“Gluttony…”

Standing before the nightmare that faced him, Otto couldn’t hold back the cold sweat trickling down his back.

The enemy claiming to be the Archbishop of Sin—he had heard of “Gluttony” too. However, that name…

“From what I’ve heard, the Archbishop of Gluttony was supposed to be named Roy Alphard…”

“Well, well, did he meet us before we did? If so, big brother, being left uneaten like this is quite impressive. Roy with his voracious appetite wouldn’t let anything go to waste!”

The boy, who introduced himself as Rai Batenkaitos, laughed heartily at Otto’s question. Hearing his laugh, Otto understood that his terrible imaginings had been validated.

—There are two Archbishops of Gluttony.

“No, to be precise, there are at least two…”

More than just Rai and Roy, it might actually be Batenkaitos and Alphard. In the worst case, he might have to prepare for countless nightmares like the Great Rabbit.

It was Julius and Ricardo who set off to conquer the control tower of Gluttony, but if such opponents weren’t alone and waited in ambush, it wouldn’t just be a tough battle—it would lead to inevitable defeat.

“Hey! Is this really the time to be chitchatting with that guy?! We’ve got bigger problems right now!!”

Feeling a burning sensation on his forehead, Otto sharpened his senses. Interrupting his thoughts was the voice of an incredibly sour girl.

Of course, Otto was aware of the girl’s presence. He felt puzzled by it.

“Why is Felt here? She was supposed to stay quietly in the shelter as Reinhardt told her!”

“With the city in this state, do you think I can just curl up and hide in a shelter?!”

Felt, the blonde girl with red eyes, spoke bravely. Seeing her again, there was no mistaking who she was; she had distinctive features.

“So, you got restless, ran out, and bumped into the Archbishop of Sin. If that’s the case, you’re just as unlucky as I am…”

“There’s no need to be so pessimistic, big brother. For us, any encounter is a spice for gourmet food. Though I’m called ‘Gluttony,’ I fully understand the importance of preparation.”

In a triangular formation centered around Batenkaitos were Otto and Felt. There was another figure at the remaining point, and Otto recognized that person too.

“I’m glad to see you again, Kiritaka…”

“It’s hard to take that at face value when you’re saying it with a gloomy voice and dead eyes! I understand your feelings, but still!”

Otto couldn’t express his joy at the reunion with Kiritaka, who was wrapped in bandages with a pained look.

It was him who had clashed with Gluttony after escaping the Muse Company headquarters and joined at the City Hall, and he had gone missing since then. Otto was relieved to see him alive, but the current circumstances as an actor on this stage left much apprehension.

“——”

And surely, this was a feeling that Otto also shared with both Felt and Kiritaka.

—I wish we had someone stronger to fight.

“Three groups of non-combatants facing the enemy’s main force; is this some kind of bad joke? Please, stop it!”

“Hey, even I and the songstress are capable of fighting back with our comrades, while you’re all alone? How unreliable can you be?”

Feeling frustrated, Otto protested, but Felt clicked her tongue at him.

On that note, Otto couldn’t offer any excuses; under Felt was a rough-looking, large servant. Kiritaka also had several members of the “White Dragon’s Scale” with him.

Only Otto was light on his feet.

“No matter how many gather, it won’t change a thing! You guys can’t quench our thirst! Ah, where are you? I’m looking for you, wanting to see you, wanting to meet you!”

Surrounded by Otto’s pessimistic view of their forces, Batenkaitos remained cool and collected.

The boy swung his arms idly, grinning with a blissful expression while mumbling incoherent words.

“Wanting to meet? What are you talking about?”

Picking up on his words, Otto attempted to continue the conversation. Batenkaitos’s composure was based on something solid.

If he decided to get serious, Otto and the others would be crushed in an instant. He needed to buy some time—for chances to create openings.

“Having to explain this over and over is getting annoying. Others won’t spill the beans. I don’t want it, I don’t, I do want it, I wonder if that’s not annoying?”

“——”

Felt and Kiritaka exchanged glances with grim expressions, shaking their heads at Batenkaitos’s words.

It seemed that the reason they hadn’t answered was reflected in their unwillingness.

With an unexpectedly constructive conversation flow, Otto gleaned that dialogue with “Gluttony” wasn’t impossible.

After all, he had talked even with those who couldn’t normally communicate with humanity due to the “Protection of Word Spirits.”

He would give negotiation a try. Whatever difficulties arose would surely be better than the problems surrounding Subaru.

—Please, lend me your strength, Natsuki!

“Don’t say that. I might be able to be of help. Please, speak up. Are you looking to talk about that artificial spirit as a request?”

That was a pretty dangerous line to walk. Speaking so confidently could trigger Batenkaitos’s fuse. However, Batenkaitos shook his head.

The boy, perceiving Otto’s willingness to talk, smiled happily and said,

“What we want to know is just one thing… That broadcast that echoed around the city earlier. Who made it? We’re looking for the hero.”

“——”

Forget that.

I really don’t want Subaru to feel like he needs to lend me power; if possible, I wish he would not lend his name either.

“That beloved, beloved hero is said to be coming to judge us. This little chest of mine feels like it’s going to burst from anticipation!”

“…Is there no way to suppress this troublesome trait of drawing in such a character?”

If he were here, Subaru would probably retort, “I don’t want to!” But complaining about someone who isn’t present won’t help.

Seeing Otto’s reaction, Felt’s face scrunched up.

“That’s why I said talking to them is pointless! Who would sell out their own? Only Reinhardt would do something as ruthless as that!”

“I think that assessment is a bit off, but I can’t say anything since I saw Felt trapped!”

The fierce-eyed Felt had clearly not revealed much to Batenkaitos with a question, and it seemed Kiritaka had done the same.

Though both of them understood Batenkaitos’s inquiry was about Subaru, they immediately tossed that idea aside.

“——”

It’s a good trait for people to have, but in this situation, it’s potentially hasty.

Simply put, Subaru wouldn’t think he was being sold out.

“You picked the wrong person to ask. They have little connection to the hero you seek. They just bolted from the shelter after being influenced by the speech; they’re just a couple of impatient folks.”

“Huh?!”

“Sh—”

Felt’s face paled at Otto’s words, but it was Kiritaka who ultimately silenced her.

As expected, merely being the leader of the Muse Company, Otto’s reasoning was immediately grasped. Meanwhile, a glance came towards Kiritaka.

Otto briefly pulled in his chin at that probing gaze.

“If you’re not refusing, I would like to guide you to the hero. I also value my own life, so I’d like some guarantees.”

“Oh! You know! You know where our hero is! The beloved hero’s whereabouts! That weak, fragile person who can’t help but feel anxious without support!”

“——? Yes.”

Otto nodded while feeling a strange sense of discomfort at Batenkaitos’s spirited declarations.

It sounded as though he knew Subaru to some extent. Too familiar, almost as if he had recognized Natsuki Subaru as his hero.

“No, I would like to guide you there.”

But Otto suppressed his unease.

It’s Subaru, after all. Any Archbishop could have a few acquaintances, but he hardly believed they had connections with everyone. Waity, with “Greed,” “Gluttony,” “Lust,” and “Wrath”—all present. They were supposed to be everyone’s acquaintance.

“So, do you really think that we’re just going to eat and drop off as scrap all the way here?”

“Look who’s talking! We’re here too!”

The attendant beside Felt piped up, but Felt shook her head. So, he was merely a distraction.

He was essentially useless in a crunch, just like Subaru.

“Just thinking about it brings down the value of that person, doesn’t it?”

“The talk is finished, isn’t it?”

Batenkaitos slowly scanned the faces of Otto and the others. Everyone was fired up to fight.

Seeing that, Batenkaitos nodded with satisfaction.

“In gourmet, preparation and ingredients matter. Only when fine goods are assembled can the virtues of a meal truly shine!”

“I don’t know whether that makes sense or nonsense…”

“You don’t need to understand! Our aesthetic has no intention of being understood by anyone but us! Now, it’s about time—Itadakimasu!”

Amidst the discussion, Batenkaitos must have had his target in mind. He opened his mouth wide and lunged at Otto with tremendous jumping power.

Otto, standing at the edge, pointed his finger at the incoming blasphemer and declared,

“If this insurance holds up, I’m gonna be grateful for it!”

“—Huh?”

“This is what I mean—!”

As Otto stepped firmly, he generated two loud sounds with his shoes.

Hearing that sound, things arrived at him.

“——!!”

From the canal behind Otto, a swarm of water dragons surged forward toward Batenkaitos.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Otto succeeded in luring the water dragon swarm significantly thanks to the effects of “Wrath.”

While it wouldn’t be accurate to say the ability spread throughout the entire city, its reach extended over an extensive area, greatly shaking the citizens’ emotions, causing a small sprout of anxiety to burst forth all at once—it led to tremendous chaos and suspicions among the people.

To be fair, it was Natsuki Subaru’s recent speech that had used it to boost morale, which became the basis for Otto’s machinations to borrow the power of the water dragons.

“Uooohhh!?”

The volume of the attacking water dragon swarm overwhelmed Batenkaitos, floating in mid-air.

Swarming like bodiless snakes, multiple water dragons, each weighing no less than 100 kilograms, crushed into Batenkaitos.

Gleaming with slick blue scales, they aimed their fangs at the crushed Batenkaitos.

“Hunting water dragons is brutal, you know?”

They drove their fangs into their prey, twisting to rip flesh apart. Surely, not even meat scraps would be left for that small body.

“——”

The aftertaste was unpleasant.

Using the effects of “Wrath,” Otto had cunningly deceived the presently agitated water dragons through the “Protection of Word Spirits.”

After taking down the main instigator of the urban chaos, he had recruited cooperation under sweet pretenses. If it hadn’t been for the clash with the Archbishop, the resulting promise would have fallen through—yet, here we are.

“Wow! Did you do this, big brother!?”

Felt ran up, cheering loudly.

Watching the rather brutal scene with no change in expression, it seemed she was made of stern stuff.

“I merely guided the furious water dragons. Whether it’s an Archbishop or anyone else, natural order is unyielding.”

“That may be, but… you certainly do terrifying things—you, the person over there.”

Kiritaka, coming closer, couldn’t help but express a somewhat righteous opinion.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re safe. I also never expected you’d still be alive, Kiritaka…”

“I got slashed on the back, but fortunately, the ‘White Dragon’s Scale’ is a renowned mercenary. We have medics as well.”

However, despite that, he still bore painful wounds.

Still, what reason could there be for Kiritaka to keep moving with injuries like that?

As if sensing Otto’s questioning gaze, Kiritaka placed his hand on his chest with a serious expression.

“It’s simple. It’s pride. I have a position as a director in the Pristella management. I heard the broadcast, but I can’t just retreat as if everything’s fine.”

“I admire your spirit, but…”

“Of course, I understand my chances of being useful in a direct fight are slim. However, even I can maintain my pride.”

Kiritaka’s zealous statements were significantly influenced by the combination of “Wrath” and Subaru’s speech.

I see, Subaru’s previous speech was likely a great encouragement to those with strong senses of mission.

Normally, such reckless actions would be suppressed by fear and reason.

“Don’t you dare think this is mere recklessness.”

As if reading Otto’s mind, Felt pouted.

“Anyone has the right to fight for something important. The feelings to want to do something can’t be stopped just by noble reasons or evidence.”

“That’s… an individual perspective, but such judgments are not permitted for those in responsible positions.”

“That’s just a metaphor! Besides, I’m not saying this is the case. I also ran out because I thought we had a chance!”

“A chance, you say?”

In backing Kiritaka up, Felt pressed on while rubbing her finger against her nose.

“I heard the broadcast from that guy. Reinhardt also should have joined together with you at City Hall. All the other parties must’ve gathered, right?”

If Felt felt that way, she was mistaken. There are roles for suitable people, and things that only capable people can do.

Following that logic, Otto was starting to wonder why he was even there at all, so he decided to drop any further inquiries.

“Is Heinkel being properly restrained?”

“He’s being kept under watch at the shelter in Canbury. I was out with Gaston, bringing what needed to be retrieved.”

Gesturing towards Gaston with a commanding appearance, a large man was clutching a white package that resembled a long spear.

“What’s that?”

“It seems it’s a secret weapon given to us by Old Man Rom… a magic artifact, apparently.”

“A magic artifact!? How conveniently timed!”

The power of a magic artifact can pull off results that aren’t normally possible.

When told it was a hidden weapon, that would naturally stir some anticipation.

“Using it involves a bit of a hassle, but if we clear that hurdle, its power is guaranteed. But now that you’ve dealt with those ones, it’ll be used on another…”

“—”

What Felt had said may not have triggered this, but at that moment, Otto heard a scream.

Startled, Otto turned sharply, earning surprised expressions from Felt and Kiritaka. Of course, they didn’t catch the scream.

Not a voice that could be understood by human standards.

“I thought I’d have more fun, but… this mere water lizard is lacking in delectability. This is a poor appetizer for a gourmet like us!”

A voice sounded as though it was mocking the entire world.

At the same time, the swarm of water dragons, once eager for the creature they had been feasting on, was seen bouncing around. Their tails, bodies, and heads whipped about; their behavior resembled the earlier frenzy of excitement, yet the strangled cries and spurting blood conveyed evident abnormalities to others.

“Felt! That magic artifact… it has power, yes?”

“Old Man Rom said even Reinhardt wouldn’t be able to stop it!”

“Understood. That’s reassuring… Kiritaka!”

“W-what is it?”

Felt painted a dispassionate face, while Kiritaka seemed perturbed by the water dragons’ condition.

While the members of the “White Dragon’s Scale” could handle themselves, it was only hazardous for the non-combatant Kiritaka to stay here.

“I’ll buy some time with Felt, me, and the members of the ‘White Dragon’s Scale.’ In the meantime, Kiritaka, you head to the City Hall—no, to the eighth shelter in the main street!”

“What’s there to be found?”

“—Go, and you’ll know everything! The chance you brought will flourish there.”

With Otto’s declaration invigorating him, Kiritaka changed his expression and nodded vigorously.

He turned to his escort behind him.

“I shall go as instructed by Mr. Otto to the shelter. You all need to stay here and fight alongside us to protect this city!”

“Our job is to guard the young lord… but since when did we find ourselves in such a troublesome position?”

“No, your task is not simply to protect me. It was to assist with my purpose from the beginning.”

Kiritaka answered the “White Dragon’s Scale” members with serious resolve. That use of “I” over “you” indicated that Kiritaka’s personal sentiments had exceeded his official position as city manager.

“Assist me in my purpose, ‘White Dragon’s Scale.’ Let us protect the city of Pristella, and fight to rescue our beloved songstress, Liliana!”

“Don’t think I’d even look your way!”

“There is no correlation between not being able to count on someone’s smile and continuous feelings. I love Liliana, and a life-threatening reason is more than enough motivation.”

Kiritaka boldly declared, looking at Otto and Felt.

He then lifted the bag he carried.

“I will definitely find my way there. I know this city’s map and about Liliana better than anyone!”

“For a second there, I thought that was cool, but now it just feels creepy.”

Felt shared Otto’s feeling, though he kept quiet, silently acknowledging Kiritaka’s determination.

“—Are you ready, then?”

The struggling water dragons had halted their movements, their eyes rolling back as they hovered in a near-death state.

Weaving through the gaps in their formation, Batenkaitos approached slowly. The blasphemer in the form of a boy seemed pleased as he confirmed the adversaries glaring at him.

“Nice, this is how it should be. Recklessness and bravery are different; despair and resilience are totally separate! You guys understand that. I’m glad. Finally, you’ve earned your place at our dining table.”

“Are you saying we’ve been trash all this time? You really know how to get under my skin!”

“Whether being acknowledged as enemies is good or bad is another question. Personally, I think being underestimated gives you so many more options to work with.”

Perhaps this thought was something Subaru would understand. Or maybe it was mainly affected by Subaru’s influence that led to that particular line of thinking. An unpleasant notion.

In any case…

“Kiritaka!”

“—I wish you good fortune!”

At Otto’s call, Kiritaka took off running to escape the scene. Batenkaitos cocked his head at the sight of Kiritaka trying to flee the battlefield.

“Please, don’t! We’ve finally reached an intersection of motivation and hunger, so let’s dig in!”

Chasing after Kiritaka’s retreating back, Batenkaitos’s body surged forward in a swift leap. His small frame utilized every part of himself, and he flew through the air at an incredible speed.

It was almost as if Batenkaitos would zip past Kiritaka’s form without the fangs ever reaching him—by inches.

“Gaston!”

“If I die this way, I’ll come back and haunt you!”

Felt’s voice sliced through the air, and almost simultaneously, a hulking figure burst in front of Batenkaitos’s path.

Gaston, with both arms crossed in front of his face, crouched low in a defensive stance.

“Don’t get in my way—!”

The short sword swung by Batenkaitos aimed to cut through the obstruction. The steel blade glimmered dull, and with a solid sound, it struck Gaston’s exposed arm.

The noise echoed, and Batenkaitos’s dagger snapped in two.

“Huh?”

“——”

The questioning voice of Batenkaitos echoed, mirroring the astonishment of Otto and the others watching that event unfold.

Gaston’s stance had not shifted. He had shattered Batenkaitos’s dagger with just his arm.

“Our big guy is tough. He’s my armor, you know.”

The pleased Felt declared, having managed to surprise him. She threw the knife in her hand towards Batenkaitos.

With a kick off Gaston, Batenkaitos evaded it.

Retreating backward with a backflip, he created distance as the “White Dragon’s Scale” shifted positions to block the path.

Kiritaka’s escape plan had succeeded.

“Hmm, I see. Got it now.”

Though Batenkaitos had ended up being fooled, the indulgent smile plastered on his face did not waver.

Batenkaitos scanned the faces of Otto and the others in turn.

“It seems Louie would find joy in three of you.”

Whispering with a trembling breath, he removed the broken dagger from his arm. Now, his left hand was bare, armed only on the right—but…

“Something about this doesn’t feel like the distance has closed at all.”

Otto’s warning bells raged through his mind with the utmost severity.

Shoving the cacophony of warning aside, Otto glanced at Felt, who still had a spirited battle will igniting her youthful face, and made his decision.

There would be no retreat; they would stand and fight.

“Considering how many chances I’ve had to fight this past year, this doesn’t feel right for a merchant, does it?”

That quietly muttered sentiment flew over everyone’s heads.

Hence, regardless of the tone, none noticed it had been devoid of a pessimistic undertone.