The Inexhaustible Diligence of Sloth

One Hour and Ten Minutes since the Last Death (Fifteen Deaths)

"...Are ya absolutely sure 'bout doin' this, boy? If somethin' goes wrong..."

"No harm will come to me, Ricardo. As I said, the cult won't do anything to me as long as I don't act directly hostile towards them."

"Even so, it's still way too risky."

"And it won't just be risky for ya, Subaru-sama. Don't forget that I don't entirely trust ya; how can ya assure me that ya won't try to take advantage of the fact that you'll be away from us to devise a ploy together with the archbishop?"

"If that were the case, I wouldn't have asked Ricardo to assemble the most capable members of the Fang of Iron at his disposal. By doing so I'd only be making it more problematic for me to pull off this supposed betrayal you speak of."

"It might well be an attempt to weaken the security of the mansion. Thus, while we're away from there, ya'd signal to the archbishop that the time's right ta attack the mansion. Or perhaps ya intend to kill several of the Fang of Iron's most powerful warriors at the same time."

"You're reading too much into things, Utada. Sigh... See this? It's the metia I stupidly left in my room when I left the mansion in the morning."

"I know what a friggin' metia is, what're ya gettin' at here?"

"When leaving the mansion we'll connect my metia with Ricardo's and I'll keep it in my pocket, so you'll be able to hear everything I'm going to talk about with the Sin Archbishop. If you judge that my intention is to betray you, you're free to return immediately to the mansion... Or to attack us. Whatever you deem most appropriate."

"If the metia's gonna be in your pocket, it means that we won't be able to see what ya and the archbishop will be doin', Subaru-sama. Ya'd use signs to inform the archbishop while bein' careful not to reveal anythin' with yer voice."

"Damn it, Utada! What do you want, to follow me to my meeting with the Sin Archbishop?!"

"Su-san, don't ya think that in that case I'd follow ya too?"

"No, neither of you will! Utada, I'm sorry, I understand that everything I withheld, and my smell, keeps you from trusting me, but you'll have to settle for listening to us through the metia. You have sharp ears, don't you? Use them to perceive if I move my body in a suspicious manner; for if the cult becomes aware that they're being followed, they'll attack without hesitation. Remember, it is imperative to avoid conflict."

"Sigh... As ya say, Subaru-sama. I'd rather murder those sons of bitches the moment they show their ugly hoods, but for the sake of the mission and Anastasia-sama, I'll wait for ya to discuss what ya've to discuss with the Sin Archbishop. Still, I'm sure there's no need for me to remind ya, but I'll do it anyway; if I perceive the slightest intention in ya to betray us, even if it costs me my life, I'll rip out yer esophagus."

"Thanks for understanding, Utada..."

"I still don't quite get why we'd avoid attackin' those despicable motherfuckers. I'm with Utada-san, we'd kill 'em all."

"Cause our goal's to get to the castle as quickly as possible. If what I saw in my vision should happen before we do so, it'll all be for naught. We must be sure to inform those in the castle about the situation in the capital and get Anastasia out of there before the place comes under attack. If that should happen and we're still not there, you'll be paying for it with your own miserable lives. Do you fucking understand?! Anastasia's our priority, not taking on the fucking cult, nor taking revenge for the goddamn past!"

"I'm sure they do get it, boy..."

"Whatever... I'm gonna repeat it one more time. It's very likely that, due to the witch's miasma exuding from my body, the Witch Cult will find us sooner or later. When it happens, I'll order the cultists to take me to their leader, which could very well be Sloth, Wrath or Lust."

"And they'll obey ya just like that, Subaru-sama? That certainly is most suspicious."

"Believe what you wanna believe, Utada. You'll be able to hear my conversation with the archbishop through the metia, and considering your keen senses, as well as those of the rest of all the demi-humans gathered here, I'm sure you'll be able to confirm firsthand that my intention isn't to betray you."

"Tch, we'll see 'bout dat."

"Anyway... Thanks to the fact that, as Utada so kindly pointed out a while ago, my smell is comparable to that of a Sin Archbishop, the low-ranking cultists will obey me as long as my orders do not conflict with those of the archbishops. When I meet with the Sin Archbishop, I'll try to persuade him to allow us passage. If negotiation fails, you'll take action and attack him, understood?"

"There's one thing that isn't clear to me."

"Hmm... Kitzu, right?"

"Right, Subaru-sama."

"Well, then, Kitzu, what don't you understand?"

"If you'll distract the witch cultists, and they favor ya, why not simply ask them to let ya pass, while we use the distraction to sneak toward the castle? We'd agree on a rendezvous point near the castle."

"That's a good suggestion; unfortunately, that won't do. If they find me with you, even if I order them to leave you alone, I'm sure they won't do it altogether. I'm convinced that as long as an archbishop does not order otherwise, they will not attack you, but they will definitely alert their leader about your presence, and at that point your lives will be doomed."

"What if we split up the moment we leave the mansion?"

"The issue persists. The cult attacked us five minutes from the mansion, so they may already be sweeping the surrounding area. The massacre will catch up with us at any moment. Once they find me, which will happen sooner rather than later, I've no doubt they will search the surrounding area more diligently. Eventually they will find you and you'll be attacked, and if you defeat them, that will attract the archbishops. And you guys don't wish to encounter one of the Sin Archbishops without me around, I promise you."

"Terrific, then we'll do as the boy says. Considerin' the speed at which the Cult's movin' through the capital, it'd be best to leave immediately. Cause I second the kid, our top priority is the lil' lady. So ya better not fail.."

One Hour and Twenty Minutes since the Last Death (Fifteen Deaths)

"The anomaly, you say? How is it that you, contemptible ally of a slothful spirit, happen to know about it? Why is someone like you so dearly loved?! Subaru Natsuki, who're you?! Who are YOU?!"

With red-tinted eyes, while aggressively pulling at his hair, Petelgeuse scrutinized Subaru's face, as if in it he would find the answers to his questions. Subaru did not carry with him the weapon he had reinvented, so there was no reason for him to fear such an examination; with him he carried nothing that would raise Sloth's suspicions.

Escaping the Witch Cult was impossible, he had already realized that since his third encounter with them. His scent, his scent was the key. Subaru had already noticed the subtle and not so subtle signs that gave proof of the existence of a factor in his body that attracted beings and people who had some kind of relationship with the Jealous Witch or, otherwise, the Witch Cult.

The mabeasts, monstrous beings created by the witch, similar to animals but with an insatiable thirst for blood and totally hostile towards humans; on their foreheads it is common to see horns. The fake Zarestia, an Oni girl who had stolen the treasure of the Great Spirit of Wind, or also known as the Great Spirit of Murder, Zarestia, with the aim of taking revenge on the Witch Cult, which had attacked her village and slaughtered all her loved ones. Utada had experienced a similar past to the girl's, and shared her goal. And finally, the members of the Witch Cult, people of questionable sanity whose personal goal was unknown, who were loyal to the Jealous Witch and wished for her return.

Incorrect, Subaru had already discovered that this main objective was not shared by all the members of the cult. So what had brought them together in the same organization? Subaru knew not, what he did know, was that they were undoubtedly all related to the Jealous Witch, whether they were loyal to her or not. All these beings and people were able to detect his scent. An odor that, the more times he died, the more it concentrated in his body and that only the passage of time was able to dissipate.

Subaru had died five times since the Witch Cult's siege of the city began, and it was certain that his body at that moment must have been emanating a very intense stench of the witch's miasma. However, dying was not the only way the concentration of witch's miasma increased in his body. Breaking the taboo of the shadow, trying to reveal the true nature of Return by Death, was also attributing to the increase of that ominous odor that only a few individuals in that world were able to perceive.

Before his last death, Subaru had broken that taboo dozens of times, until blood had replaced the sound waves of his words. There was no doubt that his body reeked of the witch, as much or more than that of a Sin Archbishop would. Did the more of the witch's miasma emanating from a person, the closer that person would be to the witch? That seemed to be the case, yet Subaru had never interacted with her, or even seen her in person.

Was the shadow that tortured him the Jealous Witch? Her essence? Subaru believed it was, just as he believed she was to blame for his presence in that world. Understanding the witch's reasons was overwhelmingly beyond his grasp, there was no reason he could think of as to why he had been chosen and not someone else. He was exceedingly close to the witch, yet she only showed herself to him in order to torture him.

I don't want that kind of closeness and affection, he thought. The witch's miasma, her love. The person in front of him was convinced that there was a directly proportional correlation between the two. Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti adored the witch madly, loved her with a sickly fervor. Subaru was, apparently, extremely loved by the witch, however, he was not part of the Witch Cult.

Hatred and jealousy were bound to flourish; a dark flower redolent with resentment. With such an amount of miasma emanating from him, escape from the cult proved impossible, therefore, negotiating with them was vital for him and his allies to reach the castle. On that negotiation depended the peaceful crossing of that area; vital time was at stake. Therefore, Subaru had to handle the situation with extreme care, or he might again incur the wrath of the archbishop; should that happen, all he had obtained in Anastasia's mansion might well be lost in the very nothingness of death.

"It was during a vision, Archbishop Romanée-Conti. It was due to my Divine Protection, which allows me to glimpse future events. In that vision it was whispered in my ear that I was an anomaly to the Witch Cult, and that it'd result in my salvation." The lie with which he had concealed his cursed blessing was hugely ingrained in his being and all encompassed him as an individual in that world, so he had chosen to remain consistent in his speech. "And as to why I'm so beloved, as you say, the truth is that the reason escapes my knowledge. In fact, to be honest, I didn't have the slightest idea about it until now that you mention it. Am I loved then? It's because of it that I'm an anomaly, perhaps?"

"A vision... Love may indeed be related to it, you're not mistaken, Spirit Arts User. Is it perhaps a blessing bestowed upon a miserable and pathetic being with no path to follow? Is it perhaps the gift of love that you've been endowed with? Tell me, tell me, tell me, Subaru Natsuki... Are you by any chance Pride?"

"No, I'm not the one who represents the sin of Pride, even though many have told me that I'd be fit to bear it. Sadly, I haven't been granted such proof of love." Although he disliked it greatly, Subaru found it necessary to praise the witch's love with his words. Otherwise, the outcome of the previous loop might be repeated.

"To think that a prospective believer in love would be in such close proximity to me! It must be a sin not to have noticed it earlier!" Howled the archbishop, performing his typical ritual of self-flagellation. With blood flowing from between his fingers and teeth, the crazed man stared at Subaru. "Is it that you have come diligently before me with the wonderful desire to become a believer in love? You, Subaru Natsuki, have specifically requested an audience with myself. Does that mean you understand how corrupted are those who, as well as I, have received the ultimate blessing of love?"

"The truth's that I know nothing about the other Sin Archbishops, Archbishop Romanée-Conti; thus I'm not able to express an opinion regarding them." Subaru replied, shaking his head faintly. "However, I specifically asked to be brought before you because I've a request to make of you."

"A request? Does that mean I was right? Do you want, do you wish, do you ambition, do you yearn, do you fervently crave to formally become one of my followers, a believer in love?" The sadistic lunatic's bereft of rationality eyes sparkled with excitement at the idea that Subaru would be joining his ranks. However Subaru was quickly forced to tear down such an illusion.

"I would be delighted to pledge my allegiance to the witch, Archbishop Romanée-Conti, but I'm afraid I've business to take care of first." Such a reply caused the Archbishop of Sloth's brow to furrow sharply. Subaru swallowed audibly. "As I told you earlier, I'm that anomaly of which you've been informed. If you look at his gospel, you'll see that I'm not lying." Without a word, Petelgeuse retrieved his gospel from his robe and began to scan its contents with terrifying speed; it was obvious at a glance that this was a habit repeated hundreds of times a day. Satisfied with that, Subaru continued. "You see, Archbishop Romanée-Conti, I've business to attend to at the Royal Castle, so I wished to ask your permission to cross this area along with some allies, our obj-"

"What you say is right, right, right, right, right, completely right. Surprisingly, there's no such thing as a record of your existence in my Gospel. Something unheard of, unusual, strange... Yet... You talk and talk and talk of things that make no sense to this diligent servant of love. How do you pretend, intend, expect to cross the city that we've been commanded to purify with blood?"

"Uhmm... I'm an anomaly, aren't I? That should do it for-" With his heartbeat growing faster by the second, Subaru tried to defend his point, however, Petelgeuse would not permit him to do so.

"We were instructed not to interfere in the affairs of the 'anomaly'. Yet, yet, yet, yet, yet, yet, it should be noted that 'anomaly' refers to a single individual, not a group of them." Emitting a dangerously hostile aura, Petelgeuse approached Subaru, showing zero interest in respecting his personal space. "Indeed, there's a record of those whom you consider allies in my Gospel, and they've already been located by one of my fingers. Their fate is to become part of the purge that seeks to purify the entrails of this accursed kingdom; a worthy punishment for the descendants of those who dared to seal our beloved witch. You, the unusual anomaly, can do as you please, as long as you remain devoted to the witch's love, you can count on the sympathy of this diligent believer in love."

At that moment Subaru comprehended that he had been too naïve. "Shit..." Subaru could tell from the crazed look on the Archbishop of Sloth's face, nothing he could say would be enough to convince him to let the mercenaries live. Dialoguing with the deranged man had been a bad idea from the beginning, but after his pleas for salvation were rejected by Sirius, Subaru knew he had only Petelgeuse left to turn to.

If I pretend to be a "believer in love," if I pretend to be an adept of the Jealous Witch, then I will gain Petelgeuse's sympathy, and with that I should be able to convince him not to attack Halibel and the members of the Fang of Iron; so he had naively come to think. But once again he had lied to himself and had succumbed to a convenient delusion.

Sloth would give in to his pleas out of mere sympathy? Since when did things work out for him in such a convenient manner? Sirius had already refused to help him on the grounds that they had never been ordered to interfere in such a way with the anomaly; they would simply let him live, him and none other than him. Besides, if anyone outside the cult attacked him, neither of the archbishops would reach out to him. The Witch Cult was not his ally, that had to be seared into his mind.

"...And if they aren't my allies, then they are my enemies." Subaru muttered, looking down at the paving stone floor beneath his feet. Petelgeuse, who remained uncomfortably close to his face, did not fail to catch his words.

"Enemies? Does that, by any chance, imply that you intend to turn against the love that has been poured out upon you with such good will? No, no, no, no, no, no, no... I must be making a mistake, it must be a fault in my ears, have I misheard? Love must be repaid with love, one can never be too generous in repaying the goodwill of love."

"I don't give a fuck 'bout the witch's love! If after all that I suffered for so much love to be 'poured' on me, it's still not even enough to get a pass ticket for my allies, then I really don't care in the slightest about being loved by that fucking witch!" Exploding in anger, Subaru shouted as he walked backwards away from Petelgeuse. He could not afford to completely take his eyes off of him, he could not turn his back on him.

"After all the love that has been bestowed upon you, this is how you repay it...? Even so, even so, even so, even so, even so, with that tongue, with that mouth, you have insulted love and your benefactress! How dare you insult love in such a manner! You're nothing but a wretched and ungrateful being! A selfish pest who's only capable of thinking of himself! You may deny it all you wish, but you are completely tainted with the sin of pride! Yet, you are unworthy to occupy the vacant seat!"

"I ain't interested in joining your stupid cult of religious fanatics! If you stand in my way, then I'll do everything in my power to bring you down!"

"Selfish, selfish, selfish, selfish, selfish, selfish, blasphemer of love! It matters little that we were commanded to let you walk freely in this accursed city, if you choose to make this devout believer of love your enemy, then I shall take it upon myself to eliminate you personally! Even if you are an anomaly, if you interfere with our objectives, then I am compelled to use my diligence to destroy you, destroy you, destroy you, destroy you, utterly destroy you!"

"Only one of us will survive to see the end of this day, Archbishop Romanée-Conti! However, I must tell you that no matter how diligent you may be, I don't know what it's like to give up once I'm determined to do something! Try to kill me all you want, my soul knows no such thing as death!" The stage of death was set, and the murderous declarations had already been uttered; the combat was about to commence.

"You, you, you, you, you wretched blasphemer of love! Your pride consumes you and makes you blind, I will show you the full extent of my diligence and devotion to love! Authority of Sloth, Unseen Hand!" Subaru had been waiting for it, this was the moment. The Authority of Sloth, Subaru had already seen it in action on several occasions, and because of that it was the ability of the Sin Archbishops that he understood best; it was the Authority of which he had gathered the most knowledge.

Subaru really could not be certain which Archbishop he would be taken to once the cultists found him. And it was not until he was surrounded by the hooded people that the name Petelgeuse came out of his mouth. Subaru did not know if asking to be brought before one of the Sin Archbishops would be of any use; still, he had done so out of instinct. Of all the lunatics who led the Witch Cult, Subaru was convinced that Sloth would be the easiest for him to defeat.

When the shadowy hand emerged from Petelgeuse's back, Subaru could not help smirking. His madness makes him predictable, he thought. Once the Archbishop of Sloth erupted in anger, he would lose his temper and composure, after which he would not hesitate to attack with his Unseen Hand. The mercenaries were already informed about the existence of it, even so, nothing changed that Subaru was the only one capable of perceiving it with his sight. Therefore, he would be vital to defeat the Petelgeuse; he had to remain attentive at all times during the fight.

"Nice try, Archbishop Romanée-Conti, but I'm afraid I know that trick inside out." Subaru boldly stated, dodging the shadowy hand with no trouble. Julius' sword moves at a faster speed, Subaru concluded as he spun around to face Petelgeuse.

"How? How? How? How? How? How? How?! How?! This has to be a mistake, a gargantuan mistake! No one should be able to see the gift I was blessed with by love! My Unseen Hand cannot be seen, cannot be! Only I, only myself should be able to see my Unseen Hand! Subaru Natsuki, what in the world are you! How is that a despicable-" Sloth had not finished his rant, when his body abruptly jerked in a violent manner.

"Ya'd never lose focus of your surroundings when ya're in the middle of the battlefield, it'd lead to ya falling defeated even before landin' an attack on the enemy." With a casual voice tone and a carefree smile on his face, the Shinobi warrior calmly took his place next to Subaru.

"Hal-san, I'm glad you got here so quickly. When Petelgeuse said his finger had already figured out where you were, I was afraid you wouldn't be able to make it in time." Feeling considerably calmer, Subaru spoke to Halibel without taking his eyes off the injured Sin Archbishop.

"Damn you! Damn you! Damn you! Damn you! What loathsome tricks do you use to revolt against the love bestowed upon me and oppose my diligence?!" Shouted the crazed archbishop, disregarding completely the sharp kunais stuck in his right arm and leg, as well as part of his back.

"It's all due to love, Archbishop Romanée-Conti! The love that was poured so cruelly upon me has granted me the ability to counter the love that was bestowed upon you!" Subaru replied ironically, thus causing the archbishop's ire to flare up.

"To mock love in such a manner! Inconceivable! I cannot stand idly by, my devotion cannot be underestimated! It cannot! It cannot! With my hands I must put an end to the anomaly and its allies! I must spill the blood of the heretics of love!"

"Hey, Su-san. Are ya sure it's a good idea to provoke him like that? There're quite a few of the witch cultists back there, so I don't think anyone will be comin' to aid us for quite a while yet." Halibel inquired, not particularly uneasy.

"Shit, Hal-san, you'd have told me earlier..." Subaru replied in annoyance. However, after a brief moment, he frowned and shook his head, determination burning in his pupils. "This will be our grand debut as master and follower. I'm confident that together we can beat him; I'll tell you where the hands are while you attack."

"After hearin' that I can't refuse, Su-san." The Shinobi said with a smoky smile. "No need to worry 'bout me, tho'. I most definitely can't see this Unseen Hand ya speak of, but I can sense its movement, so I'd be fine. Just let me know in case I fail to detect any attacks."

"Alright, let's get this over with! Time's short!" For the first time, Subaru and Halibel would fight together since the warrior of Kararagi decided to start following Subaru. However, this lighthearted talk had only served to further, if possible, increase the archbishop's anger.

"I'm being looked down upon! Love and my diligence are being belittled again and again and again and again! It's unforgivable that the witch's goodwill is being ridiculed in such a way! Such humiliation! I won't forgive them! Never! Never! Never! Never! I'll make them repent of their unfounded overconfidence!" With bloody fingers in his mouth, parched brown strands of hair between them, Petelgeuse lashed out at Subaru and Halibel.

Abruptly, a swarm of shadowy hands emerged from Petelgeuse's back. Their target was those whom he considered blasphemers of love. Subaru froze. Once again, negative thoughts began to flood his mind, blocking any other thoughts that might arise. I was an idiot! How naïve of me! Did I really believe that a useless and pathetic person like me could stand up to a monster like that?

Of course, the speed of the shadowy hands had not increased. They were still moving at the speed any normal limb would. However, he could never compare dodging one or two hands to dodging that hydra of hands. Strikes would rain down on him at any moment and his mediocre skill would never be enough to dodge each and every one of them. Subaru knew it; if even one of those hands touched his body, it would be all over for him; Utada, whose body was hundreds of times sturdier than his, had been left on the verge of death with a simple squeeze. Once again, his body would be turned into a bloody pulp.

"Don't just stand there, Su-san!" However, his pessimistic train of thought was cut short by a shout, which was immediately followed by a sudden jerk.

Instead of acting as they had agreed, Halibel desisted from attacking Petelgeuse and took Subaru in his arms, thus taking him out of the invisible murderous barrier's attack range. "H-Hal-san... I'm glad I can count on ya." Subaru muttered, as Halibel placed him on the ground. His feet were slightly weak and shaky due to fear, but Subaru quickly pulled himself together and stood firmly.

"Save the flattery fer when we've defeated the Sin Archbishop." Responded Halibel, giving a quick glance at his surroundings. With his gaze focused on a point other than where Petelgeuse stood, he added. "Those cultists that brought ya could become a problem if we simply let 'em be."

"They won't attack me, but it's a safe bet that they'll eventually try to get in your way during your fight against Petelgeuse." Subaru remarked, looking towards the static group of hooded people.

"Don't just stand there idly! That's sloth, sloth, sloth, a display of despicable sloth! The ultimate punishment will fall upon you if you don't start moving at once! Attack that demi-human who interfered with our secret meeting! I'll deal with the proud blasphemer myself!" Maddened, Petelgeuse rebuked his subordinates.

Until now, the cultists had respected Subaru's command not to attack his allies, but that ceased at that moment. Petelgeuse, on the basis of what he had read in his Gospel, had ordered another group of cultists to attack the mercenaries; or at least that was how Subaru had interpreted it. Therefore, it was most likely that the group that had led him to Sloth had not received that order. Still, if only he was able to override the orders of the Sin Archbishop...

"Don't attack him, he's my ally! I ordered you when you found me not to lay a finger on him and you obeyed! Well, that order hasn't changed!" It was worth a try. If he managed to negate Petelgeuse's order, then it would all come down to combat against him.

"Conceited, presumptuous, arrogant, haughty! To believe that you possess the power to give orders to the loyal and diligent followers of love is despicable! Are you really not the one who represents Pride?"

"I told you I'm not, my answer isn't gonna change no matter how much you ask!"

"Then it's futile! They are all devotees of love commanded by one of my fingers, you who haven't received the witch's blessing shall never be able to get them to disobey my commands!" Retorted Petelgeuse, pointing to Halibel. "The only righteous way to live life is with diligence! Show how diligent and devoted you are, and put an end to anyone who stands in the way of love!"

As expected, the cultists were quick to dismiss Subaru's orders and pounced on Halibel. Halibel, however, showed not the least bit of trepidation. Closing his eyes and pressing his palms together, Halibel split into two beings; one was the original Halibel, and the other was a clone.

"Let's get this over with quickly, we've a bunch of beautiful ladies to save, Su-san!" Once again, cultists of the witch began to fall like puppets whose strings had been sliced. It didn't matter if it was a clone, Halibel's strength, agility and skill overwhelmingly surpassed that of Petelgeuse's minions.

With a kunai in each hand, the clone severed the vital points of each of the hooded men, inflicting powerful curses. None but the luckiest cultists died quickly with their necks completely sliced open, blood soaking their dark hoods. For centuries, the cult had been the nightmare of the inhabitants of that world, yet that day they had found the source of theirs.

"Curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you, curse you! Die, you blasphemers of love, die in your contemptible stagnation and be reduced to flesh and bones! My love, my devotion, my loyalty, my diligence, shall not be surpassed!"

Screams devoid of sanity were spat out by a crazed Petelgeuse who kept summoning unseen hands with which he incessantly assailed Halibel. However, the Archbishop of Sloth was at an obvious disadvantage. Perhaps the shinobi warrior was not able to perceive the Authority of Sloth with his eyes, however, the rest of his senses were able to do so. With agile jumps and movements that made it seem as if he was teleporting again and again, Halibel moved around Petelgeuse, attacking only when he perceived gaps in his enemy's defense.

These were not fatal blows, the Sin Archbishop was using his ability to block his enemy's strikes, thus making it difficult for Halibel to land accurate hits. Still, each cut added up, and little by little the slender, sickly body of the Sin Archbishop was covered by these. Blood was beginning to soak his tunic and his bloodshot eyes were beginning to lose their luster of life.

"Y-You made it, Hal-san..." Subaru muttered as he became aware of the signs of death.

It was obvious what Halibel's strategy had been; and it had all started with the kunais of the surprise attack. Halibel had placed dozens of powerful curses on Petelgeuse. And no matter how great his physical resistance was, in dribs and drabs, the archbishop's sickly body had weakened until he was on the verge of death.

"I'd like to say I agree, Su-san. But the truth is, that monster should've been dead minutes ago. I don't understand how someone with such a sloppy body is able to withstand so many curses without keelin' over and dyin'." Still moving around Petelgeuse, Halibel revealed the disturbing truth to Subaru.

"I told you so, you fools! My diligence is immortal, my love and loyalty unsurpassed! As long as my spirit, my soul, remains, I will fight on to repay the love bestowed upon me! Love, love, love, love, LOVE! So die at once, you foolish heretics!"

"Hal-san!" Alarmed, Subaru warned Halibel with a shout. From every direction shadowy hands had been thrown toward him.

"I noticed, Su-san!" Halibel replied briefly; he might be keeping his attitude casual, but it was clear that the Archbishop of Sloth was not an enemy he could defeat with extreme ease.

"Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!" Halibel's body was crushed by the shadowy hands, but no cry of despair came from Subaru's throat; only smoke remained where Halibel was supposed to be. "Arghhhhh!" A bloodied groan escaped Petelgeuse's mouth. Buried in his lower abdomen, right where the vast majority of his vital organs were located, were two steel daggers. "How? How? How? How? How?! How?! That there are two people besides me who are able to see it! Inconceiv-!"

"I can't see it. But unfortunately for ya, there're other ways to perceive attacks like yours." With a quick slash to his enemy's neck, Halibel ended the brief combat against the Archbishop of Sloth; at the same time, the last of the cultists, the one who had managed to last the longest, fell on his side, his organs spilling down the bottom of his tunic.

"Gha! My diligence is unending... Gah!... and knows no death... I will return as many times as necessary... until I've slain the last of you!" Still vomiting blood in spurts, Petelgeuse issued one last empty threat. The black hands vanished, leaving behind only an uncomfortably ominous feeling.

He had finally succeeded, he had defeated a Sin Archbishop. In shock, moved, Subaru stared at the corpse of Petelgeuse and then at the one responsible for the death of that beast in the form of a human. With Halibel's help I will be able to achieve it, finally my goals are within my reach. However, once again, Subaru had been wrong.

"Su-san-!" A black hand was only inches from his face. Halibel would not be able to help him, the distance between them would make it an impossibility... Suddenly, Subaru's world was enveloped by shadows.