Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu (LN) - Volume 19 - Chapter 1.2

2 

 When the blinding light disappeared, the enormity of the destruction was revealed to their eyes. 

In the place where the altar had stood a moment ago, a mountain of rubble now piled up. The wall of the temple behind it had also disappeared. Dust was floating in the air, torn by gusts of evening wind. 

- I think I already told you this once, but I'll do it again.... - choked out Subaru. He had to cover his mouth with his hand to keep from choking on dust. He pointed a finger at Reinhard, who was standing among the destruction. - You're a monster! 

- And I already told you it's not nice of you to call me that. I have feelings too, and they're easily hurt. 

- Hurt?! Just now this one here massacred you! So what? Nico! But you were... you were... - stammered Subaru. He could only grab his head. Reinhard's power was beyond human comprehension. 

The Sword Saint was supporting Emilia with one hand, while in the other he was clutching the remains of the ice sword that had disintegrated under his power. The black-haired man was impressed that the half elf had managed to create something that managed to withstand this superman's attack. 

Everything came together perfectly. The ice sword held out, Reinhard hit enough to break Emilia out of Regulus' grasp, and I pulled that girl out of the line of fire.... 

Subaru quickly looked at the blonde he held in his arms. 

- I'm sorry I did it so last minute. Are you all right? Are you okay? - he asked softly, aware that she might be frightened. 

She, however, paid no attention to him. She squatted on the floor with an indifferent look. 

Did it scare her that much? Or was it about something else? 

- Subaru! - Reinhard called out to him, pointing at the coughing Emilia. 

He left Regulus' wife and immediately ran over to them. 

- Emilia-tan! Are you all right?! 

- Khe, khe... No, nothing... My neck hurts a bit... 

- He didn't do anything to you?! He didn't say anything nasty? - Subaru jumped up to her, fascinated. - He looks like one of those weird guys who kidnaps chicks and then licks them on the cheek... By the way, you look beautiful! You look beautiful in that wedding dress! Did he put it on you? Damn, what a scumbag! I'll give him credit for his taste. You look good in everything, though. You really are my angel! 

- Su... Subaru, just take it easy... You're talking so fast, I can't understand a thing! - She pushed him away gently, blushing slightly. - Really, nothing happened. Thank you. I knew you would come. - She smiled. 

- And I knew you would be here waiting for me because you knew I was coming. Really, my biggest fear was that you would just start fighting him and something bad would happen or you wouldn't make it and... 

- Chi, chi! There was nothing to be afraid of. I wouldn't have married him! I believe that if I'm going to marry someone, it's only for the man I love. 

- That's it! Phew, but I was worried. A... Can you tell me if this man... 

- Oh dear! - Emilia interrupted him. She noticed something that distracted her. - Subaru, your leg! 

He glanced around. Indeed, what she was talking about looked quite painful. The thick bandages were dirty with blood. 

- Everything is in perfect order! - he replied, sensing that Emilia was deliberately changing the subject. - It may look weak, but I don't feel it. It's just these bandages that look so bad. 

He stomped on the floor several times for confirmation. 

- Really? You're not faking it? It's happened to you before, which is why I'm worried... 

- I'm glad you care about my fate! But I swear, I wouldn't lie in such a situation. In addition, now we have more urgent things on our minds - he interrupted and turned to Reinhard. - Are you all right? Whoa... Oh shit! That looks bad! 

Only now did Subaru look at him. Emilia squealed. 

- Quick, get undressed! We need to bandage this! - she called out. 

Reinhard looked as if a bomb had exploded in his embrace, tearing his chest all the way open. Subaru looked at the blood and the ragged coat and was scared beyond belief. 

The Sword Saint only smiled. 

- I'm fine, really. You don't have to worry," he replied. - See? The wound has already disappeared. 

Reinhard wiped the blood from his chest, and their eyes showed intact skin. 

- There's no... but that's where you got hit, right? And let's not forget that fire... 

- Exactly! But I was surprised! Those flames were really high! What did you actually do? 

- It's hard to explain. Anyway, I had to, I had no other choice. Subaru, thank you for not saying anything. The enemy hasn't figured it out until the end! - replied Reinhard, without explaining too much. 

- I just knew you'd get through it somehow. Although I'd like to point out that you went a little overboard... - muttered Subaru. He didn't acknowledge how horrified he was to see what he thought was his friend's corpse. 

- And yet you did not doubt me. That makes me very happy. 

- You said something so... weird. About how we complement each other. I immediately thought you probably had an idea. Still, you could have been clearer! I'll get angry next time! - he added and punched him lightly on the arm, a bit annoyed by his friend's over-generous attitude as always. - So tell me, what did you actually do? Was it some kind of illusion? Were all those flames real? If it turns out that you're not only a knight, but also a ninja... 

- Unfortunately, nothing of the sort. I never had the opportunity to undergo such training. It just worked the Phoenix blessing that allows me to come back to life once. You said I looked like I died. You're right, for a moment I was dead. 

- "I was dead for a moment"?! Whaaaat?! 

Seriously! A blessing to come back to life?! And what else?! What the hell is he thinking?! 

- Hey... You're stealing my trick... - he muttered, though he knew no one would understand him. 

- Hm? Then I'm sorry. I just figured it would be the best way to effectively distract the Archbishop. And it worked. Well, I hope I don't have to die again. 

- You died to save me... I feel terrible... - Emilia said. 

Subaru groaned. 

- What is that face? - the redhead asked him. 

He didn't answer. After all, he couldn't say why the half elf's remark made something ache intensely inside him. He decided to change the subject, directing their attention to the girls in the pews. 

- Now that we've summarized our situation... Who are they? 

- They're Regulus' wives. Though I'd rather not call them that... - The half elf has furrowed her brow. 

I think I understand what he's trying to say.... 

- He made them hostages. That's no way to treat a spouse... 

I wonder how he approached them on a daily basis. Poor. Damn, now I hate him even more! Can these Archbishops get over themselves already! They'll never get tired of it! 

Anger burned within him, growing stronger, obscuring his vision... 

Suddenly he heard the swordsman's voice. 

- Subaru, see... 

He quickly controlled himself so no one would see his face twisted with rage, and turned to look in the same direction as Reinhard and Emilia. They were all looking at Regulus, who was standing on top of a mountain of rubble where the temple wall had once been. He looked at them with disdain, surrounded by a vortex of dark aura. Behind him in Priestella, the sun was slowly setting. 

- How can you cheerfully have a chat after what you did to me? Is there a limit to the fall of humanity? Or is that all I can hope for? - he said, winded by his own words. - How is it possible for someone to kill without blinking an eye? As if I were some kind of worm! How is that possible! Come on, tell me! - He finished and jumped towards them. 

As he landed, he adjusted the collar and sleeves of his elegant outfit. He brushed invisible dust from his snow-white pants and combed his hair gracefully. He looked impeccable. Reinhard's attack had not left a single spot on his clothes. 

- I see. Exactly as you said, Subaru. A strange coincidence," muttered the Sword Saint. 

- "Strange case?" How dare you refer to me with such simpering words! You'll see what a mistake you're making! - he called out, giving Reinhard an angry look. He assumed a solemn pose and said proudly: - I am the Archbishop of the Sin of Greed, my name is Regulus Corneas. You are looking at a man who is the only one in the world who has experienced absolute satisfaction. Who is the only one who is fulfilled. Remember that, you losers! 

- Do they teach you guys texts like that? - muttered Subaru resignedly. Every time he met some Archbishop, he had to listen to similar tiresome speeches. 

- Greed... - whispered Emilia. The word sounded significant in her mouth. 

The girl put a finger to her lips and mused. 

- Hey, Regulus... - she finally said. - Where did you first meet me? 

- Hmm? What do you mean, how do I know? Now you probably want me to say I'm sorry. Spare me, you whore. It won't do any good! You may have a pretty face, but inside you're rotten! That's not... Ow! 

- Enough of this talk! 

Subaru could not bear to insult Emilia and fired his whip. The tip reached Regulus' face with considerable force, for the Archbishop turned his head away. But when he looked at them again, there was no trace of the blow on his cheek. 

- Shit, we need to do something about that untouchability of his.... 

- Still wasting time complaining! - Regulus continued. - Fool. These are your last moments. You have just sealed your fate... 

- Excuse me, but let me remind you that you are not fighting him, but me - Reinhard interrupted him. - I'll get some time - he said and immediately jumped to the white-haired man and gave him a powerful kick. 

With a scream, the Archbishop collapsed far back, outside the temple walls, scattering mountains of debris to the sides. 

- As we agreed, I will fight him. You, meanwhile, figure out something to neutralize his invulnerability," Reinhard announced. 

- Good! - Subaru nodded his head. - Only if you accidentally beat him though, I won't be offended. 

- If given the opportunity. Also take care of those girls. They should not stay on the battlefield. 

- Wait, Reinhard! It probably won't be much use, but please take it! - cried Emilia and threw the new ice sword she had created to him. 

- Thank you. - He nodded, then started after Regulus through the collapsed wall. He simply jumped and disappeared from their field of vision, as if he had suddenly learned to fly, until a wind picked up around them that stirred their hair. 

- All right, Emilia-tan, let's go! Let's get these girls out of here first. Hey, excuse me! As you can see... Hm? Can they even see us? 

A destructive force swept through the temple before their eyes, a man died and came back to life, but they remained unmoved. Not a single one of them raised an eyebrow, not a single one was frightened. 

- Hey! Are you all right! - Emilia shook by the shoulders the girl that Subaru had pulled from behind the altar, - Are you hurt? 

The blonde slowly raised her head. 

- I guess not? Okay. Can you get up? We gotta get out of here. Let's get all the... 

- I... We're... We'll stay here. You can run away on your own, go ahead. 

- — C... what? Why? Did something happen to your legs? I can carry you! We have to get out of here or you'll die! The others are behind an ice wall, but I can't guarantee that it will hold... 

- We don't have permission," she answered coldly. The pleading tone did not move her at all. She looked at the half elf with a blank stare. - If we do something without his permission, he will be angry. 

- Relax, somehow... - Emilia paused under the influence of her gaze. 

- Regulus is fighting the Sword Saint," Subaru interjected. - I understand that you're afraid of that chump, but he doesn't stand a chance against Reinhard. 

- No chance? - snorted the golden-haired girl. - Don't make me laugh. It doesn't matter who his opponent is. No one will prevail against our master. Regulus Corneas is invincible. 

She laughed at me. In the tone of an adult explaining to a small child that fairies don't exist. At least she showed some emotion, better than a doll face. Now I understand what kind of relationship this is. They are all firmly convinced that Regulus is untouchable. So much so that even the presence of the Sword Saint changes nothing. It's as if the Archbishop has put a curse on them... He used his power to dominate these poor girls' hearts. A relationship like this! The wife believes in her husband from the bottom of her heart, and the husband keeps her close to him. 

- Seemingly perfect, and in fact they are all suffering.... Shit! 

I won't save them by talking. It's sad, but true. None of them protested when the blonde said they wouldn't run. They all agree with her. How do we get them out of here? By force? 

- No damn way! - choked Subaru and ran towards the breach. - Reinhaaard! Change of plan! - he called out, climbing to the top of the rubble mountain to make sure his friend heard. 

Suddenly Regulus' resentful voice rang out: 

- Would you kindly stop that! 

Subaru finally made it to the top. 

He saw the beautiful streets of the Water Gate City bathed in evening light. Streets that Regulus had just turned to ruin. 

The archbishop was waving his hands incoherently, and with every movement of his something happened that resembled a bomb explosion. Buildings crumbled, walls exploded, cobblestones flew into the air. 

- What an idiot, he'll destroy everything... Aaaah! - Subaru covered his head and bent down to avoid something that just flew past his face. 

He looked out cautiously, searching with his eyes for Reinhard. Finally he saw him, running along the wall of the control tower, ignoring the law of gravity and gravity. 

Change of plan? Subaru, what about the girls? 

- Whoa! Reinhard?! But you’re all the way over there! 

I’m using the blessing of Heart Penetration. It allows me to telepathically transmit my thoughts. Not to everyone, but you are my friend and you are in my line of sight. 

- Are you even still human?! And what just flew past my head? You can't see it, but you can hear it! It's horrible! 

I know, I will try to stop this as soon as possible. 

At that moment, Reinhard bounced off the tower wall and jumped. He began to fall, spinning around his axis. As he touched the ground, a massive shockwave went sideways, hitting Regulus and sending him into the wall of the nearest building. 

- How dare you, you rotter! - shouted the outraged Archbishop as debris fell on him. 

- What is he doing? Is he waving his arms and the buildings are just falling apart? - asked Subaru, who was watching everything from a distance. 

I'm afraid he attacks with pebbles or grains of sand, and this dust is in the air everywhere. I don't know how else to protect you other than with gusts of wind. 

- It's like trying to avoid every drop of water in the rain.... Not good. 

Aha... So that wind that appeared when Reinhard jumped out to fight Regulus wasn't a work of nature. He created it to protect everyone in the temple. 

- All right! Anyway... change of plans! Those girls aren't going anywhere! They're too scared of Regulus. 

We can't force them... I see what you mean. In that case... 

- We are putting Plan A into action! 

Reinhard squinted and moved to do what he and Subaru had agreed on while on the way to the tower. 

- I see you are doing quite well! - cried the Archbishop, who had just emerged from between the remains of the building. - You are also powerful, I admit. Unfortunately, this does not go hand in hand with qualities of mind. Don't you still understand that you can beat me or otherwise attack me at will, but it won't do any good? - He smiled sinisterly. 

- I decided to give it a try just in case. Since I won't do anything to you like this, it's time for another way! - announced Reinhard and moved towards his opponent. 

Regulus reacted immediately. He began moving his hands once from top to bottom, once from right to left and back again. His every gesture wreaked destruction. However, Reinhard dodged everything, moving so fast that to Subaru it looked like there were sixteen Sword Saints. The red-haired man approached Regulus and cut with Emilia's sword. 

The Archbishop's shout rang out, followed immediately by the sound of the ice blade cracking. 

If Regulus had been an ordinary man, this would have been his end. However, Reinhard knew that he could only gain time with this blow, so he attacked in such a way that his opponent would be pushed as far away as possible under the force of the cut. 

- Subaru! Wait, what do you want to do? - The boy heard the half elf's voice from below. 

- Pull him away from here and put our plan into action... Whoa, Emilia-tan! - he called out when he spotted her. - Brave! 

- I had to do it... It's a very pretty dress, but it's hard to run in.... 

The girl had ripped open the bottom of her wedding dress to make it easier to move, but through that slit Subaru could now admire her long legs, much to his distraction. 

- I feel like some kind of crime has happened.... 

- Don't worry about that dress! You better tell me what you told Reinhard to do! 

- That's one of the strategies we put together. We had to come up with something that would help us deal with Regulus' invulnerability... We'll try them out one by one,'' he said, then grabbed the Dragon Sword his friend had entrusted to him and glanced once more at the Archbishop's wives. - This is all Regulus' fault. I don't blame you guys one bit. I thought you should know that. Feeling sorry for yourself won't change anything. You must open your eyes. You can't see tomorrow with your eyes closed. 

He didn't say it in hopes of touching the girls' hearts. He just felt he wanted to say it out loud. 

- Subaru, let's go. We have to fight too," announced Emilia. 

The brave would-be bride understood perfectly what he was feeling right now. 

That's enough for now. 

Subaru grabbed her hand and together they ran down the rubble to join Reinhard.