Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu (LN) - Volume 19 - Chapter 2.4

4 

 The square in front of the tower was quiet. So much so that Liliana felt some disappointment. After all, she had come to see the Archbishop of Sin that everyone had talked so much about, and she hadn't shown up. 

- Oh, dear. Her, her, what now, Lady Priscilla? Shall we take the tower without a fight? And do without singing and beating? - She asked. 

We are supposed to regain control of the building. The only thing left to do is to be happy that it worked out without any major obstacles. 

- Chi, chi, chi! We'll take advantage of the enemy's mistake! She's gone, it's none of our business! Now we can go inside and block the sluice! - She mustered up her courage and was about to start running to the tower gate when she was violently stopped. - Ow! 

White fingers unceremoniously grabbed her from behind by the neck. 

- Don't be in such a hurry," Priscilla interrupted her, "Do you ever want to sing again? 

- Of course! But... Uh... Why are you choking me? 

- Sirius would do the same to you. 

Liliana didn't have time to answer. At that exact moment, something happened that made her eyes as big as saucers, the brick tower burst into flames. The square, which had only been illuminated by the pale glow of the moon, became as bright as day. 

- Heeeee! - squealed Liliana and snuggled into Priscilla, unmoving as always. 

The candidate's eyes traveled upward to the black-clad figure that leaped from the top of the tower and landed in the middle of the square. 

- I'm sorry you had to come here on purpose. Thank you. - The woman greeted them with calmness. 

Her tall, slim figure was covered by a thick layer of bandages, over which she had a black cloak. The only things not covered by the blood-stained strips of cloth were her lips and her violet eye. The opponent waited motionlessly for their reaction. 

Liliana pulled her face away from Priscilla's chest for a moment to look at her enemy. 

- This is the Archbishop of Sin of Wrath? But it’s... a person! - she whispered in astonishment. 

She didn't think Sirius would hear her, however, this one answered: 

- Oh, my! I'm sorry to have surprised you like this! - She folded her hands as if to pray. - Did the tower scare you? You see, the city is paralyzed today and many places are unlit, so I thought I would give something of myself and dispel the darkness a little bit," she explained, then spread her arms and proudly pointed at the control tower burning brightly. 

The Archbishop took a moment to admire her own creation, which did indeed dispel the darkness, though the word "a little" was out of place here. 

- What do you mean! - I thought that Archbishops were monsters, with whom it was impossible to get along. But we are talking normally! Did I not understand something? 

- I'm so glad to hear you say that, missy! Your kindness touched me! It brings tears to my eyes... It's beautiful when people can communicate... Hold hands in solidarity... Right? 

- Yeah! Come on! That's what love is! - confirmed Liliana, clenching her fists passionately. 

- Yes, but yes! Love! Love! There is so much love in love! And there is happiness! - took up Sirius, who took her words as encouragement. 

Liliana felt more and more sympathy for the bandaged woman. She thought that who knows who, but such an honest person would surely answer her question. She waved her hand, but did not leave her place in Priscilla's arms. 

- I'm so sorry! Excuse me! Excuse me! I have a question! Since you respond to love with love, you're the foremost purveyor of love... ...surely you'd be so kind as to tell me what happened to Mr. Kiritaka! Please! 

- Kiritaka... Oh, I know! One of the Council of Ten! The last of those who know where the Witch's remains are... Yes! I'm guarding him! It's so dangerous in this town... Someone who knows something so important can't just walk the streets! - she explained, and from her coat pocket she took out a black-bound volume with no title on the cover. - This is the Gospel, and it goes to all members of the cult. The future is written here. Without it, your beloved would be in danger! A wonderful thing, isn't it? 

- Well... of course! There should be one in every house... No, one per person! - Liliana said enthusiastically. 

The power of the book made a huge impression on her. She just wasn't quite sure if she wanted Kiritaka to be called "her beloved". 

- I'm glad you're so honest! 

- I never lie," Sirius assured her. - My husband is the most truthful man in the world.... and I want to match him. 

- Wow! It's Christmas! - Liliana exclaimed, then looked up at Priscilla's face. - Go on, talk to her! Maybe we can come to an agreement without bloodshed! 

- So the effect was immediate.... It turns out that too much empathy is problematic.... 

- Well, Lady Priscilla! Look at this smile that blooms on my face like the most beautiful flower! Let this sight melt your petrified heart! The three of us will hold hands and dance! 

Priscilla suddenly put her hand on the back of Liliana's exasperated face, looked deep into her eyes and pressed her lips to hers. 

- Lady Prrrrmmmm! MMMMM! 

The songstress gasped. She began desperately flailing her arms and legs, but Priscilla held her too tightly. Resistance to no avail, Liliana finally relented, and her knees softened under the influence of her soft lips and hot tongue. 

- Well, that should be enough," said Priscilla in an indifferent tone. She loosened her grip and wiped her mouth. 

A dazed Liliana, panting heavily, flailed on the pavement. 

- La... Lady Priscilla! - she howled. - What was that! Please... please explain yourself! How can I wear a white wedding dress after something like that! - she shouted indignantly, 

- Remember that I forgive you every impertinent remark for which you should lose your head. I think you need not quarrel. I admit, I allowed myself to make such a move against an innocent being, but at least you have regained your wits. You should be happy. 

- What should I be happy about? - muttered Song, touching her finger to her lips. 

- Oooh! - exclaimed Sirius, who was watching the scene with interest. Excitedly, she put her hands on her cheeks. - Love between two women... is also love! This feeling takes many forms! It looks a little different to everyone! So varied, and yet in the end it becomes one! How wonderful it is... 

- Stop it, it's impossible to listen," Priscilla interrupted her sharply. 

There was silence in the square... which was broken after a while by Liliana's cry: 

- AAAA! HOWWHATWHATWHAT?! What happened to the friendly atmosphere! Why are my knees suddenly shaking! 

Indeed, her skinny legs trembled. 

Priscilla intertwined her arms under her breasts, making them even more prominent. 

- There are many in this world who create reasoning based on twisted logic for their own use, just to make themselves happy. However, I have yet to see a case like yours. Too scary for a jester, too sophisticated for a fool. I see no reason to leave you alive," Priscilla announced. 

She stopped hiding the magic she had been holding back until now. Liliana finally realized that the kiss had freed her from the effects of the Authority of Wrath. Tears appeared in Song's eyes. 

Sirius squirmed and wailed in despair: 

- How horrible! How awful! And yet I was getting along so well with her! We were on a path of understanding! How dare you take that away from us, steal our love! It's so horrible! 

- Whoa! Oh my! It just occurred to me that that was my first kiss! - exclaimed Liliana, as usual mostly concerned about herself. 

- This warm welcome was particularly to my liking. I could praise her for that," Priscilla said. 

The three selfish women were far from agreeing. Just a moment ago, Liliana had hoped that she could convince everyone to come to a peaceful resolution. But now she saw that there was no chance of that, especially since she was the weakest person in this company. 

Lady Priscilla is so scary, she has a powerful presence. The Archbishop also exudes strength. Only I am so small and weak! 

- Aaaach! But was what she said about Mr. Kiritaka true! - she wailed, grabbing her head. - That's impossible! What fate awaits him! 

- I assure you that I am not lying! It would be a betrayal of my husband's memory! I took Kiritaka into my care so he wouldn't be harmed by another Archbishop, but that doesn't mean I treat him special. Look around! - She called out, spreading her arms. 

- What? You want me to look around? There's nothing here, just an empty square and a burning tower... Ahh! Only now did the songstress notice that there were silhouettes of people in the darkness beyond the canals. The fire didn't illuminate them enough to tell exactly, but there were certainly dozens of people there. 

- These people... 

- They are the inhabitants of Priestella. They have stood there from the beginning, hidden in the darkness," Priscilla whispered. 

Frightened, Liliana felt herself getting goosebumps. When they arrived in the square, they were greeted by a grave silence. She had been somewhat disappointed at the time. Now she understood that this was not the kind of silence that arises when there is no one around. It was the silence of a thousand people doing their best to hide their existence. 

- So there's a Lord Kiritaka out there somewhere, too?! Does that mean we have to fight him?! 

- Look at this beautiful view! - exclaimed Sirius. - Everyone is breathing at the same pace, no one is disturbing the harmony.... Isn't this the effect of caring for each other! People can accomplish so much when they unite in thought! Here's the proof! 

The Archbishop laughed ghastly. 

- Proof? I don't see any proof. I only see the victims of your madness,' Priscilla muttered, then touched Liliana's arm. - Bring them to their senses. That's your job. That's what you got the kiss for. 

- Pro... please don't remind me! And don't look at me! Somehow I started to feel strange... My heart is beating a lot harder than it did just now... 

- I think it worked all too well... My unearthly beauty is to blame," Priscilla announced without a shadow of modesty. 

The square in front of the tower looked more and more like the stage from some incredible show. Illuminated by magical fire, surrounded by canals, with an audience of hundreds of silent people. Only that the spectators did not look with admiration, but stared into the space with mad, aggressive eyes. Just like the people who had taken refuge at the evacuation point before. Liliana watched their faces with concern. She tried to find Kiritaka. 

Is he really among them? 

- Just a moment ago, you looked insane yourself. 

- Whoa, that's so terrible! - she exclaimed, shocked by Priscilla's remark, - But maybe... Why don't you kiss them all? Then they would be freed...! - She didn't finish, because the princess suddenly grabbed her face. The grip hurt so much that the girl felt as if her brains were pouring out of her ears. She moaned some more, regretting her words. 

- You have your task, don't forget about it. And I have mine," the redhead announced and let her go. Then she took a step forward. 

- Ouch... Lady Priscilla? 

Startled, Liliana watched as the Blood Bride and the Archbishop of Sin faced each other. They measured each other's eyes threateningly, or rather it was Priscilla's red eyes that looked into Sirius' violet eye. 

- Both stubborn... Well, that's a nasty problem. You're close enough that you've shared a kiss, but you can't communicate... Did you put enough effort into it? Did you want the two of you to become one? Like I did with them? 

The Archbishop stomped, and the crowd gathered outside the canals did the same. The rumble of a thousand feet shook the square until the water rocked in the canals. The flames around the tower rose. Was this love? That Liliana wasn't sure, but she definitely saw aggression, a lot of aggression. 

- If... if they attack at the same time... 

- And you will know the happiness that envelops a man when he immerses himself in love! - cried Sirius, and then the crowd moved to cross the channel. 

- AAAA! It's over! - Liliana screamed in terror. She imagined those crazy people coming after her and tearing her to shreds. - AAAA! Mom! Dad! Mr. Kiritaka! 

- How many times do I have to tell you to call only my name? - said Priscilla calmly, and then she put one arm around Liliana and stretched the other towards the vault. 

Suddenly, a scarlet blade, the Yang Sword, shone in her hand. She picked it up from the sky. The light radiating from the fiery blade dispelled the darkness of the night, as if the sun had risen again. 

- Bow your heads before the majesty of my blade! Behold, the First Flame, the light that first swept the imperial throne. It has nothing in common with the fire that you commoners know. 

Suddenly the water in all the canals around the square caught fire. 

- Wooooooo! 

Enchanted, Liliana stared in amazement at the fire, which had turned an eerie white color. There was no longer any question of cheerful flames here. It was pure element, infernal, terrible, destructive. Incomparably more powerful than the one Sirius had created. 

- It's... - choked out the Archbishop. Even for her, it was an unusual sight. 

White and red fires illuminated the square so that you could forget the night. But Priscilla didn't set the canals on fire to see better. A wall of pale flame separated the crowd from the stage where the battle was about to take place. The citizens made no attempt to cross it. Apparently their instinct for self-preservation prevented them from doing so. 

Priscilla pointed her sword at Sirius. A cruel smile appeared on her face. 

- You claim that love is the most important thing in the world, but apparently your followers are not willing to sacrifice their lives to follow your love. Liliana stunned. Just now, with that contemptuous, mocking smile on her lips, Priscilla seemed more beautiful than ever to the minstrel. 

- Not to mention that the very idea that unity is love is silly to say the least," the princess added dismissively. - Look at me. There is no other creature so wonderful. Whatever this mob does, it will never measure up to me. How can we even talk about uniting! 

- What? Lady Priscilla, you're overreacting. How about a little gentler? 

- I refuse. I refuse any relationship with the plebs," she replied. - With you too, simpleton," she added, looking at her opponent. She wanted to make her angry. 

- But what do you mean! Please don't say that! - Liliana groaned in terror. 

She feared Sirius' wrath, so she tried to stop the redhead. But Priscilla only waved her hand and used magic to push the girl away like an annoying fly. The minstrel fell to the ground. 

- Oh, my! Lady Priscilla, this is going too far! The Archbishop will get angry and in the heat of battle you'll accidentally kill her before I can free the people! 

- And then everyone but me will die, cut in two. I'd love to see the whole city run down in blood just once, but not today... 

- Ouch... - groaned Song again. 

- "so I'll say it a third time: do your part! 

The songstress jumped to her feet and grabbed the lily that she carried strapped to her back. 

My job is to free the people on the other side of the wall of fire created by Sirius. 

She looked carefully at their faces. 

- Now that I look at them, I can do it.... 

- If you don't give, all that's left is death, Think about the fact that their lives depend on you. You'll become famous. 

- Whoa! - Liliana squealed, covering her face with her hands. 

Priscilla decided that was enough confirmation for her, and without a word she turned to face her enemy. 

The bandaged madwoman watched the scene in silence. 

- It's the first time I've seen someone like that," she said suddenly. 

She was not angry at all. On the contrary, she smiled happily, opening her violet eye wide. She turned to Priscilla as if she was talking to someone who may have different views, but at the same time is dear to her heart. Just like people talk to their friends and family. She had no intention of chastising the princess for her vanity. 

- Yes, yes, yes! - she exclaimed, clasping her hands together. - You have strayed into our world, where all believers breathe love! Where the sun always shines! You are different from us, but we can certainly communicate with you! Or maybe this is my Trial! - she exclaimed dramatically, then gracefully grabbed the hem of her robe to bow. - Allow me to introduce myself once more. I am Sirius Romanee-Conti, Archbishop of the Sin of Wrath. I will save you through love. Eternal, righteous, omnipresent love! - she announced loudly, then held out her hands. The golden chains slipped from her sleeves and floated through the night sky with a clatter. A wide smile spread across her face. This was how she understood love and how she showed it. - Let the Trial begin! Let it flow upon me here in this city where I have met my husband again, so that I may love him! When I pass it, I will truly become worthy of him! His love will ignite me! I will burn! - she cried out with a voice full of emotion, like a girl in love. 

- You poor thing... - muttered Priscilla, then chuckled. - My patience has its limits, Songstress. Hurry up! 

- Aaa, Lady Priscilla! - squealed Liliana as the princess suddenly moved to fight. 

Two women ran with incredible speed to meet in a duel to the death. 

A magnificent spectacle began before the minstrel's eyes, The flaming sword and golden chains clashed in a dance. 

Liliana was aware of Priscilla's incredible fencing skills. Earlier, as they walked together through the chimera-filled city, she had had the opportunity to observe her. 

She may succeed! Lady Priscilla can defeat the Archbishop of Wrath! And I must help her by freeing the citizens from the power of Authority, or Sirius will surely use them as a human shield. It's time for the Songstress to take the stage! 

- Come on! I can do it! And if I don't, I'm dead! Liliana Masquerade is about to start the show of a lifetime! You only get a treat like this once in a million years! 

The girl gripped the lily more tightly, motivated not by a sense of mission but by something much stronger. She ran towards the burning canal, wanting to bring the audience back to normal with her performance. 

- Please, listen! Here's the song "Hoshin of the Void..."! Aaaa, hot! 

As she bowed to the audience, white tongues of fire licked her face. She jumped with such momentum that she did an impressive flip in the air and crashed to the ground. 

- Ouch! It hurts, it hurts, it huuuuurts! My hands! They're burning! My lungs are frying! Failure! I have fallen in this fight! Ooo? 

There were no burn marks on her hands. 

Since my hands are whole and healthy, my face, my beautiful face, must be too. I already thought I had lost it forever! She groped her cheeks and nose to make sure the skin was intact. It appeared that nothing had happened to her. Those flames, though they were hellishly hot, hadn't hurt her. 

- So it's not just an ordinary fire? 

She decided to make sure, Again she approached the canal and extended her hand towards the flames, which licked her skin without leaving any marks on it. Suddenly the wind blew. The fire immediately grew and consumed her whole. 

- Ouch! Oh no! This fire is hotter than normal! It's going to hurt! More than normal! 

She suffered and moaned, but no wounds appeared on her body. Liliana was safe. Priscilla's fire did not destroy, though it was hot. Too hot to sing by it. It steamed her throat. 

But... that means I have to stand far away from the canal... 

- How are they supposed to hear me from there? 

The Songstress felt she had hit a dead end.