Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I am a sick man. I am an unattractive man. I am a hateful man... because I am a conscious man.

I know the truth about the sheep that play in the plains and fear wolves. I know the truth about the wolves that fear death by starvation. And I know the truth about famine, which fears the will to live.

Death is inevitable, but it must come to me—not me to it.

I know. I feel. I have lived an incomplete life at best.

I do acknowledge my spite, my pity... my hatred.

And most importantly, my selfishness—for living, for not growing.

But do I deserve this? To be the damned Regillus?

Your name is mine by identifying myself. The voice within me, my name is none of your damned business. And don’t ask it in a comment, if you please. You can call me Unlucky. Someone with ordinary circumstances, though I am more isolated than usual and, in my opinion, more educated than most. I don’t like long, drawn-out conversations—they're ridiculous, given my situation.

My cursed situation.

Here I am, dressed in a luxurious, pure white suit. In my eyes, dozens of women have gathered.

Similar clothes.

Similar builds.

Even similar expressions.

Cold expressions.

Except for the girl to my right—silver hair, violet eyes. My ears are the kind you’d see in a high-quality cosplay.

But more importantly, there are the two guys standing in front of the broken door. I should have known them—after all, they broke the door right in my direction. One has red hair—and I don’t mean natural red, but literally bright red. I’ll admit, he has a pretty face, with piercing blue eyes. The other? He looks normal enough for an Asian boy, though his fish-like eyes seem less than natural.

Reinhard van Astrea and Subaru Natsuki.

One is a Sword Saint, the most powerful being in this world, capable of shaping its very features like paper.

The other is a boy who, by the standards of this world’s power, could only be described as pathetic.

One I could confidently deal with in my current body.

The other made me shiver.

One was absolutely determined to kill "scum like me."

The other could make sure "scum like me" died.

The night is unattractive today—just like dying in place of another horrible person.

But no matter what, I will do what a scumbag like me does best: live—or make sure as many as possible don’t.

Chapter Text

"It's rude to slam doors on people like that."

I don’t care if there was a reason to slam the door on me. I don’t care if the person who had it slammed on them deserved it. It’s just rude—my reaction reflects that.

"Ah, I apologize in advance for what I had to do. Though I should clarify that it was entirely my decision—my friend had no hand in this."

*"Wait! You can’t just walk away and apologize to the head of a enemy like that. And what do you mean I didn’t do anything worth mentioning?"*

"That’s not how I meant it. My apologies."

"Stop apologizing."

Their casual banter while I was in a life-or-death situation was infuriating. But I didn’t mind. It gave me time to think about how to get out of this mess.

...

I refuse to die like Regulus did. I refuse.

I wish this were a dream, but I know my dreams. I don’t think this clearly in them. But here… oh, here, I can think with unsettling speed. Maybe it’s because of the isolation imposed by the Lion’s Heart.

Is this what it was like for Regulus? Except instead of strategizing, he was busy wallowing in how the world mocked him and trampled on the so-called "rights" he invented for himself—just to convince himself he had value, instead of being just a poor child from an obscure village.

Pity.

Maybe I should try to negotiate. They want the elf with the argent eyes, and I don’t. I never liked her anyway—a spoiled girl from the same world, written by the same author who had no problem giving a boy the most painful death imaginable but treated the girl like she had the right to live as a princess.

Wait… there is no author, is there? …Impossible. You're aware of this.

I never wanted to fight Mr. "Broken Abilities" and Mr. "I Come Back When I Die." I know Regulus could push Reinhard to a stalemate until he gave up, but Subaru is his weakness. He has the knowledge to uncover Regulus’s ability, and killing him wouldn’t stop him.

The problem is, due to past experiences, Subaru has a personal grudge against the Witch Cult. And unfortunately, I’m part of it now. I hate that. But I hate the thought of my own death even more—especially for something that isn’t my fault.

And prison isn’t an option either. Medieval-era prisons are far below my standards, and I have no interest in being tortured. Those knights can go to hell for all I care.

Pity. I would have liked to try being his friend. But that’s not an option. I doubt he’d believe I’m a man from another world who got isekai’d here. Or that his suffering was merely for the entertainment of people like me. If it ever came to that, things wouldn’t end well.

If I have to, I’ll threaten to kill Emilia. I don’t want to take a life, even a fictional one, but I will. My life is more important than hers.

As for my "wives"… I need to get them out of here. Their lives are tied to mine, and their imprisonment is my freedom. If I find another way to activate my ability without them, I’ll release them gladly. If not… well, that would be unfortunate. I won’t apologize for someone else’s choices, but at the very least, I’ll make sure they have some freedom—as long as they don’t leave.

They need to get out of the city as soon as possible. They have to. I won’t let myself die for someone else. The world can kill someone else if it wants. I have to get out of here.

"That’s enough. Introduce yourselves, or leave before I shatter you."

I hope my act is convincing. I have no desire to kill them. Not that I could anyway. But I can’t afford to show weakness—I can’t let them think I’m someone to be trifled with.

I am invincible—until I’m not. I have to make sure I stay that way.

"Natsuki Subaru, a Spirit Knight… currently without a spirit."

"Reinhard van Astrea, Sword Saint and heir to House Astrea."

"I didn’t ask for titles. What’s the use of a Spirit Knight without a spirit or a Sword Saint without a sword? If you two wanted to make fools of yourselves, you should’ve put on a circus act elsewhere."

I wonder why they’re acting so restrained. From their perspective, I should be an unstable lunatic capable of committing mass murder with a flick of my wrist.

...

They should consider that.

Pity.

"Hey! I can understand why you wouldn’t see me as a threat, but looking down on Reinhard is a huge mistake!"

"Actually, he’s right. I can’t draw my sword at all."

"What?! Why?"

"It seems the sword has deemed me unworthy."

...

I understand Regulus’s anger now. Imagine spending two hundred years invincible, capable of mass destruction, only to have some red-haired man tell you that you're not even worthy of a fight.

Subaru, I respect you, but if you don’t stop laughing, I swear—

"I don’t know what you’re laughing at. This isn’t ideal for you either if you planned to overpower me. Let me guess—you came here to try your luck against me? How many days did you plan for this? Or did you assume Regulus wouldn’t be competent enough to get rid of you?"

Yeah, no, I wasn’t about to stop myself from calling them out. Especially when I was the one being mocked—even if I knew the redhead didn’t mean it as an insult.

Good thing the Japanese kid stopped laughing once he realized this wasn’t in his favor.

Now, where were we? Oh, right—negotiations.

"Why are you here in my palace? Keep it short. I don’t like long conversations."

I noticed Subaru flinch in frustration. The girls would have done the same if they were allowed to.

"I’m here to stop this wedding and to—oh! EMT TO THE MAX!"

Seems like he’s too stunned by the sight of his dream girl in a wedding dress. Typical teenager. At least my ability lets me regulate my hormones. Not that I need it right now—or want it.

"So you’re Natsuki Subaru—the one this girl hopes will return her feelings. From how she spoke of you, I expected a man like your friend. Though I question her mental state for being able to distinguish attraction at all. Honestly, she acts more like a little girl than a grown woman. Do you have a thing for people with a child’s mentality? Or maybe you yourself have the mind of a child?"

Even if I respect the boy, I have to get this off my chest. His taste in women is strange—probably a result of his low self-esteem. A girl with a child’s mentality like Emilia, and another who brutally murdered him. Me? I wouldn’t go near either of them with a ten-foot pole, let alone find them attractive.

"Don’t say things I can’t respond to. Are you related to Ram in any way?"

That must have hit a nerve for him to say that.

"I came to take Emilia back ! "

Now. The moment.

"You can have her."

I cut him off before he could spout any shonen manga nonsense. Or worse… isekai manga nonsense.

Yes, I know I’m technically in an isekai. Shut up. I meant—no, I mean you.

Shocked expressions. From the Japanese boy, the Sword Saint, and the half-elf girl.

Strangest of all… from Regulus’s so-called wives.

"...Huh?"

Chapter Text

I wonder why everyone is so surprised. Did they really not expect me to offer a gesture of peace? Did they want me dead that badly…? Did they really want my death that much?

As for the wives, after thinking about it, maybe this is the first time they've ever seen Regulus give up anything. Not once in all their miserable years under his marriage… Now that I think about it, I remember Tappei saying that some of them belong to the same sect—the same sect that burns villages if their gospel commands it.

That doesn’t mean they deserve this. But at least it makes me feel a little less guilty if I have to keep them.

Not that I care what they do. They can hate me, laugh together, gossip about me, even sleep with other men, for all I care. As long as they remain necessary to the Lion’s Heart, they will have to stay married.

Not to me… but to Regulus.

I am not Regulus.

I am just an unlucky man.

“Hey! You can’t just steal a man’s girl and then return her like that! What about my moment—I mean, uh, yeah! What about my moment as a knight saving his princess?”

He's acting like a clown, but I know he’s just trying to figure out what’s happening and what to do next. Right now, I need to stop him from thinking until I get the girls out of here. But I have a plan.

Operation: Provoke Subaru is now in effect.

You might think it’s a mistake to anger him, but he did the same thing to Regulus to buy time. I can do the same. I don’t plan to kill him… because killing is bad or whatever. Besides, he’s unkillable anyway—unless he dies satisfied or something like that.

I’m not about to suck him off until that happens.

“Your childish behavior is making my already low mood sink into its grave. I told you, I don’t want her anymore. So, you can take her.”

“What do you mean you don’t want her? Have you ever seen such beauty before? Those violet eyes like gemstones, that creamy skin, and most importantly—that shining silver hair!”

Oh, right. Natsuki used to "That" inside his room when he was a shut-in.

I don’t know exactly why silver hair is such a thing. A hot girl is a hot girl. Out of all the attractive traits, hair shouldn’t be that high on the list.

Though I know Subaru respects and loves her as a person… I have to ask.

“So, you love her for her looks?”

Subaru went silent at that.

“I’m not saying you don’t admire her personality—maybe you do. But would you have gotten attached to her if not for her beauty? If she had an ordinary appearance, would you have come to save her? Or did you stick around because she made you feel like a hero in a fantasy story, someone who isn’t a loser in real life?”

Subaru was silent again.

For some reason, Reinhard was also quiet. But he looked lost in thought—I can guess he’s thinking something bad about himself.

A glance to the right, and the silver-haired girl had a guilty expression.

Why don’t you say something…? Oh, right. She’s waiting for the perfect moment to attack me.

You better not, woman.

“You’re wrong.”

“Hm?”

“The reason I love Emilia is that when… I came to this world, she was the first to help me. The first to show me kindness. Her fitting my standards has nothing to do with it!”

…Yeah, I already knew that.

I respect you, Subaru, but…

“I really pity you.”

His expression wasn’t happy, but hey… I’m not happy either.

“Anyway, like I said, if it’s the girl you want, you can take her. I won’t object. She seems like the type to think women get pregnant from just kissing.”

“…”

“Your expression says that’s true.”

“Oh, your expression says that’s true—mimimimi, smartass.”

I’d be annoyed if it weren’t so amusing. Using knowledge of the plot to mess with people is entertaining. It distracts me from my situation and the fact that I might die.

I just wanted them to leave me alone until I had a solid plan. I don’t show it, but I’m nervous.

“Well? That’s a generous offer, if you ask me.”

“Listen here! You can’t just kidnap young girls and then act like you’re some kind of generous person. How hypocritical can you be?”

“Hypocritical like your red-haired friend, it seems. Didn’t he do the same thing?”

“Huh?”

“That’s how he took his lady, from what I hear. Found out she was a candidate and knocked her unconscious—just to keep her locked in his mansion.”

“Wait a second! You can insult me all you want, but you can’t just accuse people like that! Especially someone as pure-hearted as Rein—”

“Actually, he’s right.”

“…Huh?”

“Even though I hope he didn’t frame it that way, it’s not entirely wrong.”

“Oi… do you know how embarrassing it is to admit that so easily? I can barely defend myself—how am I supposed to defend you too?!”

“I feel ashamed.”

“Don’t say that with that calm, smiling expression on your pretty face!”

I’ve heard enough.

“So, are you taking the deal or not?”

Subaru looked at me for a while. Don’t look at me like that.

“And what if we don’t?”

It’s annoying hearing him sound so serious after acting like a clown.

“Then I’ll kill the girl.”

Silence.

I didn’t like that silence.

I didn’t like those looks.

I wasn’t really going to kill Emilia… I was just going to cut her legs. So they’d have to take her to Felix quickly. That way, I wouldn’t feel guilty about cutting off someone’s limb. It wasn’t me who did it to Crusch, after all.

“Believe me, the Sword Saint isn’t fast enough to save a damsel in distress.”

Subaru glanced sideways, then sighed.

“…Alright.”

I had a small moment of relief before—

“I am not a damsel in distress.”

Before all my limbs were suddenly frozen. Blue ice formed around me. I didn’t feel cold, though. That showed the Lion’s Heart was still working. I could break free from this.

I knew it.

The wives knew it.

Subaru probably knew it.

Reinhard most likely knew it.

But this foolish little girl didn’t. She was in over her head now.

Why was she doing this? What reason did she have to do this after I said I would let her go?

I looked at her with my green- gold eyes. She shivered for a moment but then steadied herself—like a princess in a big-budget Disney movie with terrible execution.

“I am grateful that you are willing to release me. But I am not the only one suffering here. These women and girls… they deserve to marry for love, just as I do. If there is any sense inside you, I beg you to let them go as well.”

…

I hate this. I hate that she’s right. They deserve their freedom.

They really do.

…

But I can’t give it to them.

I don’t feel the cold, even as the frost covers me. That means I still have the Lion’s Heart—that I can stop time within my body. In a ridiculous world like this, I need it. But I don’t know if I can control the Little King. Having the Lion’s Heart means the Little King exists inside one of these women. That confirms it.

They have to stay with me.

Don’t blame me.

Blame Regulus.

All the wives were looking at Emilia now—not with hopeful eyes seeking a savior.

But with eyes filled with confusion at a foolish, naive idiot.

Why was she wasting her chance for them?

Unlike them, I respect the effort.

But all I can say is—

“No.”

Chapter Text

"No"  

"Emilia, beware! He won’t—"  

With a flick of my hand, the ice shattered like glass. Now, the act felt as effortless as tearing paper. A dark thought crossed my mind—I could crush her like dough if I wished, snap her bones like brittle crystal. But I didn’t want to kill her, even if she’d been nothing more than a fictional character in a fictional story mere moments ago. True, this diminished my regard for her life, but regard it still held.  

"Don’t move."  

I knew the fools who’d come here would rush to her aid. But I wouldn’t allow it. The deal would proceed, whether she consented or not. If restraining her during the transaction was necessary, so be it.  

Yet… I didn’t want to touch her.  

Why? This was one reason Subaru had uncovered my ability. No warmth or cold in my skin. Letting that slip would be… inconvenient.  

But how to bind her without rope… without exposing how my power worked to Subaru?  

…Hmm.  

"Unseen hands."  

Subaru’s eyes widened. Shock and fear mingled in his gaze.  

Fool.

I lacked the luxury of hesitation.  

No need to explain. I froze the air between my hand and Emilia’s neck into an arm-shaped construct, mimicking Petelgeuse’s signature ability. This would likely mislead Subaru into misinterpreting my power—exactly as intended.  

…Would this girl  stop squirming? Struggling is pointless.  

"You’ve made this needlessly complicated."  

I strode toward her as she gasped for air and wrenched the ice knife from her grip. I felt no cold.  

Felt nothing.  

It didn’t matter… now.  

"Let her go, you bastard!"  

Of course Subaru hated seeing his "not-official" lover suspended midair. Last time this happened, her limbs shattered like a doll’s.  

…  

Petelgeuse’s madness wasn’t my fault. Nor was it Regulus’s doing. Blame Pandora—or even Emilia herself.  

"I wear the crown here. *I* dictate what happens next," I stated calmly before hardening my tone. "What happens next is you silencing yourself and obeying—unless you want this girl’s last sight to be the floor behind her."  

Subaru fell quiet… Unclear if that’s good or bad.  

…  
…  
…  

"Why’s he so silent… Why’s he staring at Reinhard in shock?"  

Ah, right. The divine protections of this "kindly monster." He could likely wish for any protection from Od Laguna. Not that those matter much against his strength.  

Had Reinhard been one to disregard collateral damage, I’d have acted differently. But I trusted his foolish knightly code.  

Trusted he’d honor the deal… He would.  

"Fine… What do you want?"  

Finally, rational negotiation.  

"Toss your weapon to me."  

Reinhard showed no hesitation disarming, flinging his ancestral blade near my feet. But…  

"Both of you. I’m talking to *you*, fish-eyed one."  

"Owie! I can’t help my eyes! They’re my mom’s—don’t insult them! You’d strip a weak, tiny man of his only defense?!"  
"Yes."  
"Bastard!"  

Luckily, he didn’t argue—knew it was futile. Resistance meant refusal. The worse his position, the better mine.  

Though I’d appreciate not being whipped in the face.  

"Here’s what happens: You send the women out first. Then we chat politely. Then I return the ‘Virgin Whore.’"  

"Can we skip the chat? Please?"  
"No."  
"Bastard!"  

Now, to let Regulus’s wives leave. Then wait until they’re clear of the city.  

"You." I pointed at the blonde. Didn’t know her number; didn’t care. "Gather everyone. Leave as far as possible. If things turn ugly, I won’t have my property damaged."  

Couldn’t let Subaru suspect I cared—lest he link them to me.  

The true threat wasn’t Reinhard… but Subaru.  

No—the real threat was Satella, the Witch of Envy. Revealing I knew about Return by Death would summon that silver-haired bitch to slaughter everyone. Unlike Reinhard, she welcomed collateral damage. The wives’ survival would be… temporary.  

…If worst came, I’d ally with Reinhard to restrain her. Killing her’s impossible, but suppression might work.  

Pray Subaru’s checkpoint was after my arrival here. Else, my consciousness might not survive.  

Ah, the wives have left. Now to wait until they’re beyond Pristella.  

"Done as asked. Now free Emilia, you foul-mouthed devil!"  

"I said we’d chat. For instance… your name?"  

"Seriously?! Natsuki Subaru. Na-Tsu-Ki Su-Ba-Ru!"  

"Right. Pleasure meeting you, Kazuma Sato."  

"That’s not even close! Where’d you pull that?!"  

"Sadly, the pleasure’s one-sided. Same applies to you, Reinhard van Astrea."  

"Hey! Why’d you remember his name?!"  

"Quiet, Barusu."  

"Seriously, are you related to Ram? Pray you never meet."  

"Silence. Now I know your names and origins—"  

"None of your damn business!"  

"—from beyond the Great Waterfall."  

Silence drowned the room, the weight of that statement threatening to crush us all.  

"Am I wrong…? Your faces say I’m right. Aren’t I, Natsumi?"  

"Assume you’re correct. How’d you deduce it?"  

…Couldn’t admit I’d read his life’s story for amusement. Perhaps a boastful threat…  

"Your clothes are odd. Eyes unnatural. Speech unlike anything here. Your sudden arrival. Let’s not forget inventing mayonnaise—likely imported from your world, plus—"  

"Okay, okay! We get it, smartass! What’s wrong with mayonnaise?!"  

"…Meh."  

"Meh?! How dare you dismiss such culinary art!"  

"It’s just eggs and oil. If you popularize it, I’ll make you regret it."  

"Only a monster like you would say that!"  

"Actually, Subaru…"  

"What, Reinhard?"  

"I… don’t care for mayonnaise either."  

"…I’m reevaluating our friendship."  

Reinhard wore a resigned look.  

"You’re truly a bastard," I muttered.  

"Last person I want to hear that from! Don’t be like this, Reinhard! I was joking… mostly."  

"Honestly, I’m curious—what’s beyond the Great Waterfall?"  

"If there are more like him there, it’s probably a hellhole."  

Yes, our world isn’t ready for visitors. With Trump’s madness running rampant, we could use a hero-beast like Reinhard. Pity we lack one.  

"What brings you to our humble world, Kazuma?"  

Why not reveal myself and propose an alliance? Without exposing that I know their story…

…  
…  

Pandora—a wild card. I know nothing of her capabilities. If she discovers her beloved Archbishop’s been replaced by an outsider, she’ll act. She tolerates Regulus’s whims, but a stranger wielding his authority?   

…Another threat.  

…Does she even know of me?  

... Is she already aware of me? 

"Why should I answer?"  

"Because I’m in a foul mood, holding your beloved’s neck in my grip."  

"Honestly, I don’t know. Woke up here."  

"Never tried returning…? No family?"  

"Don’t speak of what you don’t know… They’re better off without me."  

How bleak.  

"Pitiful."  

"Don’t want *your* pity! You cult scum!"  

"Hmm. What’ve I done to you?"  

"You invaded my village. You nearly—"  

"I wasn’t part of that. Don’t lump me with lunatics and perverts."  

"As if you’re different!" Subaru spat.  

"What else have I done?" Take the bait. Take it.

"Because of you bastards…"  

Say it.

"Rem… was forgotten."  

"Who’s Rem?"  

…  
…  
…  

Don’t glare. Couldn’t resist.

"You all deserve death."  

"Nobody gets what they deserve. Agree, Reinhard?"  

"…Perhaps."  

Odd—he glanced at me guiltily.  

"What of your parents, Reinhard? Wait, no—forgot your family hates you for stupid reasons."  

"Not entirely stupid. Natural to hate a monster like me."  

"You  are a monster—but not for their reasons."  

"Huh?"  

"Humans rot from within. Power exposes that rot. I’m no exception. But you… atop the food chain, bowing to ants. Monsters can’t be understood by humans."  

"I don’t understand harming others without cause."  

"Then we’ll never understand each other. Grateful for your monstrousness, Reinhard."  

"First time I’ve been thanked for that." His guilt deepened.  

"Bold words from one unworthy of Reinhard’s blade!"  

"Authority cares nothing for worth. The blade rejects me because it fears mine."  

"Hah! Like cheaters in games."  

"You reek of Authority. Clearly wield one."  

"None of your concern."  

"Admittedly, I’ve no interest."  

Hear that, Witch of Envy? I don’t know about Return by Death. Stay buried.

Hours passed—the wives should’ve left Pristella by now.  

"Fine. Take your girl and leave. Don’t let me see you again."  

I dispelled the time-frozen air arm and tossed Emilia toward them.  

Now they’d leave, and I’d plan my next move.  

…Wait. Where’s Reinhard?  

"My apologies."  

A blinding azure light engulfed me.  

Light seeking my death.  

Silence.  

"Nice one, Reinhard!"  

"I feel no pride in this."  

…  
…  
…  

Seven seconds. Seven seconds to realize they’d betrayed the deal.  

…  

Tired.  

…  

Furious.  

…  

Greedy… Greedy to be alone.  

These vermin overstepped.  

"Seriously. Still alive?! Why won’t you just die?!"  

…  

Subaru expected Regulus—avatar of Greed—to rage and curse.  

He *wished* that were the case.  

What he saw was silence.  

Regulus’s face, shadowed and still as midnight.  

"Know that you cannot go to hell."  

Was this to Subaru? Reinhard? Both? Neither?  

"So… I’ll bring hell to you."

https://www.reddit.com/r/ReZero/comments/1jfi8ud/my_fan_art_of_regulis_for_my_fic/

Chapter Text

Those golden eyes stared directly into Subaru’s rotten soul.  

Maybe the moonlight was deceiving him, but he saw a green glint in those golden eyes.  

Subaru wasn’t as foolish as he acted. He knew what those eyes reflected—he knew because he felt it every day.  

Fear.  

And not just any fear. The fear of death, the fear of ceasing to exist, the fear that every moment spent might be the last.  

But he wasn’t afraid of his nuclear-powered friend beside him.  

He was afraid of him.  

Subaru thought he’d feel more satisfied knowing an Archbishop feared him. Having your enemies fear you is a good thing, isn’t it?  

So why did he feel like the bad guy here?  

Maybe because he convinced his friend Reinhard to break his word to kill someone who didn’t want to fight.  

Shut up, self-hatred. I have friends and a sorta-girlfriend now—I don’t need you.  

We’ll see.  

Seriously, Subaru wished he had some OP power like every isekai protagonist right now. Because at this moment, he had no clue how Regulus’ power worked—how his invincible immunity functioned.  

He saw how Emilia’s neck was suspended in the air.  

The invisible hand. That’s what he called it. This… this…  

Rem’s body, hanging in the air, because of you. Because you’re lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy. Lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy.  

He had unpleasant memories.  

Memories he had no time to recall, as Regulus stomped on the ground—somehow sending shards flying toward him, Reinhard… and Emilia.  

It was embarrassing to be carried by Reinhard like a sack of potatoes while he carried Emilia like a fragile piece of glass. Not that Subaru was complaining. But come on—he was the weakest one here! Couldn’t he get a little more care?  

After placing them at a relatively safe distance, Regulus disappeared before Subaru’s eyes could even track him.  

He reappeared right behind the representative of Greed. His legs materialized into a kick powerful enough to turn a dragon into blood jam.  

Subaru felt the shockwave from Reinhard’s kick.  

But Regulus didn’t seem to feel it.  

Probably because it never reached him. Reinhard’s leg stopped near his head, as if it had hit an invisible wall—one even Reinhard couldn’t break through.  

A wall that made even the Sword Saint’s leg bleed.  

It was the first time Subaru had seen Reinhard bleed.  

And Subaru knew it wouldn’t be the last.  

He felt filthy, making his friend bleed for him.  

Yet, somehow, despite his injured leg, Reinhard managed to retreat before Regulus could grab him.  

"Truly a strange opponent."  

Regulus had already moved past him—before Subaru even realized he had left Regulus’ side. Even with that bleeding leg Subaru couldn’t look away from… The thought that this person could actually hurt Reinhard so effortlessly was terrifying.  

And not just that.  

It was as if this person knew Subaru’s entire history. He seemed wary of him, as if he fully understood Subaru’s way of thinking. As if he knew Subaru would actually find a way to stop him. Subaru would have found it more amusing if Regulus had simply dismissed him as an insect not worth his time.  

Because realizing that someone with such a bizarre power wanted him dead wasn’t comforting at all.  

His demeanor, the way he carried himself as if he were the smartest person in the room—it reminded Subaru of another Witch.  

Not the Witch of Envy.  

The Witch of Greed.  

This couldn’t be a coincidence, could it?  

But it didn’t matter. There was no way he could know about Return by Death… right?  

Satella, stay away.  

Don’t press on my heart.  

Please.  

"Reinhard! Your leg is injured—I need to heal you immediately!"  

Bless her heart—Emilia wasn’t worried about her own impending death but about the person bleeding in front of her.  

"Please, don’t worry about me. This wound won’t be a problem. It seems things will be more complicated than I thought… I’d be grateful if you two moved to a safer area."  

Even though Reinhard stopped, his gaze froze in confusion, directed at Regulus.  

Regulus looked confused as well.  

"...You’re bleeding…"  

"Yes, I am. Are you concerned for me in some way?"  

Reinhard was puzzled by his enemy’s sudden concern. Subaru was equally bewildered.  

"No… I just thought you’d be stronger."  

Those words sent an icy chill down Subaru’s spine.  

What did he mean by that? That he expected Reinhard to be stronger?  

If he considered Reinhard a disappointment… if he thought Reinhard wasn’t as strong as he should be…  

Then may any god have mercy on them.  

Who was he kidding? Since when had prayers ever helped him? His atheism was coming back to bite his sorry ass.  

"It’s hypocritical of you to say that, considering you seem invincible."  

At least, until Subaru figured out how to break through.  

He was trying to think, but with no experiments on Regulus, no knowledge of his abilities, and the fear that either he or Emilia might die…  

And—unbelievably—he was even considering Reinhard’s death.  

The thoughts swirled in his mind like fog.  

"If I’m invincible, then how do you see me?"  

"...What?"  

Subaru wanted to wipe that smug grin off his face.  

A grin that reminded him of Echidna’s.   "I know something you don’t know~" smile . 

"You rejected my offer repeatedly. Even if I leave now, you’ll probably come after me. That’s something I can’t allow. So, the only way to make sure you respect the deal now… is to show you that going against me isn’t worth it. By inflicting as much pain on you as possible. Don’t blame me… blame yourselves, you insignificant characters in a story written by a middle-aged man with a silver-haired girl complex."  

That was a strangely specific insult.  

Wait a minute—Subaru liked silver-haired elf girls.  

Was he talking about him?  

Or someone else?  

Why did he feel like the source of all his problems was listening to this?!  

"And I must retaliate… or I won’t be able to accept my own existence. Oh no! Felt is in danger behind you!"  

That’s what Regulus said, pointing behind them.  

Did he seriously think they’d fall for that?  

…Reinhard did.  

…And so did Emilia.  

In one swift motion, Regulus hurled the door Reinhard had thrown at him—right back at Reinhard.  

"...You're really pitiful."  

"And you’re a heap of loneliness, self-hatred, despair, and a desperate need for love."  

"Honestly! Stop reading me like that—it’s annoying!"  

"Maybe stop treating me like I killed your mother."  

"Leave my mother out of this!"  

"Oh… you mean leave Naoko out of this?"  

That bastard. He should know better than to say someone’s mother’s name.  

But wait a second—  

"How the hell do you know my mom’s name?!"  

"Because you’re a fictional character—"  

He stopped. Placed a hand on his chest.  

For some reason, he looked scared. No—terrified.  

That… was an unfamiliar sight on Regulus’ face.  

Everything about this man was strange.  

The look of Greed in his eyes sharpened, as if he had realized something.  

And then—  

Reinhard was already moving, aiming a kick at him.  

A kick that was once again stopped in midair.  

It was as if the air itself had become Regulus.  

"It seems you’ve asked the spirits to fix your rotten leg already. Are you truly determined to fight me, or are you just angry about being attacked?"  

"I’ll admit that blow was a result of my own actions and that I deserved the attack. But I can’t stop now and disappoint my friends."  

That’s touching.  

"That kind of talk makes me sick, you affection-starved child."  

... Bastard .

"…That’s an accurate assessment. You have an exceptional mind."  

"And you had exceptional legs… you had exceptional legs."  

Before Reinhard could react, an invisible force grabbed his legs—  

And crushed them.  

https://www.reddit.com/r/ReZero/comments/1jkq12q/you_have_strong_legs_sword_saint_or_i_must_say/

For the first time, Regulus Corneas managed to sever Reinhard’s legs.  

Subaru briefly wondered how many times he would have to die before he could land even a single scratch on Reinhard himself.

Subaru really needed something to direct his mind other then this . 

well , well , well , look who came begging .

Chapter Text

I certainly didn’t fully know what I was doing.

Maybe someone will criticize my actions, daring to judge me while sitting in their comfortable chair, saying, “Why don’t you befriend Subaru and Reinhard? They will believe you and have compassion for you.”

Yeah, sure, because they would totally believe that the moment I transferred into the body of a scumbag was the same moment they slammed the door in my face.

I didn’t trust that.

They would ask how I even knew them, and for some reason, something squeezed my lungs when I even hinted that they were fictional characters. Even if I said it as a joke.

Which raises the important question: who sent me here? Shouldn’t there be a god I meet who explains everything to me? That’s what a normal obsessive person would think.

But I know that if there is a god, he wouldn’t bother with an insect.

Less than an insect. He would just do whatever he wants.

Why? Because humans can never cause him pain. Why would he give any respect to something that can’t hurt him?

Humans respect ants more than a god would respect them.

Ants can at least cause pain to a person.

A human can never cause pain to a god.

I suppose that’s why I respect Reinhard less than I did before.

How can I respect him when he’s hanging there without legs?

I wondered why he respects Subaru, then.

...Right, because despite his weakness, he endures more pain than anyone else could. Among all the well-known characters.

And despite that, he still pushes forward toward his goal, no matter what.

So what chance do I have against him?

…Close to none, if he decides to put all his effort into killing me.

But fortunately, even though he certainly wants me dead, he won’t sacrifice everything for it.

His goal, for now, is to save everyone he loves—not to kill every leader of the cult.

If I back off now and let him do what he has to, I doubt he’ll come hunting me down, thirsty for my blood.

Even if he does, I’ll make sure it’s not worth his time.

If he leaves me alone, I’ll leave him alone. That’ll be my deal.

Then… I’m not sure what I’ll do after that.

…I’ll think about it later.

Right now, I know what I have to do.

To be honest, when I was about to fight Reinhard, I expected a harder battle.

But I simply overwhelmed him—just by freezing the time of the air around me when he came to strike. Then attacking him.

Sometimes stopping the time of the air around him to make sure he couldn’t dodge.

Then stopping the time of the air in the form of floating arms to attack.

…I don’t know why Regulus never thought of this.

…Maybe because he’s Regulus.

…Luckily, I’m not Regulus... actually not very lucky .

Pain is something that warns us that we are one step closer to death.

That’s why everyone hates pain.

They don’t want to feel it and be reminded that there’s a possibility they won’t see what happens next.

They don’t want to risk going to hell, even if they don’t believe in it.

I’ll make Reinhard believe in hell.

By making him understand how we humans suffer. How miserable—how utterly miserable—it truly is.

The ability I will call Zeus’s Arms has severed Reinhard’s arms.

Then I threw him.

By striking him and hurling him.

Onto the church floor.

In no gentle way.

Not gentle at all.

It’s strange seeing a human bounce like that—like a… solid slime blob.

And there he lay.

Without limbs.

I have a bad feeling that some weird people are into this.

…Not me. I feel disgusted.

Disgusted by Reinhard for looking so pitiful.

By Subaru and Emilia for staring at me in horror, even though this is all because of them.

…And by myself. Just by myself. I won’t say why.

Reinhard tried to move.

A Zeus’s Fist was there when he did.

The spirits tried to heal him, but his wounds appeared faster than they could close.

Then I stood near him, limbless on the ground.

I snapped my fingers upward, blasting a hole in the ceiling.

"The moonlight is beautiful tonight… It helps me see the worms crawling in the dark in thier speacial way ."

I hope the pain makes him think about stopping.

Stopping his intrusion on me.

My foot was above his head.

And I stomped his skull over and over again.

The silence afterward was loud.

So loud.

"You… You… you bastard!"

It seems Subaru didn’t care that I had just killed the strongest person he knew.

He was probably about to attempt a suicide attack.

And it looked like his friend—or girlfriend, whatever—was following in his footsteps with the same fury.

"Stop, or I’ll tear off your limbs and reattach them in reverse ."

That seemed to stop them from advancing.

Especially Subaru, with his history of losing limbs.

But I didn’t care about them. I kept staring at Reinhard’s corpse.

Then, like a red light shining with the brilliance of a golden sun, something floated above Reinhard’s body.

It hovered over him like a mother bird over its child.

Subaru and Emilia were too stunned to even speak.

And from the ashes of a phoenix, a new bird rose.

A bird whose transformation I interrupted mid-way into a Super Saiyan.

I grabbed its neck tightly.

"Welcome back to the land of the living."

"I’m pleased to return."

"You won’t be."

Reinhard still had that strange smile.

I wish I could say I split him in half with force… but I didn’t. It was a slow process.

I think I heard Subaru vomiting.

…Now, you ask, why are you doing this? You know he’ll just come back to life anyway.

Well…

I wanted to see how he would revive if there were two equal halves of him.

Would there be two versions of him? Would they have to fight to determine which one was the real Reinhard?

Whatever the case, I knew it would be confusing as hell for everyone.

If that happened, I’d take advantage of the situation and escape.

I waited.

Petty.

The right half of him rose while the other crumbled to ashes.

I waved my hand and sliced through the air before he could move.

And I kept cutting.

…And cutting.

…And cutting.

…And cutting.

…Why am I such a slasher? I certainly don’t remember ever being ready to do this before.

I knew the answer the moment I thought about it.

I’m in Regulus’s body now.

Maybe I still have my soul and past memories… but I have Regulus’s brain physiology. And that definitely comes with consequences... consequences I don't know . 

…I need to do something about that later.

Oops. Looks like I got lost in thought, and Reinhard is back.

Still with that damn smile on his face.

Maybe even bigger.

"Emilia, a weapon, please."

The terrified girl wasted no time creating an ice sword for Reinhard to use.

"You know what? Let’s play your game."

I froze the time of the air in my hand in the shape of a medium-length sword.

Reinhard seemed pleased with this decision.

"Oh? Am I to assume you’re wielding some kind of sword to duel me?"

"Who knows? Maybe it’s a spear or an axe. Maybe even a frying pan."

"Yeah, yeah. Spare us your jokes, Princess Rapunzel."

…Subaru makes me regret respecting him.

And then, the duel began.

If you asked Subaru at that moment, he’d say it looked similar to the first time he saw Reinhard fight.

Against Elsa, the Bowel Hunter.

Except this time, the roles were reversed.

Reinhard was being overwhelmed.

And even the blind, the crippled, and the virgins could see it.

Now, let me tell you—I don’t know sword fighting.

I have never held a sword in my life. Not even a gun.

But I had imagination.

The air formed in my hand was simply invincible. Unstoppable. Unparryable.

I just swung it randomly in Reinhard’s direction as he moved at high speed.

Sometimes, I made the sword disappear and reformed it in my other hand.

Sometimes, I extended the blade so long that Reinhard couldn’t see it coming.

And sometimes… I shaped it into a frying pan and struck him.

But why?

Why doesn’t he stop?!

Why is he so determined to endure the pain?

The world isn’t in danger. His friends aren’t in danger. Why is he fighting me like this?

I threw my sword at Reinhard, who dodged it despite it being invisible.

Then, I had Zeus’s Hands grab his legs.

And I aimed Zeus’s Leg at…

His father’s inheritance.

For the first time, I saw genuine pain in his eyes.

Subaru was horrified.

"Wait! Are you seriously going after a man’s precious treasure? Do you have no shame, you bastard, you lowlife, you son of—"

"If you don’t shut up, I’ll twist yours."

"Yes, sir! I acknowledge all my wrongdoings and offer my deepest apologies! I swear on my family’s honor and mayonnaise—"

"Is your head always stuck in mayonnaise? Is that all you ever think about?"

"…Not all the time. Just mostly."

…At least he’ll surrender now.

…And stay down…

Are you kidding me?!

"Don’t you know when to quit?"

"One of the things I, unfortunately, can’t learn."

...

…I’ve had enough.

I froze the time of the air into a bubble around Reinhard.

And I squeezed. And squeezed. And squeezed.

SPLASH.

To the size of a football.

This time, both Emilia and Subaru gagged, sweating and gasping in terror.

I would’ve done the same if time hadn’t stopped around my body.

But my expression certainly stumbled.

As expected, Reinhard came back to life.

Could I even ask whatever god sent me here to stop?!

…Wait.

Was he… smiling?

And not just any smile—a bright, gleaming one.

"Why? …Just why?"

…

"My deepest apologies… I know it’s natural to stop. Even a monster like me should understand that. Even a beast would stop from pain… but for my entire life, I never truly struggled for anything. Everything I did was effortless. The things I truly wanted were impossible—"

"Like your family’s love and normal social interaction?"

"Yes, exactly. But now—here you are. Playing with me like an ant under your foot. I'm struggling just to stay alive in front of you. And this isn't even about saving the world…"

"This… this game—it ignites something inside me."

…

There were three people who ever awakened human emotions in Reinhard.

First was his grandfather, who awakened pain in him by calling him a monster.

Second was his mistress, Felt, who awakened hope in him—hope that he could be something more than just the Sword Saint.

And the third wasn’t present here, but he still existed. Subaru, from the Pride If route—who awakened hatred in him, just as the Sin Archbishop of Wrath set fire to everything he loved.

…And now, I am the fourth.

The one who awakened a new feeling in Reinhard.

Pleasure.

…I thought that inflicting pain on the Sword Saint would shock him into surrendering.

But I made a mistake.

I already changed something in the original story’s path.

I just turned Reinhard into a damned masochist.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ReZero/comments/1jlops4/masochist_reinhard_from_my_story/

Chapter Text

I didn’t know what to do now.

I really didn’t know.

… And how? How the hell was I supposed to know what to do?! Even Subaru was more shocked than I was.

Emilia was more confused than anything else, and for the first time, I envied her stupidity… Yes, I said it. Stupidity. Not just naivety, but outright stupidity. I was tired of everyone making excuses for her. That girl wanted to rule a kingdom and end racism—how the hell was she supposed to do that if she couldn’t even grasp something as basic as love?

I’ll give her some credit, though. Her stupidity wasn’t entirely her fault. Bastards were trying to manipulate her and keep her in check for their own benefit. And I’m looking at you, Roswaal. Or "for her own good"—I’m looking at you, Puck.

And honestly… I always found it strange that she was chosen to rule the kingdom. Everyone focused on the fact that she was a half-elf and overlooked the fact that she literally had the mindset of a twelve-year-old. Not even a teenager. Yes, I know she’s technically a hundred years old, but that only makes it worse—she’s attracted to someone eighty years younger than her.

The reason Subaru fell in love with her was because she was the only one who showed him a shred of decency. That made him cling to her, seeing her as his dream girl, believing that by sticking by her side and helping her, he would become the isekai hero he wanted to be.

… Thinking about it now, I don’t really envy her.

"Oh no… Oh no! This is exactly like Elsa that time! Why, world?! Any god out there, why do you hate me?!"

"I don’t know. Maybe because the god of this world has a silver-haired girl obsession and doesn’t like the fact that you’re obsessed with one too?" Or maybe he just thinks Subaru has to suffer to be worthy of them.

"Damn it! I really hate how right that sounds."

Seeing Subaru in real life, I couldn’t help but think—Tappei is just a pathetic loser jealous of his own creation.

The reason Subaru fell in love with her was because she was the only one who showed him a shred of decency. That made him cling to her, seeing her as his dream girl, believing that by sticking by her side and helping her, he would become the isekai hero he wanted to be.

Subaru, you had potential as a merchant. You would’ve died far less if you weren’t with her… or maybe not, considering the world hates you.

And you’d still go back to the beginning if you died of old age, unsatisfied.

People say sloth is the happiest route, but it’s actually the cruelest. If he continued on that path and died of old age, he would’ve returned to where he started.

Without his family… without his friends… and without his life.

And the worst part? He’d think he lost his children. The chance of having them again is one in a billion. It’s unlikely they’d have the same gender, appearance, or soul. It’s a miracle we’re even born once, let alone twice.

And now, to my favorite spoiled brat.

I didn’t actually want to yeet him to the moon because I knew he’d just come back quickly to chase me again. And I didn’t want to throw him somewhere else because I had no idea how long it would take him to return—if he even could. I didn’t want to leave someone drifting in space forever unless I absolutely had to. So, I planned to inflict enough pain on him to make him leave me alone.

… That just ended with him shooting me in the back.

… Now, that doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore.

I wanted to get away from this madness as fast as possible.

Operation: Send Reinhard to Space—Activated.

The first thing I needed to do was kill him one last time, then launch his corpse. I wondered if his divine protections would still work out there. Technically, Od Laguna was still connected to him, and I was sure he had died when Regulus shot him to the moon before reviving.

But that didn’t matter. I’d send his corpse into the endless void and pray it would take months for him to return. Maybe His Daddy would throw a meteor at him to bring him back. I mean, Od Laguna isn’t Henkel.

… It’s rare to meet a daddy’s boy these days. It’s usually mama’s boys or daddy’s girls.

The daddy’s boy moved fast. Emilia and Subaru were far enough away, but it would be bad if I accidentally killed them. So I had to keep the destruction contained.

And I had a plan.

It was a waste of time trying to keep up with his movements using normal human reflexes. So, I hid my frozen air inside what I called Cronos’ Shield.

Every time he tried to hit me, he only ended up hurting his own hands. But he didn’t seem to feel pain or care. No, the truth was—he enjoyed it. I really wished I didn’t know that.

A perfect moment for the Sword Saint to catch his breath.

I stepped forward.

Reinhard looked at me with the smile of a noble at a banquet, eagerly awaiting his fine meal.

I couldn’t believe I wanted to punch something and run away from it at the same time.

I froze the air into a cube. Time moved inside. Time moved outside. But the walls of air stayed still. I tied it with a string to my finger to keep my authority active.

We were close. I could have felt his breath if not for my authority.

I noticed he was reasonably taller than me—a reminder that even my height had changed.

"So, Sword Saint, have you ever heard of ‘Seven Minutes in Hell’?"

I said that mockingly. I raised my fist mockingly.

With nowhere to dodge and no way to block my endless punches, Reinhard was trapped.

Each punch was as heavy as a meteor against his body. Even with his divine protection reducing the damage, blood splattered against the frozen walls of air. Each kick struck like an earthquake, except they were concentrated in the frame of a human leg.

Again and again, the hits landed.

Reinhard noticed—I was definitely not trained in combat. I was actually worse than Subaru. But that didn’t matter, given the power difference.

It was like a storm. A storm even Reinhard couldn’t stop.

… It was painful.

… It was brutal.

… It was fun.

Reinhard wanted more.

Subaru said it looked like a blender from his world mixing a strawberry smoothie.

Anyone else would say it looked like a cube—colored red.

Red like blood.

No one would know what was happening because the frozen air didn’t let sound pass through.

When the walls finally fell and the liquid spilled out, Reinhard was unrecognizable.

He had lost more flesh, blood, and bone than he had left.

And yet… he was still smiling. At least, I thought it was a smile.

"This is your fault, you know? If you had just left, we wouldn’t have had to go through this." Of course, it was their fault, not mine. I was just trying to protect myself from dying.

"But I pity you for enduring so many hardships in your life."

I used my hands and the air to tear open the ceiling.

"Allow me to grant you a quick vacation to explore the vastness of space. My gift is non-refundable. Sorry about that."

I was about to launch him into the sky, far from the moon, maybe to a distant planet—if those even existed in Od Laguna’s world.

… But I made a mistake.

Reinhard wasn’t dead.

And Reinhard wanted more.

The moment I struck him upwards—

Reinhard grabbed my other leg.

Anyone who says I screamed like a little girl is a liar. And also sexist. What’s wrong with girls screaming, huh?

Chapter Text

Soaring into the sky while a bloody hand clutched my leg—I certainly had the right to scream like a man. Not that men's screams are any better than women's, but I just want to point out that what the city heard was a man’s scream.

Let me tell you, watching the sky rise higher and higher, changing color as the atmosphere shifts, is both terrifying and exhilarating. Is this what astronauts feel when they go beyond the land where they will one day be buried? Doing what 99.999% of humanity never will.

And perhaps some of them will die far from Earth. In the best-case scenario, gravity will pull them back, and the Earth will hold a funeral for them—burning their bodies in its atmosphere.

Now I feel fear. Because if my Authority doesn't work in space... I will die in a way worse than Regulus Corneas. So, I tried to kick the half-corpse in front of me before reaching my potential death. But even as a corpse, he displayed an unbelievable instinct. Dodging, his grip remained firm no matter how much I thrashed my leg.

The sky shifted from dark blue to black.

Black—soon, that will be all I see.

… No.

… No, I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to die without even a proper grave. Why must I go through this? Why must I fear for my life like this? The closest thing to this was a movie I watched during the quarantine, except in that one, I would have died like my grandmother—because the hospital couldn’t have cared less about an extra life.

Funny how the one dragging me toward my potential death is someone who needs a hospital.

Or Felix.

Oh right, Felix is near the most disgusting woman in this world. Is he going to die...? Oh, wait, he's literally one of the people who could be considered immortal. Killing him isn't as hard as Reinhard, but it's still difficult.

Well, even if Reinhard isn’t there to save him, there's Aldebaran—and probably Priscilla once she gets mad...

… Why am I thinking about the safety of the cat boy? I’m the one in danger here!

Once we reached beyond the atmosphere, Reinhard loosened his grip, allowing me to kick him away.

…
…
…

Oh no. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I don’t feel any air inside me.

Is this how I die? Drowning in the void instead of water?

Is this where my short life ends?

Is that it?

… Wait a second. Shouldn’t I be feeling pain if I were suffocating? Actually, I haven't breathed since I got here... I don’t need to breathe.

That led me to a serious question: How far does the Little King’s power extend? How far do I have to be from the wives? I remember Tappei saying that Regulus could return from space.

I know the distance is connected to how much he feels their love... Whatever the hell that means.

And Ram, with her horn, could fling me into the Great Waterfall and kill me. So, I can guess that sending him far from this world would sever his connection to them, and his heart would return to him.

Well… at least I’m alive.

My first instinct was to look down. At the Earth beneath me... And though I expected it, the sight still shocked me.

The Earth was flat.

Ram wanted to punch Barusu for some reason. Whatever resentment she felt—it was his fault.

And not only that. The Waterfall surrounded this flat world, its waters stretching from a place beyond my sight, falling into the void below.

I could see this land—snow in the north of the continent, the forests of Vollachia, whatever Kararagi was. And, of course, Lugunica got the longer end of the stick when it came to land.

Surrounding us were the stars. Stars appear white to our eyes because of the atmosphere, making them twinkle. But without it, they don’t twinkle. Instead, their true colors are visible.

Anyone with basic knowledge of stars knows there are red, blue, yellow, and white stars... But I didn't expect to see green and purple.

… Wait a second. Six colors—six magical elements... Oh.

I know I said I wasn’t dreaming. The blood Reinhard spilled proved that. But this strange sight is making me reconsider.

… It would be nice if this were just a nightmare. But in my nightmares, I always feel like an insect.

Here, I have a sickening sense of divinity.

… I take that back. Any god listening, please don’t make this harder for me.

"The view isn’t bad, is it?"

Damn it. Wait a minu—

"How can you talk in space? How can I talk? There’s no air to carry sound!"

This makes no sense. Nothing should be able to affect or change me.

And yet, here was Reinhard, in the flesh. And in his clothes.

"I tried linking our minds with my Divine Protection of Telepathy, but I couldn’t. So I used my Divine Protection of [Translating Thoughts and Intentions into Speech for Everyone in the Area]. Don’t worry, I can’t read your thoughts if that scares you. It’s more like holding hands."

"Don’t say it like that! If this were a fucking  novel, the shippers would swarm us like the disgusting flies they are. I would literally rather die than suffer that fate—do you understand? And what kind of Divine Protection long damn name is that?!"

"I usually use it when there are sales at the market."

"... You are literally one of the richest people on the planet."

"It’s wasteful to spend unnecessary money."

"And yet you unleash chaos during discount season?"

"There’s always chaos during sales."

"Whatever."

I tried using Cronos’ Hands, but nothing happened.

Oh, right. No air in space.

Reinhard seemed to get tired of waiting for the fight and rushed forward, smiling. Smiling as if he were about to have an ordinary duel—not a brutal battle with one of the strongest beings in the world.

He went straight for a punch .

So did Regulus.

Their fists collided.

The impact alone would have been enough to destroy the church we were in—I was sure of it.

The lack of gravity worked in Reinhard’s favor. Clearly. Because even though I broke his hand, he still sent me flying until I stopped myself.

Regulus wasn’t done. He kept attacking at full speed. And without the ability to freeze the air, fighting became harder without being able to catch him off guard. All I only have  was my clothes now.

What happened next was something no one would have imagined—Reinhard simply punched me while I floated in space.

Of course, when I used my movement ability, it worked at extreme speed but only in a straight line. Like moving with arrow keys in a video game—without a mouse.

Annoying, as you might have guessed.

"Hmm? Is that all? After all that talk and effort you put in, you can’t give me what you boasted about? Honestly… Petty."

… I’m the only one who says "Petty."

"Don’t you have anything left, Greed?"

"I have my clothes."

I took off my outer wedding suit, leaving only my blue shirt, then wrapped it and activated my Authority on it.

Reinhard seemed excited by something new because he rushed at me with a speed that would put any Earth fighter jet to shame.

You know when you twist a towel and playfully snap it at a friend—without actually hurting them?

Reinhard is not my friend.

And that definitely hurt.

And he liked it.

If there were air, the entire flat world beneath us would have heard that snap. And I could tell—a lot of Reinhard’s blood floated around me.

"Now this is something I’m looking forward to. If I survive, I’ll ask you to do this more often."

"When I survive, I’ll sue you to stay as far away from me as possible."

Speaking of getting away...

I gathered Reinhard’s blood near me, stopped its time, and shaped it into a circular shield.

"Now you look like a knight… A weird one, but still a knight."

"I don’t want to hear that from you."

"Consider it an apology."

Reinhard smiled. Bloodied, regenerating. Probably another Divine Protection since he had no spirits nearby.

Tonight would be long… Wait, am I still in nighttime if I’m in space?

Chapter Text

Saying that Sword Saint Reinhard launched himself enthusiastically into battle would be an understatement. I can prove my claim with evidence—he took off at the speed of sound toward me. I had a feeling he was about to kick my chest, so I blocked it with my blood-forged shield.

This time, I didn’t move from my spot.

I responded by flicking my whip—my clothing—at him, sending him flying until he stopped himself. But I didn’t give him time to rest. I dashed forward and wrapped my clothes around his waist, spinning him around. He rotated so fast that he became invisible to the eye.

Then, I launched him far away before charging in with a kick.

But it seemed Reinhard was adapting to my style (which honestly looked like a child playing with the neighbors... not that he knew anything about that). He caught my leg and tried to squeeze my throat.

I clapped my hands against his ears as hard as I could. Clearly, this annoyed him immensely. He stopped, I grabbed my weapons, and I struck him in the face with my suit. I could feel his skin peeling off and flying away.

He got excited. Even though he was injured, he just channeled mana into his body to launch himself at me again.

How is he getting mana in space...? Oh, right. The stars. He can literally absorb mana from them, even from a distance.

This time, instead of attacking, he decided to grab me and rocket off at random.

It happened so fast I didn’t even notice where we ended up.

Just floating in the void, feeling nothing except for an idiot determined to fight me.

And now, it wasn’t just about protecting his friends—it was for his own enjoyment.

I wonder why he changed so suddenly. No one else noticed it or even thought it was a joke.

But somehow, I could imagine why he was happy. Reinhard had been seen as a monster for most of his life because of his overwhelming power and what he could do. And honestly, I understood why people feared him. Who’s to say he wouldn’t change his mind about being the Sword Saint and decide to kill and enslave people instead, simply because he was more important than them?

Though I knew that would never happen.

Maybe that’s why Old Lugunica loved him—knowing that no matter what, power wouldn’t corrupt him.

He’s literally this world’s Superman.

…And what about me? I’m definitely not Batman. That title belongs to Subaru.

Well, I do strip time away from my own body, so there’s that... and sometimes, I shape the air by freezing its time.

…Oh, crap. I’m Green Lantern. I better make sure my movie is good if I get one.

A thought for later, because right now, Reinhard decided to slam me into the most ridiculous place.

The moon.

Considering this was where he was supposed to meet his end, it was really... Moo-nic.

Okay, I’ll stop.

…Maybe... Probably... not.

My thoughts were interrupted as Reinhard struck me hard, launching me through space and crashing me into the gray surface of the moon.

It looks white in sunlight when seen from Earth, but here, it’s just dull and lifeless—like a desert that lost its golden sheen and was replaced by the tears of a middle-aged man.

Speaking of the sun, it looked very different from ours. No pale yellow-white glow, just a golden shine... like actual gold.

While I was busy thinking about the sun, something glowing shot toward me at high speed. A red light that could only belong to that battle-hungry monster.

But I wasn’t concerned with him—I was more interested in the fact that I was on the moon. Not my moon, but a moon.

Technically, I was the first man to step on it.

I had just achieved a milestone in my life.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t my past life. It was my life now... as a substitute for Regulus.

No matter. I’ll live it anyway.

Even if the blue meteor heading toward me says otherwise.

I guarantee you—the explosion that followed could have turned the city of Priestella to ashes.

Just… trust me. I felt it, even though I shouldn’t be able to feel anything.

But the pain wasn’t over yet.

If my opponent was a nuclear bomb, then I was a time-based atomic bomb.

I swung my suit again and hurled the Sword Saint a good distance away from the massive crater he had just created.

And unfortunately, my anger wouldn’t let me give him a second to think about how to hit me next.

I rushed toward him at supersonic speed and delivered a kick with my right foot, sending him crashing into the moon’s ridges.

Watching him tumble through all that rock was a sight to behold.

Does he know how expensive moon rocks are at NASA?

Oh, right. There’s no NASA here.

This world is a flat-earther’s dream.

I wonder... if there isn’t enough gravity to make the planet spherical, how is there enough for people to live on? Can we even call this a planet?

It’s more like a floating island—an island surrounded by problems, yet without a fictional pirate crew to come and solve them...

Maybe I really am in a novel. Who’s to say those other stories aren’t real too?

In fact, how would they feel if they found out they were just fictional characters—gears in the machine of entertainment, controlled by a higher being that determines their fate, their dreams, their lives and deaths, and even when they go to the bathroom?

Wait a second... isn’t that already Abrahamic religion?

Maybe there’s a religion in this world that will tell the story of my fight with Reinhard… or rather, Reinhard’s fight against the wretched monster of envy.

Oh, and that monster was stupid enough to get lost in his thoughts—trying to entertain himself, trying to silence the voices in his head—so much so that he didn’t notice the Sword Saint charging at him.

No legend will come from this, you idiot.

That was my last thought before I crashed into tons of rock.

Reinhard paused to think when Greed was flung far from him.

He used his instincts to try to locate him.

Then his thoughts were interrupted as thousands of stones launched at him, trying to turn him into minced meat.

He used his senses to evade them, though dodging some was difficult since they were launched randomly.

As he was dodging, the stones disappeared into dust.

And that dust was even more dangerous than the stones.

Avoiding it was nearly impossible.

...

Reinhard was more impressed today than in his entire life combined.

Greed kept turning the moon’s rocks into dust again and again.

And now, he was using that dust to create a sandstorm.

…Not something that could be avoided.

That was Reinhard’s last thought as the storm surged toward him.

and the joy he get from his flesh being torn apart 

_________________________________

I saw a pool of blood gathering and moving toward the corpse on the ground.

I waited for him to come back to life for the fifth time since I fought him… Is this how Dark Souls bosses feel? Not too bad.

When that annoying face of his reappeared, I asked him a question.

"Why do you keep doing this? For what purpose…? Do you really enjoy getting hurt this much? Do you want to kill me that badly?"

"...No."

"...?"

"Actually, I wanted to let you go, seeing as you didn't want to fight. I wanted to go help the others against the other archbishops… I wanted to go and make sure Felt was okay."

"Then why didn’t you? Who was stopping you?"

"...Subaru really wanted to defeat you. He didn't want to be the only one who did nothing in this plan. And… he also didn’t trust your word that you’d just leave and not go help the archbishops kill others."

"You should have just believed me. Now all your friends are in danger without you there to help them."

"Yeah… my friends. Do you know how I feel?"

"Let me guess. Lonely."

"Pretty much."

"Everyone else is afraid of you."

"Kinda."

"No one talks to you. No one wants to be your friend."

"I have friends."

"You're always known as the Sword Saint, not as Reinhard."

"That's true."

"And you're a victim of your own success."

"I wouldn't say victim. I’m definitely guilty."

"Do you really blame yourself for what happened to your grandmother? You were literally just a kid who made a wish without knowing what it would cause. Your grandfather was just a fool for believing otherwise. He’s an idiot who knows how to be a husband but not a father. He failed with your dad, and he failed with you too."

"You’re sharp, but unfortunately, things aren’t that simple."

"If he disappeared off the face of the earth, maybe you and your father would have made peace already."

"You're too sharp for your own good. Reinhard is a disgusting monster who caused his grandmother's death and shattered his family. He’s selfish, unable to let go of the good people in his life despite not deserving them. The first monster the Sword Saint should have slain was Reinhard van Astrea… A pathetic monster who must atone by killing even more monsters."

"...I'm not a monster."

"As I said, too sharp for your own good. Sorry, but I can’t let my friends down. If I’m not the Sword Saint, then what am I?"

As the fight resumed, I kicked him away from me.

Then I shot forward at full speed, ramming my head into his nose.

I grabbed his collar and kept punching him over and over, each blow heavy. Before Reinhard could grab my suit and throw me off.

Before he could launch himself at me.

I extended my suit like a whip around him, wrapping him up without breaking.

I grabbed his head and delivered a punch straight to his face—one that sent a shockwave shattering the ground beneath us.

He decided to return the favor and grabbed me.

This time, he flew around the moon with me in his grasp, slamming me into every peak along the way. This time, he was really trying to kill me. Let’s just say it wasn’t pleasant.

I knocked him away before delivering a sharp strike with my arm, sending him hurtling toward the ground.

Before he could hit it, I grabbed his leg to make sure he crashed into it as hard as possible.

When I landed, I left my weapons behind and bent down to pick up a rock.

And when I say rock, I mean a chunk of the ground the size of an apartment building. My ability to stop time made its weight meaningless.

And now… I dropped it on the Sword Saint, then lifted it, then dropped it again, then lifted it again and kept smashing him with it repeatedly.

I took my Blood Shield and sent it at Reinhard, pinning him in place as the blood turned it into an unbreakable glue.

Then I leapt away, floating in space above the moon.

I was angry… at everything. At my situation. At the people attacking me. And simply… at this world, so determined to hate me. But I would endure. I always do. I wouldn’t give the world the satisfaction of watching me perish on a silver platter. I would prove that by putting down its favorite golden boy.

But I didn’t know how to do that without energy.

…Now that I think about it, isn’t sound a form of energy?

…Worth a try.

I put my fingers in my mouth and whistled.

I tried stripping the flow of time from the sound I made, which wouldn’t normally be heard in space.

…It worked.

…The sound kept growing and growing.

And when I unleashed it—

A massive sonic explosion erupted, visible even from Earth.

A golden and white blast.

It shot toward Reinhard at incredible speed, almost as fast as light. I twirled my suit like a towel, ready to unleash my frustration.

Even Reinhard seemed to understand how bad this situation was. He raised his hand in preparation, tense and pleading.

…Too bad.

I struck.

And there was an explosion vast enough to turn a third of the world to dust.

…

I noticed the moon had exploded, and its debris was falling toward Earth. No big deal. What are the chances that any of it would land on Subaru?

...i am not a...monster 

…Damn it.

"Subaru? Are you sure Reinhard—"

"Of course, Emilia-tan! This is Reinhard we’re talking about. He’ll be back soon, proudly carrying Regulus’s head."

"Subaru!"

"Yeah, okay, maybe he wouldn’t be proud of that. My bad."

"That’s not it. I mean, aren’t you really not worried about him?"

"Of course not. I have complete faith in Reinhard."

More than I have in myself, anyway. I was the one who told Reinhard he could rely on me, only to do absolutely nothing… leaving my friend out there in the void. But I had to have faith in Reinhard, or else… I’d do something reckless, despite what I learned a year ago.

A sudden light above interrupted my thoughts, and for a second, I was afraid the sun had already risen before we’d done anything. Emilia and I were in Priscilla’s city, helping others while waiting for Reinhard.

But when I looked up, I was stunned by a display of lights from space. It seemed like the battle was still going on.

"See, Emilia-tan? Red and blue—those are definitely Reinhard’s colors."

"Are you sure about that, Subaru?"

"Absolutely."

I didn’t mention how the atmosphere could refract light and make it look different.

…

Then something impossible happened. Something Subaru never thought he’d see.

The moon exploded.

The most surreal, mind-numbing sight Subaru had ever witnessed in this world. And judging by Emilia’s expression, it wasn’t something that happened often here.

And now, the debris from the explosion had turned into meteors, ready to wreak havoc.

If all the versions of Natsuki Subaru met each other, one of them would proudly say he was the only one who died from the moon falling on him.

Chapter Text

---

Do you know how absurd it is that I have to accept the reality of literally being on the moon and waste my time ensuring my survival because that Sword Saint Reinhard is determined to fight me no matter what? His reasons are nonsense—like not feeling the thrill of pain. Haven’t we already settled this? 

Why must I waste my time killing him over and over? Does he understand how irritated I am? How this grates on my nerves? The frustration and anxiety claw at my chest like a battlefield, just as Reinhard stubbornly chooses to fight. Technically, I’m the one who launched him into space, but he didn’t have to drag me into it! It’s not like I’d kill his friends while he’s floating out there!

He’s a cheater. A damned cheater. Without his divine protections, he’d have died once and stayed dead. Everyone gets one life—me included. Why not him? He’s Subaru, too…

…What? Is it hypocrisy to claim this while I wield one of the most broken abilities in the world? It’s different. First, I literally have nothing else. I don’t think I can actually give it up. He already has his natural gifts, turning his protections into a joke. But some protections make him annoyingly invincible. Us cheaters…

And why judge *me* for cheating? I’m just trying to live, to protect myself. *They’re* the ones obsessed with killing me because I’m a “threat” or “kidnapped women”—none of that’s true! Even if they knew my circumstances… Couldn’t they just look at me and see I’m not a monster deserving death? Doesn’t Reinhard have the best instincts of anyone alive?

I’m just angry. My existence is constantly endangered by someone with such petty desires.

…Why won’t he come? Isn’t he excited to fight, to feel pain… to chase his obsession with someone stronger?

…Why is he hesitating?

What’s that strange look on his face?

He landed softly on the moon. Sorry, but you’re second place. I’m Neil Armstrong, and you’re the other guy nobody remembers.

“Can we… move the fight somewhere else?”  

…What?

“What?”  

“Yeah, I know it’s weird to ask. But I really need us to fight somewhere else. Quickly.”

...

...

  
Something’s off.

“I’ll consider agreeing if you explain why.”  

He seems to have thought about it before answering.

“I was warned there’s a risk of fighting near the moon… that I must ensure no damage causes a catastrophe. I doubted it, but this situation proves it.”

…

“Who told you this?”

“I’m afraid I can’t say.”

…Who else could it be? That guy…

The idea that harm to the moon could trigger disaster on Earth is oddly specific. Anyone else saying it would’ve been called delusional. Probably… no. Definitely—Subaru died. And came back. And dragged us all with him. 

Thinking back, unlike the stories, he didn’t burst in dramatically. Reinhard went off to retrieve Emilia, barely restrained. He didn’t rage when I supposedly killed his friend. Though uneasy about my lingering influence, he didn’t seem surprised… even side-eyeing the wives. Subaru returned through death. Probably died fighting the Sword Saint despite the distance.

…
…  

How many times?

How many times has he returned?

How many deaths will it take to kill me?  
How will I know?

I’m better than Regulus… but am I better than Subaru?

Oh god… Oh god.

I’ll die, won’t I? Or worse—captured, tortured. He’d come personally for that. No, he’d probably forget me like I’m nothing.

… 
There’s no air… Why can I still panic?

…Why? I’m on my knees.  

I’m gasping for air that doesn’t exist… using lungs that don’t work.

…A hand lands on my shoulder.

Red hair, blue eyes… a face feigning concern.

…How dare he pretend to care? He and his friend caused this… his fault I’m humiliated.  

I grabbed his disgusting face, squeezing until blood dripped from his ears… making sure he’d hear this.

“I’m tired of you. So tired… I’ll send you to hell. But unlike your fire-and-brimstone hell, yours will be hydrogen and helium.”

With all my strength, I launched Reinhard toward the sun.

The Sword Saint is heading for the golden sun. Let him have that achievement—first man to land on the sun. I’m almost jealous.  

Technically, even if he revives there, the heat will kill him endlessly.

…
…

What now?

I sat on the moon’s surface, staring at the flat Earth below, pondering the waterfalls trapping its inhabitants.

I’m literally a side character next to a protagonist who controls my life. Worse—I won’t know he’s done it until I’m dead.  

I need a plan. First, think about the anomaly himself: Natsuki Subaru.

What do I know about him?

…That man’s insane.

A madman with a warped moral code, but still insane .

Someone who forgives people who brutally killed him because their flimsy excuses tugged his pity and self-loathing. Someone who insists on carrying everyone’s burdens… or else feels worthless.

Someone envious of others’ strength despite being the strongest.
A good person… one I genuinely hate now.

How dare he treat my existence as a joke? 
Is my life his game?

If he’s so scared, he could’ve just accepted the deal.

…Or maybe he’s so scared he sees erasing me as top priority. 

Fine… I’ll treat you the same, Kazuma.

…But why not flee? Ensure I avoid him forever.

  
…Because I don’t want him to exert effort over me.

I have… plans. Things to do. If he fixates on me even slightly… he’ll suffer. I won’t pretend I want someone I hate to suffer for me—that’s grotesque.

Plus, I’ve already caused changes. 

And we know how Subaru reacts to change.

 
Who’s to say he won’t end up like Gluttony and try to kill his friends—me included?

…Hmm, no.

Fighting him… is pointless.

With his power, he can learn my life, abilities… everything, then reset with death.  

How do I beat a time traveler?
…I need an example.

…Closest thing is Undertale.

Not that I had an Undertale phase… no sir .   
Comparing Frisk to Subaru: Both defy fate, die repeatedly, both crazy nuts . 
How was Frisk defeated?

…They weren’t. Even by god.

…Actually, Sans nearly broke them by sheer frustration. Subaru’s been close to breaking too.  

Even if he dies dissatisfied, I’ll ensure my victory outlives his resets. If there’s a way in, there’s a way out.

His ultimate move was genius—doing nothing till boredom kills. Sadly, he exhausted his magic… not my problem.  

Subaru’s reset button is his death. So I’ll ensure he lives long without suicide.

…Wait—doesn’t Sans also forget timelines, relying on analysis to detect loops?

...

...

 
I glanced at my reflection… realizing if my golden eyes turned blue, I’d look like twink Sans fanart.

…I’ve become everything I hated.

Whatever. Let’s end this quickly.

I wonder how the fall will be . 

I let myself drop from the moon, gravity pulling me toward Earth.

…  
… 

Falling, I sense Emilia’s location via my Little King authority—no doubt near Subaru. 

Let the game begin, Subaru.

---  

Subaru felt a terrible churn in his gut… a sign something bad was coming. He could almost hear the “bad thing incoming” soundtrack.

No, this isn’t a game. He already died from the moon falling—he can’t die to his own imagination. He needs to act… unlike Reinhard.

But he doesn’t know why Regulus is invincible… not enough experiments. Reinhard took Regulus to space… twice.

…Even Astrology knowledge won’t help.

“Regulus” means “Little King”—king of what? Absolute authority? Do his wives matter? If so, why risk destroying the moon and them? Impossible he’d gamble everything… right? 

Doesn’t matter. Until Reinhard returns… Subaru must make himself useful, help others against the Archbishops… trust Reinhard.  

…Emilia in her dress is distractingly beautiful. 

“Subaru… do you hear that?”

“No.”  

…Now he hears it—a high-pitched whistle from above. 

…He didn’t need to look up.

The Archbishop of Greed, Regulus Corneas, stood in the sky, whistling a haunting tune—reminding Subaru of a familiar reaper.

“Long time no see… Patrick.”

“That’s not even Japanese!”

He’s doing this on purpose—mocking Subaru with a dumb names . 

“Where’s Reinhard?” Emilia asked, prioritizing his safety over her own.

…And yours.

Not the time, self-loathing.

you rather talk with despair again . 

... No 

Then suck it !

“Happy to say your friend is on vacation… with a solar parasol.”

This bastard ... The images  of Reinhard  burning … Should Subaru just give up  and try again?

"You will pay for this ! "

"Yeah ! Get ready , I were training on parlor for a year now " and to brove this I did flip

"That cute " then Regulus did flip himself ... And keep spinning in the air for damn minute . 

...

"I can beat that"

"No you can't"

"No I can't "

…He doesn't want to kill himself in front of Emilia… or let her die beside him... or to die by embarrassment . 

But regulus interpreted his thoughts .

“But I came to say… I surrender.”

...what?

“…What?” Subaru and Emilia echoed. Such souls mates they were . 

“No point fighting. You’ll just chase me… My condition: I won’t die, be jailed, or tortured. So freeze me with a spell—so long that when I thaw, my sentence is served. Thoughts?”

The deal isn’t terrible. Subaru hates the cult, but stopping their harm matters more than grudges. Even he wouldn’t want torture… even for a sinner.

“Emilia… do it.”

 
He’d planned to do  this anyway. To see if it will work . 

Though hesitant—her past with freezing people—Emilia nodded. Blue magic shot toward Regulus.

At the same moment, Subaru felt a pull.

"Subaru!”

The last thing he heard was a voice like bells.

---  

It worked. 

I held a block of ice containing Natsuki Subaru—alive but frozen.

Placing it down, I knelt beside it.

"Subaru! Subaru! Return him !"

Emilia’s frost magic hit me—ignored. I had bigger concerns.

My hand on the ice .

With a flick, I sent the ice to a cold void. 

“Subaru!”

 
As Emilia watched her knight vanish, she collapsed, weeping like never before.

This was necessary.

At least the world free from him for 

That was I kept telling myself . 

I walked away—I couldn’t stay. Couldn’t watch.

Ignored the ice chunks striking me. Pointless.  

“…You.”

Doesn’t matter.

“I remember you! You were there… with Pandora. You helped hurt my family… You hurt them again! I… hate you!” 

...

...

Really now, you virgin whore.

---  

Chapter Text

Maybe you've wondered, you voices in my head, what do I feel about Regulus?

…Well, this might be surprising, but I don’t hate him.

Why would I?

He’s a fictional character.

Sure, he’s arrogant, self-obsessed, narcissistic, and pitiful… but I really enjoyed seeing those traits in action. His long monologues, his delusions that he’s always right—it was entertaining to read.

Because he’s the villain.

And it’s fun to see a villain actually behave like one.

I know there’s a term for this—“a villain you love to hate.” But no, I just liked watching him. I didn’t care about what he did, because none of it happened to me.

…Actually, if there’s someone I truly hate, both as a person and a character—it’s Roswaal.

He’s disgusting. I can overlook how he manipulated Subaru to the point of dying multiple times. I can overlook how he abandoned an entire dying species. Because in the end, they had powers he needed. They were strangers. A manipulator lost in his own narrative.

…but why the hell are we pretending he didn’t literally steal the corpses of his own children? Not just as a father, but also as their mother. I know people like to say how scummy Regulus was, but what Roswaal did was easily twice as bad.

And why? For a witch that never even loved him. You're not getting that pussy, Roswaal.

Is he supposed to be better because he feels guilty? That actually makes it worse. At least the Witch Cult bishops are delusional enough to think they’re right. Roswaal knew what he was doing was wrong—and did it anyway. Not for some greater good. Just out of sick, desperate hope.

And why is he alive while Regulus isn’t? Because one’s useful to Emilia and the other isn’t. You’re a hypocrite, Subaru.

But the bigger hypocrite is Emilia. Why are you so intent on opposing me? Why so insistent on dying when you scolded Subaru for being reckless?

Honestly, even Regulus had less to do with what happened to your family than you think. His part was literally erased by Pandora. As if he was never there. Even if he hadn’t shown up, Pandora would’ve brought someone else. Maybe someone even worse.

…You’re the one who froze them. Your family. You were a child, that’s understandable—but don’t suddenly put it all on me.

Let me tell you something about myself, something that explains my actions until now.

I have a moral code. You doubt it? I don’t. I really do.

I treat people how they treat me. No exceptions.

If they’re kind, I put effort into being kind back.

If they ignore me, I ignore them.

If they hate me, I hate them right back.

That’s been the biggest reason behind my anger and behavior. Even with the possibility of dying, I couldn’t help but return the hostility I was shown.

And now… I can’t help but return that same look Emilia gives me. That hatred in her eyes. Because it reminds me of my place—how everyone hates me for something I didn’t do.

…And I won’t take responsibility for that.

But apparently, the silver-haired girl didn’t care who was responsible, because she unleashed what I’d estimate to be literal tons of ice in my direction—which shattered easily. No use. Seems like the girl didn’t understand that.

I’ll make sure she does.

…Relax, I’m not going to kill her. Compared to Subaru and Reinhard, she’s just dumb and weak. I’ll just knock her out.

While she tries to smash me with a giant ice hammer… Rude.

I moved in to restrain her, but she surprised me… by freezing the air around her. I could feel the air get heavier—not frozen like my ice, but cold and dense.

It’s dangerous to approach her now without killing her. If I use my power, the ice shards will shred her apart.

Does she think I’ll go out of my way to not kill her? …Unfortunately, she’s right. But she probably thinks it’s because I still want to marry her someday. As if I’d marry someone with the mind of a child.

How dare she exploit my mercy like that and attack me so savagely. Where is that ‘pure-hearted’ girl now? Oh right—easily shattered.

She sent more ice arrows, foolishly. Thinking she could pierce through me. Or maybe she just wanted to let out her anger.

But what I didn’t notice was that the arrows were just a distraction—from the icy threads wrapping around my legs, dragging me into the deep waters of Priestella.

She’s trying to drown me.

I can feel the water pouring into my lungs. Though I don’t feel like I’m drowning. Or breathing. I don’t feel anything. I’m not doing anything. But I am thinking—about how annoying and nerve-wracking this is.

I finally spoke for the first time in a while:

“You’re literally the most pathetic and mentally frustrating person to understand. Do you not realize how stupid it is to throw your life away like this? Attacking me won’t bring anyone back. You just don’t know what else to do—”

“SHUT UP!”

“…”

“You always say what you want, hurt who you want, and do whatever helps you. Don’t think for a second you’re the only one whose life matters. What right did you have to lie to Subaru and me like that? I knew… I knew what happened to my village was my fault. How much guilt I already carry… And still, you made me commit that horrible act again. Why? To remind me how awful you and Pandora are? To remind me I’m just a reckless, stupid girl?”

“…”

“Why?”

“…You’re really annoying. There are things about the boy you don’t know.”

“I know he suffered. He tried hard to help me. And I, being the useless girl I always am… I might never get to tell him how much I appreciate him.”

“…I’m sorry… it had to be this way. But I couldn’t take the risk. Natsuki Subaru was simply too dangerous to leave alive.”

“Funny… He said the same thing about you.”

“….”

“Subaru was terrified of you for some reason. I asked him why he was so determined to end you. He said someone with your power can’t be allowed to roam free anymore… or people will die. I wanted to believe differently, but he was right.”

“…Another reason why I had to do what I did. It wasn’t just for my sake—it was for everyone’s.”

“If that’s what you tell yourself… you selfish bastard.”

She seemed ready to fight again, but instead of sending ice toward me, she raised her hands at me.

Then I felt something strange in my chest. Actually, something violent.

She looked frustrated as she moved her hand toward the ground.

What?

Why am I suddenly twenty feet underground?

…Oh. Damn it.

That bitch. She made sure the water got into my lungs, then froze it while we talked, and tried to cut me from the inside… and when that failed, she started using the ice inside me to control my movement. Smart move. I won’t lie. Mentally applauding.

I rushed upward and tried to grab the elf. Of course, the frozen air around her prevented that.

“It’s your life or mine, Regulus… You’re not leaving until this is over.”

…

So that’s how it is. A suicide attack. I stopped my mental clapping.

Petty.

Then she focused again and made… a Kamen Rider-style ice armor? …Was Subaru training her, or just forcing his anime tastes on her?

What followed was Emilia moving me around by my lungs, then attacking me with every weapon she could imagine. While I tried to balance between staying still and moving closer. And when I say “every weapon,” I mean every weapon.

Giant hammer, giant sword, giant spear… a saw, a boat… a giant duck?

I couldn’t get close enough to stop her. Tried breaking the ice inside me, but it turned to powder—easier to control. I couldn’t remove it without turning it liquid. But I couldn’t use magic.

…

Who needs magic when you have science?

I pretended to fall beside a tree. Picked up two sticks and rubbed them fast… Not too fast, or they’d turn to ash.

There we go.

“I’ll give you three points for creativity, princess. Too bad you’re facing someone who’s basically genius incarnate compared to you.”

I put the fire in my mouth, let it melt the ice without harming me, then spat it out.

With her trump card gone… I simply slapped her. Gently. Lovingly. Sent her flying thirty meters. She’s built like a gorilla, she’ll be fine.

Finally, I can leave without interruption… Wait, why is ice forming around me again?

“You’re not… leaving… just like that.”

There stood Emilia—barely conscious, barely controlling her magic, clearly desperate.

Ice floated around her.

The ice started forming into a storm… she’d lost control again, just like that day.

If she doesn’t stop, she’ll freeze the entire city… no, maybe even more.

She might freeze my wives.

What happened next was quick, so I won’t describe it in detail.

Black sky. Gray ground.

My hand coming out the other side of Emilia’s chest.

Remember when I said I won't kill her .. Funny story . 

…I noticed her blood was darker than a human’s. Her eye dimmed as she struggled to breathe—her final breath.

…Emilia wanted Subaru to hold her hand and call her “Emilia-tan” one more time.

…

…

…

............................ Heh. Heheheh… It wasn’t my fault… it’s hers. She shouldn’t have acted like a spoiled child… a spoiled child with superpowers… She was just… too greedy.

Just like I was greedy—for myself… But at least I’m not as greedy as Regulus.

Regulus wouldn’t cover his eyes and scream at the possibility of having killed someone.

Regulus wouldn’t feel guilty.

…

What now?

I don’t know.

I need a sign.

…

Oh right . 

There is one.

A book, as a sign.

Otto… I have a deal no merchant like you can refuse.

Your name… or your book.

The choice is yours. What happens next… is mine to decide . 

Chapter Text

Names. Names are symbols humans use to assign meaning to the things around them. Without them, we’d be lost—lost in a world we wouldn’t even recognize as a world. Everything has a name, out of necessity.

Even light novels with titles longer than any chapter I could ever write. Honestly, just give it a short, meaningful name. No one’s going to read your story just because you decided to spoil the whole plot in the title. That’s what summaries are for.

But who knows why names are so important in this world? Your name is your entire identity. Your name and your memories are connected. Your name and your power are linked... everything ties back to your name. The most important moments in this story are tied to someone’s name... maybe that’s why Regulus was so hated. He was the only one who despised names. He didn’t care about anyone else's name. I don’t even think he ever said another person’s name.

Remember when I said my name wasn’t your business? It’s because I don’t even remember it.

You’re really unlucky.

If I don’t have a name... do I even have an identity?

Do I have a soul or consciousness? Or am I just Regulus with different memories? The thought terrifies me... to be non-existent. Even while I’m thinking, I’m not really “here.” In a world that doesn’t know me.

In fact, is there even a way to prove I existed at all? What if this is the real world, and the previous one was the illusion? Without my authority, I feel like collapsing to my knees.

I hate this truth... why does my name have to define my identity here?

...I don’t want to live the rest of my life as Regulus. I don’t want to die in his place. I don’t want to stay here. So I need a plan... to figure out what to do.

That’s why I kept soaring over the skies of Priestella, trying to find the fight between Gluttony, Lye, and Otto... easier said than done. My only guide was the sound of clashing weapons—and there were many. From every direction. I had to focus and listen for a fight between someone with autism and a kid with schizophrenia. Along with some travelers whose names I definitely don’t remember.

...I think I found them.

And just like that, I was in the middle of the battle.

I recognized who I was looking for.

There was the brown-skinned teenager with brown hair, covered in scars, shirtless, his thin frame hiding immense power. Doesn’t matter—he’s not a threat. Lye Batenkaitos isn’t a threat at all, just an annoying fly picking his food.

Then there’s the young man with silver hair and blue eyes... Silver hair? Is he Tappei’s favorite or something? Or is that trait reserved only for the girls, you damn sexist?

Then there’s Felt, a poor girl from the slums suddenly nominated to rule an entire nation. And she wants to do it by taking the nobles’ money and destroying their status... French or communist, pick your poison—one's worse than the other.

And honestly, I didn’t expect the other one... Beatrice. The great spirit rivaling the beast of the apocalypse, an equal to Roswaal. Also... the creation of the Witch of Greed, Echidna, who made her wait 400 years for someone who would never come... someone I might have sent into orbit for the rest of his life.

This is a conversation I don’t want to have.

...But I have to.

Let’s start with a simple intro:

I will nail it.

"The stars look beautiful tonight."

Isn’t Subaru the name of a constellation?

I have un-nailed it.

"What the fuck are you doing here, bastard?! Didn’t Reinhard already kick your sorry ass to the ground, you son of a bitch?!"

Those colorful words came from a teenage girl supposedly of noble origin, who’s also apparently supposed to rule a nation.

"Swearing doesn’t make you cool."

I wasn’t really a fan of her anyway. In fact, I didn’t like any of the girls nominated by the dragon—not as people, not as rulers.

We’ve got Felt, who I sympathize with for growing up in the slums with a grudge against nobles, but she really thinks throwing Reinhard at any problem will solve it. The guy can barely solve his own emotional issues... I’d know.

Nobles won’t give up their power easily. It’ll just lead to a bloodbath and possibly split the country apart... though that’s probably inevitable anyway.

Then there’s Priscilla... narcissistic, self-obsessed, completely reliant on luck. I’ll admit she’s curvy, but I’d lose my mind if I had to hear her threaten me while worshiping herself. Hope I never meet her. She’s basically the female Gilgamesh, except unlike him, we don’t even get to see her die from her own arrogance. Instead, she gets some "heroic sacrifice." Maybe she’s competent, but without a good personality, it’s just a matter of time before her luck runs out.

I don’t care if she’s got the biggest chest in the series. There are a thousand porn videos I could watch in my spare time... well, there were.

Then there’s Emilia... currently dead.

Another one’s a greedy capitalist... even if she improves living conditions, the real problem will be corruption and the power vacuum after her death.

Then there’s Crusch, the girl who might remember me as the guy who cut off her arm. Honestly, she might be the best candidate. I don’t trust someone ruling in a military uniform, but at least she’s competent—earned it herself.

...But her relationship with the dragon is kind of lame. Maybe he didn’t die for her or anything, but still—maybe don’t wield a nuke as your emotional support. I don’t think Reinhard values his life so much that he wants Aldebaran to live forever.

And really... why are all the candidates young girls? I’m not sexist or anything, and I don’t think old men should rule either, but when I think of a ruler, I expect someone with at least some wrinkles.

Actually, when a dragon asks for a young girl, the first thing I think of is a sacrifice.

I really want to mention the politics of my own world, but for some reason the voices in my head are screaming.

...Jerks. I’ll get back at you 7.45 times.

Nice number—7 is the number of the heavens, you skip 6 because it’s evil, then go to 4, and then return to 5 because you forgot it in school and need to grab it before 10 yells at you.

"You could say he’s also shining in the sky right now."

Everyone’s faces were clearly shocked. I basically said I fought the equivalent of a demi-god for them. Even if they didn’t believe me, there’s no other explanation—he’s not here trying to stop me.

"Where’s Subaru?!"

Of course the great spirit in the form of a girl would only care about her contractor—he’s literally her life now... I couldn’t bring myself to break her spirit.

"He’s alive... somewhere. I don’t know. You’ll probably find him eventually. You can sense his life, and you literally have all the time in the world to search."

At least I gave her a goal. It might take hundreds of years to find him in space—either he gets hit by a meteor and dies, or Beatrice somehow finds him. Not my problem by then.

"Hey... what about Lady Emilia?"

...

"...Fewer competitors for the throne."

Their expressions would’ve been painful to see—if not for my Authority. Better to feel nothing than to feel guilt.

Beatrice’s face was painful... but it would’ve been catastrophic if Subaru had died.

Felt looked like I killed her family—which is funny, since she nearly got herself killed during our first meeting.

Otto kept his cool, but even he showed shock and grief.

...If this was their reaction to Emilia’s death, I don’t want to see their faces if Subaru actually dies.

Is he even really dead? Frozen in space, with little hope.

At least he’s not conscious.

Unlike me—definitely conscious—when Beatrice threw hundreds of Mania spells at me. I wasn’t hurt, but the noise and light were annoying.

Petty.

I stood there, unmoving.

When the magical storm ended, someone I didn’t want to hear from spoke up:

"Hey, hey, hey, tsu~ Who do you think you are, interrupting our meal tsu~? Do you know how long we’ve waited for this?"

"You can eat your tongue if you’re so hungry, tsu~"

Apparently, my sarcasm annoyed him. He didn’t respond—maybe afraid I’d actually make sure he never tastes anything again.

I turned to the merchant, thinking of how to phrase this nicely.

"Tome of Wisdom, now."

Nailed it.

"Huh?"

"I know you have it. I know it’s with you. You better hand it over now. Don’t say a word. That silver tongue won’t help you. Hurry."

"...Or else?"

"Or else I’ll say your name to our gluttonous friend over there."

Lye looked surprised I mentioned him—then grinned like a monster.

"Oh wow~ I had my doubts? But you look... almost appetizing, tsu~!"

This is not the kind of attention I wanted. First Reinhard, now him. Aren’t isekai heroes supposed to attract hot people—not psychos?

"So, merchant, do you want to be forgotten by the world for the rest of your life, or do you want to do the smart thing and hand over the tome?"

"My mother’s legacy shouldn’t fall into hands like yours, I suppose!"

"...Wow, your forehead is huge."

"What’s that got to do with anything, I suppose?!"

Otto stared at me for a full minute... then made his choice.

He stood firm and said:

"My name is Otto Suwen. You can go to hell."

...

Plan B, then.

I picked him up by the legs and shook him upside down, trying to get the damn book to fall.

"Stop! Stop! I’ll—"

Thankfully, the book fell before he could puke on me. I dropped him and picked it up—it was half-burned, as expected. I needed to fix it fast.

"Hey! Dickhead!"

...I hate children. I’ll protect them if they’re in danger, sure—but I hate them.

Especially when they aim their magical mommy staff at me.

A beam of white light hit me. Strong enough to make a certain dragon named Volcanica cry.

Not strong enough to hurt me.

They looked so frustrated at me... it was funny. After everything I’ve fought, I’d almost forgotten I’m immune to all living things.

Honestly... who can stop me now?

The horrified looks around me were the only thing that did. Even Lye.

What’s that weird sound in the air?

"Where is he?"

...

I made a mistake looking behind me.

Color s became blurry . 

Taller than the trees. Deeper than the oceans. Darker than the void.

The Witch of Envy was standing behind me.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ReZero/comments/1jtvmkt/fan_art_of_my_story_greed_consequences/

Given my current state, I think I have the right to say:

Fucking N-word elf.

Chapter Text

Have you ever felt fear before?

Of course you have .

I’d be worried if you hadn’t — that would mean you’ve got problems that need fixing fast. Fear is what enters your mind when it senses danger.

Fear usually comes from the unconscious mind, while anxiety comes from the conscious one. Somehow, I had both — fear and anxiety — mixed together inside me.

There are usually three basic reactions to fear.

The 3 F words: flee, fight, freeze.

Freezing in place, pretending the danger isn’t there, or hoping it doesn’t notice you — that’s basically asking to die. It destroys everything in its way, and nothing is a threat to it. A literal death wish I’m not interested in. If I were in my old body, I probably would’ve frozen. I remember doing that in nightmares when I saw monsters. Thankfully, my Authority won’t let my brain release the hormones that cause paralysis.

Then there’s fighting. But I’m almost certain I’ll die. Satella is a cheater like Regulus, unlike Reinhard. And cheating against a cheater isn’t as fun as cheating against a pro. Plus, she’s one of the most mysterious characters — I literally have no clue what her limits are or what she can do. My chances of dying are sky-high.

Maybe I could try talking to her...

We’re talking about Satella. She can’t even form full sentences. I doubt her mental state is better than Emilia’s.

So — running.

I didn’t get the chance. One of her shadow hands launched me away.

Rude.

Even running away is better image .

I ran as fast as I could, veering right into a distant building, making sure she was far away.

...

...

...

I made a huge mistake.

...

I looked back.

The merchant’s legs had been severed, and the blonde girl was attacked by Gluttony so he could escape. The spirit was left alone, terrified, in front of a witch who wasn’t her mother.

And still, she didn’t run.
She summoned her magic to protect her friends.

It’s not my concern.

Really, it’s not.

Who cares if she looks like a six-year-old girl fighting some horror?

Who cares if she’s just a kid in a war?

...

Thinking about it, maybe it’s best to deal with the witch right here and now.

If she’s left alone, it’s just a matter of time before she wipes out the world — and with it, the “wives.”

So I need to stop her either way. Now or never.

...

Or maybe I’ll regret not acting more than I’ll regret trying.

I dashed at the silver-haired witch and kicked through the air — slicing her in half, then kicked the remains away.

"Get lost. If you want to see your contractor again."

She was too shocked to answer.
Though she pulled herself together — she was still a 400-year-old woman.

"They’re hurt... I need at least a few minutes to heal them... I..."

Are you kidding me?

She must’ve seen the sarcasm in my expression, because she had the nerve to ask,

"Please help me."

"You just launched an anti-dragon weapon at me minutes ago."

"Please... I can’t fail. A spirit like her doesn’t deserve someone like Subaru if... if I mess this up again."

Alright ... Just don't show me your 400 Martial art of depression . 

Just because I flung Natsuki Subaru into space, and I was going to fight her anyway...

I spotted a mana crystal near one of the unconscious victims of Gluttony. I picked it up and headed toward where I saw Envy earlier.

She wasn’t there.

I blinked.

She was there.

Does she regenerate faster than I blink? Reinhard’s immortality looks weak in comparison — like comparing a pediatrician to a brain surgeon with childhood trauma.

I jumped in and exploded the mana crystal in midair. The shockwave was so strong Reinhard would’ve died twice.

Then forty-four shadow hands burst out and flung me like a baseball.

For the first time, I saw Satella’s face clearly — and I was sure.

It was Emilia’s face.

Whoever’s out there, reviving a character right after they die is just bad writing.

Wilhelm was an old man. He’d outlived his time. That time ended when he killed the Whale. Everything after that was just him trying to die honorably — or horribly, fitting for a Sword Demon.

He knew he was a monster — the same thing he accused his grandson of being.

It wasn’t his fault his beloved wife died. That was fate. That’s how it was. A fate that hated Wilhelm, and in return, he hated Theresia’s peaceful nature.

But was it really wrong to not want to destroy her corpse?
That desecration still looked beautiful to Reinhard, no matter what he claimed.

Even with his own son’s life on the line, he still saw her as beautiful.

He really was a monster.

But none of that mattered now.

Only the sword mattered.

His sword.
His wife’s sword.
And the sword of death that would grant one of them peace.

...

Did his wife just explode?

"That b-witch!"

From the rubble of a nearby house, a sickly thin man in a blue shirt stumbled out. He’d seem harmless — if not for his white hair and golden eye.

And the remains of Wilhelm’s wife beneath him.

He was speechless.

Kneeling in shock.

"What’s wrong, old man? You act like you’ve never seen someone crash into a wall. Should be normal around here where—oh."

Apparently, Greed just realized what he’d done. He paused, stunned, then spoke the words he couldn’t stop.

"Well... this is awkward. You’d believe me if I said I didn’t mean it, right? I mean, yeah, it’s unfortunate, but I’m not really the bad guy here. Technically, I saved your life. And your son’s. You should be grateful."

Wilhelm didn’t care that they’d been saved. It didn’t matter.

"Also, she was a corpse. And you look like an old man while she looked seventeen. No one would’ve been comfortable with that. Trust me."

He didn’t care that she tried to kill him and his son. It didn’t matter.

"And somehow, you’re a terrible father and an even worse grandfather. You were disappointed when your son wasn’t a genius swordsman. You called your grandson a monster and wrecked him socially — probably made him autistic. You were a good husband, though. I won’t lie."

He didn’t care that Greed was right, or that he’d ruined his family. It didn’t matter.

"And also — it wasn’t Reinhard’s fault he wished for the Sword Saint’s blessing when she was nearby. And it wouldn’t have helped anyway!"

Wilhelm didn’t care about that either — wait, what?!

"..."

"What’s with the demonic glare? Killing me won’t work, you know. And it won’t bring your wife back."

"..."

"Dad... is that true?"

"Wait... you guys didn’t know?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I’M Going To Fight The Witch Of Envy!"

With that ridiculous declaration, Greed vanished faster than Wilhelm could follow.

...

But this didn't matter .

The grandfather, the father, and the husband would have to speak with the monster — and the Sword Saint — soon.

Chapter Text

Yeah, I preferred fighting the Witch of Envy herself over dealing with the family drama of those… creatures. One is more awkward than the other, and I don’t handle awkwardness well.

Honestly, that family is messed up.

I should know—I came from a messed-up family myself. But at least in mine, the adults blamed each other, not the kids. To be fair, the kids didn’t have the power to destroy the world.

But I didn’t really want to deal with it, so I did what any smart person would do.

I froze the air beneath my feet into a board and took off as fast as I could.

I couldn’t let Satella go berserk… my belongings, my way of life were on the line.

And finding the witch wasn’t hard. There was literally a column of darkness visible nearby.

... I haven’t been scared of the dark since I was ten… and yet now, I was scared.

Why fear the dark?

Because darkness isn’t natural in life.

There are few places in nature where you find total darkness.

Even a moonless night doesn’t block out starlight.

… Starlight, huh… she wants to see Subaru, I’ll bring her to Subaru.

I sped up, wind in my hair—or, well, not really. I looked more like a statue flying fast through the air, heading for the black fog.

And there I saw the witch, waiting for her next victim. She was already consuming buildings with her shadows. Compared to the monster Reinhard fought, the Witch of Envy was more like a disaster made of monsters.

Before there was something,

There was nothing.

And before there was nothing,

There were monsters.

And before monsters,

There was desire.

Satella’s desire to destroy everything.

And my desire not to be destroyed.

A selfish desire to live, clashing with a desire to erase.

She acted out of love. I did it out of spite.

What could a miserable creature like her possibly understand about the desire to live, when she herself wants to die?

Hundreds of dark shadowy hands came at me. But I wasn’t having any of it.

Using the freezing air through Chronos’ hand, I bound them all together into a bundle and dashed straight toward the Witch of Envy.

More hands tried to stop me. More hands of Chronos stopped them.

There are certain rules in this world.

Authorities are always stronger than magic.

Why?

Because authorities break the rules of the world.

Of course, there are other factors—how strong the user’s desire is, and how much of a scumbag they are.

Maybe that’s why Subaru’s authorities are weaker than others. Despite what he says, he’s a good person.

And that’s why Regulus is so strong. His rotten personality gave him power.

… I wonder if I had an authority of my own… how corrupted would I be?

I hope less than Satella, at least.

No amount of power would make me want to be like her.

I’m not that greedy.

And I finally reached her. The Witch of Envy. Her empty face bothered me. Especially those hollow eyes.

“If you want your lover so badly, you can go to him—on me.”

With a left kick, I sent her flying into the sky.

…

Alright. I hope that’s over.

She’s gone. I’m alone again. Now I really should get far from here before she comes back.

…

She’s behind me, isn’t she?

Oh… she’s not. What a relief.

But the portal that opened in front of me… that’s worse than her just showing up behind me. Rude.

Garfiel was a strong person. The former Sanctuary Shield. The captain’s shield. His friends’ shield. And now, the shield for the people behind him.

He’d always dreamed of proving his worth—to those dear to him, to his sister, to everyone around him.

… And to himself.

If it meant standing his ground and fighting with every bone until the last drop of blood and last breath, he’d do it. Again and again.

He was responsible for protecting those around him. That’s what he’d do.

If it meant killing the person in front of him, so be it.

Even if that person wasn’t truly alive. Just a walking corpse. A corpse that could still punch hard.

Unlike that crazy witch from the Sanctuary… he didn’t care that she died. He didn’t care what his mind said. His pride was in his muscles, not that lame brain organ.

His thoughts were interrupted by a crash above the waterway ceiling.

A man was hanging upside down. Blue shirt. Short white hair. Golden eyes gleaming. His slim frame would label him a wimp. And he gave off that vibe.

But the fact that he stood upright so easily… and his look… proved otherwise.

This guy was the Sin Archbishop of Greed.

Garfiel was in trouble, and he didn’t want to admit it.

Even though the Archbishop started yelling curses like “damn witch” and “crazy stalker,”

He quickly composed himself, and it seemed like he noticed Garfiel too, despite his wide-eyed look.

… Did he just see Krogan shaking or was that his imagination?

The Greed guy stood silently before walking toward him.

“Get lost!”

Garfiel’s voice didn’t waver. If he was going to die, he’d do it with pride.

“Shut up, shounen protagonist. Mondays come whether you like it or not.”

What did that mean? It sounded like something the captain would say. He remembered him also calling him shonen 

The Greed Archbishop quickly approached the blue-skinned man and touched him.

The corpse twitched as if coming back to life.

…

Then it turned into some kind of stone—white, with gold traces.

Greed seemed surprised as Garfiel when move his hand from the new statue . 

“I wonder if this will work” muttered Greed before flying upward.

… Did Garfiel just get saved by his enemy? He hated this feeling of uselessness.

Alright. Now or never.

I didn’t know I could do this, but it seems I succeeded in a test that would’ve been unethical… if the subject weren’t already dead—by Regulus' hand.

What I did was apply “Lion’s Heart” to every molecule in his body, accelerating and shifting them repeatedly. I turned his organic form into something inorganic. Not alive—well, more not alive.

The same hand that killed him, killed him again.

I flew on my airboard toward Satella, who was now surrounded by a shield of hands.

I have a feeling her power is sealed to a large extent, otherwise this battle would be a lot different.

But it’s still really annoying.

Annoying.

I… I’m tired. I’m just tired. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to feel in danger like this. I didn’t want to hurt people like this. I didn’t want a lot of things. I really didn’t.

But would anyone care…? No. They’ll just think about how it affects them and their loved ones. They’ll probably ask me to die to avoid the risk of Greed returning. Or Subaru will kill me—or make my life hell if he loses his mind and morals.

…

It’s not my fault… and sadly, maybe not Subaru’s either… it’s the fault of circumstances. But I really need someone to blame… so it’s you, Satella.

Even though the shadows moved like ocean currents, blocking me, I needed to touch her for this to work. But her hands floated as if even a fly wouldn’t land… like even a grain of sand wouldn’t move close… like even an atom wouldn’t approach.

… Atom…

I wonder…

I closed my eyes, focused. Imagined freezing my atoms. Stopping their movement… then pushing them forward… right in front of Satella.

It was like I teleported.

It felt like my blood froze and boiled a million times in a tenth of a second. But no pain.

It was the first time I saw her expression change… even if it was just a slight widening of her eyes.

I placed my hand on her head… and did what I had to do.

Clearly, it wasn’t a pleasant experience for her. I could feel the pain—even though she didn’t scream.

Her colors changed—from purple and black to golden, and more gold. A light burned her like hell. I wish I could say it would kill her—but at worst, it would turn her into a conscious block of stone.

And there it was. The Witch of Envy, turned to stone.

There was no movement—thankfully. Just Satella, Amelia… a statue. It was somehow horrifying, yet beautiful.

…

Alright. I guess that’s settled… why am I surprised? I beat Reinhard. How scary could the Witch of Envy really be?

I had to eat those words immediately.

The statue shattered from emerging shadows, black tears answering the witch’s hatred.

When Satella was freed, she didn’t walk toward me.

She crawled—like a spider—using her shadows.

Ever seen The Exorcist

https://www.reddit.com/r/ReZero/comments/1jw91w1/i_scream/

Yeah. Satella can be that scary.

Chapter Text

I didn’t scream… okay, maybe I screamed a little.

No matter what anyone tells you, my scream didn’t sound like Finn from Adventure Time.

…And maybe my facial expressions weren’t as blank as I wanted them to be. Maybe I showed more fear than I intended to let out.

But I’d like to see anyone stay completely calm when the Witch of Envy is chasing them like a giant spider. Even knights would be freaking out.

At least I didn’t scream much because I was too busy trying to escape. Imagine someone floating in mid-air with a shadowy creature made of massive hands controlled by an overwhelmingly beautiful witch. That’s how it was.

Look, dear god who loves throwing me into these situations… is this punishment for simply wanting to be left alone? I just wanted the world to leave me in peace. That’s all I ever wanted.

I didn’t want to hurt anyone… but I also didn’t want to help anyone. I know these people’s struggles. I know their hardships—especially Subaru’s. But I don’t want to carry anyone else’s burden. In the end, they’re just strangers to me. Nothing more, nothing less.

…Why do I have these expectations? Why do I assume I won’t come out of this okay just because I’m being selfish? It’s not like I blew up the city to escape. I’m actually putting in effort to protect it right now. But will anyone appreciate it? Of course not. They’ll see the Sin Archbishop and accuse me of summoning the witch myself, while the great royal candidates’ heroes somehow saved the city. Whatever fits their dumb narrative.

I’m teleporting from place to place, and let me tell you: teleportation isn’t all that helpful when trying to escape. I can only teleport to places within my line of sight. One wrong move and I might end up in the sky… or maybe in space.

It’s hard to focus when there’s a monster destroying buildings just to get to you. I had to use tons of tricks to dodge it—trying to cut her down with anything I could throw at her—but she just ignored the wounds, regenerated, and kept coming like nothing happened. Her hands crushed everything in their path, chasing me like I’d launched her beloved into orbit.

So what if I did launch her beloved Satella into space? We’ve seen how she touched Subaru’s heart and clutched it in her hands. You’re literally a sexual harasser. You don’t get to judge. Yes, touching someone’s heart without permission is sexual harassment. It’s literally the symbol of love.

It was like Satella read my thoughts. She got even more frenzied, and I had to stop her before she destroyed the city herself.

I turned around, stretched out my hand, and trapped her in a bubble of frozen air to stop her completely.

“I know you can’t hear me, either because the air is frozen or because you’re too busy devouring your own thoughts like you do everything that moves or doesn’t move. That will—"

She didn’t care about staying trapped, as expected. She suddenly escaped, surrounded by shadows. Apparently, I’m not the only one who can teleport, because the next thing I knew, I was caught by a giant shadow hand.

Let me tell you, if I didn’t have the heart of a lion, I’d have died in the most painful way imaginable.

I was used to wipe out a good chunk of the buildings around us. Even when I destroyed the shadow hands, five more replaced each one. And worst of all, I was thrown through her damn portal.

Another shadow hand smacked me. I was even teleported into the sky and dropped by a swarm of giant black snakes.

I tried to destroy as many as I could so the haunted city below wouldn’t be affected. But I couldn’t stop a few hands from sending me flying downward—as if I were descending into a hellish void.

... This gonna be long night , but I hope it I be alive for the next day 

Al had better days—but he also had worse ones. And worse ones were coming soon. That’s what his luck told him. The world told him to suffer, so he suffered. It is what it is. He would’ve been fine being a worm the world despised, as long as his princess stayed beside him—or at least alive to find some other dogs to toy with.

But there were rare moments in his life when he felt utter disgust at someone—and had to say something.

Because the truth is, Capella was one of the most revolting things Al had ever met. He couldn’t recall being that grossed out by anyone before.

Except maybe Echidna—but at least with her, he had mixed feelings. Not much with this lump of sludge.

Those algal eyes, the small body of a young girl, her hair golden like the sun, that sick smile—and the white-haired man screaming as he collapsed near them.

…What?

“Witch… well, actually no. That’s not why I’m here. I just want to rest.”

A skinny man in a blue shirt, with snow-white hair that reminded Al a little too much of Echidna. A red and black flag if there ever was one.

He looked comfortable in the rubble. Though “comfortable” wasn’t quite the right word—more like a man who came home exhausted from work and collapsed on the couch. Even if shattered stone wasn’t exactly soft. But who was Al to judge?

Half a second later, he realized this was the Sin Archbishop of Greed. Possibly even the inheritor of the Authority of Greed—the one Echidna once held. That made the hairs on Al’s body stand on end.

It made him understandably more cautious of this Archbishop than the others—even Capella.

“What the hell are you doing here, you virgin with a tiny dick? Don’t you have another arranged marriage to a girl who’ll never sleep with you? Or did she prefer banging an earth dragon instead of marrying you?”

Ouch. Harsh.

“Capella, you’re honestly the last face I wanted to see right now. Four weirdos in one night is enough. If I wanted to hear more nasty talk, I’d have gone to the nearest whorehouse. That place would be too clean for you, though—the dirty talk from little girls seems to run in this royal family.”

“Oho~ Your tongue’s sharper than usual, and less talkative. Not a bad change, if I say so myself.”

“Yeah, yeah. It’d also be nice if you weren’t a pile of living garbage.”

“Garbage? I’m one of the most beautiful people to ever live. Someone worthy of all love thanks to my gorgeous body. I know ‘inner beauty’ is just a lie made up by ugly people to feel better about their pathetic selves.”

“…I won’t deny physical looks play a big role in love.”

“Right? Like, who’d love you if you were just a disgusting worm?”

“I would. I’d love you more if you were a disgusting worm—at least then I wouldn’t have to see you like this.”

…

That’s harsh.

“Wow, wow… intentionally cruel today. That’s… weirdly hot.”

Ew.

“Ew.”

“And judging from your eyes, your taste in women has changed… it’s like—”

Then Capella transformed into… a girl with grey skin and hair, red eyes, wearing a red cloak… and horns. A look Al could respect. Though the Greed Archbishop didn’t agree, judging from his expression and the hand on his forehead.

“Oh… just… why?”

“I really hate to interrupt, but… what brings you here?”

There was no point being rude to an Archbishop. Al would rather die less than necessary, thank you. Though Greed stared at him with suspicious eyes, like he was reading his soul and trying to predict his next move. Strange. A bad kind of strange, his gut told him.

“The Witch of Envy is here.”

…

What?

“Huh?” Lust looked confused too. Her smug expression vanished.

Al felt Felix and Anastasia freeze behind him. They thought it was a lie. But the pillar of darkness rising into the sky said otherwise. Maybe it was one of Reinhard and Subaru’s tricks—something he expected from them.

“Yeah. And apparently, she’s actually here to reward us Sin Archbishops for our hard work. If you go to her now, she’ll double your reward… and she’s gone. I was hoping she’d fall for the trick.”

Capella had turned into a dragon and flown off before Greed even finished. Al didn’t care.

He had to get out of here as fast as possible.

“Change of plans—we’re grabbing Priscilla and leaving.”

He didn’t care if the others followed or not. The only thing that mattered now was protecting his sun.

But Greed broke his expectations—and said something that almost stopped Al’s heart and drowned him in dread.

“Priscilla… the Yang Sword.”

Before Al could use his authority, Greed had already disappeared—faster than a blink.

He changed his mind. Today was the worst day of his life. Because the world hated him even more than he hated himself.

Chapter Text

Maybe this is a gamble I'm taking, and I never liked gambles to begin with. I preferred relying on plans that would most likely work, with a high success rate... but ah, what other choice is there? Though, thinking about it now… this isn't exactly a bad gamble.

Satella was the best user of Yin magic this world had ever seen. Although her immortal body was her greatest strength, it was also the source of her torment, the thing preventing her from atoning for crimes that not even death could redeem. But her Yin magic was her most dangerous offensive power. Just like Emilia manipulates heat to form ice, Satella manipulates Yin to bend time and space. And from experience, I can say—it’s an annoying thing to deal with. Thankfully, it doesn’t affect the Authority of the Lion’s Heart... otherwise, I’d have ended my life with a kiss of death. And let me tell you, I’m not a great kisser.

...

I didn’t want to die, so I’ll go to Priscilla and take the Yang sword from her. Yang is the opposite of Yin. It’s the light to the darkness. Yin deals with debuffs, while Yang deals with buffs. It's the perfect performance to suppress Satella. The problem is, I don’t know how to use magic, and Regulus definitely didn’t have an open gate to even try. So, using a sword with this attribute that can burn the soul is the next best option.

And more importantly—saving Sirius. Why save the Archbishop of Wrath, a madwoman obsessed with love, and a lunatic obsessed with the Witch?

First, she hates the Witch deeply. So, she’ll agree to fight her. At the very least, she’ll serve as a distraction.

Second, if Satella has Emilia’s body, then revealing her identity as her aunt Fortuna might restore some of her awareness. Nothing is better to awaken the power of will than the sight of a living… well, sort of living, personality. She’s definitely lost and beyond saving, but it’s worth a try.

Now, how do I find them? Oh right—the purple fire from that path. Priscilla is in a pretty big city... I’m glad I can teleport with Ansa quickly because I don’t have time for a fight. So I’ll settle this fast. Without a fight—at least, not from me.

I’m about to face the nerve-wracking Sun Princess.

Priscilla Barielle was the wild flame of the world. She’d been that way since birth. That’s how the world works—the sky is blue, the world is flat, and wrapped in waterfalls. The world chose her as its favorite, and she was proud of that. Why wouldn’t she be? She’s the sun that shines on the land.

Why wouldn’t she shine? She’s the one who took down the Archbishop of Wrath, Sirius the madwoman, with her own greatness. And now Sirius was tied up like the dog she is. A proof of Priscilla’s worth. Just a drop in the ocean.

… Though the sweet girl Liliana helped and played a small part—she’ll give her that.

Which explains why Liliana kept complimenting her. It’s natural. The world runs in her favor after all.

And that’s why, whoever this man was who appeared now—it must’ve been in her favor too.

A non-impressive man, white hair probably from worrying about a miserable life. A thin frame like someone suffering from disease and malnutrition. Though, the sharp look in his eyes was... oddly admirable.

“ yourself, peasant.”

“Peasant? What are you, some kind of republican or something ? Your disgusting tone is... well, disgusting.”

She wouldn’t bother taking offense to an insult from a worm beneath her. But the child next to her let loose her opinion, which only she herself cared about.

“Hey, watch your words, you! Who do you think you are?”

The man paused, seeming to genuinely consider the question. Then he closed his eyes and said:

“You can call me Greed. And even though I only just laid eyes on you and heard you speak, I know I hate you with every fiber of my being.”

That seemed to drain the color from the girl’s face, and she hesitantly fled to hide.

“Impossible! Weren’t you supposed to be taken down by the great hero Subaru and the Sword Saint?”

“I’ll give them credit for trying.”

“Impossible… impossible!”

Priscilla remained silent.

She drew her Yang sword to cut down the worm before her.

The Archbishop of Greed gave a disgusting smile and said, “Ah, my gracious lady, I’m afraid I’ll be confiscating that sword for a greater cause now.” such sarcastic tone already gave her a headache

“Your way of speaking is infuriating. Why would you want to put your filthy hands on my sword?”

“Because I must stop the Witch of Envy.”

...

“What! Impossible, the Witch of Envy isn’t here. She couldn’t possibly return after being sealed by the great heroes!”

Liliana’s words were interrupted by massive shadows emerging from the center of the city. People could be heard screaming… dying.

Only the girl remained conscious from shock and fear .

“Phew, for someone who’s supposed to be a famous singer, her voice is annoying.”

“Tsk... exactly what I’d expect from your filthy cult, letting a monster like this loose.”

“Believe it or not, it wasn’t the cult who summoned her.”

“I choose not to believe you.”

“Do whatever you want… the sword, now.”

“…No.”

And with that, Priscilla unleashed the fire of Yang from her sword, burning the worm’s soul forever. A fitting fate—burning alive—for trash like him.

Because the world always bends in her favor.

That’s why... Greed walked away unharmed.

Whatever nonexistent fears she had were erased, and she focused on killing the worms... but this one just wouldn’t die, and it grated on her nerves.

She ignored any burns.

Ignored any cuts.

Ignored them because they never even happened.

He just kept walking toward her.

Until he grabbed her head with one hand—

And slammed it into the ground.

Priscilla’s beautiful body didn’t appear. Only her head remained above ground.

He take the sword from her and did something with it . 

The sword somhow turn to white and gold 

Her expression was not happy.

“Oh right, and I’ll take Wrath with me.”

Sirius looked at Greed and said in a cold tone:

“Is that true, home-wrecking whore?”

“Yes,” Greed said as he broke her restraints.

“That woman, that dirt-eating bastard’s daughter, will regret seducing Petelgeuse. She’ll regret being born and not crawling back into whatever hole she came from!”

“…At least I’m not a coward like the others.”

As if what he had done wasn’t enough, now he had to go and destroy her accomplishment too, didn’t he?

“You son of a… who do you think you are?! The world always goes my way! I am the Sun Princess and its incarnation!”

Greed looked at her with a mixture of contempt and pity.

“I don’t live in your world, woman. Its rules don’t apply to me. I already threw the Sword Saint into the damned sun. You’re not the incarnation of anything, Prisca Benedict.”

And with that, Greed and Wrath left, leaving Priscilla feeling... something strange.

It doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t… matter.

This world has always gone her way.

She was born into a family obsessed with power, and she found her way to win and survive.

She had siblings who tried to kill her—she killed them first. Found a way to overcome it.

… Her only friend betrayed her—she found a way through it.

No matter the obstacle or disaster, Priscilla always found that the world worked in her favor.

So this feeling of humiliation now—it must be in her favor too.

Because that’s how the world works.

...

And when the time comes, she’ll snap that twig’s spine in two.

Chapter Text

Let me tell you—I'm not easily broken under these conditions. As long as the puppets are alive and their words have meaning. Despite the danger… I have this twisted idea that I need to use Capella to place my heart on her and gain an immortal one. But the idea of being connected to her in any way makes me sick, for some reason. I don't feel the Little King's heart leaning toward her no matter how much I try. That means two things: either I'm not allowed to place my heart in anyone new, which is bad… or I'm only allowed to give it to women who meet Regulus' standards—which is slightly better, but still bad.

Of course, this means the value of the puppets has increased. I can’t just go out looking for girls that fit Regulus' standards—let alone kidnapping them… Maybe I can pay. It’s not like I can’t make a ton of money with my power. The old-fashioned way—paying the parents of the girl.

... Honestly, it’s not that different from kidnapping, really.

... Doesn’t matter. At least I’ll give them a place to live freely, unlike what Regulus did. They can do whatever they want, as long as they don’t interfere with me.

... Even though they’ll probably still hate me for what someone else did.

... I don’t need to apologize for something I didn’t do. If they want compensation or an “apology,” they can go suck on a sour lemon.

It wasn’t my responsibility.

It also wasn’t my job to deal with the madness of a crazy mummy. Funny how I was the one following her, like she could smell the witch’s stench. I wonder if it smells like a filthy man who hasn’t showered in months. Is that why she loves Flugel? The only one who loved her despite her smell, just so happens to have a smell fetish. I'm glad I can’t smell and can’t change my mental state. A flaw in the old Regulus, but in my favor.

"Are you okay over there?"

"I'll kill her, I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her, I’ll kill her..."

"Yeah, you're fine. Okay, listen up, here's the plan, try to hear it, please."

Sirius didn’t respond—she just tilted her head, curious.

If she weren’t a corpse barely keeping the shape of a hot woman, I might’ve found it cute.

"I’m going to try talking to her, see if I can reach… the child inside, even though I had nothing to do with how she ended up like this. I’m 50% sure this will work. And if it doesn’t, we both set her on fire at the same time, then we’ll keep her burning until she can’t use it to come back."

"..."

"Did you get that?"

"... Yeah."

"... Then what did I say?"

"Attack the bitch and kill the bitch slowly."

"You crazy hag, she’s literally immortal. How are you planning to kill her?"

"Kill her harder."

"... What? What does that even mean?"

"It means I kill her more."

"... How do you kill someone more than dead?"

"You kill her deader."

"What does that mean?"

"It means: Diese Geschichte ist Mist."

"What does that mean and how the hell are you speaking German ?"

"It means I’m gonna kill the whore."

... Is this what the author meant when he said the Sin Archbishops are impossible to reason with? I talked to her for one minute, and I swear I'd kill her if I didn’t need her. Because if there’s one thing I hate, it’s people I can’t understand.

Now you'll probably say I should accept differences and embrace what I don’t understand. And I’ll tell you to go to hell. I can accept a thousand differences—as long as they don’t hurt me or force a change I don’t want. I can even tolerate abuse a little, as long as I understand it.

But abuse I don’t understand... That’s the one thing I truly hate.

People simply hate the unknown.

People hate the dark.

I hate insanity.

Maybe that’s why I liked Regulus as a character—the Sin Archbishop I could understand. The insecurity, the inferiority complex, the self-hate and desire for more. I understood how he thought… I understood him, which is exactly why I know I’d hate him if we ever met.

...

But I’m not Regulus… I never will be.

And I’m definitely not like the other Sin Archbishops.

Petelgeuse and Sirius lost their minds because of trauma. Their brains don’t work right anymore, and their idea of love is twisted.

I’ll never lose my mind. Even in the depths of emotional breakdown, I still think clearly.

The Gluttony siblings chose to eat people’s hobbies and dreams and identities to live out perfect lives. What I don’t get is why they think eating more people will satisfy them. The more flawed people they consume, the wider that imaginary hole in their stomach gets.

And Capella… I don’t even need to talk about her, do I? No matter what trauma she’s been through, nothing justifies turning people into… those things. No one’s ever going to love her.

"You know, I wonder if Wrath was chosen for you because it disrupts your ability to think clearly."

"Oh, but that’s how my darling Petelgeuse loves me. No matter how disgusting my anger gets, he never loses interest."

"Petelgeuse never loved you. He couldn’t love anyone except the Witch."

Wrath looked ... Wrathful , what you expected to describe her wrath in 200 essay in my mind . 

"You… You! I thought you might be different when you suddenly suggested teaming up to kill the witch. But you’re the same as always."

"... If it comforts you, the Witch will never return his feelings. I don’t think anyone ever will. You might be his only option."

"..."

"..."

"... Huh? Hahahaha! Heeheehoohoo! Yes, yes! I take it back—love has lit the path of enlightenment upon you . Of course I’m his only choice. After killing the witch, I won’t let him out of my sight!"

"Funny thing is, the witch is already after that narrow-eyed boy."

"..."

There was a silent look from Sirius.

... Maybe Subaru saved himself when he got launched into space. He owes me big time for that one.

Alright. No time to think about him now. We have his girlfriend to stop before she kills everyone—especially me.

"You haven’t changed much, you know."

What?

"You still have that emptiness… That illusion in your head that the world owes you. That just because you feel wronged, you have the right to wrong others. That disgusting anger is still in you, and not even the Witch’s evil can change it."

...

Crazy bitch.

The Witch was there, destroying anything in her path. The only reason she wasn’t wiping out everything all at once was her desperate search for love. A love that wasn’t coming anytime soon.

"Emilia!" I threw a rock at her, just to make sure she looked my way and listened. We were furious.

"Look at that woman there," I said, pointing at Sirius, who was staring silently and murderously at the Witch.

"I know you’ve got problems with me right now. I know you’re too weak to fight the Witch who's controlling your body. But I’ve got something to help you stand."

"..."

The hands were moving wildly.

"That woman is your aunt, Fortuna."

The hands stopped.

"Got doubts? Use your brain here. Silver hair, purple eyes, elf ears. And that weird love for Petelgeuse. Come on—use your brain, light up your heart."

"..."

"Still doubting? How about this—what did Fortuna always teach you? ‘Thanks is better than sorry.’ You know what this woman keeps saying? ‘Sorry, thank you. I’m sorry. Thank you.’"

"..."

"If you gather your will now, you can fix this. You can be with her again. You can get back a piece of your family."

... She couldn’t. I knew I was talking nonsense. I knew this wouldn’t bring back Fortuna’s mind. The chance was as low as Ram ever loving Subaru. Closest thing to that was her anger path—Ram being Ram. She’s basically developed Stolkhlem Syndrome 2.0 and a love-hate vibe with Barusu.

Her taste in men is terrible. But Subaru the Yakuza is still better than Roswaal.

"Mother… Fortuna."

For the first time, there was light in the Witch’s eyes… Emilia’s eyes.

The plan was working. My hope was right. My genius strikes again.

"You bitch!"

Damn it—I should’ve broken her jaw first.

"You Dare Chase After My Love Again? You Don’T Deserve Him. You Don’T Deserve Petelgeuse. He’S The Best Man Ever, And You’Re The Most Disgusting Woman I’Ve Ever Seen. You—you—you! You’Re Angry Because You Know You’Ll Never Touch Him. You’Re Disgusting. Your Clothes Are Disgusting , dressing like true homewrecker . You Don’T Want Love—you Want To Ruin It. I Hate You !"

...

Why does the world hate me?

All the shadow hands rushed to Wrath before she could move or use her fire.

And they tore her apart.

Shredded. Ripped. Crushed. Even her blood was violated. Like a doll in the hands of a spoiled, angry child. A hideous death that made even me pity the woman who couldn’t even scream.

Well, Sirius—Fortuna—is dead. I hope Emilia wasn’t conscious of what the Witch just did.

Alright. Onto Plan B.

I don't want to use plan C , or D43

Now or never.

I speak my words for the threat not just upon the world but upon me . 

I looked at lady of dark , to make sure my words shine like stars . in my eyes of lightning moon and sun . 

"Witch of Envy, Satella, half-elf. As a man walking a messy path tonight—I hereby declare the start of the Witch Hunt."

Flames burst. Shadows spread.

And the first nail of fate was driven in.

...

Tick , Tack 

Chapter Text

I am Satella.

No, I am the Witch.

I am a terrible creature. No, I am a creature worthy of love, who wants love. I must receive love.

I hate the world. No, I love the people living in it. I love life. She hates death.

Then why did you kill the faces you didn’t know, and the faces you did?

Because they are selfish. They want all the love for themselves.

This world is draining the love that is supposed to be mine—mine, mine, mine.
I am a selfish creature.

You are not human. No, my mother is human.
That means I am human. I love my family.

No. Who, who, who?
How dare you love anyone other than him?
Then how will you get his love?
Love, love, love.
Love is not for yourself, but for him.
Hatred for the world. Hatred, hatred, hatred.
Love to love her. Hatred of herself. Hatred of the world.
Hatred for the corrupt.
Corrupt ones who hurt him. Corrupt ones who want to take him.

I love him. I love him.
I do not love myself.

Myself. Myself.
Who am I?
Who am I?

I am Satella. I am the Witch. I am Envy.

Where is the greedy man?
Where is the heir of Ashinda? Where is the one who knows his place?

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Kill him.

Or—

Kill me.

Murderer, murderer. There is a killer on the melodies.

A melody floats from the animals

Cannibals.

Time to eat.
Eat their suffering, their sadness, their happiness, their lives.
Eat until forgetting.

Men scream. Women scream. Children scream.

Eeny, meeny, moe.

The dragon stings like a bee.

Floats like a butterfly, crucifies like a saint.

The sword wounds, it doesn’t kill.

You hear the tunes—tunes of torment.

Listen, let’s play the play.

A play by a writer who seeks suffering,

pretending it has meaning.

Her love will overcome the court, proving a worth that needed no proof.

He does not bend under pressure, but pressure bends to him—
Bends like words in her poem, beside her message that serves as a will.

My melody of darkness bows before the king.

Crying, crying. This is the sound of the girl.

Damn the girl who ignored his love.
She comes from the town of fools, with a crown of ignorance,
Watching her love vanish faster than a blink before the light.

I came for hope, turning it forward and back.

Hello, you observer of my words. My name is—

Kill.

I will make you devour nightmares for strength.

Murderer, murderer.
Invisible scars burn.
The blood of the people she handed over clots in the daylight she marches toward—
A death she wishes upon herself.

Their words and curses hurt her.
They call her a witch as a curse. She turned herself into a curse.
Memories of pain before her eyes.
They curse her. She breaks their bones, Daniya, to make her furnace burn—
Hoping she will burn with it.

Shadows flow and darken.

There’s a corpse in the forest.
The forest is burning.

A shroud of death. Tick-tock, the clock spins.

This cycle is the catalyst.

Take the mountains of earth—move them—flatten them.

A time bomb. Tick-tock. A demon’s corpse.

Don’t hang yourself. I am the Witch of Envy.

Zip zap. This is the shroud of the living.
Take the rivers—I will dry them.
This cycle is the catalyst.

Tick-tock. Time bomb. Here comes the merchant.

Don’t drown. I am the Witch of Death and Suffering.

I am Satella, half-elf.

Kill the signs.
Kill the sanctuaries.
Kill your greed and kill your king.
Kill your broken home.
Kill your ego and kill your culture.
Kill your teacher, your creator, the twilight of creation.
Kill your mother.
Kill your father.
Kill your siblings.
Kill yourself.
And kill your karma.

Kill, kill, kill, kill.

Flux. Your reincarnation has reached the river of life.

Kill your love. Kill your partner.
Kill the one who pushed you away and brought you joy.

Kill your god. Kill your deity. Kill your prophet.

Kill them all.
Kill.
Kill the man who dies on the cross.

Kill the butcher. Kill the baker. Kill the carpenter.
Kill the wanderer. Kill the thinker. Kill the sailor. Kill the soldier. Kill the prince.

You love them. You hate yourself.
Kill them all.

Kill power. Kill the light. Kill them with all the strength you have.

Kill all the metaphors life throws at you.

Kill, kill, kill, kill.

I am empty in my misery and lamentation, a hollow demon killer.

I feel my corpse alive, daring to live and overcome death.

I feel only love.

In truth, in truth—

My mind is sick.

And it tells me to kill.

The seal in the desert—tak tak tak—this is the catalyst.

Take the sands and turn them to glass.

The arrow of place flies to his heart.

Don’t die. I am the cursed witch.

The vessel he chose—I hate it—has the strength of ten beasts,
And the mind of ten unborn children.

The corpses of children form a necklace around the young ice girl.
She does not feel. She wants to feel her love.

She wants to see the waterfall and beyond with him.
She wants to be buried with him.
But no—he deserves life.
And she deserves to be erased.
Not remembered, if they can even think of her.

Like a ghost, she wanders—aimless in mind or soul.

She chokes on a debt civilization formed after her.
How can they worship their death?

Could it be him?
Could it be the sage?
Could he come and kill her again?

Could it be real?
Could he return?
Could he bring another idea?

Could it be no?
Could it be nothing?
Could it be no one?

A question.

No. It’s impossible that it’s him.

Could it be?
Possibly. Probably. Honestly—

The pain starts to annoy her—
The man with the white hair.
The Greed that walks the earth.

A corpse, a corpse. A corpse belonging to the girl—
A corpse that belongs to her.

Another corpse she made.

Swallow your neutrality.
Swallow your life.
Swallow anything that is not your love.

Follow me. Follow me to the river of forgetting.
Honor me with the light of your love.

I am the prophecy climbing to glory from my death, filled with philosophy.
No one stops me.

Could it be?
Could it be?
Could it be?
Could it be?

Damn. Tik-takak.

This is the voice of the hypocrite before me.
A shadow lost its way to this vast garden by the great clock—
Turned into a killer, rests in his desire.
Cuts away his problems.
Forgive him—heresy.

A cursed killer will die.

The shroud opens to take another body.

Dust to nothing.

Nothing to nothing.

Her mind walks among shadows—without the beloved,
Nothing to think about.
The voices inside don’t understand.
She is like a river—flowing, unchanged.

She is Envy.
Envy destroys.
Envy only destroys what it doesn’t love.
It destroys what it wants.

Envy is not greed.
Greed wants to build, wants to live.

I only want to die.

Greed hates me here.
Now.
Nothing changes here.
Neither time nor desires.

Nothing matters.

Nothing matters but love.

"Satella! Look—Subaru is wearing a dress!"

Where!

And there Satella—the Witch of Envy—felt fire burn her soul.

Pain hurts—and it is beautiful.

Sweet, deceiving words will be answered.

Chapter Text

https://www.reddit.com/r/ReZero/comments/1k6aqg4/greed_vs_envy/

Two deceitful eyes meet two golden-green eyes.
Envy meets greed.

I wasn't just angry because this thing dared to threaten my existence and life—no, it threatened the lives of others too. Men whose only concern was waking up in the morning to go to work, women who cared for their homes. Their children only worried about which toy they’d play with tomorrow. Who knows how many of them she’s already killed?

Even though I confessed to trying to kill three people, I had the excuse that they tried to kill me first. I was simply defending myself. I was just trying to live.

And what does she achieve? Finding someone she claims to love only to torture him, sentencing him to a life of suffering.

Death—that's all she seeks. Just death.
There are two entities here: the Witch of Envy and Satella. I hate them both.

I hate Satella for whatever happened to her that led to half the world’s destruction. No matter how much her fans want to forgive her, she’s not completely innocent.

Not that I have the right to forgive her. I'm not from this world, so it doesn't matter what she’s done.

But I won't let her threaten me like this, won’t let her make me feel fear again—this familiar fear.

Fear of her—because she's an unknown variable. She wasn’t supposed to come here. I haven’t broken any rules. I never mentioned "Return by Death" in front of Subaru, and I doubt he knows that I know he has it. I didn’t violate any taboos.

If she lost contact with him, or didn’t just pull him into her Shadow Garden—well, that’s on her.

The stare was so dangerous I put up an unbreakable barrier between us. Maybe that’s why she hasn’t attacked yet. Probably... that voice.

...Actually, I noticed something strange. For a girl supposed to be the deadliest thing in the world, her outfit really shows a lot of thigh. I’d never judge a woman for what she wears—she has the right to show as much skin as she wants without judgment. But in some cases, it just feels odd.

With Priscilla, it makes sense—she’s proud of her body and flaunts it. Showing off is her middle name.

But Emilia? A girl with a teenager’s innocence, just now discovering the world—it doesn’t make sense for her to naturally choose to reveal that much cleavage... Honestly, I don’t even know. Her chest size is inconsistent.

And I don’t think she understands public modesty enough to know someone is staring at her.

Probably a design flaw... Wait a second—doesn’t Emilia kind of resemble Echidna?
Roswaal, you lowly scumbag who refuses to die.

At least Regulus is just mentally ill. That man can perfectly master magic. I know he's aware of his actions. 

His heart belongs to Echidna or whatever. But the guy acts suspicious around a girl 400 years younger than him.

Anyway, look at you, Ram.
Look at you, Satella.

And I’m about to exploit this.

“Look! Subaru is wearing a dress.”

...

...

......

I can’t believe that worked. I expected her to just ignore it and surprise attack me or teleport me to another dimension—not that I’d let her, but you get the point. Turns out the Witch’s obsession with Subaru is stronger than her hatred for the world—or for me.

But this raises a question we all need to ask:
Why do people like crossdressing?

It’s not shameful. But you have to ask, as someone intelligent and cultured, I can try to answer.

It’s not always about sexuality—it’s more like doing something different. Something that goes against social norms, and that’s exactly what makes it popular.

There’s always that thrill and sense of accomplishment when doing something “wrong,” but not harmful—like killing would be.

You should know: Subaru is a pro at this. Even Reinhard couldn’t outdo him in crossdressing.

Yes—it’s a form of art. Some people even find it attractive, especially when done well. Not that I’m into it. I’m just saying.

And it’s not just about men in skirts. Women wear suits... but wait—that’s not even seen as crossdressing anymore.

Lots of women wear suits and no one says a word. But when a guy wears a skirt, suddenly it’s weird.

...Sexist nonsense.

Speaking of discrimination, I feel the sword I’m using trying to burn me—but it can’t. It can’t pierce through my Authority.
And it’ll take more than sword instinct to locate the little king.

But regardless of how much he resists, I’ll use his power. I’ll use his fire.

Against you, Satella.

The golden flames—flames that never stop growing hotter—

They strike the witch, burn the witch, reduce the witch to ash.

We are made from ash, and to ash we return.

But Satella isn’t made of ash. She’s made of shadows.
And even if Satella’s body is immortal, who says her soul is too?

They said the scream sounded like a turtle slowly morphing into a crow, echoing through a cave filled with rainwater.

The golden fire tried to pierce her body and reach her soul—and failed. Failed. Completely ineffective. Like fire trying to reach the bottom of the ocean. Simply impossible.

Touch the fire. Summon the Lionheart. The fire burns on, but Satella doesn’t die.

Satella is in pain—but she’s always in pain.

What’s the difference between the pain of fire and the pain of loneliness?

The difference is: fire makes you scream. Loneliness demands silence.

I tried to make the fire hotter by freezing time around it—so it wouldn’t extinguish and would become more damaging.

But I feared the fire might spread and burn the whole city.

I used my Authority on the air around it to stop the flames from going beyond their target. I couldn’t let a spark escape and incinerate everything.

The fire must only burn one thing—
The witch.

Just like the old days, when people would burn women out of fear, blame, or even boredom. They’d hang any strange—or not even strange—woman and accuse her of witchcraft.

And why punish her when they had a god to protect them?
Did they fear the unknown more than they feared their god?

Hypocrisy. Absolute hypocrisy.

But that’s another story.

This story is about me, watching the real witch burn.

Burn for her sins.
The sin of bothering me.
The sin of threatening me.
The sin of existing.

...

When the body turned to ash, the fire stopped—because I stopped it.
The sword doesn’t obey me—it obeys my Authority.

As if that’s all I’m worth—just power.

Honestly, that’s one of the main reasons I hate—or at least resent—Satella right now.

As much as I want to deny it… I enjoyed it. I enjoyed fighting Reinhard.

Or more precisely, I enjoyed dealing with one of the strongest beings as if it were a game. Like it was just a stage.

I felt amazing. I was amazing...
Then Satella showed up and treated me like I was an unbreakable toy—manipulating my life like it didn’t matter.

And now here she is—rising from the ashes like a phoenix, as if nothing happened.

She looks me straight in the eye.
I hate the look in her eyes.

That look that says: “Nothing else matters but what I want. I want to destroy everything, so I will destroy everything.”

Those eyes remind me of a man… a pathetic man.

A man I despise.

A fat, greedy man who thinks only of himself.
A man who knows nothing but food, drink, sleep, and what people say about him.

A man who dared to claim he loved us—with words, not actions.

He thinks some vegetables and meat count as love.

A man I refuse to call by name.

“Satella... You’re pathetic.”

I said it with contempt.
Most people would be upset hearing that, but the witch doesn’t care what the pure and clean say.

They’re not like her. So they must die.

Hundreds of hands emerged from the shadows, trying to crush and destroy everything in their path—to reach me, to break me into bloody pieces like she did to Sirius.

Except this time, I had something to say...
Or rather, my hands did.

I froze the air-time around each hand—one, two, three... 176 of them.

And there, the shadow met nothingness.

Nothingness overwhelmed the darkness, because darkness is nothing—but still something.

The giant hands were completely destroyed.

Cronus’s hands grabbed her shadow and pulled in all directions, tearing it apart like paper.

Cardboard or regular paper—drawn with deep love for her one true love. The sage, or Subaru—it doesn’t matter.

The girl cried silently for her love to appear and end this boring game.

...But I didn’t let her crawl away into self-pity.

I used the hands to drag her deep into the earth.

Then I placed my own hands where she was, and pulled out a block of earth using Lionheart.

A perfect cube, I must say.

Felt like I was playing Minecraft.

...

I stabbed the sword deep into the cube... and started heating it from the inside.

The heat melted the stones surrounding Satella. Grey turned to red, yellow, and in-between orange.

And then...

I sang.

La-La-La-Lava~
Sa-Sa-Sa-Satella~
Regulus Lava Satella tasty as hell~
Ooh, Mamacita now you ringing the bell~
Crispy and Juicy, now you having a snack~
Oh, super spicy—it’s a Lava attack~

When the block turned to lava, I stopped the heat before it turned into plasma. Otherwise, we’d have a serious problem on our hands.

For the first time, the witch was on her knees—kneeling before me.

Either the pain was finally enough, or…

She spoke her first words:
“Please... don’t sing again.”

...What?

Did she really ask me not to sing?
My voice was amazing.

My morning songs were one of the few moments of peace I had.
My singing voice was good.

...No, it wasn’t.

Who said that?!

“It wasn’t.”

“Don’t read my thoughts!”

I kicked her away before she could say any more lies or horrible opinions.

“Why are you even doing this? What do you gain from attacking me—or the world? It won’t bring him back.

I know what you want, and you’re literally doing everything wrong, Witch of Darkness.”

“I have to bring him back... my love, my dear love, my beloved.”

“Shut the hell up! You love him here, you love him there—but what have you done for him besides tormenting him?

You’re the one who took him from his home. He carries your scent, and he’s definitely from the Great Waterfall.

If you love him, why did you drag him to hell? That’s not how love works.”

“...It wasn’t me.”

“...What?”

“I didn’t bring him here. I’m just keeping him alive... for me.
But I didn’t want him to come...
Even though I knew he would.”

...Hearing such coherent words from her must mean something... but it really didn’t.

What does she mean she didn’t bring him here?
Then who did?

Now that I think about it—nothing ever confirmed she was the one who brought him to this world.

If she didn’t bring him here... how did he get Return by Death?

...Wait a minute. When was Subaru’s first death?

While holding the hand of... the half-elf.

His words

“I’ll save you... Satella.”

He said that from the beginning...

He got the power...

The power goes to the closest person when you die...

It didn’t make sense.

“My name... my name is Satella.”

It didn’t make sense.

“Who are you... no, what are you, Satella?”

It wasn’t fear...
It wasn’t fear...
It wasn’t fear—

“I am... the Witch of Envy.”

It was fear.

It was hatred.

I will kill you, Satella.

I will burn this witch away  from my existence

Chapter Text

https://discord.gg/TXYaSz4U

https://discord.gg/TXYaSz4U

https://discord.gg/TXYaSz4U

So I decided to make discord , if there was any problem that because it first time I am making one .