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The name of the Archbishop of Greed sounded the same as the name of a certain star that Subaru knew. It was from this that he deduced what the power or one of his opponent's powers might consist of. It turned out that he was right, though he was surprised by it himself, and it filled him with disgust. Whoever called those nasty creatures like stars, which Subaru treated like friends because of their name, had a really bad sense of humor.
At least that way I could figure out what Regulus' power was all about. Let's just say I'll forgive it for now.
He had already quickly developed several theories regarding the operation of the Authority of Greed. Now, with his knowledge, he was already sure which one was the most likely.
He began by examining Petelgeuse. His name most likely came from the star Betelgeuse, and Subaru knew that its name meant "hand of the giant," or Orion. From this, he deduced that since the Archbishop of Sloth had an Authority that was somehow related to his name, it must be the same for Greed. He remembered that the star Regulus lies in the constellation of Leo and means "Little King," and that it is called "Cor Leonis," Latin for "Lion’s Heart."
When it turned out that Regulus' heart wasn't beating, for which Reinhard paid by being launched into space, Subaru got further confirmation of his theory.
For the boy, the battle with Greed began even before they entered the temple. To find the right tactic, from the first meeting he was straining his grey cells, analyzing different types of powers similar to that of the Archbishop. He devised several plans, but none succeeded. They melted him, searched for any weak point, exposed him to their own attacks. He dismissed the option that Regulus might be behind some sort of protective barrier, reasoning that Reinhard would smash it. He believed that there was no defensive barrier that the Sword Saint couldn't penetrate, He also considered the possibility that the Archbishop had multiple lives, but that didn't sit well with him either. Someone with a limited number of lives wouldn't allow themselves to be beaten so endlessly or act so cavalierly.
All options fell away. And then Subaru remembered about the Lion’s Heart. Emilia admitted that Regulus' hands were neither warm nor cold, and finally Reinhard confirmed his guess. So there was only one possibility - it was not about invulnerability, but about stopping time. Specifically, Regulus was able to stop the time of various objects or people. He constantly said that he was fulfilled, perfect. He did this because he was a particularly vile character, but it was the Archbishop's way of telling the world what his power was.
Time has stood still for this guy. It doesn't change, which means he can't get hurt or even wet. Sand and water droplets were also frozen, so nothing could stop them. That's why they flew through walls and destroyed buildings. It's like a power from some manga, something like playing with space-time. It stops the time of sand to make a projectile out of every grain that can go through anything. He stops the time of water to walk on it. He stops his time so that no attack can hurt him. This Authority is the most powerful shield and the strongest weapon, and invulnerability is only a side effect.
- That's how I figured it out. Am I right?
Regulus didn't know what to say. Stunned, he shook his head, then took a deep breath.
- I have no obligation to respond. I don't care at all if you're right or what you think. To tell you the truth, I'm bored listening to you talk. What a waste of time," he announced proudly, combing a stray strand of hair.
- Oh, you pretend you don't care. I know that, as always with what you claim... is exactly the opposite. Have you forgotten what you said? Memory of a goldfish?
Regulus responded with a violent outburst of anger.
- Only strong in the mouth! Everyone is entitled to secrets! But no, you have to try to squeeze everything out! How annoying you are! You're gonna...
- Then you will never know where Emilia is!
Regulus froze in mid-step.
I hit the jackpot! Okay, that's enough, it was worth falling off that building to find out everything. And now I can move on.
- At this point, the villain usually punches the hero in the face to get him to talk," Subaru jokingly hinted.
- Who is the villain here! - Regulus seemed genuinely surprised.
- Okay... So we're dealing with the worst kind... - muttered the boy to himself. He wanted to make a joke, and received another reason to doubt the world and people.
As they say, the worst evil is one that a person commits unknowingly....
Regulus' chatter was very tiring and depressing, but it at least gave the black-haired man a moment to breathe. At the exact moment when he felt that he could actually run on, he noticed a light over Greed's head.
It's time!
- Bring it on!
At the sound of this command, the light - in fact, the spirit that Emilia had lent him - conjured up a block of ice over Regulus' head. He lifted his gaze, sensing that something was about to happen, and at that exact moment the critters came crashing down on him. Again, he made no attempt to avoid the blow. On the contrary, he raised his hands to the sky as if standing in a summer rain.
- Ha! - he cried out with a smile as the lumps splashed back into the mana, - I see that you persist in your misguided ways! Understand at last, it won't help!
- I admit that I haven't come up with anything new. But that's not the point! - shouted Subaru mockingly. While Regulus was unhurriedly marveling at his own invulnerability, he had strayed quite far away.
Does he really think I would seriously attack him with something like that? I already know we won't do anything to him. It was just to distract him!
- You didn't confirm, but I still know it's Stopping Time! It came out! - Subaru poked his tongue out provocatively and ran further between the buildings.
A bewildered Regulus looked at the boy moving away.
- Bastard! - he wailed and moved after him. In an instant he accelerated to an incredible speed.
Once Subaru felt the breath of death on his back... the white-haired man lost his footing.
- What!
- Amazing. It turns out that you can only handle direct combat, the kind that's on the rocks. When the enemy just beats you, you're indestructible, but when it comes to sneaky moves, you're completely out of it.
Regulus fell into a hole. Just an ordinary hole dug in the ground. It couldn't even be called a "trap". It was simply a deep hole in the ground - neither exposed nor uncovered.
Subaru decided that this alone would effectively immobilize the Archbishop. He guessed that if the traps were covered with anything, he would walk over the camouflage elements like water, thanks to his power.
I know it won't stay there too long, but at least it worked! Hooray!
- Thanks to Emilia-tan's wise spirit, I have a few more of these surprises. I am impressed by this little creature's abilities... but still Beako is cooler!
While Regulus was busy running after Subaru, the soul as instructed prepared several holes in the ground with magic in such a way that the boy would definitely notice them. The plan was that the angered Archbishop would not look down and would fall into the hole. The black-haired man deliberately provoked him with insulting gestures.
I got him! What's more, it's not over. If I get some time with this, I can turn the whole district into Swiss cheese! and think that he fell into such a trivial trap. This is the best proof that he only knows how to fight classically, when an opponent stands in front of him and tries to hit him or cut him with a sword. Everything else is beyond him. He can only stand and be immune to direct attacks thanks to Authority. Other than that, he has nothing.
- Sorry, but I've only fought directly once since I've been in this world. I've gotten a good beating, which is why I have no intention of fighting you like this.
- Cunning coward! What kind of a man are you?! Have you no honor?!
- Honor? My honor is worthless. Yeah! To get a guy like you, I'll do anything! Shit, if this keeps up, I'm gonna turn into a nasty little...
He realized that he was facing a duel between a vile egoist and him, a cunning coward. He did not want the pure and innocent Emilia to have anything to do with it and so he sent her away, staying on the battlefield himself.
My angel now has a different task. Everyone has been given one for which they are suited. Of course, I know I'll be done for if Regulus manages to get me. I have to be more careful and not lead any more actions like jumping into that building. But on the good news...
- It doesn't hurt at all. . ," he muttered, glancing at his right leg.
So much jumping and fighting, and I didn't feel anything bothering me at all. Really, it's great. Until I almost forgot that it almost fell off me, and not even once but twice. And I barely remember about the black infection either. If that really is the effect of dragon blood coming straight from a member of the royal family.... Nah, what do I know about royalty.... but I'm willing to use the power.
- How annoying you are! - shouted Regulus, and then the ground around him fell in an explosion, forming a funnel. The Archbishop stood angry and breathless among the flying debris and lumps.
Yeah, that's definitely a good way to go...
- You finally noticed. And what took you to blowing up? Maybe you've stopped your head now? - Subaru started applauding to reinforce the feeling of humiliation in Regulus.
He used a good old tactic to fight powerful bosses in games - pinching.
- You're the first time knowledge from my world has actually been useful, not counting the introduction of mayonnaise to the local cuisine.... And no, there was another creature I won against thanks to it. What a battle that was!
- What?
- But rest assured, I defeated him and converted him to a whip! - he explained, pointing to the weapon at his side.
Regulus had already really boiled inside. His anger took the form of an aura that was so strong that the buildings around him began to collapse.
That's what I was hoping for! I just have to be careful that he doesn't destroy some evacuation point in the process, and they are, after all, everywhere, all over the city. Now it has taken its revenge on us.
He took a deep breath.
Don't think about yourself. Or Emilia. Focus on making sure none of the residents get hurt. You have a lot to do.
He noticed a pale blue light hovering near his face.
- Hm? Are you encouraging me to fight?
The spirit flashed, as if explaining something to him earnestly.
Oh, he looks so much like Emilia. Cordial like her and trying.
- That thought instantly made me feel better. Shit, I think he just affectionately called me an idiot! - cried Subaru jokingly. Right at that moment, he made a very important decision. He wiped the sweat off his neck.
I must conduct it in such a way that Regulus will not guess what I am doing. It depends on it succeeding... and it must succeed, it is my duty.
He surreptitiously looked towards where Emilia now stood in the temple, away from the battlefield. There was the realm of Greed... Or more specifically, the wives that constituted his little kingdom. Subaru spit in his beard for not noticing this sooner.
Four Archbishops, but only one brought his entire entourage with him. At first I thought he took his wives to keep them close. That it made him feel more important. I thought he was probably happy just to have them. Well, there you go. I was wrong. This is about something else. There is a weakness in his authority! I knew there had to be one. After all, every weird power in another world has some sort of limitation. I can reset saves, but it requires death. Petelgeuse, on the other hand, could use Unseen Hands. I could immediately guess that the wives must have something to do with it, and that's why he drags them with him everywhere - even to a city about to turn into a battlefield. He needs them to be the Little King with the Lion’s Heart. But how exactly does that work? Does he have to have a specific number of spouses or else he's powerless? Or is he not allowed to stray too far from them?
That's what Subaru didn't know. He asked Emilia to run to the temple and try to find out from the girls themselves.
They wouldn't listen to me... ...but I have faith that you'll win them over.
- Come on, Emilia-tan. Take away the Little King's wives!
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