The White Knight took me to the Palace. She walked quietly ahead of me.

I didnt like this heavy air Trying to diffuse the atmosphere, I tried to hold a conversation.

Usually I would get ignored, but for some reason its different this time.

[When will Eris return?]

[its almost time. In about an hour or so.]

[Thats amazing. How do even know that?]

[I think you shouldve known the answer already.]

[Ee]

Even if you say so I still dont know. Seeing me shaking my head, the White Knight laughed at me.

[You really dont know anything, do you? Hasnt Greed told you anything at all?]

[That twisted soul, do you think its easy to make him divulge about anything?]

[Indeed Ive heard from Eris-sama once before, that Greed is actually even worse than Envy.]

I dont know what kind of face shes making behind that helmet, but she sounded sympathetic just now.

Of course, being told that hes even worse than that sly Envy didnt really sit well with Greed He ranted in denial over and over, and I got to hear all of it through Mind Reading.

The White Knight stopped, and spoke to me as she looked up at the Palace.

[Its the same as you and that Aaron Barbatos. No, I suppose its something a bit more advanced.]

[You mean a bond with Eris?]

[Yeah, its merely a story of old times. I still wont forget the day when the two of us vowed to serve Eris-sama with our life.]

The Kingdom was pioneered by Eris, Envy, and the two White Knights.

With Gallia collapsed, many people lost their place to live. It began with a small town where those people gathered.

The reason behind why those people were attracted to go here was apparently Eris Lust skill.

[As you know, Eris-sama is very kind. It was originally a promise she made to the previous holder of Gluttony skill. She led the Gallian survivors here, and built a Kingdom.]

[About that what kind of person the previous holder of Gluttony skill was? You see, Greed is always like this. Eris wouldnt tell me as well and Myne kept pretending that she had forgotten!]

Really, everyone? Would you please make a better excuse if you dont want to divulge the matter to me?

Perhaps I had a very troubled look on my face. The White Knight sighed and spoke.

[That person was everyones hope. Butin the end I dont really want to remember it. For some reason you have a similar appearance to him. When Eris-sama looked at you, I suppose she would be reminded of the past.]

[What was Eris and that persons relationship?]

[I was also saved by that person when I was still a child. Even then, Eris-sama had always been together with that person. Eris-sama tried to shape this Kingdom in his ideal. But without the person in question even present, then itll just be empty shells.]

In the past, many powerful monsters lived around the old Capital. In order to deal with this threat, the Kingdom gathered together people with holy sword mastery skill to become their main forces. Thus the Holy Knights were born.

Even if it wasnt the case at first, in the end people with proper skills gained supremacy over those who dont.

In general, the Kingdom wasnt that bad. Even though there was some discrimination, commoners livelihood were at least guaranteed.

For better or worse, the Kingdom that Eris had built, became a sanctuary to those who had lost their place.

[Of course, its impossible to satisfy everyone.]

If there was no underlying framework that kept the people together, then the kingdom would be honestly I couldnt imagine what will happen.

Roxy told me this once, that we made mistakes because we are only human.

But if you were stuck with thinking about it all the time, then you wouldnt get anywhere.

[Even if something went wrong, its not over yet. You can start over from now on.]

That caused the White Knight to stare at me. Perhaps asking me to cut it out already.

Was it no good? While I was wondering on what shes thinking,

[No way I did not expect that youll say the same thing as that person.]

That person said a similar thing to Eris in the past. Back then, the girls had already swore their fealty to accompany Eris till the end.

[I feel like I have some understanding of why Eris-sama roots for you now.]

[That was something Roxy told me. I simply borrowed it]

[So its a borrowed words but if you truly take it to heart, then it too, will be yours.]

[Right. Eris-sama and us, we were able to change after meeting that person as well.]

The White Knight stopped looking at the palace, and resumed walking.

[Perhaps, you arethat persons]

[Nn?]

[No, that shouldnt be the case. Please ignore what I said just now.]

I couldnt hear her properly because its like she was muttering to herself.

And since she said so, I wont get any answer even if I pursue the topic. So I simply followed her quietly.

Im kinda happy that we were able to have a small talk though.

When we entered the palace, Aaron and Mimir greeted us. The other White Knight was also there.

[O Fate! I heard that there is another ruckus happening at the military district. I tried to go there as well but]

Aaron glanced at the other White Knight. Apparently he was instructed to wait here.

I was wondering why he, who usually appear on the scene the earliest, didnt come. I suppose I understand why.

[Aaron Barbatos is to wait in the Palace for the time being. According to the record, he rampaged quite a bit at the hobgoblin forest.]

[But]

That Aaron was reprimanded like a kid by the white knight. This might be the first time someone treated him this way.

[You are one of the individuals that will assure the future of the kingdom. You should stop acting so ridiculous.]

[That is]

For the battle maniac like Aaron, that would be a very restricting order.

I saw him drooping his shoulders in defeat as I turned to Mimir.

[How did it go?]

[Yes, I got pardoned this time. Im relieved that they unexpectedly received the reasoning well.]

[Thats good to hear. Otherwise itll be tough on me]

[AAaa because its Fate-sama after all. Am I right, everyone!]

The two White Knights nodded in agreement. And surprisingly, Aaron nodded too!?

[Well, I guess I should just nod as well. Un un!]

[Oi!]

Thats horrible I cant win against the majority.

Recently, I felt like I kept hearing this because its Fate around me more often.

Roxy, Greed, and even Shara as if there was no end to it!

While I shook my head, yet another person casted a vote from behind me.

Even though its been only a short while, it felt like a long time has passed since the last time I heard her voice. I turned around to see her blue hair swayed around as she approached me.

[I think so too.]

[Eris!]

[Hi, Im back. Somehow, a lot of things happened while Im gone. You really are a troublemaker, arent you?]

Following Rafals trail, she went to the mountain city to investigate.

When I think about it, she did return much faster than expected, but thats because she had rushed over and left her entourage behind in the process.

[I felt a bad premonition coming from the direction of the Capital. Thats why I hurried back but it seems that I did not return in time.]

The Queen herself had appeared before me. The two White Knights were glaring at me because of how casual my tone is when talking to Eris.

They would then use their spear to stop my insolence. This show of obvious jealousy always make Eris laugh.

[Oya oya, it seems youve become fast friends while Im away.]

[ [ We didnt !! ] ]

I was a bit shocked when they denied so strongly.

What the hey didnt you already tell me that story of the past? I thought weve grown a bit closer with that.

The feeling when you thought youve come closer to your goal, but found out that you still have a long way to go.

Did you think youll be able to get away with only that level!? Dont get carried away! Their actions screamed as such.

I heard that people got crankier the older they get. I suppose that applies here. I wish they could act more like Aaron. Each of them may have lived since ancient times, but would it hurt to act more friendly?

I guess the answer to that would be impossible.

In the first place, the White Knights were following Eris who is somewhat an eccentric herself. She hugged me, thinking that I felt troubled.

[Why the long face? Ah, I get it. It must be because you were lonely while I was away!]

[Please stop.]

67879473_473881076744473_5511918984804433920_n

(Those Eriss Eris What a lucky MC!)

[You are the type to say you dislike something when in reality you actually like it, arent you?]

[What the, thats such a one-sided interpretation!]

Peeling away the clinging Eris from me, Aaron coughed and spoke up.

[Eris-sama, there is more important thing to do now. Please save it for later.]

[I guess there is no helping it~]

Since shes unwilling to stop, then just told her shell get another chance later instead. Apparently Aaron already knew the method to handle Eris misgivings.

But then, after the talking is over, shell cling to me again

It was decided that well have the talks in the palaces first floor. Mimir tugged on my sleeve a little as we walked.

[I feel like Ill only get in the way]

[No, I want Mimir to stay around.]

[Eh, will it be okay for me to do so?]

[Of course. Because well be talking about what we will do from now on.]

[Yes]

We sat before a wide table in the palace hall. Aaron sat on my right while Mimir on my left.

Eris sat on the other side of the table. The white knights stood guard behind her.

[Well then, lets begin the talking.]

[Alright. First of all, about the change in the goblins behaviour. Me and Roxy went to investigate it.]

I recounted the event, while Eris listened intently.

The goblins abnormal behaviour were caused by an ancient monster, the goblin shaman.

The monster swapped my and Roxys bodies up, but we managed to resolve the situation with the help from Aaron, Mimir, and Miria.

[The battle happened in the hobgoblin forest. And there was a Gallian laboratory hidden underground?]

[Yeah, Eris seems to know that already.]

[No, I only know the gist of it. Most likely, if the facility is underground, then its got to be more than a simple laboratory. Id like to investigate it, but I guess its impossible for now.]

[The place was sealed away by unmelting iceberg. And it was my father who did it.]

Aaron reacted quickly to those piece of news.

[Did he not die already could it be.]

[Yes, probably the same thing that happened with Roxys father.]

[I see if its iceberg, then the accident at the military district was also his doing.]

[That was indeed my dads doing. He took away the philosophers stone and Raine Im sorry.]

Eris remained silent. She then looked up to the ceiling and sighed loudly.

[The dead came back to life. Extinct monsters returned. Its going faster than I thought. But we still have time. It hasnt opened completely yet.]

[Does the Door to That Land have the power of resurrection?]

[Thats just one of many. Nobody knows its real limit.]

[The goblin shaman, Roxys father, and my dad do they have something in common?]

[Simple. All of them had their soul lingered in this world because they still have something they regret.]

The goblin shaman hated something in this world. Mason-sama was worried about the family he left behind.

Then, father He might be

I visited my hometown on my journey of following Roxy to Gallia. There, I took some time to visit my parents grave.

However, apparently that did nothing, seeing dad actually returned to this world.

As for my dads real intention, he died when I was nothing but a little kid. He mustve wanted to meet me once more.

Next to me, Aaron seemed relieved upon hearing the conditions of the resurrection.

[Earlier, you said that resurrection is just one of its power. What about its other power?]

[Unfortunately, I have no idea. Because last time, the previous holder of Gluttony skill closed it back before the Door could open for too long.]

[My predecessor?]

[Yes. He did so at the cost of his life.]

In the past, Greed told me. His previous wielder died after releasing the full power of Gluttony skill

I wonder why such a person could end up dead, but now I know.

He died in the attempt to close the Door to that Land.

What should I do with the power Ive gained so far? Ive always been worried about it.

Greed spoke to me right then.

It appears that youve decided.

[Yeah]

With all the reporting done, the day after tomorrow Ill head to where Shinn is. To where Myne is.

And my father as well. Who had taken Raine along with him.

Turns out, Eris had done her own investigation in advance before sending the stone to the capital. Thats why she said that she knows the approximate location.

[Is it really a reliable info?]

[You can count on me with that. Envy is especially adept in manipulating an individuals psyche. I used this ability to interfere with the link Shinn had with the stone and track his whereabouts.]

Eris patted the black bayonet hanging on her waist. By now, apparently theyve made up to each other and have become a partners once more.

[I actually wanted to study it more thoroughly in the capital. But I guess its impossible now.]

[Then, where is it?]

[Please dont be surprised. Aaron and Mimir as well.]

That forewarning made me even more curious, and worried.

Eris was sorry for making us anxious.

[Shinn, is in the vicinity of Barbatos territory Hauzen.]

I was speechless. Hauzen has finally shown a promising prospect on its reconstruction. But now a monster called Shinn was lurking nearby.

The person we were looking for unexpectedly very close. Truly the case of hiding underneath the shadow of a lighthouse.

Eris following words only further upset Aaron.

[I understand that your territory is in danger, but I want you to stay here to protect the capital.]

[But then.]

[I know. But many more things will happen in the future. What if more monsters like the ogre were to reappear around the capitol? The white knights may not be enough to handle them all. Thats why I want you to stay and protect the capitol as it would be the evacuation area for refugees.]

Aaron said nothing. In the past, he couldnt protect his family and his territory because of his duty to the kingdom.

As a result, [The Crown-tier] Lich Lord took over Hauzen. He lost his family in the process.

He couldnt afford to repeat this. Its only natural to think so. Aaron stared at the table bitterly.

Eris kindly comforted him.

[Im the one who will be going there. Ive recovered most of my power back.]

[Eris-sama herself!?]

[Un! Therefore I want Aaron to protect the capital in my place.]

If a Ruler exists, then he only can follow. He had returned to the capital as a holy knight after all.

Aaron obediently followed Eris decision. But still made one suggestion.

[Eris-sama, I have but one request. Before this Aaron Barbatos agree to undertake the order, I would like to have a duel with my son Fate. And I wish that Your Majesty can bear witness to our battle. Would that be fine?]

Hearing that he requested for a duel, I gave Aaron a look.

His face was serious. It was not a half hearted request.

Despite troubled by it, Eris nodded in agreement to Aarons request.

[Very well. Regarding the location, well need a wide place. Right, the Goblin Forest should do. The time would be tomorrow morning.]

[Thank you for the considerations. Does Fate have any objection?]

[Aaron]

[Ive told you countless times, we are warriors. We do not speak our heart with our mouth.]

He already had a new Holy Sword with him. Perhaps, Aaron had a feeling that this will happen.

That I wont be able to come back