«Gluttony. It is the act of treating daily sustenance as a deadly sin. Not tasting it, not making it sustenance, but eating for the sake of eating. Never satisfied, never quenching one's thirst. Why? Because the very act of 'eating' has turned into karma. Knowing neither taste nor meaning. Simply continuing to eat while dry, while starving. Devouring a forest is not enough. Drinking the ocean dry is not enough. As long as there is something to 'eat', that sin will pile up infinitely. The factor of ruin lurking closest to us, leading to the consumption of the entire world—that is the true nature of this sin.»
—Making eating the goal is the sin... It is never satisfied, never healed... As long as there is something to eat...
(That is Gluttony. Just as it sounds. So, the countermeasure is...)
"Hero King, may I have a moment?"
«Hm? Ea, step back a little. I shall handle this.»
—Yes!
"What is it? I did not assign you any urgent tasks. Is it an emergency?"
"No... well."
Clap.
"I tried challenging myself to bake bread with Altera. Would you like to try a sample?"
—Wah...!
«Hmph, look at your eyes sparkle... Very well. It serves as suitable teaching material, after all.»
"I shall accept it. I will assess the cooking made by your hands, though it is not a King's duty."
"Y-You're exaggerating."
Gluttony
"Well then, I'm going on patrol. Listen closely: until I return here, you absolutely must not go outside."
Jeanne spoke to Rikka as if instructing a child.
"Be careful, Jeanne."
"I'll be fine. I will definitely return to you. ...See you later."
Smooch. She planted a kiss on Rikka's cheek, looked back twice before leaving, and exited the cell.
"See you laaater!"
"...Fufu. Lady Jeanne and Lord Avenger are both such kind people."
Mercedes laughed warmly.
"Yup. Avenger is a Class that 'burns' with care for others, after all!"
Rikka declared with a smug look.
Both Avenger and Jeanne had volunteered to go on patrol first. The two of them would wait here for the trial.
"Yes. Even if their words are rough, those two value you, respect you, and care for you more than anything... It is like the fire of a fireplace that warms you."
"Yeah. Jeanne is a fireplace fire! I want to be with her forever! Avenger is... what should I call it? Maybe a campfire fire. It's hot if you get too close, but you want to be near it."
"Fufufu. That is a wonderful description. ...You fight every day, don't you? With the Rulers in the Hall of Judgment."
Mercedes asked worriedly.
"Yeah. Because we can't go home otherwise. My end, and Jeanne's end, isn't here. —To take back everyone's stolen future, we have to move forward."
Clench. She squeezed her fist.
"—Lord Avenger said it. That those who gather here are souls trapped by something. Even Heroic Spirits, souls that transcend humanity."
She covered her face with one hand, agonizing.
"I am not something grand like that. Being a Heroic Spirit is impossible. But since I am in the Château d'If right now... I am a trapped soul. Perhaps I was chosen as the embodiment of some sin."
"—I see. That... might be true."
Rikka smiled brightly.
"I don't want to fight you, Mercedes! Because... we were able to talk like this and share our feelings! So I'm sure it'll be okay! Even if we do have to fight... I won't hate you or think badly of you."
"Lady Rikka..."
"Just because we're enemies, just because we fight. We don't have to hate or resent each other. Surely. ...If you have to defeat me to leave, Mercedes, and if the reverse is true..."
Thump. She thrust out her fist.
"Don't abandon fighting. Don't give up on living. We don't fight to hate each other. We fight to live. The fact that we could understand each other in this Hell... is undeniable. Believe that it's a miracle."
Right? Rikka winked.
"So... if that time comes, let's have a good match! Mercedes!"
"...Yes, Lady Rikka. Even if I must stand in your way. I will not forget my gratitude toward you..."
"Yeah!"
Creak. The door opened.
"Unfortunately, the girls' talk time is drawing to a close, Master. Come, stand. The Fifth Judgment awaits."
"Move over a bit."
Shove. Jeanne returned.
"I'm back, Rikka. As Avenger says, shall we head to the trial?"
"Okaaaay!"
"Hmph, Avenger who is Edmon. You seem to hold your Master very dear."
"If it doesn't look that way, you must be blind. The flames overflowing from my whole body... like this... represent my feelings for Rikka."
"Thank you, I love you too, Jeanne Alter!"
"Nn...gh. ...Hearing those straight feelings makes me happy, after all."
She fidgeted, embarrassed.
"Come, there are few trials remaining. Let us quickly return to the paradise Gilgamesh built. Avenger, lead the way."
"Kuhaha! Very well! To reach the heavens, advance through Hell with steady steps!"
"Okay, I'm going to go peek into Hell for a bit."
"Yes, Lady Rikka. Please take care."
With practiced steps, the three headed into the inferno...
"I will tell you the Ruler of the Judgment in advance."
Walking, he announced it happily.
In an instant—
『—Have you ever tried to devour everything?』
A voice echoed in her head.
『Experience of continuing to taste with a greed like starvation, never satisfied no matter how much you eat.』
A voice hiding greatness and kindness echoed.
『Experience of consuming, wasting, leaving nothing behind, simply devouring greedily, surrendering yourself to the thirst of the soul.』
The words preached. Like a great tree standing tall in Hell.
『That is eating. Spending, stuffing desire into a loveless body.』
Gently, yet with sadness, it preached—
『—The Sin of Gluttony. That is, the Vice of My Rome.』
—Gluttony...
What came to mind was the trial joining of the rugby club in high school, before she became a manager...
Just eat it, it's champon!
As long as you get full! Quality doesn't matter!
Eat! Just eat! Turn it into energy!
Taste is secondary! As long as you can eat it!
Devour! Devour! Eat like crazy!!!
Piled up bowls.
Leftover scraps scattered about.
Scattered meals.
That was the very act of eating for the sake of eating—
『...Soul that fights nobly.』
Furthermore, the voice echoed.
『The enemy you face is one tossed about by the Vice of Rome. Part of my beloved Rome.』
The majestic voice announced.
『—I beg of you. Grant my child a modest salvation. A sure blade to clear the hesitation of the soul. —Beast of Radiance carrying the world, trying to achieve rebirth.』
—At the same time, the voice faded away...
"That thing is the embodiment of Gluttony. There is no worry of it spouting logic like the previous enemy. Kill it. You just have to kill it."
"—Master?"
"Huh?"
At Jeanne's voice, Rikka snapped back to reality.
"Are you okay? Do you have a fever? We may not have much time, but if you're tired, shall we take a breather?"
"You are quite devoted, Avenger who is Edmon."
"Obviously. Avenger is a Class that values, cares for, and stays by the Master's side more than anything. —Rikka?"
"Ah—I'm okay. I don't feel sick or anything. Just... I heard a voice..."
"A voice?"
"Hoh. Someone sending a voice into this Château d'If. Is it a Demon King of Hell, or a God toying with us on a whim? Well, either is fine. Either way, you are the one who decides the destination."
"Of course, I'll keep going. Sorry, sorry— Ah, Jeanne."
Embarrassed, Rikka spoke.
"Maybe fatigue is piling up. When this is over... can I spoil you?"
That was Rikka's way... of showing weakness.
"—Yes, yes! Of course! My flames will warm you up properly!"
"Hmph, hellfire of impeachment for enemies, a healing fireplace for the Master? You seem to have gotten used to handling fire, Avenger who is Edmon."
"Hmph, say what you want. An Avenger evolves daily... no."
Thump. She puffed out her chest.
"Jeanne Alter is! A Heroic Spirit who evolves daily!!"
"Kuhahahahaha! Then ensure that evolution does not cease! Come, Master! It is time for the trial!!"
In high spirits, Avenger pulverized the door.
"All right, let's go!"
"Rikka."
"Hm?"
She looked back at Jeanne.
"—Um. This might sound strange, but."
Softly, she held her hand.
"—Thank you. For showing me your weakness. If you like... please continue to show me your weak points, and... let me support you."
"—Yeah. Jeanne is my Jeanne alone. Special!"
"—I am... happy. To become your special someone, this much—"
Avenger firmly savored the warm flame held in her chest—
"OOOOOH, OOOOOOOOOOOH!!!"
A roar like a beast of Hell echoed through the Hall of Judgment.
"My... conduct... is... fate...! I... everything—"
Shaking all of Hell, he screamed.
"DEVOUR!! ONLY EAT!!!"
"...Why do the beasts of Hell have such uselessly rich repertoires?"
Jeanne spat out in disgust.
"More like... Cerberus, or something cooler..."
"Kuhahahahaha! There is one common factor! Uniformly! They are ugly!!"
"—That is also true. Then, let us finish this quickly. ...I'm off. Rikka."
Softly, she whispered in her ear.
"Find your shape properly, okay? I will handle that beast."
"Thank you, Jeanne!"
"Yes. —Then."
Shing. She drew her sword and raised her flag.
"What... are you... Will you... stop me... I am... the Emperor...!"
"I won't stop you; I will kill you. If you want to eat, I'll give it to you. My special hellfire that burns even the entrails without leaving anything."
"I will... eat!! Even if I no longer understand the taste!! I will... eat!! Even if I no longer understand the meaning!! Goddess Diana... has forgiven... everything!!"
"Get diarrhea and die————!!"
Fist and sword collided in Hell!!
"I don't understand... the taste... or the meaning..."
"—That is the sin. That is Gluttony. An eternal thirst that is not satisfied no matter how much you eat."
Whoosh. He flared his cape.
"What do you find? In this primal thirst, what do you gain? What virtue do you find?"
"I..."
—Calm down, I thought.
Eat slowly, I simply thought.
Food is not infinite.
Meat, vegetables, fish—it is a precious thing, receiving all kinds of life.
Eating it without tasting it is far too wasteful.
If we are going to eat anyway, shouldn't we eat happily, together, savoring the taste?
That is exactly why I became a manager.
I set strict eating times.
We ate face-to-face.
I enforced saying "Itadakimasu" and "Gochisousama".
I thought about the menu, called for proper intake,
And enforced that there was absolutely no overeating or skipping meals.
And when practice was over and we went home, we would celebrate together.
If we won a tournament, we would eat while making noise and singing to our hearts' content.
Don't eat to eat.
Meals are held to color life.
Irreplaceable everydays.
The ritual of three meals held without fail...
"—Meals surrounded by everyone, you know."
Slowly, she lifted her face.
"Even if it's a tiny bento... it's incredibly delicious."
"—Hoh."
Yes. Even if alone, you only focus on eating.
If everyone puts their arms around each other's shoulders and enjoys the taste happily.
Naturally, you become able to eat "as much as you want to eat"...!
'Gluttony' achieves 'Temperance' through the existence of someone other than oneself.
That is precisely why—the word 'dining table' was born.
—Karma turns into light again. All grudges are drawn in.
"So—!"
"Kuhaha! You jump in?! Good! Thrust your blade into him!"
Rikka ran. She wedged herself between Jeanne and Caligula.
"Caligula!!"
"Rikka!?"
Avenger stopped Caligula's counterattack.
"Come! Rouse it! The family heirloom sword you possess!"
"Yeah! Jeanne, I'll handle this!"
"—There is not a day I don't believe in you!"
Jeanne leaped back, creating distance.
—Yes. No matter how many weapons I hold.
No matter how much I polish my fists.
My greatest weapon hasn't changed one bit—!
"AAAA, AAAAAAAAAAA!!"
"Caligula!! —Nero! You like her, don't you!!"
"—!!?"
Jolt. His movement dulled.
"Nero! You love her, don't you!!"
Rikka shouted.
"Nero... —Nero... —!?"
"Are you okay with that!? A meal where you don't know the taste, don't know the meaning—are you okay with that!?"
"...Nero...!!"
—Yes, my belief. My fight.
That is—
"What you want isn't a thirst that doesn't go away no matter how much you eat! What you desire isn't an endless meal!"
—『If there is consciousness, never give up on dialogue』—!!
"What you desire! Is a modest meal with Nero and your precious people, isn't it!? That's what I think!!"
"————————!!!!!"
—...That's right.
If you aren't satisfied alone, if you can't quench your thirst alone.
That is surely—because 'Someone' isn't nearby.
Because the heart isn't filled... I felt that he had lost sight of everything.
Because he isn't a beast.
Because he properly has... a heart that loves Nero...
"————Ah, yes. That is right."
Madness faded from Caligula, and he behaved rationally.
"Yes, yes. I love her. Agrippina, Nero... I love them. I taste. Everything they loved. I swallow. The irreplaceable things they created."
Slowly, he closed his eyes.
"Just with that—my heart, my soul... is filled—"
"...Succeeded in sedation, huh."
Avenger slowly lowered his fighting stance.
"...I thank you. Noble beast. Beast who has begun to walk the path of humanity."
"—I heard a voice. Someone's gentle voice, asking me to take care of you."
"...I see. ...My soul was carved as a hero despite being a body suitable for an anti-hero. That is—due to nothing other than my love for Nero, for Rome."
Softly, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Therefore, I shall tell you. —Know love, beast. It can be for the world, it can be for your neighbor. Know the love that fills the world far and wide. That is—the irreplaceable emotion that makes you human."
"Love..."
"—Even I am so. Then there is no way you, who know and fill yourself with human nobility and integrity, will fall. —Beautiful beast truly loved by the Moon Goddess. I believe in your path—"
"—Yes. Caligula... Emperor."
"...Goddess Diana, I entrust her to you. —Ah, Nero. My beloved child, the living image of my sister."
Slowly, Caligula faded away. The Ruler of Judgment, struck down by Rikka's spirit-words, disappeared with satisfaction.
"Please, please. Whatever modest happiness it may be, be happy, you alone. I will take the madness and anger with me."
Slowly—he raised his hand to the sky.
"May the path you walk—be filled with roses of blessing—"
Putting his thoughts into madness, the Emperor of Love vanished—
『I thank you. Beautiful one who holds Rome in your chest.』
Again, the voice spoke.
『You are beautiful. Knowing sin, yet upholding virtue and believing—your heart is filled with truly beautiful Romance (Rome).』
Those words gently filled her heart.
『—Advance. Aim to be a true human. The end of the beast who tasted All the World's Evils is near. Advance unwaveringly. You, and your soul. The World (Rome) is waiting—』
It was a god-like voice that gently affirmed Rikka's way of being—
"...Yes!"
"I am surprised! To think one would appear who breaks through judgment without swinging a single weapon!"
"Really? —For me, it's what I've been doing all along."
"...Good grief. I'm falling for you all over again. That's unfair, honestly."
"Jeanne, Avenger. Thank you. ...Okay, let's go back! Wait, and Hope!"
"Wait and Hope!"
"Kuhahahaha!! Two trials remain! What lies at the end! I shall wait in anticipation!!"
—Two swords remaining to pierce the beast—
«The method to defeat Gluttony is to surround oneself with others at a dining table. Let conversation bloom, chat with each other, and chew while savoring each bite. Even if it is Gluttony alone, with two it becomes companionship, with family it becomes a dining table. With many, it turns into a banquet. And offer gratitude to the life that becomes sustenance.
Chew on the fact that you are consuming life, and give thanks to the heavens, the earth, and all that brings blessings. Do not move food to your mouth aimlessly. Always be conscious of what you are putting in your mouth.
That is precisely why the custom of putting hands together and offering thanks was born as a daily ritual.»
(It means don't forget 'Itadakimasu' and 'Gochisousama'. Did you get that? Ea?)
—Nom nom, munch, munch.
(Cute— (Explodes))
"Umu, not bad. As expected, you handle everything deftly. That is why you could become the ideal King for the people."
"A King baking bread... I cannot say it is a very suitable task."
"What, unexpectedly doing something that does not suit one's nature may lead to discovering something new. For I am in a constant state of such discoveries daily. Fuhahahaha!"
"...I do not dislike that side of you."
"Hmph, flattery will get you nowhere. Hand over seconds, I like it."
"Fufu, yes, here you go."
"Alright! Master has returned, so I shall serve Roman cuisine! Help me! Heroine-something!"
"I'm Heroine X! Gununu, just when I tried to establish the Master's Partner Position, this stall tactic! As expected, is the Counter Force working against me!? Gil is also doing duties with the Lancer Artoria-face! Help! Requesting rescue!! HEEELP!!"
"This time is special; I shall serve a dish my Uncle taught me! Look forward to it—!"
"I'm hoooome~... Haa... two more times, huh."
"The fun tour of Hell is nearing its end, Rikka."
"Yeah... Hey, Jeanne."
"Yes, what is it?"
"—If I were alone, I would have broken somewhere. Thank you... for coming."
"—I should be the one thanking you. If I hadn't been sought by you, I would have been much, much more twisted. —Thank you for seeking me."
"...Jeanne."
"Yes."
"Stay with me, forever."
"To the bottom of Hell, my Rikka."
"—Fufu, good night. Both of you."
"..."
"Lord Avenger..."
"...All the World's Evil, and... the Beast nurtured with that as a seedbed."
"...?"
"—Will she fall and become a beast, or be reborn as a human? —This is the crucial moment, Master."
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