Chapter 1
Starting the Fight Against Greed
1
- Subaru!
A sonorous voice welcomed them inside the temple, which they entered by breaking down the gates with a kick.
Emilia looked stunning against the backdrop of the altar. She was dressed in a beautiful white gown, and her long silver hair was adorned with jewelry.
Subaru felt a stab of jealousy. It was exactly how he would see her at their wedding.
- The EMAs are a blast... but I don't have time to rave about it. Boy, we got here at the last minute!
- At least we can't be accused of interfering with someone's happiness.... - Reinhard remarked.
Indeed, the atmosphere in the Temple was quite tense.
Subaru looked around the interior of the building. A red carpet ran down the middle of the spacious, festively decorated aisle, leading up to the altar and the young couple standing by it. Sitting in the aisles on either side of the body were young, pretty girls. Fifty impassive faces that might as well have belonged to dolls.
- This is not how a real wedding should be, and I'm not just talking about the bride being kidnapped Emilia-tan... My Emilia-tan... - he whispered.
- "Your Emilia-tan?" - repeated after him a young man dressed in white who was standing next to the half elf. - So it is you? - he said more loudly, giving Subaru an evil look - You are the lover of my debauched bride? This is really hard to understand... If only it were the one standing next to you... But to reject ME for such trash? Where are her eyes?
- On the spot, very nice on top of that. And don't compare me to it here, because. I don't even have a way to defend myself!
- Shut up! In a moment this joyous celebration will turn into a mournful ceremony. You have come as wedding guests, but your task will not be to celebrate, but to despair... Ah, but that is not really necessary. Soon you too will get what you deserve," he threatened.
- What self-confidence. A little humility. You're going to get a divorce in no time... Actually, no. You'll be abandoned at the altar, so there's no need to mention any divorce," Subaru replied. - In addition, you don't know who it is. - He pointed at Reinhard with his head.
- On the contrary," Regulus muttered indifferently, squinting his golden eyes. - The Sword Saint, I heard. So what? A guy who can only swing a sword. Do you think bringing him with you will make me lay down my weapons? Scare me? Oh, no, no. This is a joke. I don't care about stories about ancient families and the talents that are inherited in them. That's good for people with their heads locked in the past. These old ways don't stand a chance against fresh, modernity. Have you come here to see how it is done in practice?
- You put it perfectly," Reinhard said. - I can only swing a sword. And that's why many people rely on me. But I have to admit, at the moment I'm not convinced that I can live up to their expectations.
- Hmmm? Do you realize that I am more powerful than you? Excellent! - cried Regulus, convinced of his invincibility.
- No," the swordsman replied, shaking his head. He sighed. He held a white scabbard in his hands. - This is the Dragon Sword. It has been passed down from generation to generation in the house of Astrea. There is no finer blade in the entire world.... But there is a catch.
- What kind?
- He will not allow himself to be taken out of his scabbard unless faced with an opponent worthy of him.
He was silent for a moment, measuring Regulus with a look of blue eyes.
- Apparently, he decided you weren't the right fit.
Subaru wasn't sure if Reinhard intentionally said it that way to enrage the Archbishop. However, if that was his intention, then he had definitely achieved his goal. The white-haired man's face twisted in disdain.
It's all true. Just like when Reinhard fought Elsa and his sword decided he wasn't interested. Though Regulus probably wouldn't be comforted by that...
- What are you going to do when you can't even draw your sword? Know your place, you mediocrity! There's a gulf between us! You are only flawed beings. I am a finite, perfect being. How can you know anything about me?! You who constantly compare yourself with others to judge your own worth!
- It's so... How would you say... - muttered Subaru under his breath.
- What? - Regulus was interested.
- Oh, you want to know? My answer will not please you. I think that for someone who constantly talks about how perfect he is, you really need to compare yourself with others," the dark-haired man countered.
- You unworthy wretch! - growled Regulus in rage. - How dare you lecture ME, a perfect being! - he shouted and attacked. He stomped angrily on the floor. A devastating wave rolled towards Subaru and Reinhard, crushing stone and tearing wood in its path.
- Subaru, look out! - The Sword Saint grabbed his friend by the waist, then jumped away, avoiding the destructive tornado at the last moment. He landed in a safe place, then deposited the terrified boy on the ground. He was about to jump to Regulus when...
- Don't move! One false move and they all die!
Reinhard became motionless.
The archbishop stood in front of the altar, his outstretched arms pointing to the dressed girls seated in the pews. None of them reacted. They looked at the battle indifferently, without a shadow of emotion.
- What about them? After all, no one is that composed.... - groaned Subaru.
- These are my dear wives. Beautiful girls who have returned my love! Do you want such pure, innocent creatures to die? Would you let that happen? Cowards!
- Not good... I sensed something was wrong, but now I'm sure...
What a twisted dude! This is ridiculous! He takes his own wives hostage and then tells them how much he loves them! The worst thing is that his tactics will work, because we're not gonna let anything happen to them.
- I don't want them to die, but if you resist, I'll have to kill them. One by one, all of them... How can you force me to commit such cruelty!
- How could we?! We didn't do anything!
- Excuses! You're the ones making me do this, and it doesn't matter that I'll be the one to take their lives! It's all you! Your lust for murder will kill them. You are the murderers and I am your tool. Do not shirk your responsibility for their fate. Murderers! - he muttered through clenched teeth and glared hatefully at Subaru and Reinhard.
He's so serious. He really believes what he says. He has convinced himself that he is doing the right thing and now he is drunk with self-righteousness. I'd love to save them, but he's crazy! He could explode at any moment, and there are half a hundred of them... We can't protect them all at once, even Reinhard can't do it. Shit... Regulus has taken control of the situation...
- You haven't forgotten about me by any chance? - a sonorous voice rang out. Immediately after, a bluish light flashed past Regulus, encompassing the entire temple. They heard a sound reminiscent of footsteps on brittle ice. A moment later, a symphony of creaks and cracks filled the building, as if nature was giving them a winter concert under Emilia's baton.
As the light faded, they saw a polar landscape inside the temple. A transparent Wall of Ice separated the unmoving girls from the threatening Regulus. At the same time, the entire hill on which the altar stood was covered with a thick layer of compacted snow. The Archbishop's legs were also covered with it, thus effectively immobilizing him. An ice wedge glittered at the throat of the grounded man.
- You were careless. You lost," said the half elf.
- Well, it comes out that you are completely ignorant. Can't you see that this is the moment when I heroically defeat the cowardly enemies who wanted to disrupt our wedding? And then my wives throw themselves around my neck, sighing: "Ah, our Lord, you are so wonderful"? What is this! Don't you understand that I am the good guy? - cried Regulus.
- I will set them and myself free. I don't know if this applies to all wives, but some of them are definitely only with you out of fear. If there are some that are doing this of their own free will.... Appreciate them. Besides...
- Emilia! No! You can't stop him like that!
- Hm?
Under normal circumstances, Emilia's victory would have been certain. But these were not normal circumstances. Regulus was not normal.
- I was right in finally rejecting your candidacy for a wife," the Archbishop muttered and moved, easily disturbing the snow.
Astonished, Emilia watched with wide eyes as the white-haired man freed himself from the trap in one motion. She didn't even notice when he grabbed her by the neck.
- You're so aggressive... You're completely incapable of behaving around your man. So what if you have the body and heart of a virgin when your psyche has been tainted by promiscuity? - he said, lifting her up easily. She started to kick his legs, but her kicks did him no harm. She swung her ice sword at him, but even though the blade reached his skin, there was no wound left on it. - You whore! You played with my pure feelings! I have never seen such an evil woman!
- Stop it! Leave her alone, you bastard! Are you stupid! - shouted the black-haired man.
- Me, have I gone mad? - Regulus looked at him surprised. - You are stupid. Or blind. Can't you see who you're dealing with? Or have you given up trying to comprehend it? Do I really have to explain? Can't you put forth a little effort and think for yourself? Don't you think it would be appropriate? - he asked rhetorically.
- I understand," Reinhard said suddenly. - Let Lady Emilia go, and I'll do what you want.
Subaru was stunned.
- Ahaaa... - muttered Regulus, curtly. - There you go, someone here has learned how to communicate with other people using words. That is how mutual benefit is achieved. Unfortunately, so many do not understand this and try to push their point through with force...
- We don't need long speeches right now. You're hurting her and hurting me and my friend in the process.
- Really? In that case, I'll get to the point. Leave your weapon and come here! - said Regulus, lifting Emilia even higher for better effect.
Reinhard handed Subaru the Dragon Sword hidden in its scabbard.
- If I get angry, I'll take him out myself and cut the bastard," muttered the boy under his breath.
- Unfortunately, that's not possible. The sword won't let you do that either. But don't worry, I will save Lady Emilia," replied the Sword Saint quietly and moved towards Regulus.
- Stop! - The Archbishop stopped him a few feet away.
It's such a short distance... What a thing for Reinhard! But... one fatal move and Emilia will die. He has to be careful... We don't even know what this guy can do exactly. Surely this Authority makes him untouchable. Let's just assume it's the Untouchable Authority. On top of that, he can attack mightily. But he must have a weakness! This is our key to victory. For now, we only have a strategy, which consists of six plans, and their success depends on Reinhard...
- As you can see, I did what you wanted. What's next?
- And can I tell you to let me kill you? I assume that's out. All right, then. I appreciate you standing up for my wives so nobly, and even that fornicator. I really do. I don't want you to think I'm some kind of egotist. I am a humble person who only wants daily happiness, so I seek it in the little things.
- You're not selfish, right? I get it.
- See? That's right. And that's why I'm only going to make one condition. I want you to let me hit you once. You're not gonna fend it off or dodge it. I'll hit you once, and we'll call it even. That will be the end of our conflict. We will settle this between us, and that cowardly attack on me and my wives will be forgotten," Regulus encouraged, winking his eyes.
Reinhard mused. Apparently he would decide to consider the offer.
This is some kind of drama! He's going to hit so hard that even the Sword Saint won't survive it!
- Good," replied the redhead, ignoring the panicked look on his friend's face.
Subaru opened his eyes in amazement, and Regulus grinned from ear to ear.
- That's great. As you can see, even the worst scoundrel can have some remnants of honor. I respect that," said the Archbishop, and a shiver of disgust ran through the dark-haired man's body.
Another beautiful text from the mouth of this turd....
Regulus slowly raised his free hand towards Reinhard.
- Hey, you have an idea, right? - said Subaru, standing behind him. He really wanted to believe that his friend knew what he was doing.
- Subaru, I told you. We complement each other very well," replied the young man vaguely.
- Take it up with that text... I feel like nothing good will come of it.
The archbishop swung his arm. He didn't stand close enough to reach Reinhard, but the knight was struck nonetheless. It had to be something invisible, perhaps a power similar to the Unseen Hands.
Subaru saw a fountain of blood. The knight first settled to his knees and then fell to the ground. The red carpet began to soak up the sweat. The Sword Saint lay there, shaken by spasms.
- What?
He's... dying? Is that a postmortem spasm?
After a moment, Reinhard became still.
Has Reinhard van Astrea died?
- Death takes everyone by surprise," said the man reflectively as he dealt the fatal blow and then calmly watched his opponent die. - Objectively, it takes its toll. Both those who have done great deeds and the worst scoundrels die. How cruel it is that death is the only just thing in this unjust world," he continued, as if killing Reinhard had been the sole execution of heaven's will. - Everyone's time will come one day, that's why the living seek pleasure and chase after happiness. I have the beautiful quality of being content with small things. If I were greedy, if I always wanted more, I would never find fulfillment," he said, placing the hand he had just used to kill Reinhard on his heart. - And you, Sword Saint, did you die fulfilled? If not... then I'm extremely sorry.
- AAAAAAAAAA!
Subaru roared as if to drown Regulus out and interrupt his mocking speech. In a fit of rage, he threw the first thing he found at hand at him - a vowed chair.
- What a rude move... - burbled Regulus, waving his hand and turning a piece of furniture into splinters. - Not like the one just now. He had so much dignity... And you? It is sad to see.
- Me? I'm a master at being a completely un-knightly knight, and I'm proud of it!
Subaru reached for the Guiltywhip on the run and attacked Regulus with all his might.
- Are you blind? Can't you see I have a hostage? - The archbishop lifted the half elf even higher.
- That's interesting. I thought you promised to release them all," said someone from behind the Subaru.
Regulus froze.
A scarlet light flashed. The blood on the carpet went up in flames. The young man who had just been a corpse now stood alive amidst the fire. The blue-eyed superman had just been resurrected.
- The Blessing of the Phoenix," he explained with a smile.
Instead of striking Regulus, Subaru directed the whip behind the altar, towards the golden-haired girl, who had been standing there with an indifferent expression the whole time. When the whip wrapped around her petite body, the boy pulled her close with a jerk.
Emilia let go of the ice sword and kicked it so that it flew towards Reinhard. The latter caught the weapon and immediately swung to strike at his enemy. He could now attack with all his strength. He no longer had to worry about accidentally injuring the golden-haired woman. All sounds disappeared for a moment.
A blue light swept across the temple.
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