to treat girls kindly? Can’t you even manage that?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! The one I want to treat with utmost kindness in this world is that girl! By the way, why the hell are you going on about brides…?”

“Because it’s predetermined. —You see, I made a promise in a dream.”

Regulus smiled as if he were sharing a delicate secret, leaving Subaru—who was stuck against the wall using one hand to support himself—dumbfounded. It was a rather silly scene, and yet the main characters didn’t seem to care about that at all.

“We are destined to be together. It’s fate. I’m fundamentally satisfied with myself, and I’m not one to wish for things. Yet, I’m not so petty as to refuse what is offered. If fate brings me something, I would never push it away. I don’t desire much, but I will certainly protect my own world within reach. At the very least, I’ll safeguard myself and those dear to me. Therefore—”

“—”

“I will protect her. I will welcome her as my wife, love her, and enjoy the tranquility that should come with it. For that sake, I won’t hesitate to wield the power I’ve been granted.”

“B-but… where does her will fit into this? Without confirming each other’s intentions, how can you be so presumptuous?”

Regulus’s firm declarations and the imposing presence of his strength were in stark contrast to his absurd conclusions.

His perspective was clear and devoid of ambition, yet something remained fundamentally wrong with it.

Not knowing how to define what made it so drastically wrong, one might only deduce that something had gone awry at the very start. The entire thing was off-kilter from the beginning.

Subaru’s voice quivered not solely from fear but with something else.

Responding to that, Regulus laughed, as if he were listening to nothing important.

“Worried about me? If that’s the case, thank you. But I’m fine. Fate is inevitable, and… especially when it comes to love and friendship, these things can’t exist without two. If I’m declared as the bridegroom of destiny, then it’s guaranteed that she knows I am meant to be her husband.”

“…That’s seriously messed up.”

Beatrice muttered her disdain at Regulus as he spouted the broken logic.

Subaru echoed her sentiments. Regulus’s thoughts were reminiscent of a stalker’s reasoning, wrapped in pretty words. And much like that of a stalker, he held absolutely no doubt regarding his own twisted mindset.

“Enough already. There’s no way a rival in love like you and I could understand each other. I can’t even stand the sight of you, you vile creature.”

Walking away from the wall, Subaru returned to the surface of the plaza.

Seeing Subaru standing silently, Regulus gave a nod of understanding.

“I see, so it’s like that. I’m sorry to say, but… you aren’t fans of the destined lovers. I believe a love triangle to be unseemly.”

“Shut it! Emilia-tan is my bride. I wouldn’t hand her over to scum like you!”

“Is it? This girl’s name is Emilia, huh? What a delightful name. It suits her well, a lovely girl to coo sweetly at like a little bird.”

“You don’t even know her name… What makes you think you can call her your bride…!?”

“It’s her face.”

Subaru was rendered speechless. His anger choked him.

Misinterpreting his silence, Regulus tilted his head.

“Her face is cute. Isn’t that all you need for love?”

“Die!”

“Would it be better if I did?”

As Subaru’s fury sparked, Beatrice chimed in, equally rejecting Regulus’s insipid version of love.

Subaru leaped forward, propelled by the continued effects of Murak. Riding the wind, he closed the gap towards Regulus, who regarded this move with surprise.

Even in his bemusement, he couldn’t grasp the foolishness of trying to engage in close quarters with Subaru.

Subaru understood the danger of getting close to Regulus. Regulus didn’t have firearms like Sirius; this wasn’t due to a lack of preparation but rather meant he had no need for them.

Thus, closing in on Regulus meant risking his life. But still, the reason Subaru continued to press into close combat was singular.

—Subaru’s trump card could only be executed up close.

“What’s with this reckless dive in? What’s the point? If you have some non-desperate, substantial reason, I’d like to hear it. I’m the kind of person who never forgets kindness, even for those I’m left with in the end.”

“Thanks for the lecture—Beako!”

“I’m ready!”

As Subaru drew closer, Regulus carelessly extended his left hand.

With five fingers opened, it was likely each digit bore a deadly intent to reap lives. In response, Subaru inhaled deeply and shouted.

Subaru and Beatrice would unleash one of the results of their year-long collaboration.

“—E.M.M.!!”

“…What?”

With a bellowing incantation pulling power from Subaru’s damaged gate to Beatrice, they sparked an unprecedented spell that existed nowhere else.

The duo of Natsuki Subaru and Beatrice conjured three original spells—invoking the absolute defensive magic “E.M.M.”

An invisible magical field enveloped Subaru’s body; by displacing his existence just half a step from this world, all attacks directed at him would be completely nullified.

Regulus’s fingertips could reach Subaru, yet they imparted no harm. Only then did Regulus’s face become rigid in astonishment.

As he turned, Subaru lashed out with his left fist aimed squarely at Regulus’s cheek.

“Take that!!”

“—!”

Regulus’s cheek was sent reeling from the strike.

Subaru smirked at the solid feeling he garnered from the attack, but the returning face of Regulus bore no trace of redness. He seemed to absorb damage completely; it was as if the same protections enveloping Regulus’s being existed perpetually.

“Are we not done yet?”

Beatrice shouted, voicing the readiness for the ensuing action.

Due to the high potency and efficacy of their original spells, multiple usages weren’t feasible. Furthermore, each of the three spells could only be utilized once per day—beyond that, their body would face deterioration.

“Though I’ve diminished E.M.M. I can approach without magic. If I can manage to land that one…!”

“Do we stand a chance?”

“There’s no chance at all. I’m sorry if I gave you a misunderstanding. I dislike being treated like a fool. It’s not merely about disliking it; it’s that when my will isn’t acknowledged, it’s a violation of my rights. I’ve allowed you to strike me twice already, so it’s only fair my attacks will hit soon, right?”

Stepping down from the air, Regulus glared at Subaru and Beatrice anew, his anger reaching a palpable state.

With that expression, he had finally realized Subaru was indeed an enemy. Just as he thought he could consider their initial purpose—

“Whoa!?”

“…What do you mean?”

Then the ground between Subaru and Regulus suddenly ignited.

Subaru recoiled at the scorching wave striking his face, while Regulus grimaced at the hot wind in his face.

The two cast their eyes toward the source of the phenomena—Sirius, who had remained a mere spectator thus far.

Regardless of whatever intent had driven her silence up until now, her sudden foray into the fray was the worst possible outcome.

In fact, without proper defenses against Sirius’s flames, Subaru was far less keen to deal with her than he was with Regulus—an enemy whose defeat conditions he had not yet deduced.

Subaru held his breath as the situation worsened.

However, the situation deteriorated far beyond his imagination.

“—Found you.”

“—?”

Sirius stood there, fixedly staring at the two—no, solely locking eyes with Subaru.

Ignored was the murderous intent aimed at Regulus; her focus was entirely directed toward Subaru.

That deranged gaze seethed with an insanity that made Subaru’s throat parched.

Then, the monster lifted her hands, which had previously hung limply at her sides, raising them to clutch her cheeks.

“I found you. I found you. I found you. I found you. Oh, oh! Ahhh! Yes, it’s exactly what I thought! I’m so sorry I didn’t notice you before! I’m so sorry! Oh, how wonderful! I’m so relieved! Yes, it’s you! You came back to me after all this time!?”

“What are you…?”

“There you were, after all! I searched everywhere, tearing through all your backups, desperately hunting for you without success, always searching and searching! But oh, you noticed me searching for you and returned!”

With every word, her voice rose higher, overflowing with a warmth so intense it could melt ice.

Sirius, whose fingers cupped her face, writhed with passionate fervor, swaying her body from side to side while speaking in an enthusiastic tone.

It was hard to find the right words to describe what kind of state she was in.

But if one dared to put it into words, it could only be described as the behavior of a woman who had blindly found the resemblance of a lover she had been seeking.

“My feelings made it to you! You realized I longed to become one with you! My ‘love’ has reached you!”

“—”

“I’ve waited only for you… My beloved, my beloved Petelgeuse!”

With those words, she smiled maniacally, calling out the name of her deceased husband, turning her impassioned gaze towards Subaru.