2
It didn't start off well.
- Cha, cha! Weak, weak, weak! You wimps! How can you do that? This is unacceptable! Why, but how?! How is it possible, eh?
Batenkaitos did his best to get them off balance. He mocked their efforts.
Indeed, Gaston and the White Scales were doing poorly. For the time being, it was the Archbishop who enjoyed a decided advantage. It quickly became apparent that when he fought seriously, he did so with incredible skill and agility, using extraordinary techniques. The petite boy had short arms and legs, but he knew exactly how to use them. He made up for it by being alone against many, moving for ten.
- Damn it! We're fighting a puppy! Come on, men! Surround him and capture him! Don't let him get away! - Shouted Dynas.
- Yeah, yeah, we're a puppy! Catch us and tear us to shreds! We beg of you!
Excellently trained mercenaries surrounded him. It looked like the Archbishop was trapped, but he didn't care. He rushed to Dynas' soldiers, kicked one of them in the torso, and slashed another's arm with a knife.
- Oh, did a breach appear? - He sneered and passed the mercenaries. - Whoa! What desperation! Cha, cha! - He laughed at the look on Gaston's face.
Otto, who had been watching this fight from a safe distance, looked at the big man expectantly.
He's already shown that the knives of Gluttony don’t phase him! The Archbishop must be careful, or he'll get burned!
- Cha, cha! You got a lot of energy, old man. We like you!
- Hey, I'm no old...! EEE?! - he didn't finish, surprised by the blow he received in his side. The sharp claws dug into his flesh, but didn't hurt him, just like the knife before, His muscles were like steel. He reached out to grab the Archbishop by the head.
- The hand of the Fist King... - whispered Batenkaitos and touched Gaston,
The disoriented giant bent in half and wailed in pain. A moment later he was curling up on the cobblestones, vomiting, and the Archbishop stood over him with contempt in his eyes. Otto could not watch idly as the boy raised his knife to end the life of Gaston, unable to defend himself.
- Dona! - He shouted, harnessing earth magic to fight back. As he shot his fingers, small pebbles soared towards Gluttony.
Batenkaitos didn't even look at him, he just leaned over slightly and the stones flew by without hurting him in the slightest.
Otto could use magic enough to defend himself if necessary. However, here in the city, his options were limited. The cobbled streets and multitude of canals made the task significantly more difficult. But while his spell was poor, he was at least able to gain a few seconds for Dynas and Gaston.
We're doing worse than I expected... We're no match for him! And everyone else is busy with their own battles, so we can't even count on someone suddenly miraculously passing by and helping us. Eh, well, of course... Just my luck...
Otto Suwen's life was a mixture of bad luck and absurdities. He believed that he had already used up his limit of luck. The first half at birth, ending up in a family that could understand a child with a difficult blessing. The second when Subaru snatched him from the hands of the Witch cult. All he had left was bad luck, but Otto wasn't going to despair about it.
- And yet we will not be able to stop him until Lady Felt returns.
- I agree," Dynas confirmed. - Couldn't you do again what you did then with the dragons? - He asked, looking at the massacred corpses in the square.
Otto shook his head. He knew that these creatures had died because of him and he had suffered greatly because of it.
- All the dragons I've managed to get along with are there. I can try to talk to the others... Maybe they could help me escape?
- If you're gone, there's nothing we can do here. Besides, look how that bastard's staring at you. He's probably in love. He'll be sad to see you go," he sneered.
- This is of little interest to me... - Otto looked at Batenkaitos with tired eyes. He was not happy that he had found recognition in his eyes only as an exceptionally tasty meal.
Gluttony has taken a liking to me. It makes me sick to think about it... but it's working in our favor. As long as he cares about us, he's having fun instead of just killing everyone. Any way to win is good!
Dynas smiled bitterly.
- What are you thinking about? - Otto asked
- No, nothing. I just realized Lady Emilia has a great advisor. I expect you'll work something out with Gluttony too!
- I guess I have different ideas of what an advisor to a candidate for the crown should do!
- I think you should be aware of your strengths! - The commander of the White Scales shrugged his shoulders.
Discouraged, Otto looked up at the sky. After a year as a counselor, he was about to quit.
How did they start treating me like this? Why? It's Subaru's fault. When this is all over, he'll get a punch in the nose from me. But first...
- We must deal with this bane.
- I agree. I trust you to come up with a plan, counselor! - Dynas chuckled, then returned to the fight.
Damn it. It's bad,' Otto thought, looking at the broad back of the mercenary joining the duel. - We are outnumbered, but so what? We're too weak anyway. He is already playing with us, and it will only get worse.
- All these big, strong guys, and you can't catch one kid? Poorly, poorly, poorly! It can't be like that, it's out of the question! - Batenkaitos didn't miss any opportunity to mock them.
They still hadn't even managed to injure him. At this point, purely by his own whim, he was dodging all attacks with just his legs.
Otto watched in awe as the boy struggled. His movements were surprising, unprecedented. And very strange. Gluttony's lower body changed pace every now and then. Once he kicked slower, once faster. The upper body swayed peculiarly.
What kind of technique is that? It's like there are two people sitting in it and each controlling their own half....
A thought so terrible came into Otto's mind that he pushed it into a corner of his consciousness in terror.
Meanwhile, a visibly tired Gaston broke free from the fight and rushed to the merchant standing aside.
- Shit! What the fuck is he doing?! This puppy's a freak! - he exhaled, wiping the sweat running down his forehead like a waterfall.
It looked like it took a lot of effort to do the trick to keep the knife from hurting him.
- Perhaps you've noticed something? We need to break this deadlock. If there's anything you can tell me...
- Do I look like I have time to talk! This punk fights way too well! Like Reinhard.
- Don't even compare them because I immediately feel like giving up....
I've only seen a little, but it was enough to understand how incredibly powerful the Sword Saint is. If the Archbishop is anything like him...
- So Batenkaitos is an adversary from your worst nightmares. Yet another chosen of the gods who was born with some terrifying blessing...
- Oh, come on... I think it's something else...
- Hm? What do you mean?
- I know a little bit about how Reinhard fights because I trained with him recently. The little guy's more like the other guy, the old man.
- Who? I'm sorry, but I don't know what "grandpa" trained you.
- He's the kind of guy who's super-strong, but not because he was born blessed by the gods, he just trained hard," Gaston explained, wiping away sweat.
Otto looked at the Archbishop once more, watching his movements intently.
Batenkaitos, all the time surrounded by the White Scales, calmly parried the blows, made dodges, cut as if in a dance. At the end, he even bowed mockingly. All these movements, with the exception of the final bow, were completely incompatible with the brutal, aggressive aura one sensed from the boy. They were too fluid, natural. It was as if countless techniques of hand-to-hand combat, white weapons and magic were combined in one tiny body.
- What do you mean, you don't have to be Reinhard to do that?
It's awfully strange... He looks like he's thirteen, maybe fourteen, and he fights like he's had decades of hard training. I'm no fighter, but after all, I had to learn how to defend myself and it took a lot of time and effort. And he's so young. What could he have accomplished in those few years? Unless...
- The Archbishop of Gluttony... - Otto choked and froze.
Subaru had managed to inform him that Gluttony feeds on names and memories. He himself had met a girl whose memories had been devoured and therefore no one remembered her.
I wonder why no one has wondered what happens to what has been devoured? Perhaps this is where the real power of Gluttony lies?
Otto was dazzled. At that exact moment Batenkaitos clucked his tongue and giggled. Dynas sensed that a new attraction was about to arrive and prepared to repel the attack, but he did not guess that the attack would not be directed at him.
- Mr. Gaston! - shouted Otto.
At that exact moment, a spell fell from Batenkaitos' mouth.
- El Huma!
The temperature dropped rapidly. Heavy balls of ice formed above their heads.
Gaston understood what Otto was trying to tell him. He threw himself in front of Dynas and his men to protect them from the attack. The body that had withstood the clash of blows and knives was now put to a new test. The big man took on the rain of ice with a shout.
- Uuu... we thought the effect would be more spectacular! - A displeased Batenkaitos stuck out his tongue.
Before him knelt Gaston, and behind him lay the members of the White Scales. The brawler’s sacrifice saved them from death, but many ice bullets missed the human shield and bruised the White Scales painfully. Dynas and his mercenaries lay there, groaning in pain.
We've lost half our strength... Worse than your worst nightmares...
- From what we have seen, we conclude that you have guessed," Batenkaitos asked Otto.
- Perhaps... Though I wasn't sure exactly what you'd do.
- You're not cut out for this kind of game! Maybe you'd better stop playing merchant before something unpleasant happens to you? - suggested the Archbishop threateningly, then shifted his attention back to the wounded warriors. In the blink of an eye, he dodged Gaston.
He stood beside the mercenary from Scales, touched the man's shoulder and said:
- Hicks Hartmann.
Kneeling next to him, Dynas tried to help the druid. He attacked Batenkaitos with a short sword, but the opponent neatly dodged the blade and showed everyone his hand.
- Lick-lick! - he called out, then licked her insides with his long tongue.
Otto felt strange.
What happened? I'm sure something happened. But I don't know what... I just know it has something to do with...
- Mr. Dynas, who is that man lying next to you?
The commander, who still had the short sword in his hand, looked down. There was incomprehension and surprise in his eyes. There was a wounded man lying on the ground who was wearing a white cloak, the uniform of the White Scales. It had to be someone from him. But Dynas did not know him.
- How sad, how dramatic, it makes you cry... Fortunately, we will eat it all soon!
- Mr. Dynas! Who is this man?!
- I don't know! I've never seen him! Really, I don't know him! - Dynas was shaking with anger.
Batenkaitos didn't stop laughing.
- What did you do?! What did you do to me'?!
- Don't be so cold, Dynas. After all, we're your old friends. If you keep talking like that, we'll be sorry, especially since we still remember the purge.
- What?! Where did you get that,,?!
Otto did not understand what Batenkaitos was drinking at, but Dynas was clearly upset. The commander of the Scales threw himself at his enemy, intending to silence him with his white blade, but the Archbishop easily dodged the blow. He was smiling the whole time.
- How can you ask us how we know that? We're friends! We know all about your efforts, Dynas. It's not your fault you couldn't protect Milian and Mejla. You were unlucky.
- Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! You don't know anything about me! This is some kind of trick!
Dynas threw himself into the attack again. Fury made his sword more dangerous, but the Archbishop dodged the next slashes as if he knew perfectly well where they were coming from.
Yeah, he... He knows. He fights Mr. Dynas like he knows him. I have to check it out. I gotta find out.
- This must be the Authority of Gluttony!
Mr. Gaston was right. He really can fight as if he went through years of hard training, but not because he actually practiced. He eats up memories and gains other people's skills that way! And that's not all...
- A while ago, he ate this man's name... right in front of us! And we don't remember it!
Rem has disappeared from our memories. Only Mr. Natsuki remembers her. The same thing happened with that mercenary, so I don't even remember anyone being here. He's lying, but what happened to him before? I don't know. Where did he come from? I have no idea. I might have known him very well, but it slipped my mind now.
He felt a shiver of fear. Now he understood better the wickedness with which he was dealing. He realized that if Gluttony consumed them, they would cease to exist. There would be no trace of this battle or of them. They would be erased from history.
- Excellent, excellent, excellent! Feast! Time to dine! - Batenkaitos laughed in a wheezing voice, then threw two daggers at Dynas.
The commander of the Scales made a dodge, but he was shaken enough that he stumbled and had to be caught by one of the mercenaries. Dynas was furious and filled with disgust for his opponent.
- Strong emotions are delicious! - The archbishop turned to Otto again. - They have a very rich, deep flavor. They smell sweet, it makes you shiver just thinking about it! You know what we're talking about, right?
- Forgive me, but ordinary people do not have such thoughts when they look at others," replied the merchant.
- Ordinary people. All right, fine. Suit yourself. If you prefer to think that way, we won't mess with your head.
Otto furrowed his brow uncertainly. Batenkaitos looked at him ominously.
How disgruntled... What could he be going on about?
- Oh, I see! Attention! Please do not, under any circumstances, call me by my first name.
Yeah, his face says it all. I'm right! To eat someone's name, this whole "connoisseur" thing has to do a few things first. Like, for starters... find out someone's name!
- Was all this fighting just so you could get ready for a meal, set the table? - he asked.
- Eh, but it's much easier with the unthinking! - said Gluttony. - But we forgive you, as long as you are tasty. I hope so. The anticipation makes the exquisite dish even more satisfying.
So I was right. This fight wasn't serious. He was playing with us. He wanted to talk to get our names out of us. We have to protect them. It's the only way to protect ourselves.
- Listen up. Remember not to call me by my first name,
- Sorry," Gaston muttered, getting up from his knees. - I don't even know your name.
- Sorry, counselor. Your name slipped my mind," Dynas added reluctantly.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm nobody important and you haven't had much to do with me. Damn, that's great!
Otto himself did not know whether to laugh or cry, Batenkaitos was instead clearly displeased. He clasped his hands together.
- Dynas and Gaston sound pretty good, but not suitable for a main course after all! Felt ran away, so we wanted to eat you, even though it probably won't work....
- Why don't you give it a rest today? Try again some other time. Like when Reinhard's with us.
- After all, we won't leave hungry just before the feast! We won't leave until we've eaten something. Otherwise Louis will scold us...
- I don't know who Louis is, but I have a bad feeling... - muttered Otto, trying not to imagine who someone so terrible could be afraid of. He glanced at Gaston and Dynas. They both nodded their heads in response. - If it touches you, you will be eaten. And that will mean the end.
- So there's no point in using a controlled flow of mana... - muttered the big guy with dissatisfaction.
- If he touches you, it's as if you were hit straight in the heart or decapitated. It's all the same," added the frightened Dynas.
- True... - Gaston muttered. The brawler sensed the White Scales commander's trepidation and began to be afraid himself.
Batenkaitos has gotten into Dynas's head. Surely the workings of the Authority of Wrath are not insignificant here... Perhaps I should say that out loud?
Otto hesitated, then, mindful of Felt's words, decided not to speak. "Everyone has the right to risk his life for what he believes in."
- All right, then I'll have to think of something clever... As befits a merchant," he muttered to give himself courage, then sighed and looked ahead at Batenkaitos.
The enemy noticed his gaze and realized that something had changed. He made a graceful bow, which was intended to encourage Otto's action.
- Thank you for your patience. That shows good manners," muttered the merchant.
- After all, we're picky eaters, connoisseurs. Not like Roy, who will eat anything that comes his way. We believe that good food enriches life!
The longer he spoke, the colder the gaze Otto bestowed upon him. Curiously enough, the Archbishop liked it very much.
- Bmm, that's cold! Well then, enjoy! - he called out and jumped into the fight. A real one now. A skirmish in which Otto, who was not a fighter, had no chance.
The White Scales mercenaries once again formed a tight formation and advanced on Batenkaitos. Walking ahead of them was Dynas with two katanas in his hands. As the commander clashed with the Archbishop, his subordinates executed an encircling maneuver to attack the enemy from the rear and flanks.
A tight circle had closed around the Gluttony again. The men in white cloaks were getting closer. The Archbishop smiled and crouched down, then straightened one leg and in that position, spinning pirouettes, began to cut down his opponents all around him.
That's when Gaston stepped in. The man wanted to hit from above with an open palm, but Batenkaitos jumped back, so he only hit the pavement.
- Whoa! - Gluttony let out a cry as the shockwave pushed him further through the air. - Nice, we admit it! We're defenseless now, but you made a mistake.... Because none of you can attack us!
He found himself in such a place that neither White Scales nor Gaston could take the opportunity to reach him. But one thing he hadn't taken into account was that it was Otto's turn to attack.
- Haaaaaaaa!
- Huh?
Otto jumped up and grabbed the Archbishop's petite body, but quickly let go, elbowed in the nose.
- Hey, watch yourselves! Get on our plate in the right order, after all, you have to start with light dishes. Don't break the...
- Why? We don't give a damn what your rules are! - said Otto, stopping his nosebleed and trying to smile.
Batenkaitos looked at him uncertainly. And when the merchant pointed to his hip, he lowered his gaze and saw the magic stone attached to his own belt. Otto managed to fix it before he received a blow from his elbow.
- Whoa, great! - whispered Gluttony in awe, then red and yellow flames engulfed him. The explosion was so powerful that Suwen rolled on the ground. Fortunately, Gaston caught him and shielded him from the fire with his own body.
Ever since he survived the dramatic battle with Garfiel the year before, Otto always carried a few small but powerful magic stones with him. He wanted to be prepared for possible trouble. Unfortunately, the artifacts had already proven very useful a few times.
- We did it!
I don't think such a thing would be enough to kill the Archbishop of Sin, but the explosion was quite powerful, so I hope it would severely batter him. Eh, if it had killed him though....
Batenkaitos' voice came to them from behind a plume of hot smoke:
- Oh, that was nasty... It ruined the only outfit we have!
That was the only result of the explosion - Gluttony lost his robe. He came out barefoot and half-naked, but whole and healthy.
- Could it be that this outfit had the power to protect him from explosions? - whispered a stupidly shaken Dynas.
- After all, it would be unimaginably difficult... - Otto didn't finish because he frowned as he looked at the boy's lean body.
- You're stripping the kids of their last shirt! And you're staring at them! Adults like that?
- I don't know about the people you usually meet. Normal adults would prefer never to look at such a thing.
- Ah. We get it. So it's sympathy? Again? It's a tad pretentious," muttered Batenkaitos with displeasure.
The boy's body was covered in scars. He had clear marks on his skin from cuts, burns, bites and whippings and repeated beatings when the bruises stop healing. He must have been brutally treated.
- Oh, my...
I don't feel sorry for him, but... I understand. He is so evil, despicable, that he deserves no pity. Just think of what he's done. But he wasn't always like that, or at least I don't think he always was...
- Right. Don't let your compassion and imagination get the best of you, or you'll only be disappointed," came an arrogant girlish voice.
A slight figure in an airy dress with frills jumped from the roof of a nearby building and landed in the square right next to Otto, then gave him a bored look. Her golden hair curled into large curls.
- I only need one serving of warm noodles instead of a guy, and that's Subaru. Betty would like you to remember that normally I only help him... but this is an emergency.
- Beatrice... - Otto was surprised. - I'm very sorry to bother you. And thank you for your help - he finished with a sigh of relief.
It was all the same to him. She could have scolded him and muddied him. The important thing was that she showed up. Her presence made a stone fall from his heart. He would gladly sit on the ground and laugh.
And yet I was sure I couldn't count on luck. That it was impossible for anyone to come to our aid.
- Well, let's get on with this puppy already,' she decided. - I want to get it over with and fly to Subaru for cuddles as soon as possible.
The girl looked unabashedly bored.
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