It was only an empty shop; there was nobody else inside. Only Eris and I.

We each sat down on one of the twenty chairs that surrounded a round table..

Eris focused her jade colored eyes to me, smiling silently.

[So..are you the owner of this tavern?]

[No, Im not. Im just a part-time worker here. Master opened the bar because he needed to restock. By the way, hes a 40-year-old virgin, and is currently seeking a wife]

[I dont need that kind of information. Anyways, why were you waiting for me?]

I accepted the invitation to find out why Eris was waiting for me. Not to talk about the owner of this tavern.

Seeing that I was waiting for her answer, Eris tucked a lock of her blue hair behind her ear, and stood up from her seat.

[Well, dont be so rushed. Im finally able to see you. This calls for a celebration.]

She walked back to the counter and took two glasses out from the shelves as she said that. She then poured wine into both glasses.

Looking at the label, it wasnt the cheap brand that I was familiar with. I guess its an expensive brand.

She returned with two glasses of red wine in her hands.

[Now, please. Ive kept this bottle for this very day. Just for you. Perhaps its too old for your taste, but please bear with me this time.]

[..Thanks]

Judging from her saddened face, apparently the wine used here was something memorable for Eris.

To put out such thing for me.what on earth was this all about? I was perplexed by this one-sided situation.

But as per Eris request, I took a sip of the red wine, then downed the glass. Indeed, it was a rather old wine, and quite delicious too.

Eris looked very pleased upon seeing me drinking the wine.

[A good drink, isnt it? Would you like a refill?]

I shook my head. I didnt come for this in the first place after all.

[Arent you impatient? Well thats 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, youd already left the kingdom to pursue Roxy Heart.]

[It was from that far back?]

[Yes, of course. Oh, I forget to tell you, Im 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.]

I could hear Greed clicking his tongue via mind reading. He probably didnt like the feeling of having danced on Eris palm like that.

[Are you an acquaintance of Greed?]

[Im afraid not. Im a second-generation, so I dont 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 dont get along so well. Look, my breasts are bigger than hers, right? She doesnt seem to like this.]

Though Eris said so, didnt mean that it was true. Myne just doesnt like over-familiar people.

Other than that, first-generation, second-generation.. Before I knew it, Eris was getting close to touching my chest.

Che. Everything she does, its all to flare up my dirty thoughts so I that cant think well. Whatis this aura that forces others to be fascinated in her?

When I drew my face away to resist it,

[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, cant help but to love me. Compared to Fates Gluttony skill, the equivalent would be when you feel starving.]

Eris didnt seem to mind it that much, she laughed.

Because of Gluttony skill, not only was I forced to keep killing monsters, I also had to maintain my focus, lest Ill lose myself.. Eriss skill, on the other hand, didnt seem to have any drawbacks like mine did. Probably..

I gave Eris a look of scorn out of jealousy.

[Now now, dont give me such a face. Im 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. Im really thankful since that one was the most troublesome among the 7 types. Thank you.]

[7 types?]

[Un, thats 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 its especially difficult to get close to it. With the currently weakened Holy Knights, it wouldve been very hard to subdue it.]

[I dont actually want to think about itbut there are 6 more of that thing?]

The weather is really nice, isnt 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.thats Haniel, but its already been defeated.]

Haniels cocoon somehow ended up on that desolate ruin of an ancient town. That thing shouldnt have been there originally, someone mustve brought it there.

Because I was involved in Haniels case, Id be lying if I said that I didnt care. However, once I get involved further, I wouldnt be able to achieve my original goal.

While drinking another glass of wine to quench my parched throat,

[Lets stop talking about that, shall we? Even I dont want to stick out my neck out for the problem of the first generation. Now then, onto the main topic.]

[Main topic!?]

I first thought that the conversation would end with that info about the machine angels. However, Eris didnt seem to consider them as something important. I wonder what problem is greater than those strong enemies?

And the next sentence Eris said enraged me.

[Its about the Holy Knight Roxy Heart. Shell 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.

[Its 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, thats why]

I grabbed Eris sleeve. Even then, she didnt 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 youll be more likely to be targeted. In any case, it will reset after a day.]

[Thats correct. But not entirely. It doesnt actually reset. Itll accumulate over the years, and in the end give birth to a monster with unique namethe crown tier. Like that Crown-tier kobold you fought back at the Hearts territory.]

Thats rightGreed did said that it was born out of the hate from Heart family continuously killing kobolds for many generations..Now that were talking about this, Eris knows about what I did to that extent?

Did someone monitor me? I didnt even notice at all.

An unknown force separated my hand from Eris sleeve.

[Its good since youve calmed down a little. Now lets 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 Heartthe 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 Hearts 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. Isnt that wonderful?]

[Someone dies.how can that be wonderful?]

Just to artificially create people with powerful skills, there is no way Ill allow them to use Roxy.

[Of course. Itd 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. Im 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 taverns door, Eris said,

[Ive already told you what I need to say. Please understand..Ill leave that part to you. I promise. I will not disturb you anymore, and Ill only watch as a bystander. Ill be glad if youll return here one day, that time as a regular customer. At that time Ill 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.