The situation had greatly deteriorated, making an already bad state even worse.

With her eyes filled with ecstasy and hot breaths escaping her lips, Sirius sent shivers down Subaru’s spine.

The creature, uncaring as the heated chains burnt her cheeks through the bandages, stared at Subaru with an almost maniacal glow in her eyes—no, she continued to gaze.

“Beloved, Petelgeuse…?”

A name of a madman that I didn’t even want to hear. To declare herself as Romanee-Conti and shout her love for her deceased husband with rage, it would be a lie to say I didn’t make that connection.

Still, I couldn’t fully convince myself that this thought was correct; I didn’t want to combine the existence of the madman Petelgeuse with the creature Sirius.

I didn’t want to think of the two, connected by the name Romanee-Conti, as the worst couple.

“Both of them are Archbishops of Sin in the Witch Cult? That’s just too awful. You could choose your partner… If that was who you ended up with, then it can’t be helped.”

It’s true that only failures belong to the Witch Cult.

Petelgeuse, who was self-absorbed. Sirius, who imposes her selfish love. Regulus, who speaks of love with shallow fatalism—each and every one of them is scum.

“Come to think of it, their names are kind of similar too. They all end with ‘-us’… end…?”

Subaru, trying to distract himself from his fears with pointless thoughts, stumbled over the words he just uttered.

Did I just notice something odd? But I was too pressed for time to pinpoint what exactly was odd about it.

“Please don’t remain silent, Petelgeuse. You’re truly a mean person. Always behaving coldly towards me like this, it’s just so… so… frustrating!”

Interpreting Subaru’s silence in her own way, Sirius twisted her body and writhed with her hand on her cheek. The nightmarish scene was heightened by the crowd that had gathered around Sirius, all of them influenced by the creature’s delusion, displaying bizarre courting behaviors right there.

“…Good grief, I can’t deal with this. Probably, they just thought of that after witnessing his strange trick just now, but it’s really pathetic. If fate aligns correctly, no matter what obstacles arise, they will surely be united. Just like how I am with my brides. Yet here we are, separated by death before it could come to fruition but still unable to give up. It’s beyond pity and just plain ugly.”

“Okay, okay, thanks. Really sorry about that. Right now, I’m a bit tied up, you know? Understanding is key. Compromise is also important. If you’ve achieved your goal, how about stepping back? I have my own business to attend to, too.”

“Sure, I did manage to bring my bride out, but…”

Looking rational after going through this cycle of madness, Regulus glanced down at Emilia in his arms. He then turned his gaze to Subaru and said,

“I haven’t been able to properly retaliate against the infringement of my rights by you who tried to kill me and the annoying guy who’s been chirping around since earlier. I don’t want to be violent by choice, you know. It’s just… a rightful revenge. What matters is that this is a legitimate act. If I back down here, I’ll just take the damage, but to pull back would mean I can’t pay my respects to justice. That would be a loss of righteousness. Such precedents should not be left behind.”

“Don’t be so melodramatic. You just want to kill me because you don’t like me, right? You really want to justify that with some fake moral armor.”

“It’s surprising to hear a comeback. It’s even more surprising when you frame it as though I’m the one in the wrong. Or maybe you’re the type of person who outright dismisses opinions that don’t align with you? If so, I can only say your understanding and character are quite small and narrow. People who can’t listen to others will eventually trip over their own feet because they look down on others, don’t you think?”

“You shouldn’t be the one saying that.”

Subaru’s response made Regulus widen his eyes in surprise.

Could he really be so convinced that his statements bore any legitimacy? No, he probably was. Otherwise, he wouldn’t hold such a position in a group of madmen.

It’s an illusion that the conversation seems to be functioning. They merely use a similar linguistic structure, but honestly, they’re creatures from a completely different ecosystem.

If I don’t think like that, I’ll be consumed.

“Sirius. It seems like you’ve excluded him from the range of your ability. What’s going on?”

It wasn’t Subaru who fell silent, but Regulus turned the conversation towards Sirius.

Frowning suspiciously at his words, Subaru belatedly realized the fear that had been nesting in his heart until just now had completely vanished.

The fact that he hadn’t stepped out of the range of her ability—no, it was proven by Beatrice’s fingers still faintly trembling on his shoulder.

In other words, only Subaru had become exempt from her powers. The reason for that is—

“W-well, obviously. If I realize he’s that person and continue trying to be with him, my feelings would reach him.”

“Don’t be shy, that’s creepy. You’ve said you love him a million times, and now you’re trying to act all modest? What’s up with that?”

“If emotions that can’t be expressed or shouldn’t be conveyed get across, it’ll just appear lewd, won’t it? I’ve decided to keep those feelings locked away until the moment I become one with him. That is the choice I’ve made, for the sake of ‘love’!”

“By acting all coy, don’t you think your true feelings aren’t reaching him at all? You’ve named yourself Sirius Romanee-Conti, right? It’s one thing to bear a steadfast feeling, but you should quickly realize how creepy it is to arbitrarily claim his family name. That’s an infringement on the path Petelgeuse has chosen for himself. Well, it doesn’t matter since he’s dead anyway.”

“I loved him, that’s why!”

At Regulus’ incredulous voice, Sirius exploded suddenly.

The creature, scratching her head and spitting towards Regulus, shouted,

“We exchanged glances multiple times a day! It was okay to touch him hesitantly without being scolded! When I talked to him, he answered without making a nasty face! He made no remarks even when I inhaled the breath he exhaled! He let me sleep beside him! When I wanted something of his, he didn’t get angry when I took it! He praised me when I baked half-demon food well! He gave me a name! He smiled! For me alone! For me alone, for me alone, for me alone, for me alone!”

Breathing heavily, Sirius poured out her feelings, tears streaming down her face.

I see, now I clearly understand.

The grotesque and dark way Sirius, the creature, loves.

“Good grief—Strong-willed people are impossible to deal with like this.”

Shrugging, Regulus looked to Subaru for agreement.

Subaru clearly wanted to retort, “I don’t want to hear that from you,” but both of them were equally impossible to manage.

Facing two Archbishops of Sin, the situation seemed to hold no bright lights for a breakthrough.

“No, rather, it seems the situation has worsened now that Sirius has shifted her interest this way.”

Even if Subaru alone was exempt from the shared emotion of fear, it didn’t mean he could fight back with significantly increased power. It would have been great if Beatrice’s handicap had finally been lifted, but her judgment was still under the spell of fear, lacked the usual sharpness she possessed.

If only the opponent had only been Regulus…

“…Hey, Sirius.”

“Yes, what is it, you?”

Sirius responded promptly, her attitude soft.

Surprised by her unexpectedly normal reaction, Subaru thought,

“I have some business with that Regulus over there. So could you stay quiet for a bit? Please.”

“Could you please repeat that?”

Subaru’s last-ditch attempt was to exploit Sirius’s misunderstanding.

It seems Sirius had mistaken him for Petelgeuse, thinking Subaru had used ‘Invisible Providence,’ a skill similar to the ‘Invisible Hand’ Petelgeuse had used. It’s a ridiculous misunderstanding, but he would use it to his advantage for now.

After all, Petelgeuse was a spirit that possessed others. If that guy were alive, it wouldn’t be unlikely he would possess Subaru’s body—

The issue is that this would make the explanation for the exchanges up to this point quite complex, but considering the current state of Sirius, he doubted she would care about those details.

This was Subaru’s brute-force means of breaking the situation. The result was—

“Sorry, but that’s not going to work. Even about something as important as you, I’m going to have to decline.”

Coldly, Sirius rejected Subaru’s plea.

Subaru frowned at the selfish conversation, and Sirius looked down, saying,

“I really want to comply. But you’re such a hard worker that I’m sure while I’m pausing to listen to you, you’ll slip away and distance yourself. I know you well enough for that. You’ve always been trying too hard on your own to get results… But.”

Subaru couldn’t help but admire that.

The idea of seeing Petelgeuse’s diligence like that was certainly somewhat blind in perception. The work ethic that might be welcomed in a normal business context is a threat in the position of an Archbishops of Sin with a desire for world dominion.

“Finally, finally, I’ve been reunited with you. A whole year, a year! Not once in that year have I been apart from you. Not once in a hundred years! Yet, you and I have been unable to meet for more than a year… And now that we’ve finally met, you want to tell me to wait? No way. Not happening. I want to be with you so badly during the time we couldn’t meet!”

“—”

“And now to ask me to wait?! Plus, you’re still bringing along this girl I’ve never seen before! Where did you find this girl?! What’s so great about her?! She’s small, her face is cheeky, and she has none of the femininity that represents a woman! Just because she’s a spirit?! You too are a spirit, so do you think spirits are great?! Is our time together to end over something so trivial? I’ll burn you to a crisp!”

As the conversation twisted to a bizarre direction, Sirius’ arms once more engulfed in flames with her own wrath. The crowd, abruptly returned from their courting mode to rage mode, could be seen physically straining, blood pouring from their eyes and noses in overwhelming numbers.

“You want to target Regulus? You were aiming at that half-demon in his arms, weren’t you?! You dirty half-demon girl! Silver-haired half-demon! Why are you so invested in her?! You should understand by now, you filthy witch…! If your wish comes true and you restore him, I will burn you right in front of your eyes…!”

“What are you even talking about…?”

With a scream akin to splitting blood, the creature spewed her hatred towards Emilia and the “Witch of Envy.”

Isn’t the aim of the Witch Cult the resurrection of the “Witch of Envy”? I couldn’t comprehend why one would express such hatred toward that very target of resurrection.

Not to mention, Sirius clearly doesn’t share Petelgeuse’s aspirations.

I figured she would never be an ally, but how deep is her enmity?

“—”

A standoff situation arises again.

Regulus intends to kill Subaru and Sirius.

Sirius aims to draw Regulus away while trying to sense the nonexistent presence of Petelgeuse from Subaru.

Subaru seeks to reclaim Emilia from Regulus and hope to liberate Tina from Sirius, preferably defeating the two Archbishops of Sin.

It’s clear that Subaru’s conditions are too harsh.

A situation demanding achievements that couldn’t be accomplished alone made sweat trickle down Subaru’s forehead.

Having already “returned from death,” with the appearances of Sirius followed by Regulus, and now a commotion caused by both Archbishops of Sin, he had enjoyed the longest survival time so far.

Yet information gathered over that long time only spelled trouble.

“…Beatrice.”

“Either way is fine.”

The words from his companion, who was supporting him from behind, reaffirmed Subaru’s resolve.

It was then.

“—Oops.”

“…!”

Regulus and Sirius both suddenly changed their attitudes simultaneously.

Each put their hands into their cloaks, and from those they withdrew—

A single thick black-covered book.

“That’s…”

A book he recognized all too well.

Only one remaining in Subaru’s possession was unmistakable.

The Gospel, the book that every witch cult member possesses.

“—”

Ignoring Subaru’s growing wariness, the two Archbishops of Sin’s expressions contrasted while flipping through their respective gospels before shutting them with a thud, their timing synchronized.

“I’d assume they contain the same content, but what do you think, Sirius?”

“Shut up, Regulus. Why… why now? I finally, finally have him within my reach!”

Regulus wore a thin smile while Sirius contorted her face in frustration, showing teeth through the clench of her jaws.

The villain and the creature seemed to share a unified intention,

For both of them turned their eyes towards Subaru, saying,

“Sorry, but it’s time. We can’t afford to be distracted by you any longer. Thanks to the gospel… no, wait, that’s not right. That’s simply not rational. There’s no need to express gratitude to a piece of paper. So you can be thankful to me for obeying the gospel.”

“Thankfulness aside… time, you say? What the hell are you talking about?!”

“Exactly as it sounds. It was originally free time before the things we needed to do. I’ve spent this valuable time acquiring my bride in this way.”

“What I feel is a deeply unsatisfied experience…! To be treated like this in front of him is unacceptable. This is too cruel. I’m about to be swept away by sadness. You can understand, can’t you!?”

Regulus spoke leisurely, while Sirius forced her despair upon Subaru. The crowd was collapsing in despair, and Beatrice was holding back her sobs behind Subaru.

But this did not seem to affect Subaru or Regulus.

“Sorry, but the shallow love you’re so desperate to push onto me has no effect, even if it’s small. I can only see it as filthy.”

Looking down, Regulus turned his back on Subaru while still holding Emilia tightly.

It seemed like he truly meant to leave the scene as declared. While Subaru welcomed the thought of Regulus leaving individually, this was not how it would play out.

“Wait, you bastard! Don’t just go making your plans! Leave that girl behind! Or else…”

“I’ve given it some thought.”

“—!?”

Stopping in his tracks, Regulus turned his head back towards Subaru, a smile on his face.

Feeling a chill run down his spine from that smile, Subaru held his breath and froze.

Therefore, he couldn’t stop Regulus’s next action.

“I think it would be a shame if the bride’s guests were reduced, and it would be a bit cruel not to invite you, who had feelings for her. —So, I think I’ll let you live.”

Lightly, Regulus tapped the ground with the tip of his shoe.

It seemed like a simple adjustment of his shoe’s fitting, but his toe dug into the ground like a shovel scraping up soft soil.

With that, remnants of the ground scooped up by his foot flew straight towards Subaru.

A burst of dirt scattered haphazardly, entirely unrelated to aiming. Some of it brushed against Subaru’s right foot—

And the next instant, Subaru’s right foot vanished completely.

“—Huh?”

Showcasing an ugly cross-section as if torn by beastly claws, Subaru’s right foot was displayed, with white bones and pink muscles, yellow nerves, and green blood vessels cleanly severed visible in the exhibit.

Confusion, realization, and then an immediate wave of intense pain.

“—!?! D-da! Aaahh!?”

His vision turned white, as if sharp needles were being driven into his skull.

His throat trembled, a scream escaping him as Subaru collapsed sideways. He reached out desperately to clutch the outer part of his right thigh. It was impossible. The wound was too large for Subaru’s palm to cover.

“Subaru!? Subaru! Subaru, wait! Right now!”

Beatrice, who had collapsed alongside him, urgently began chanting healing spells upon noticing the severity of Subaru’s wound. Regulus observed their miserable state with satisfaction.

“Let’s consider this the price for your light-headed actions earlier. While further offenses might happen, I still have hopes for your future. This current pain will surely become a force that stops you should you try to hurt someone else again. No thanks are needed. As long as you can save someone else, that’s enough.”

“Aaaahh! Guh, uuhh, aahhh!”

Pain, pain, pain, pain, pain, pain, pain, pain!

His vision blurred. His jaws clenched hard enough to shatter bones. Everything glowed red. He didn’t know up from down, left from right. He couldn’t tell if he was lying down, standing, alive, or dead.

No idea. No idea, no idea. But there are some things he can recognize.

“E-Emilia…! Ugh, ggaah…”

“Subaru, don’t thrash around! If you’re going to puke, turn to the side, or else your throat…”

Overwhelmed by pain and anxiety, Subaru shook his head violently while trying to hold his wound. His heart raced like a war drum, and his ropes tightened within him, screaming, forcing him to vomit again.

Beatrice struggled with all her strength to restrain Subaru’s flailing body as she exerted her healing magic. But her efforts were mocked by—

“…That’s not a joke.”

“I’m sorry. But this isn’t a joke. Isn’t this just natural?”

Behind her hateful whisper, Sirius replied with a voice tinged with insidious emotion.

Around Sirius, people writhed in agony, screaming in pain.

All of them were in the same state as Subaru, their right feet torn apart by beastly claws.

“My beloved Petelgeuse would say this: pain is a sensation of life, and living itself is an act born from ‘love.’ I understand. It absolutely can’t be wrong. But I believe there’s a way to show even deeper ‘love’ beyond that. Thank you. That’s when we truly become one. After all, ‘love’ is the desire to be one! Seeing the same things, feeling the same things, spending time together, ending together, becoming one—it’s all ‘love!’”

Extending her arms wide, Sirius clapped her hands together like an explosive applause.

Gazing with envy at the faces of the suffering people, Sirius gave one last stark gaze filled with malice solely directed at Beatrice.

“Everyone should savor the same fulfillment of life that he does. But I will not grant that to you or that filthy half-demon! Who would make you two the same as him?!”

“…There’s nothing uglier than a woman driven mad with jealousy. You don’t need to do anything. Betty’s already one with Subaru. Betty belongs to Subaru!”

“—!”

In response to Sirius’s prettily malignant words, Beatrice shot back defiantly.

The monster and the spirit locked eyes, but it was quickly broken as the creature turned away from Beatrice.

“I will leave him for now. I have to prioritize the gospel’s instructions. Yes, it can’t be helped. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I really want to reclaim you right away.”

With her eyes rolling back in pain, Sirius directed a maddened love towards Subaru. Then in an instant, the creature leaped away from the blood-soaked square.

Beatrice had no choice but to abandon the idea of chasing after that retreating figure. Even knowing that letting it go would lead to further sacrifices.

“—Subaru.”

Subaru, rolling his eyes back and foaming at the mouth.

With her palm pressed down on his injury, Beatrice exerted all her powers to stop the continued bleeding. The wound was far too large; letting down her guard could lead to a fatal loss of blood.

Saving Subaru—that was Beatrice’s top priority. And after that, Beatrice had one more priority.

“Everyone else needs their injuries treated too…”

There were over thirty injured sprawled across the square.

All of them bore wounds as severe as Subaru’s, and moreover, it was infuriating that they weren’t sharing the healing effects of Subaru’s treatment with him. It was necessary to heal each person’s wounds individually.

It was a burden that felt as if Beatrice’s own stored mana might not be enough to suffice, even after it had been completely depleted.

“—Subaru, I’m so sorry.”

Desperately treating Subaru’s wounds, Beatrice’s voice cracked as she maintained her courage.

A single tear rolled down her cheek, tracing a line down her white face.

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry…”

Over and over, Beatrice apologized.

Even knowing her voice wouldn’t reach the unconscious Subaru.

Even when knowing it wouldn’t solve anything.

“I’m so sorry, Emilia—”

Two Archbishops of Sin, responsible for the numerous victims, made their exit from that place.

—The two Archbishops of Sin were unleashed upon Watergate City Pristella.