Chapter Text
Welcome to the Witch's Corporation
Regulus Corneas.
The audacity of that woman to just shove him into a new job, one where he has to directly serve insignificant weaklings and snobby nobles. Where was his decision in this huh? Where was his right as a person to make his own choices?
Frankly speaking, he was tired, annoyed, livid and upset. Having to go on these simple missions where he has to obey these inferior human beings. He, Regulus Corneas, the perfect man who has achieved things no one has, he who had multiple wives. The amazing, kind, compassionate, open minded man who stood above everyone else… Had to work for normal regular people…
And it wasn't even his choice! He’s forced to do this! The shock collar on his neck stops him from causing anything. He can't vent his anger on those minor characters, because he would get shocked immediately.
The worst part was that it bypasses his Authority of Greed, which allows him to stop time for his body… As long as he placed his heart on someone that is, but he can't, not without their consent, he cannot.
The train arrived at the next station, stopping with a screeching halt. This transportation was developed 5 years back. When a certain annoying black haired boy came up with ideas of steam engines, they invented the first locomotive.
Now, it has been in use all over the world, serving as a good way for both transporting people and for trades. Merchants were glad because trains were able to hold more heavier loads and trading became easier.
And he has to admit, albeit reluctantly, it has been useful for getting around the world since he can't use his Authority in the same way as before.
Grabbing his briefcase, he got out of the train, the loud ringing of the bell signalling that the train was about to depart for the next station… The loud ringing sort of annoyed him, though he got used to it.
He walked, people bumping into him on multiple occasions, without even an ounce of apologies. He wanted to rant off, tell them how insignificant they are, tell them how rude they are for not even seeing him as a person but as someone they can just walk over, someone whose rights should be taken into account and taken care of… But he couldn't, not anymore, and so he had to begrudgingly accept that fact.
He had just returned from a mission, working as someone's bodyguard while they travelled through the woods, so Mabeast wouldn't be able to get them. The merchant wanted to try their hands on a village and see if they could profit off from there.
Honestly, he didn't care about their business, just that he wanted to get back to his ‘home’ and take a rest. His body is susceptible to outside forces now, like injuries, breathing… Which he wasn't exactly used to after living with not having to do all these simple tasks for centuries…
Walking along the busy streets of the Capital City of Lugunica, his mind wandered off to his current work.
The Witch's Corporation.
… What a stupid name, how unoriginal.
It was a sort of… Rehabilitation attempt for the previous cultists, both supporters and Sin Archbishops alike. Which was an utterly hilarious thought mind you, because the Archbishops stood at the top of the world and he above all of them… But now he was reduced to this.
Something he did find odd about his new workplace was that the ex-Sin Archbishops were asked to wear suits. Like he was wearing a white suit, that disgusting lady wore a pink suit, the insane man wore a green suit, etc… And well, the clothes weren't that bad, they were pretty comfortable to wear.
And then their main building was built around the slums, looking really luxurious compared to the place where the sewer rats lived… Although, they were faring better now due to one of the candidates giving them a chance to live a better life… Well, not everyone…
Sometimes, you can see people arguing, stealing, committing murder… Which they had to stop by the way! Why did he have to waste time worrying about such minor events? He didn't care if anyone died or not.
“I’m sorry…”
He stopped walking, his head turning to the source of the voice.
An alley.
Two thugs, both grown up, were pointing a knife at a young child.
A girl, barely nine years old.
He shrugs it off, seeing as it was a normal occurrence here in the slums-
Zap
His neck tingle, current running down his body and harming his nerves. He winced slightly, still not used to the pain. He forcefully yanked at the collar… Nothing, he can't pull it off, nor can he break it.
He grumbled, turning on his heels and approaching the thugs.
Honestly, as he thought before, it wasn't his problem. People had their own desperate situations where they had to do what they could. He knows how these feeble minds worked, because they can't think past their laziness.
Footsteps. The thugs turned, the girl wiped her tears. Regulus stood in front of them, scowling because he didn't want to be here, he hadn't seen the need to interfere.
There was a pause—one, two—and after a quick beat, the thug with the knife dropped his knife, hate written in his expression.
And Regulus? He wanted to wipe it off his face. These disgusting sewer rats thought just because he had this ‘shock collar’ on him that they could express themselves however they wanted? Of course they would, because they no longer saw him as a threat, and this came off as a huge frustration.
“Shit bro, what are we going to do?”
The thug on the left asked, the right one stood silent. A short pause, contemplating, and then a groan.
“Let's leave, don't wanna get in trouble with these corporate folks.”
Regulus didn't need to say a thing. Why? Because for one, the corporate served the slum areas their meal, which was kind of a routine they had to follow. He doesn't know how to cook, yet he was forced to. He didn't want to serve, yet they forced him to.
He was angry, angry at the fact that those inferior knights could even order him. If it was before, he would've swiped his hand, and they would've been gone.
He stepped aside, making way for the thugs to leave. He watched them walk off, without a single glance at him. He could tell by their sweat that, despite their previous strong front, they were terrified.
Their figures disappeared, now left with the young girl. He turned to face her. Small—reaching about only his thighs. Black hair, blue eyes and wore rags as clothes.
Unsurprisingly, she was afraid of him. He didn't care however.
“U-um t-thanks…”
She stuttered out… Good, at least this girl knew her manners. Maybe, if he was able to regain his former glory, he would spare her.
He slowly blinked, then waved her off. He didn't care, he just wanted to get to his room and doze off. Feeling tired was a new concept to him, familiar, but something he hadn't felt in years.
The girl simply watched him walk away, heading towards their HQ.
She didn't follow, just stood frozen until he disappeared from her sight. She finally managed to breathe—not knowing she even held in a breath—and dashed off somewhere else.
The next day, things were a bit different.
Regulus was given a day off. He didn't know why, but Pandora stated that he had worked hard these days.
Did he? He didn't know. He just took the requests, did them and came back, just to fill in the boredom he felt.
He can't get women, he can't vent his anger, he can't be god-like and his right was disrespected multiple times… And he could do nothing about it.
So, today, he went out for a short walk. He didn't want to be considered a shut-in, and he hated his room anyway.
The HQ was where he was situated, his room felt like a boring cell, one he could leave whenever, but also having to come back because he had nowhere else to go.
It was boring, bland and there was nothing to do. Not a sense of good mood was in that room. Just… An average room with bookshelves, a bed, a desk, a chair, a lamp, one carpet in the middle of the room and that's it.
He stepped out, breathing in the air. It was something he did every time he went out for something, because he still had to get used to breathing properly.
Embarrassing to admit as it is, since he wasn't used to the whole respiratory cycle, he had to remind himself or get reminded sometimes that he wasn't breathing.
He still wore his suit, because he had nothing else to wear. He walked off into the slums, past those dirty folks, who didn't even want to peek out because they were scared of him.
He found it odd. Whenever he confronted the people of the slums, they showed hate, resentment, anger, dislike… But only when he was face to face with them. Other times, they would just avoid him like the plague…
Sincerely, it pissed him off. He wanted to thrash and destroy everything in this poverty stricken area.
He hated the fact that he had to remain silent or else, he would get a terrible shock. He frowned, because it was truly a violation of his rights as a person, because he couldn't do anything of his own volition anymore.
Freedom was a dream now, and all he could do was oblige to whatever petty stuff these people had.
“Damn it, I can't believe I’m starting to miss that disgusting girl…”
Capella Emerada Lugunica, the ex-Sin Archbishop of Lust.
Ever since they shifted to the Witch’s Corporation, she and him were put together because they got along the least… It was horrible.
The girl wouldn't shut up. She often mocked him about how pathetic he was and made fun of him. Every mission they were on was an argument.
He would rather have those gluttonous freaks accompany him than that lady…
However, one day…
“Hey Regu-chan…”
“The heck is with that sudden name calling? Because frankly speaking, you should respect-”
“Not now please.”
Her usual cheery voice wasn't there, just the empty silence. Her being quiet… Didn't exactly sit right with him. And so, he reluctantly listened.
“You ever wonder if what we’re doing now is… Good for us?”
He didn't answer, it was uncharacteristic of her to ask that. Regulus despised this woman, because their ideals clashed with one another.
He believed that only those with a pretty face deserved love while she believed that all love belongs to her and only her.
He wonders if she was just playing a trick, and honestly, he wanted to believe that… But her expression and mood said otherwise.
She was loud, annoying, brash, narcissistic, all the horrible traits that made up a disgusting person… But her being so quiet, so tolerable was something odd, something that he believes even if she wanted to, she wouldn't be able to replicate it.
“Why are you asking?”
She blinked, a bit surprised that he replied back. She hummed slightly, not a tune, just a sound coming from her mouth. She stared at the sky.
“Dunno, but doing all these missions really has given me some time to mull over my current life.”
She said, laying down on the grass. They were in a field, resting with some other travelling folks as this was before trains were made.
“I mean, I used to think all the love in the world truly belonged to just me, and that there was no reason for me to love back at all.”
She said cryptically, observing the clouds as they slowly changed form and moved about. He didn't say anything, just listened.
“Until I met this girl, won't tell who she is, would be confusing, but she spoke to me, told me many things, and chatted as if I was a normal person and not some criminal doing community service.”
She recounted her experience with the unknown lady. Regulus raised an eyebrow, not seemingly caring about who she was referring to, didn't matter to him.
“At first, I was just annoyed at her, because she had a pretty face, a good body, and a partner who was probably only lusting over her body and not herself. Because no one truly cares about your inner self at all.”
She said, without her usual look of disgust at that thought. He was confused on where she was going with this, wondering why exactly this was even an important conversation.
“But for some reason, I always found my way back to their shop. We held banters, she made me laugh with her weird tricks and I mocked her… So one day, I told her that she was annoying and she should leave the customers alone like her partner. And then she said, “But you love me~?” And I obviously tried to reject that thought, because it was stupid and incomprehensible for me… But I couldn't, there was no denying her words. I sat there, trying to utter my words. I wanted to tell her I loathed her, that she was just a one trick pony, a girl with a good body, that if I turned her into a worm, her partner would leave her… But I couldn't.”
Her voice was… Unusually soft, almost a whisper, but loud enough for him to hear. Regulus, for once intrigued, laid down next to her and joined in the cloud gazing.
“By then, that girl had already warmed her way into my heart… I think. I don't know how to feel. But I kept on coming back, and told myself I only enjoyed their food and that it was nothing else… But it became undeniable that I was coming back to meet that girl, because I was honestly starting to enjoy our banter, her tricks, my mockery… She wasn't like any other I had met before and honestly, made me think about a lot of things.”
“And that's where the question comes in?”
“Yeah, this lovely lady thinks all this community service thing… Really allows us to reflect on ourselves. I know, odd of this beautiful lady to just up and say something like this… But it does get you thinking, doesn't it?”
Regulus… Had no way to answer that question. So—like before—he remained silent. Capella sighed, because even she has a lot to sort.
She’ll admit that… She and Regulus were the toughest to change. The Gluttony siblings were doing fine, in fact, they were doing better than before. Petelgeuse and Si- Fortuna were also doing better.
But she and Regulus? They refused to change, as if they were children… And that thought honestly hurts her own pride in a weird way. Normally, she wouldn't care, even if the thought did come, she would sneer, and leave it at that… But ever since Natsuki Subaru defeated them, she had nothing to do but think.
She glanced over to the man in white, laying on the grass beside her, staring at the sky just like her. She paused.
“Hey Regu-chan…”
“I told you not to-”
“You're not breathing.”
She flatly states, but seeing Regulus' eyes widen, she couldn't help but stifle a laughter.
He instantly sat up, and manually started breathing—Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. That's how it went, and the ex-Archbishop of Lust couldn't contain her laughter anymore and began rolling on the grass while her laugh echoed in the air.
Regulus deadpans, but doesn't say anything. He… Somehow, in some way,. couldn't find himself to get angry, and just laid on the grass until they departed again.
He was hesitant to admit but… They grew closer after that. Her spiteful mockery became more of a playful tease and he started talking less and less about his rights to her. Ideals no longer mattered here because there wasn't anything to clash over.
As he walked through the slums, and possibly heading towards the Capital… He heard the rummaging of trash.
Another alley, just like yesterday.
He didn't want to intrude, not like it was his business. But curiosity killed the cat, and so, he peeked over.
The girl from yesterday, pulling out a pouch that she had most likely hidden there. She smiled happily, shaking the pouch, the coins jingling and her blue irises beaming.
He turned on her heels, happily marching out… And then halting after seeing Regulus standing at the end of the alley, his eyes narrowing.
“O-oh, it's mister from yesterday…”
She quivered at the sight of him, remaining frozen on her spot, just like the day before. Regulus peeked out of the alley.
No one was passing by, so he focused back on the girl.
“What are you doing?”
His mouth moved before his thought, surprising even himself. The girl stood—like a criminal caught red handed—she pulled the pouch closer to her.
“I-I’m just…”
She tried to find her words, but there weren't any. Regulus sighed, slowly approaching her so as not to provoke her. He calmly crouched down next to her, finding it odd that he was lowering himself for a child of all things.
“What's inside the pouch?”
He inquired, now focusing on the brown ragged pouch, with different coloured stitches that patched the previous holes.
Her mouth slightly trembled, averting her eyes to the pouch she was carrying. There wasn't exactly too much inside from the looks of it, just a few coins, possibly not one even being silver.
“They're my… savings…”
“Your savings?”
“Yeah, I’m using this to buy bread.”
Yeah, he understood how the poor folks worked. Barely scraping by, if they hadn't arrived at the slums to distribute their rations. But yeah, very unsurprisingly, there were problems among the people, like stealing others' rations.
“Where are your parents?”
“I… Don’t have any…”
Right, that's why, without parents, or a guardian, she was most definitely getting her stuff stolen.
So of course she would be protective of her stuff. He sighed and stood up, looking down at the child below his waist.
“And how much do you have?”
He asked and the girl paused, slowly opening the pouch and turning it over, the coins fell out almost immediately and onto her hands.
As he guessed, there weren't a lot, copper coins, maybe 15 or 16… He blinked, honestly surprised she saved this much considering the state of the slums.
The girl’s stomach growled suddenly causing her to blush out of embarrassment. She didn't say anything, just silently putting the coins back in, the clinking of the coins being the only sound produced.
Regulus stared, watching her bow apologetically though she did no wrong and took off after that simple exchange.
He stared and stared, until he felt like he was spacing off…
A village, one he knew oh so well. This was where he started, where he became the Sin Archbishop of Greed.
He saw the village who looked at him like an idiot.
He saw his scum of a father, who, despite his poor earnings, had a drinking problem.
His scum of a mother, who always nagged on the daily.
His scum brothers, who always eyed his portion that rightfully belonged to him.
… And yet his father always bought him gifts.
His mother often apologised.
And his brothers shared their portion of he ever spilled his.
Kindness.
That term was alien to him, because after all, if they think they can be kind to him… That meant that they were looking down on him.
And he isn't someone to look down on. He is Regulus Corneas, the most satisfied man in the world!
… But his mind wouldn't allow him to rant, not today. He hasn't ranted in a good while, because the shock collar would stop him if he ever decides to go out of line.
He stood, watching the village play out their daily activities, just like in the past… And then he saw himself.
That poor, pathetic looking child. The overconfident and narcissistic child who believed he stood on top of the world despite his status in the village.
He blinked, why was he reviewing his memory like this anyway? What point did it serve him?
Then he saw his first love, the one he based his later wives after. A girl who didn't smile, always expressionless, the only person he would make a grave for.
She stared at him, and he stared back.
“Do you ever regret?”
She asked, her voice still monotonous, without life. He stood, and turned to the village which he destroyed, standing on a hill, watching his old self rampaging and destroying everything in his path.
“I don't see why I should? They deserve it don't they? Always looking down on me, always thinking they’re better than me. They won't know a thing about perfection, satisfaction if you ever let them see, because people are dumb, naive and they aren't as open minded as I am. So, why should I ever regret? What's even the point of regretting now? I’ve already reached the peak of humanity… Before I was dragged down to this pitiful state by that Natsuki Subaru. In fact, what's the point of this? I’m a calm and patient man but even I have my limits. So tell me, what's the purpose of this?”
Despite the previous statement, he ranted off, because this was all in his mind. The girl didn't say anything, and instead chose to watch the destruction.
This should’ve ticked the old Regulus off… But currently, Regulus had gone through enough things that this didn't even annoy him that much.
“There is no point to this. This is just you reflecting.”
“Me? Reflecting? For what reason? I don't reflect, there's no need for me to reflect, I'm perfectly fine as is. Even if you are my first wife, even if I made a grave for you, don't you dare think for a second that you are safe! Because I-”
He turned to her… And then she was gone. He didn't say anything… Right, this was his memory… Reflecting?
The thought itself was hilarious, because why should he, Regulus Corneas, ever reflect? There was no reason to! The moment he gets this collar off, everything will go back to the way it was! Because he-
The girl stood before him, the little girl he met twice in an alley.
She was counting her coins, smiling, because it would've been enough to maybe get her through the month.
And then he saw himself, younger, about the same age as the girl, without purpose. Always complaining, always thinking the worst of everyone when they were so kind to him. The village, despite its condition, despite how people view him… He was still taken care of.
Love.
His family did love him, they took care of him when he couldn't.
His eyes were always clouded by his own ego, that he missed a whole lot of his life seeing the world around him as something that pitied his existence.
He stood motionless. His own narcissism, his own pride, ego… His own hatred completely removed the actual notion of love that surrounded him.
For a moment, just for a moment, he pondered…
What if he, for once, decided to look past himself and see the world as is?
Kindness.
Yeah, kindness, not out of pity, not looking down on him… But rather, love.
Love & Kindness.
Yeah, these two things correspond to each other.
He was baffled by his own thoughts even and before he realised, his body sprinted. He saw the girl, skipping her way out of the slums… Probably to buy one meagre bread and save the rest for some time.
Why was he doing this? What realization did he have?
He was Regulus Corneas, the ex-Sin Archbishop of Greed—A man who once had everything—Now stripped away from him.
A man who… Wanted to help a small girl.
He was disgusted at himself, he wanted to vomit on the spot. He wasn't supposed to feel like this, he was the embodiment of Greed! The world belonged to him! It didn't make sense! He-
“Oh hello mister… Is there anything you need?”
She sweetly asked him, noticing his presence. She was still afraid of him, but considering he hadn't tried to do anything, she was at least a bit trusting of him.
“I…”
He paused, why was he doing this? What force was compelling him to do this? He sighed, realising that it's his own actions.
“I don't think just bread is going to do it for you.”
“H-huh?”
She looked confused, slowly tilting her head at the sudden statement. His hand flinched, and he looked away, bringing his hand out.
“Look, I’ll take you somewhere alright? We’ll go eat something, it’s noon anyway, it’s about time to get lunch.”
He offered, his cheeks turning red. He wasn't getting another wife, he wasn't doing this because of a gospel… He did this out of some unknown force in his heart… Still, he didn't feel all that bad.
The girl’s eyes widened, surprised. She stammered a bit, not knowing how she was supposed to answer.
“I-I can’t do that! I don't have a lot of money and-”
“Who said you had to pay anything back? Look, I’m a kind and benevolent man. Just take my hand and we’ll go eat something you haven't eaten even since your birth. Refuse and that's your own loss.”
He sounded harsh, but he was still offering. The girl didn't know how to answer, panicked, she grabbed his hand.
“I-I’ll um… Take your offer, mister…”
She trailed off, because she never knew his name. Her mind faced because she knew that she was going to have a heavy load to pay after this… But the man did say she wouldn't need to…
“Regulus Corneas. You?”
“... I don't have a name.”
She revealed, almost sad. Regulus sighed exasperated and walked, yet he didn't tank the girl, she followed his every step.
“Despite the fact that I’m a smart and generally quick witted person, it's still troublesome for me to think of a name for you. Fine, since I’m a guy with a good sense of naming, I’ll call you... Hm... Isabelle for now, got it?”
He couldn't rant, there was no need to… And he still chose the most basic name possible!
But the girl eyed him with wonder, for the first time, she heard her own name, other than just ‘girl’. She beamed and happily skipped without saying anything.
Regulus grunted at her cheerful hopping but didn't say anything. He was taking a girl he barely knew to eat something, he was helping someone out of his own volition.
But it was fine, it was alright. No matter how much he wanted to gag, no matter how repulsive this act was to him… Deep down, he felt that it was right and so, for the first time since working at the Witch's Corporation.
He showed his gratitude, albeit reluctantly, to the man named Natsuki Subaru… Despite how much he loathes and hates him.
And so, the bond between a greedy man and a young girl was formed on this very day.
In the distance, two people can be seen watching this interaction.
One with platinum hair and the other with raven hair.
“Seriously, without input, this guy was never going to change.”
Subaru sighed, closing his pocket watch and stuffing it back inside. Pandora smiled at his every movement, which sometimes creeped him out despite how looney he was.
“But it does seem to work.”
“Yeah, you’re right…”
He chuckled, and then turned to the readers.
“Haven't seen me in a while, ey?”
He tipped his hat and faced Pandora. She knew nothing of the fourth wall, but she does find his action to be cute.
Subaru sighed, deciding he didn't want to play with the petite woman.
“By the way, what exactly did you do to him?”
“Eh, I kinda had to force some things inside his head… The man is never changing without my interference.”
“Will he be happy?”
“He will be, trust me.”
They continued to watch the embarrassed man and the happy girl walking together. The future is unknown to them… But it was definitely bright.
And that's all that mattered.