[So…..are you the owner of this tavern?]
[No, I’m not. I’m just a part-time worker here. Master opened the bar because he needed to restock. By the way, he’s a 40-year-old virgin, and is currently seeking a wife――]
[I don’t need that kind of information. Anyways, why were you waiting for me?]
[Well, don’t be so rushed. I’m finally able to see you. This calls for a celebration.]
[Now, please. I’ve kept this bottle for this very day. Just for you. Perhaps it’s too old for your taste, but please bear with me this time.]
[…..Thanks]
[A good drink, isn’t it? Would you like a refill?]
I shook my head. I didn’t come for this in the first place after all.
[Aren’t you impatient? Well that’s fine. Originally, I planned to contact you when you first awakened the Gluttony skill, back in the Kingdom. However, I unfortunately missed my chance. Before I could reach out to you, you’d already left the kingdom to pursue Roxy Heart.]
[It was from that far back?]
[Yes, of course. Oh, I forget to tell you, I’m the owner of the Mortal Sin skill Lust, and also the guardian of the kingdom. I knew about both of you, including Greed here. I was the one who put Greed at the flea market at the commercial district back then, and sure enough, Fate came across it. So I just let it happen.]
[Are you an acquaintance of Greed?]
[I’m afraid not. I’m a second-generation, so I don’t really know about the first generation that much. By the way, that girl who travelled with you until you returned to Babylon was the first-generation Wrath. To put it simply, Myne and I don’t get along so well. Look, my breasts are bigger than hers, right? She doesn’t seem to like this.]
[Ah, my bad. This is the harmful effect of Lust skill. Its enchanting power will leak out arbitrarily from time to time. Once affected by it, anyone, regardless of age, can’t help but to love me. Compared to Fate’s Gluttony skill, the equivalent would be when you feel starving.]
[Now now, don’t give me such a face. I’m also struggling here and there too. Ah, right right, I remember now that Myne got mentioned. You two defeated the chimera angel Haniel the other day. I’m really thankful since that one was the most troublesome among the 7 types. Thank you.]
[7 types?]
[Un, that’s right. They were the ancient biological weapons created during ancient Gallia era. There were 7 types of them. Haniel was known as the machine angel of barrier, so it’s especially difficult to get close to it. With the currently weakened Holy Knights, it would’ve been very hard to subdue it.]
[I don’t actually want to think about it…but there are 6 more of that thing…?]
The weather is really nice, isn’t it…..I tried to think that way, as I asked for confirmation, which Eris answered with a nod and bitter smile. I put down the empty wine glass, feeling weary all of a sudden.
[Well, no need to feel bothered about that. Most of them are inactive in the capital of Gallia. There is one which is kind of worrisome….that’s Haniel, but it’s already been defeated.]
[Let’s stop talking about that, shall we? Even I don’t want to stick out my neck out for the problem of the first generation. Now then, onto the main topic.]
[Main topic!?]
[It’s about the Holy Knight Roxy Heart. She’ll die in Gallia.]
[What the! Are you kidding me!!]
I hit the glass in my hand on the table. Ignoring my show of anger, Eris calmly continued.
[It’s important for the kingdom, no, for the future of the kingdom. Her death will certainly lead the kingdom to a better state.]
[Are you kidding me! How would the kingdom go in a better direction if she dies!? Roxy is one of the few Holy Knights who actually cares for the people. Even for me, that’s why…]
I grabbed Eris’ sleeve. Even then, she didn’t get mad, which made me feel awkward.
[Do you know, what the Hate phenomenon is?]
[When you kill monsters, hate will accumulate on you and you’ll be more likely to be targeted. In any case, it will reset after a day.]
[That’s correct. But not entirely. It doesn’t actually reset. It’ll accumulate over the years, and in the end give birth to a monster with unique name――the crown tier. Like that Crown-tier kobold you fought back at the Hearts’ territory.]
[It’s good since you’ve calmed down a little. Now let’s continue. That hate phenomenon occurs even to humans. Tyranny, discrimination, and poverty caused by the Holy Knight…..people have accumulated hate throughout their sufferings. Adding to that, the death of Roxy Heart――the last heir of the only Holy Knight family that was adored by the people. Moreover, it was a death caused by the other fellow Holy Knights, which will make the hate even more intense.]
[What are you talking about…]
[Roxy Heart’s death will be a sacrifice so that immense hate can be accumulated, and it will bring the rise of a new generation of humans. People with better skills than the Holy Knights will start being born, and they will become the pillar of the future kingdom. Isn’t that wonderful?]
[Someone dies….how can that be wonderful?]
Just to artificially create people with powerful skills, there is no way I’ll allow them to use Roxy.
[Of course. It’d be hard for you to lose Roxy Heart if you only looked at your short term interest. However, if you look at hundred years ahead, thousand years ahead, the story will be different. I want you to understand this. We are the owners of similar skills. But Fate had just awakened recently. I’m sorry for saying a bad thing. As for me, I only want you to avoid following your emotions and try to fight Tenryu.]
I stood up from my seat, not wanting to hear any more. Then, when I was about to open the tavern’s door, Eris said,
[I’ve already told you what I need to say. Please understand…..I’ll leave that part to you. I promise. I will not disturb you anymore, and I’ll only watch as a bystander. I’ll be glad if you’ll return here one day, that time as a regular customer. At that time I’ll give you proper service.]
Eris’ voice carried a hint of loneliness. Just like Myne, Eris may also be living under some inhibition. Unexpectedly, I may be the only one who is free.
