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- His kingdom?
- Yes. You are all part of it," Emilia explained to the ex-wives gathered around her. She hoped that with this conversation, the mystery of Regulus' power could be solved. - If you leave...
- Is it possible to get away from this garbage? - Sylphy whispered.
And that's where the problem came in.
- Do you think he would entrust us with anything valuable?
- That greedy spinster wouldn't have come up with something so clever.
- So are we subjects in his kingdom? What does that mean?
- Maybe an object is the key? Maybe everyone who carries something they got from him automatically becomes part of this "kingdom"?
- Oh boy, nasty...
- So are these clothes and ornaments?
- Disgusting! I'm taking off my clothes! I'm going to walk around naked!
- I understand that you are nervous, but wait a minute! Wait a minute! - shouted Emilia, trying to control the girls.
She seated them back at the benches, but they were too preoccupied to provide constructive information. They kept coming back to discuss Regulus' nastiness. They hated him.
He deserved it. I can't blame them for anger clouding their judgment. Maybe he knew this would happen?
- No... He's not that devious," she finally muttered.
- She isn't. - Sylphy agreed with Emilia. - Let's think, what else do we know about him?
They searched their memory for a word, an action, a clue - anything that would help them understand the Archbishop's Authority. Surely there had to be something, hidden in the mundane. Emilia could only wait and worry.
So much effort they had to put in to decide they wanted help, and I can't do anything. I feel like I have failed.
- Are we really the key to solving this puzzle? Are you sure? - Sylphy was worried.
- Yes! When it comes to important things, I always have confidence in Subaru, I never doubt them.
That was one certainty she had no intention of challenging.
Subaru is great. He knows all the things I don't, and on top of that, he tries very hard. And it is because of his knowledge and efforts that he handles all the obstacles. Since he said that the girls are the key to the Archbishop's power, that's just the way it is.
Not that she blindly believed him. She understood that he could be wrong too, that he didn't know everything, that his stumbles happened. And even failures. But he always corrected his mistakes. Emilia trusted in his determination to help others.
- He said the wives hold the key to the Lion’s Heart," she repeated once more, thoughtfully. She put a finger to her lips for better focus.
Regulus can stop time. His heart doesn't beat. Wives play some kind of important role here.
She repeated in her head, trying to make something out of it.
Authority. It's such a power, different than a blessing. I think it's more special.
- I wish I knew more about blessings....
Emilia didn't own any, so she didn't know what kind of feeling it entailed.
If Otto were here... Or Garfiel... Well, Emilia. Imagine that Otto is very angry and wants to use his abilities to harm others. And he has something more powerful than a blessing at his disposal.
- Evil Otto... The kind who can't give advice, sits up late at night, keeps getting himself into trouble and Frederica is mad at him.... Evil Garfield. The kind that sharpens its claws on furniture...
She couldn't create more vile images of the two of them in her mind. That was all she could afford.
They are just so darling, it's hard to imagine them doing something nasty! Oh well, I guess I won't come up with anything. I don't know enough about Regulus and I'm not that smart... I'll have to rely on the girls. Unless I can find some way to help them think...
- Ah, well! - She opened her eyes wide and clapped her hands. She waved her hand, asking the spirits that were present in the temple to come to her aid. - And yet!
- What happened? - Sylphy turned around, interested. - Did you think of something?
- Uh... Possibly... I still need to confirm... Sylphy, can I check something on you?
- Of course. Whatever. - The girl put her hand on Emilia's shoulder in awe and nodded confidently.
She was joined by other equally excited girls.
- Well, then... Excuse me! - cried Emilia, then slipped her hand into the neckline of Sylphy's dress to touch her breasts.
A crimson blush bloomed on the golden-haired woman's face.
- Yes... Yes... - muttered Emilia.
- What? What are you...?
- Calm down. This is very important!
- Im... important? But what?!
Sylphy's face was turning a darker and darker shade of red, but Emilia was too focused to pay attention to her reaction.
- I check your heartbeat.
- My heart? - The girl grew serious.
- Yes. I just asked the spirits to check each of you for mana flow. Only your heart beats differently...
- That sounded threatening... - the girl whispered.
All the ex-wives watched the examination in silence and concentration. Placing her hand on the spot on her chest where the beating was easiest to feel, a focused Emilia tried to count the beats.
One, two... It beats fast because Sylphy is stressed and scared. But... What's that? Like an echo...
- It's terrible... - she choked out. She understood what it meant.
The Archbishop connected his Lion’s Heart with the heart of poor Sylph.
- Regulus can put his heart into his wives' hearts!
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