――The power of “Greed” associated with the names of stars, the true nature of “Invincibility.”

The relationship between the names of the stars within Subaru’s knowledge and the names of the Archbishops of Sin.

The origin of Betelgeuse’s name, “Hand of Jauzer,” aligns remarkably with the “Invisible Hand” of the madman Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti.

Thus, Subaru believed that the alias of the stars and the powers of the Archbishops of Sin were closely related.

And regarding the Archbishop of Greed, Regulus Corneas. The name Regulus means “little king,” derived from the Latin word for “little king” and “heart of the lion.”

Once brushed off as a mere jest, Subaru began to rethink, realizing this was not a meaningless consideration but led to a significant hypothesis.

What exactly is a “king”?

Currently, in the Lugnica Kingdom, the Royal Selection is at its peak, with candidates striving to showcase their own “royal way.” Each individual’s “royal way” will surely be revealed in a clear form, but what Subaru wishes to discuss here is the more universal concept of “king.”

In other words, a “king” is the representative of a country, standing at the pinnacle of the nation.

To choose words carefully, one might say the country itself is embodied by the king; however, if one claims that just this existence alone constitutes the country, that would not be true.

A nation is constituted by the “king” and the “citizens” who obey him.

Thinking along those lines, Regulus Corneas, bearing the name of the “little king,” is capable of calling himself a “king” only because of the existence of his “citizens.”

“Then, if Regulus is the king, who are the ‘citizens’ of this ‘little kingdom’?”

Needless to say.

An Archbishop of Sin, who attacked the city of Pristella without bringing along Witch Cultists.

Alone, they each possess a grotesquely twisted malice that one would rather look away from, yet only Regulus chose to bring unnecessary personnel along.

Why was it necessary for him to do so?

Considering Regulus’s personality, it could merely be a simple desire for self-affirmation, but what if it were not that? What if it was a necessity?

“To make Regulus the ‘little king,’ he needed the ‘citizens,’ his wives. I don’t know if distance matters, but because of that constraint, Regulus had to bring along fifty brides.”

Is the condition for “Invincibility” the number of brides or the distance to the brides?

If the fact that Regulus is a “little king” is the condition, it may be limited to the range of his “power” that can be exercised.

In any case, the brides are not unrelated to making Regulus “invincible.”

“But that’s still a bit too lacking to explain everything.”

What Subaru’s current hypothesis can unveil pertains only to the “little king” aspect.

The other alias, “Heart of the Lion,” remains unexplained, and apart from the overwhelming offense and defense associated with “Invincibility,” the effect that is unaffected by external influences cannot be described.

If it were simply a matter of physical enhancement, there’s no way Reinhardt wouldn’t be able to overcome it. Regulus’s “Invincibility” clearly transcends such an enhancement dimension.

“It’s not like a hyper-powerful barrier. I’ve tried all conceivable ways to break through a potential ‘invincible’ enemy. Furthermore, I confirmed the heart isn’t beating and that there’s no body heat. Then—”

The last piece associated with the alias “Heart of the Lion” suggests one possibility.

Regulus’s power of “Greed” is not “Invincibility.”

The overwhelming power of the madman’s ability is the “stopping of the time of objects.”

Fulfilled, satisfied, lacking nothing.

The distorted reasoning Regulus often spouted reflected his very existence and simultaneously divulged his ability that needed no concealment.

“Because the time of the body is stopped, there’s no damage from attacks, nor even from getting wet. The sand thrown stops in time, thus piercing through walls without bouncing back.”

In manga, there’s a familiar ability like “spatial rifts.”

In essence, it creates cracks in the very fabric of space, severing anything that passes through it, regardless of its strength, yet Regulus himself is something of that nature.

Regulus Corneas with stopped time can aptly be described as the distortion of space itself.

What he meant by different dimensions is truly the essence of—”Invincibility” being merely a byproduct of the power of “stopping the time of objects.”

In other words—

“—The treasure of frozen time is the true nature of your power!”

“Well, even if you say it with enthusiasm, how should I know about that? Are you perhaps the type to think everyone around you knows what you know? Have a little self-awareness, you selfish brat!”

Regulus roars as Subaru, backed against a stone wall, raises his voice while hiding.

Smashing through walls, barreling through waterways, and literally crossing cityscapes without hesitation—after all this destruction, Regulus catches up to Subaru.

At this moment, Subaru is facing him alone. However, it’s certainly not a particularly heroic display as one would imagine from the word “confronting.”

“You’re so irritating, running around like that. Did you think I’d say you have the guts to just stop running away? There’s no point in talking with you! Seeing the sword saint getting blown away, you still don’t get it, do you? This clearly implies you’re underestimating me!”

“What you hate always irritates you, regardless of whether their actions are good or bad. Even if I was running away, there’s no question I’d just get berated. And besides… this choice is supposed to be correct.”

“What’s correct about it? The personnel selection and strategy are all nothing short of twisted results. It would have been better if that cheating woman was still around! You, a homewrecker, don’t you have any other tricks up your sleeve aside from stealing other people’s brides?”

“You sure know how to throw around insults.”

Experiencing the sticky, venomous words of Regulus, Subaru, however, doesn’t rush.

Calmly, without haste, and while letting out his distaste, he controls the situation with nothing but words.

Currently, Subaru has lured Regulus away from the church to an area not far off, facing off against the madman after parting from Emilia.

“Faced off” isn’t entirely accurate. After all, Subaru is merely hiding, provoking him repeatedly while waiting for time to pass.

If Regulus were to take action, creating destruction that would engulf this entire area, Subaru’s plan would collapse in an instant. Yet he is certain that will not happen.

In a brief but decidedly unfriendly interaction, Subaru has keenly grasped Regulus’s personality.

Simply put, Regulus is scum.

Admittedly, this is overly simplistic and explains nothing.

To articulate more specifically, Regulus is a type of person who places his own values above all else while never being able to ignore the existence of others.

To put it bluntly, he embodies a desire for approval and self-affirmation.

He calls himself selfless while boasting about the completeness of his existence, yet he cannot live without flaunting his value to others.

He imposes his sensibilities, applies his standards, and forces his superiority onto others with fear and violence.

This stance applies not just to the brides but to everything in existence.

Therefore, Regulus generally confronts everything with a remarkably straightforward attitude.

The clashes with Reinhardt are good proof.

If Regulus truly wanted to, he could ignore all of Reinhardt’s attacks with the power of “Invincibility,” and then go about killing the annoying Subaru and Emilia.

Nonetheless, the only reason Regulus didn’t switch to that immediate course of action is that he obediently took on Reinhardt’s attacks directly.

This is not a fact showing an astonishing sense of nobility in Regulus’s mental state.

Rather, this proves he possesses a much more contemptible trait.

――Regulus is a man who cannot relax unless he subjugates everything.

That’s why he crushes Reinhardt’s attempts to provoke him, and he fails to perceive the tactical consideration of eliminating Subaru, who continues to harass him.

Standing on the precondition of not getting hurt or defeated, Regulus is designed purely to obliterate everything and break spirits — that’s the only way he knows how to fight.

This disgusting humanity is so revolting that one would rather avoid facing it.

Those feelings arise, perhaps more or less, because everyone harbors some kind of malicious sentiments.

Subaru’s self-awareness acknowledges this ugliness, leading to the repulsion one feels towards Regulus’s existence.

However, it is precisely because of this that a slim chance of victory becomes visible.

“Setting aside the failure to convey the treasure of frozen time, is my speculation entirely off? If possible, I’d like just to check that.”

“Why should I have to answer that? I have no obligation or duty, and not revealing my secret is entirely within my rights! How far are you going to look down on me? Do you really need to be blown to bits before you understand?!”

Taking the bait from Subaru’s provocation, Regulus kicks off the ground.

His toes sink into the cobblestones as the earth is easily gouged out like scooping pudding, and the spraying pellets aim for Subaru’s hiding spot at random, solely on the sound.

Before they hit, Subaru, having anticipated Regulus’s action, moves away from the wall. During the escape, he pushes over a stone pillar at the edge of the street.

With that, the ropes bound to the pillar come loose, triggering a delightful cascade of sounds.

Looking up in curiosity, Regulus is suddenly assaulted by countless chunks of ice. With Emilia’s assistance, this street has transformed into a makeshift trap zone devised by Subaru.

Of course, even a direct hit will do no damage to Regulus, but—

“Something like this! This is what they call a one-trick pony!”

Regulus makes no effort to dodge the falling ice chunks, raising his arms, allowing them to pummel him.

Naturally, the ice chunks that cannot break his “Invincibility” shatter and dissolve into mana, but even the ones that miss him, Regulus crushes underfoot once scattered around.

“What’s this? If your lengthy explanation was accurate, wouldn’t you think this kind of meaningless attack is ridiculous? That girl could hit a lot harder with what she has. What are you trying to achieve with such roundabout methods?!”

“If you’re asking what I want to achieve by being roundabout, I’d be open to answering if you first answer me. Fair’s fair, right?”

“You think you and I are equal? Talk about delusions!”

Leaping back, Subaru creates some distance from Regulus.

Regulus, trying to pursue Subaru, lightly bends his knees and leaps forward, gaining explosive speed, rapidly closing the gap between them.

In a moment, the fingers of death are about to reach Subaru—then suddenly, Regulus’s footing vanishes.

“What!?”

“It’s surprisingly unexpected, but you’re super weak to tricks while you only ever go for straightforward confrontation.”

A classic pitfall trap, merely dug by Emilia’s magic and covered with ice, fits merely that—simple.

However, the battle-hardened Regulus falls squarely into such a simple trap, ironically proving he has never employed subterfuge.

He’s always faced off squarely, crushing opponents with his cheat-like abilities.

It’s evidence that he can’t adopt a different strategy.

“I can think of countless ways to exploit you aside from the means to break your powers. If this were to continue, I might not even know which one of us is the villain!”

Having shortcut the way to the church, the trap zone is created through saved time.

Emilia was reluctant to let Subaru stay, but this kind of underhanded style of fighting is something the fundamentally good-hearted Emilia cannot leverage. It’s proper distribution, finding the right roles.

“——”

In the interval before Regulus leaps out of the pitfall, Subaru glances down at his right foot. Just as during his escape via parkour, his right foot feels remarkably good. He almost forgets it was nearly torn off or covered in some mysterious black markings.

If this truly is the influence of “Dragon’s Blood,” then the blood calls to Subaru.

Show the defiant carrion to the “king” he is opposing, to demonstrate the honor of the Parent Dragon Kingdom.

“That says it’s none of your business. I’ll gladly accept the benefits, though!”

“It’s so tedious and annoying!!”

The ground explodes from underneath, scattering fragments of stone and dirt around in grandiose style.

All of it falls under Regulus’s power, and this shocking destruction ravages the street. Even so, Subaru is nowhere within that range.

Regulus leaps out from the ground, glaring at Subaru, observing him confidently stand away, and he gives a middle finger offense clear enough for Regulus to see.

“You called me a one-trick pony, but which one of us are you talking about? They say one should correct oneself by observing others, but first, make sure you check the mirror properly!”

“W-What did you say…? You’ve thoroughly humiliated me!”

As Subaru clearly points out the flaws, Regulus’s expression transforms into one of menace.

Regulus’s murderous intent easily surpasses boiling point, suffusing his unchanged demeanor with raging flames of fury.

Yet, Regulus remains oblivious that the situation is going just as Subaru intended.

He is oblivious to the fact that sharpening his murderous intent only compounds the overwhelming sensation of being unfazed.

“That said, it doesn’t mean I can let my guard down either.”

Sweeping sweat from his neck, Subaru hides his desperate determination under a flippant grin.

He cannot let Regulus see through his intention to buy time. Even if Regulus figured it out, he must never catch on to the true intent.

That is Subaru’s duty, as he who carries the conditions for victory in this situation and who sent Emilia off.

It’s Subaru’s determination, having sworn to both he and Emilia to fulfill their respective roles.

Therefore—

“I’m counting on you, Emilia. —Pull out the true feelings of the brides.”

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

When Emilia arrived at the church, the brides were still present in that location.

“Thank goodness. Everyone is here—”

As she gazed upon the faces of the lined-up brides, Emilia felt a wave of emotion nearly escape her lips.

However, she hesitated just before expression, for it was the truth of how the brides’ very forms had not changed in a meaningful way.

As far as Emilia’s memory served—since the moment they last exited the church, they hadn’t even shifted their seating positions.

“Regulus ordered you all not to move…?”

She knows it’s not due to a power that binds them because Subaru had informed her about the power of “Greed.”

Subaru had repeatedly provided the caveat, “It’s just a hypothesis,” yet Emilia believed in his answer without question.

There are certain tasks both Subaru and Emilia must accomplish to take down the madman.

“If everyone is still here… the first barrier should be fine.”

However, the most daunting possibility lay in the scenario where the brides had fled the church to hide, or scattered in fear.

Before any moves could be enforced, they would have to take desperate measures. Emilia, who deeply hated the idea Subaru proposed, didn’t want to initiate it.

So she stammered, “Everyone, let’s discuss things.”

Time is of the essence.

Even if it’s uncertain whether they’ll be heard, she must muster the will to make it happen right here and now.

“—What has happened to Lord Regulus?”

Responding first to Emilia’s approach was a blonde woman—No. 184.

Unlike the others, who remained poised in an organized line, maintaining a heavy silence, she casually sat before the ruined altar.

With eyes devoid of emotion, reminiscent of when she had dressed Emilia and warned her while alluding to future despair, No. 184 asked Emilia without feeling.

“Regulus is outside… I’m sorry. We’re still in the midst of a battle, and we haven’t defeated him.”

“I see… I suspected as much.”

The faintest hint of a smile graced No. 184’s lips.

A smile so small it was barely discernible—it was neither joy nor sorrow, more akin to a derisive grin, something Emilia could perceive.

She had faced such smiles and words intended to injure others several times in the past.

Thus, Emilia replied, “You smile with a lonely face. I don’t think that suits you. That sort of expression.”

“…My apologies. Lord Regulus forbids me from smiling, hence I showed you this hideous expression.”

“Don’t apologize. That’s not what I wanted to say.”

Emilia shook her head at No. 184’s despondent words.

An ember of warmth flared in her heart, distinct from her heart’s core. Subaru was right; she truly believed that.

An emotionally charged significance swelled in her chest, longing to see someone through a torrential storm.

With her eyes closed, swallowing the swirling fervor, Emilia looked around the church and spoke.

“I will defeat Regulus. For that purpose, I want everyone to cooperate with me.”

“——”

“What have you all been through at the hands of Regulus? I may not know, but even from the brief interactions I’ve had, I can tell Regulus is wrong.”

Unconscious and taken away, engaged in instant proposals upon waking, the wedding ceremony proceeded—each observation of Regulus’s views on marriage and demeanor towards the brides only affirmed this belief.

That life was far from the happy marriage Emilia had envisioned.

“I don’t want to lose to Regulus. I understand winning or losing won’t resolve anything profound, but at this moment, I cannot lose to Regulus. If I were to lose, then surely… something important would be trampled.”

“Something important…?”

“—”

“If you don’t want to lose your life, you should have obeyed Lord Regulus from the start, or desperately fled for your life. That would have given you a far better chance. You should have done that.”

No. 184 matched Emilia’s gaze somberly, seemingly cast in shadows.

“What of the Sword Saint, the knight who was with you? These must have faltered beneath Lord Regulus’s wrath. So you alone are here.”

“That’s not it. Both Subaru and Reinhardt are still fighting Regulus. They’re waiting for me to return, believing in me.”

“What do you think will happen once you’re back? Also, asking us for cooperation… I don’t understand the meaning behind it.”

“Is it really that you don’t understand?”

“——?”

Under Emilia’s questioning, No. 184 frowned silently.

It was a natural response, as if she bore some hidden purpose. While she appeared resigned, at no point has No. 184 spun her words to deceive Emilia.

In other words, she was unaware of at least one thing.

――That Regulus’s “heart” was entrusted to someone among the brides, including her.

“What of the others? Do you genuinely believe everyone is fine with this? Is there anyone out there yearning for change, someone longing for help?”

“Stop it. I’ll listen if you have something to say. Only speak to me. My answer encompasses the answers for everyone.”

No. 184 interrupted Emilia’s attempt to find the surrounding sentiment with a voice possessing an unusual firmness.

Stubborn yet courageous—recalling her actions where she dared to stake an opinion against Regulus to protect Emilia, even risking her life.

That indeed had been a devoted act, but—

“It feels rather careless towards a precious existence, like your own life.”

“——”

“Isn’t it true that deep down, you’re the one most unconvinced?”

On reflection, No. 184 had always been conversing with Emilia from the outset.

It was not merely because Regulus had assigned her as Emilia’s caretaker. She stepped forward for Regulus on behalf of the other brides to voice opinions.

It would not be wrong to suspect she could be Regulus’s most trusted aide, maneuvering Emilia and the brides for favorable outcomes.

“But I don’t think that’s the case. I want to believe you are not the ‘heart’ of Regulus.”

Emilia had repeatedly had her life saved by No. 184.

Not through visible acts of protection or direct support.

No, rather believing such vague malice could be avoided under her auspices.

Someone capable of regard for others—

“I refuse to believe you could be a true bride to such a man.”

“You may be so convinced. Perhaps I acted that way to make you feel that way?”

“Yes, perhaps. I’m not very bright, so if you were trying to deceive me, I could easily fall for it. But—”

Emilia was unsure of whether she had discerning eyes.

The allies now standing alongside Emilia were not chosen by her of her own volition to seek them out, but rather they supported her out of their own wishes to stand alongside her.

These allies chose Emilia.

Being chosen does not inspire a feeling of superiority.

There was persistent anxiety overwhelming her, as if the weight of expectations threatened to suffocate her.

Yet, she longed to meet those expectations and be a person capable of rising to them.

“I want to trust you. Because that’s my choice.”

“——”

“Why do you step forward on behalf of the silent ones? Why did you lend me help with those eyes that seem to have given up? Why do you…”

“Just questions, aren’t they?”

No. 184 stopped Emilia’s inquiries by shaking her head.

And for the first time in this moment, she slowly looked up, staring directly at Emilia.

A face frozen in emotion, sporting a hardened expression.

Those desolately parched eyes and pressed lips.

The sorrow accentuated the stretched beauty of that woman. Still, Emilia thought.

“Please hurry and leave. If Lord Regulus sees you, we will all die.”

“Hear me out.”

“There’s no obligation to reply to your questions. You are no longer even Lord Regulus’s bride. You are different from us.”

“—You see, I’m a half-elf.”

“Huh?”

At Emilia’s revelation, the woman was momentarily stunned.

Feeling that she finally managed to gain the upper hand, Emilia smiled subtly. Meanwhile, the woman too understood the implication of Emilia’s declaration.

She realized the silver-haired being before her was a half-demon.

“Silver… half-elf…”

“Certainly, I think we’re different. Different circumstances, different origins, and vastly diverging roots. But just because everything is different doesn’t mean nothing can relate.”

“——”

“I’m sure both you and I perceive similar things. We cry when we’re sad, get angry over inevitable frustrations, and laugh when we’re happy. That’s the same, isn’t it?”

“What are you trying to say?”

As Emilia piled her statements upon No. 184, the latter exhaled a deep breath.

Reacting to the query, Emilia herself became confused. What was she trying to say, what did she wish to convey, it all grew disjointed.

The emotional implosion within her served as evidence that she was talking purely from instinct. Losing track of the main point would be counterproductive. She wished to be like Subaru, conveying her feelings straightforwardly—

“Um, so I…”

There are things she wants to know. There’s something she longs to ask.

About Regulus’s “heart,” the leader she was aiming to surpass, and how she had protected Emilia, who seemed poised to throw everything away.

She wishes to ask all that together.

There are certain fundamental things she must first come to understand.

“Firstly—”

“Please tell me your name?”

“——”

“I am Emilia, just Emilia. While we both differ greatly, we surely have commonalities as half-elves.”

“Heh…”

Upon hearing Emilia’s confession, the woman appeared astounded.

It felt as if she had finally managed to catch someone off guard, and a subtle smile bloomed on Emilia’s face. Meanwhile, the woman too grasped what it meant to be standing before a half-demon.

“So, a silver-haired… half-elf…”

“Without a doubt, I think we are different. Different circumstances, different backgrounds, fundamentally different in many ways. But simply because everything’s different doesn’t mean we can’t relate.”

“——”

“You and I must see the same thing. We cry in sadness, feel rage over the inconceivable, and smile when joy fills us. That’s common, right?”

“What are you saying?”

Urged by the cascade of confessions from the brides, the woman turned to Emilia.

She smoothly stroked her long blonde hair and, breaking free of the prohibitions placed upon her to smile, she showed the first beautiful smile ever.

“I’ve despised that man dearly. —Please, do help us.”

And with that, she signed the document of disconnection with a grin.