The Lazy King

TL: Heard’s Hmms and hms are implied grunts of affirmation.

TL: Also, this chapter provides some readings for previous skills (In English no less), so preceding names will be changed in accordance. Usurping will be changed to ‘Skill Ruler’ and Predominate to ‘Overrule’.

TL: Ah, also please be over 14 to read.

The Lazy King Chapter 6: Invidia

Part 1: Become Someone

It was nothing.

From birth, not once have I gained anything, never have I desired anything, never have I known anything.

Not desired by anyone, known by anyone, and even without any desire for life.

A Life where I didn’t even embrace the Original Sin a majority of Demons carry.

Sloth and Greed and Lust and Wrath and Gluttony and Pride and all else, without a sufficient reason for life, and no will.

Before I could become a Plus, perhaps I had to become a Zero first.

I am a mere Minus existence.

In this Demon World, governed by survival of the fittest, Demons without knowledge or power are fated to simply sit and wait for death to take them.

Demons like that were by no means rare, and the imperial capital as well as all the provincial cities were overflowing with such existences.

That’s why I believe it’s just a coincidence that I escaped such a fate.

There are many Demons whose lives aren’t even worth taking, but if I had to say, my luck was good.

There was a man who took me away. There was man who, with a sluggish expression, remained silent, as he let whatever would happen, happen. His black mantle made of well-tailored velvet-like material dragged along the ground, and was always sullied white.

There was a woman who took me away. There was a woman who would let off burning flames that made people she passed on the street tremble, and trampled over the ground as she walked. Her walking staff banged on the ground, as if to scream out its rage in the silent woman’s place.

There was me. There was me who, on the roadside, without will, without meaning, gazed on them by pure coincidence from the edge of the street. And next to me, there were my comrades who looked at them just the same.

The man and the woman, and me, and those beside me never exchanged glances, but at the moment of passing… the man reached out his left arm, and my body… without anything to eat before me, my body that was light and frail compared to those of similar ages… was embraced.

Light and clear hand movements as if he were merely grabbing an apple off of a roadside stand.

My comrades didn’t say anything as they watched me get taken away, and I didn’t say anything either.

From what I heard later, he wanted a pillow. What the hell.

And like that, coincidences piled onto one another, and the Lord of Sloth just happened to be searching for a pillow perfectly my size. By some strange cause and effect, I ended up enlisted in the army of Leigie of the Slaughterdolls.

By the way, this goes without saying, but by the time he held me to his body, Leigie-sama was already asleep.

What happened next wasn’t as interesting.

After returning to the Castle of Shadows, I began a struggle for existence against the inanimate normal pillow he already had in use, and at the same time, the inspector monitoring Leigie-sama, the leader of the Order of Black, Kanon Iralaude said something like, “when did you pick up something so dirty!” in an exhausted voice. When I was about to be disposed of by incineration, I was saved by the maid Lorna, who misunderstood Leigie-sama’s 『Iyo』 in a way favorable to me.

By the time I noticed it, I was dressed up in the sort of pretty clothes a doll would wear, and had the ‘seconds’ that were always made for the million to one chance Leigie-sama would do something as troublesome as actually ask for seconds shoved down my throat. My thoughts finally caught up to me.

Huh? What is this, I thought.

A Demon’s longings aren’t something they decide for themselves. They are something that is automatically obtained from harboring strong desires.

If you harbor multiple Sins, your desire becomes clouded, and your Class growth as a Demon is slowed. That’s why Demons generally subconsciously regulate themselves not to follow any desires besides the ones they pursue.

Without the leisure to seek excess desire, the worst of Demons, where it was merely a miracle I was alive. Given an environment where life was finally sustainable, and finally with some time to give consideration to it, what was the first strong desire that came over me?

What were my strongest feelings?

It was not relief that I was saved, or happy prayers of pure gratitude, or melancholy for my comrades left behind or even self-satisfaction.

This may seem obvious, but it definitely wasn’t Luxuria.

To put it simply… Envy.

Jealousy towards typical Demons who carried on and accepted their lives up until now as if it were natural.

Envy toward the beautiful face of the incarnation of flames who was approaching Demon Lord level with her powerful magic, the one who was born the daughter of a Demon Lord and lead the elite Order of Black, Kanon.

Envy towards the one who was born into a house to serve Leigie-sama, and who received a high level education for that sake alone, Lorna.

Envy towards the right hand man of the Lord of Sloth who headed the army, Overruled any and all sorts of power, and took his Lord’s power to be supreme, Heard Lauder.

It was envy towards everything in this world.

“If possible, I want to change…”

That was the origin of my Original Sin of Envy.

As I was never granted anything, I felt jealousy towards everything instead.

Darker than 『Gula』.

More greedy than 『Avaritia』.

More violent than 『Ira』.

More whimsical than 『Luxuria』.

With less meaning than 『Acedia』.

Nastier than 『Superbia』.

It was nothing but simple, unsightly 『Envy』.

But the moment I obtained it, I thought to myself.

Ah, with this, I finally have a reason to exist.

With this, I can finally become someone.

Part 2: Let’s Meet Again

“Well well, after sending out as much as two commanding officers, what a sorry state you’ve come back in… to bring trouble to Leigie-sama’s hands… how shameful.”

The young man spoke with cold eyes, as if he were looking at kitchen waste that had fallen to the ground.

He was a handsome youth with eyes as black as the depths of the abyss. As if he were a king, he sat deeply in his chair. With one leg crossed over the other, perhaps he lacked some decorum, but he really was the spitting image of a king. If Leigie-sama and this man stood side by side, ten out of ten would say this man was the Demon Lord of the two.

At the same time, he followed his desire, and spent his time perpetually training and bettering himself. A pure military man.

Heard Lauder. Right hand of Sloth. A Demon governing Pride.

My head began to hurt.

But it definitely wasn’t due to anger towards this prideful man.

“No, no… that Zebul Glaucus was a prominent and powerful Demon Lord among Kanon-sama’s followers… She was too much of an opponent to deal with without the presence of another Demon Lord.”

The one who committed the insolent act of pulling Leigie-sama out, Kanon’s dispatch, speaks in a rebuking tone.

Her arrogant means did end up saving our lives, so I can’t say anything, but…

From the innermost depths of my brain, I feel the pain of something being stabbed. To sooth it, I stroke my forehead once more.

Heard answered her glare with a cynical smile. His words were, as always, overflowing with himself.

“Hmm… that would be the case for a typical, lowly Demon, correct? What I am trying to say, is that for the ones who are supposed to be leading the great Lord of Acedia’s army, it is much too shameful, Lize Bloodcross.”

“… Well you sure know how to talk big. Especially when you were the only General who didn’t participate in the battle.”

“That’s right. I truly never thought the other two would be this useless. The next time a Demon Lord thinks of invading, let’s have me go out alone.”

Despite his annoyed tone, he gave an immediate reply.

There is not a single hint of jest in Heard’s face. An army led by two Generals was easily laid waste to by a single Demon Lord, but in his eyes there is no impatience, no nervousness.

Nothing but elegance. More prideful than all.

Superbia Demons are strong.

In truth, it is said that of the Demons that reach Lord Class, around seventy percent are Pride.

The losers are worse that garbage, the winners equivalent to God. And one’s self has long surpassed God.

That is Superbia’s Original Sin. Strength in weakness, and weakness in the strong, a highly unstable nature. Even so, they are called the strongest of Demons.

All they ever demand for is the result, and the no matter what step of the process resulted in defeat, they’ll show contempt.

And just like the other Sins’ cravings, the stronger they get, the greater their inclinations.

Of the four surrounding the round table, the last one… having lost a majority of his possessions, and even his army, the greatest victim Deige inspected a beat up Celeste as he spoke up.

“… Even so, Supreme Commander Heard, it’s just as that girl Lize’s saying. Zebul the Devourer stood top class among Demon Lords, and she had an impossibly large amount of power, you know? Even for someone as prideful as you, Supreme Commander, I’ll bet it would prove difficult to 『Overrule』 her.”

“Hmm… by that, are you comparing to the Demon Lords you’ve served up until now?”

“Ki ki ki, yeah. If you try to find an existence more powerful than that one… I can only think of Boss Leigie, and the Great Demon King.”

He responds with a bitter smile.

The words of an old Demon like Deige held some persuasive power.

In the first place, the Devourer Zebul Glaucus ranks right up in my top three for most atrocious Demon Lords I’ve met. Her magic, and skills, and direction made her an absolute warrior, where normal Demons would fail to even reach her feet. She’s a 『Gula』 so strong that I can’t even laugh off the rumors that she ate up the Heavenly Army in the war with the Heavens ten thousand years ago.

If only I had that much power…

Just as sand accompanies time as it falls down the hourglass, I feel something like mud collecting in the depths of my soul.

The weight of it is making me dizzy.

Since reaching General Class, I have never faced defeat once. This war was the first.

Because of my first failure in a long time, I cannot control my impulses.

“Hmm, but I’ve heard our Lord annihilated her all too easily, did he not?”

“Ki ki ki, well, all I can say is, as expected of Rank Three. Boss Leigie is… a monster. He led the Devouring Lord by the nose the entire battle. I mean, Boss… didn’t even move the whole time.”

On Deije’s words, that Demon Lord’s, and Leigie-sama’s fight play back in my head.

Yes, Leigie-sama never even stood up… though he did use some skill I’ve never seen before to teleport.

Heard, with a knowing face… nodded with sharp, prideful eyes.

“… Hmm, Sloth Skills get stronger the less one chooses to move… a very Leigie-sama-esque decision.”

“No, I doubt that man was actually thinking about something like that…”

“Would you be kind enough as to tell me what other skills our Head used, Deije?”

How could it be that Heard manages to preserve his pride?

Just by being here, I can easily feel the vast magic power of Leigie, who should be in his private room a long ways away. This amount of power, and its quality is definitely at a stage impossible to reach by a Demon. For the General Class me… if I compare it to Deije and Heard who should be stronger than me, the difference is probably not something as small as ten or twenty fold.

“Ki ki ki, even I don’t know all the specifics. I mean, even Libell got eaten up…”

“… So Libell the Pursuer was eaten… I had my eyes on him, but… Hmm.”

Heard closed his eyes, as if to say, ‘how useless’.

He isn’t one to grieve over death. Looking at those eyes, that expression, and that posture, Deije’s face doesn’t change.

Even if Lize’s expression gets clouded over, the face of Deije, who lost his sworn friend Libell Aijens, doesn’t change.

This must be the strength of Deije, one who even survived the war with the Heavens.

… Of his strength, I can’t help but be jealous.

Deije says Heard Lauder is a dreadful Demon. I wonder if he’s looking at something invisible to my eyes.

Among us, I am the youngest Demon. Generally, the older Demons get, the more intense their cravings, and their strength. It’s said that Deije experienced the Heavenly War ten thousand years ago, and Heard Lauder is said to be an ancient Demon who was the first to ever follow Leigie-sama’s lead.

For me, who was just born a few thousand years ago, it’s not a gap in time I can make up for.

… And of that, I can’t help but be jealous.

I strongly grasp my shaking arm.

Without responding to Heard’s words, Deije returned Celeste to its scabbard, and inserted it into his treasury space. High level Demon Blades are alive. Trivial scratches and cracks will be autonomously regenerated.

“What I saw was… a Skill to increase gravity, an instantaneous movement Skill… also an unidentified one he used to send Zebul flying.”

“… Hmm… he held back quite a bit then.”

On Deije’s words, Heard knit his brows, and took a deep breath. That was a sort of emotion that would originally never appear on a Pride Demon’s face.

He sticks his elbow into the table, and touches his hand to his chin as if lost in a sea of thought. His form, even seen from afar, was so well built that it could be made into a painting as is.

Skillfully folding his six arms, Deije asks with a tone full of doubt.

“Holding back…?”

“… Hm. The Leigie-sama I know’s power is not of such small caliber. In the first place, he didn’t even use his renowned『Slaughter Dolls』, did he not?”

“Ki ki ki, that’s correct. But even if it’s Boss, I doubt a Doll’d do the trick. In actuality, the Doll he gave me was ripped apart and eaten.”

“… Deije, don’t lump that Doll he gave you with the rest. Leigie-sama’s original Slaughter Doll is… supreme.”

Heard laughs. At Deije. At Lize. At me.

It’s probably a fact that only he knows of, having served Leigie-sama for much more time than me.

And Heard spoke up.

“… Even more so than the individual.”

“Hah… Having a Doll be stronger than the man himself is impossible, right?”

“… Hm. For a normal Demon, that is.”

The Slaughter Doll Skill is one possessed by Demon Lords of Sloth, so there is barely any precident.

But even so, to be able to make an entity with powers surpassing a Demon Lord at will is outside the scope of common sense.

Lize’s face looked as if the word ‘Lies’ had been written on it as she looked at Heard with shock.

Heard Lauder was an honest man. At the very least, while he was prideful, his power was real. He relied not just on skills, but on wisdom, and he definitely possessed true charisma. Otherwise, there was no way he would be able to lead the First Brigade which boasts the largest numbers.

“Ki ki ki, if that’s true then it sure is amazing. I’d like another by all means. But, well, even if that’s the case… this time’s opponent was a Demon Lord on a level where she could even wound Boss, you know? I think it would be a bit much for a Doll without any Original Sin skills.”

On those words, Heard opened his eyes wide.

He leans his body forward, and glares at Deije with strong eyes. It was a manifestation of emotion great enough to shake one’s soul.

“… That can’t be… Leigie-sama was injured… you say!?”

“… Yeah. Well, it was only a little bit of blood, and he healed himself up fast enough.”

“… That’s enough… I see, so she could injure Leigie the Depraved. Zebul the Devourer… Hm, I see…”

“Was it truly that strange? No matter how strong a Demon Lord he may be, as long as the opponent’s one as well, he’ll get at least a scratch or two… I mean, soon after he brought me there, he started crying.”

On Lize’s inquiry, Heard sighed as he leaned back in his chair, before returning to his previous position. As if he was thinking deeply, his attention wandered around the air.

“… Hm, that is a natural occurrence. But still, for one to be able to give Leigie of Sloth even the slightest scratch… it’s been two thousand years.”

“Two thousand… so two thousand years ago, there was someone who could do it?”

“Yeah… it was even someone you know quite well. But… that doesn’t matter.”

As if to declare the end of the conversation, Heard stood up.

The oppressing air emanating from his body… Superbia magic started to condense all at once.

His cold eyes lorded over me and Deije. World-eroding powers great enough to freeze over my body.

On the change in the atmosphere, Lize frowned, and after an obvious and blunt scowl, she stood as well. If this had been the moment after her dispatch, she definitely would have gone into a rage. She’s learned how to manage her anger as of late, and she rarely burns up rooms these days.

“Wai…”

“… Hm. There was no problem with the final result, but I’ll have you pay compensation for your shameful displays. The verdict will come down soon enough. Have fun waiting for it.”

“Ki ki ki, please be gentle with me.”

“… Hm.”

With a loud sound, he shuts the door behind him.

The air returns to normal, and Lize spoke in indignation. A crimson phosphorescence flickers around her red hair.

“Wha, that man… no matter the case, to treat allied troops like that…”

“Ki ki ki, Lize, you sure are young. A prideful commander is pretty much always like that. Rather, the fact that we weren’t executed on the spot… means that we’ve still got a bit of luck left in us.”

Deije laughs as he stands.

He’s a Demon who’s lived a far longer life than me, and his words held a weight backed by experience.

His six eyes watch over me. The emotion held within them was something I was unable to understand.

“Medea, I am… going to withdraw from this army.”

In a sense, his words were as I had expected.

Despite his form, Deije’s a rational Demon. His cravings, his desire, by the very nature that they’re aimed at objects apart from humans, he’s much more trustworthy than many other Demons.

Perhaps Lize didn’t anticipate it, because as she heard those words, she rose out of her seat once more.

“Wha… Are you serious, Deije?”

“Yeah… if I stay here, Supreme Commander Heard will dispose of me at this rate. Leigie of Sloth’s right hand man, prideful and conceited… Ki ki ki, how troublesome.”

“How foolish… do you think that Supreme Commander would permit such a thing?”

“Probably. I mean, my Sin is… not something I have to be here of all places to fulfill. I’m not sure about Girly and Heard, though.”

An instant decision. Good discernment.

Deije’s words were straight to the point. An Avaratia’s cravings are something that can be fulfilled no matter what banner they fight under. With Deije’s caliber, no matter what Demon Lord he worked under, he would receive a favorable evaluation. He even has a Demon Blade that Zebul praised as dreadful.

The later part was also quite direct.

My desire is…『Invidia』 can only be fulfilled as long as I’m here.

As if my brain was wounded, my head started to hurt.

Deije knows when to pull out. That’s exactly why he survived the war with the Heavens. His body that had been trained like steel, his rationality, thought pattern, desire. Ah, all of it… how enviable.

In the ki ki ki I was used to, he laughed.

And he let out some words I had never thought of.

“Ki ki ki, I’ll ask you as one who survived the Zebul War alongside me. Just in case. Girly, do you want to leave with me?”

“What… that is…”

“There isn’t just one page in the book of desire. Ki ki ki, girly, you’re young. Rather than being dealt with by Supreme Commander Heard, you should be able to lead a decent life…”

Lize looks over me and Deije in a panic. Disagreement and discord in a Demon Lord’s army fall under her type’s jurisdiction. I wonder if the Great Demon King’s Wrath will befall her. Even if it isn’t her fault individually, it’s not like a monster’s Wrath has direction. No she may be scarier than any monster.

“… Let me persuade Heard Lauder. I cannot let the Great Demon Lord’s forces be diminished.”

“Ki ki ki, I’m grateful for the sentiment,  but some things are just impossible. Heard is… stronger than your Wrath. I mean, back when I was just an average run-of-the-mill Demon… he’s a Demon who’s lived since ancient times. The longer a Superbia lives, the more powerful their『Overrule』 gets.”

“My orders are the orders of the Great Demon King, and my words are hers. Even so, will he fail to listen?”

“How should I know?”

Deije resigns.

“… But… I have a bad premonition about it. Ki ki ki, it’s best if you don’t think of him as a normal Demon. This is… some advice from your elder.”

I’m honestly thankful for his advice.

His words are probably true. If I am to stay here, then in the near future, I will be taken care of by Supreme Commander Heard.

But, still, even so… I have a reason I must remain. No, I should have one.

I resolve my heart, and look at Deije clearly. While it may have been for a short time, he’s a soldier who was able to properly exchange blows with Zebul.

“… Thank you. But my desire… can only be fulfilled here.”

“… Ki ki ki, I thought you’d say that. Well, do your best. As a former Supreme Commander, for argument’s sake, I’m praying for your survival, girly.”

As if to offer a handshake, Deije presented his right center hand.

It was rugged, and wrapped in muscle. I don’t know just how much power he has. But from it, I can feel the accumulation of many years.

Of that, I’m jealous. Of the building of time.

If you compare a Demon’s character to the passing of years, it doesn’t change all too much, however this man’s personality is much more likeable than Heard’s.

Finally, as if he had suddenly remembered something, Deije asks…

“Girly… come to mention it, there was something I wanted to ask. Do you know of a Demon Lord of『Luxuria』?”

“… Yes. I’ve met one before.”

Since the 『Luxuria』 Demon Lord was destroyed, it’s been over a thousand years.

But just from meeting her once, the intense Envy I felt for that Lord, makes me remember the scene as if it had happened just yesterday.

Deije lets out a sigh unfitting of himself.

“… As I thought, you lack sex appeal. There’s no way I can steal you away… is it? Well, I’m thankful for that good fortune.”

“…”

“Next time, treat me to something nice.”

With those words, I was sure of it.

Ah, this man… he realized it. That I wasn’t a『Luxuria』, but an『Invidia』.

Perhaps it was natural for him to notice. Because before his eyes, I envied Celeste.

But I didn’t let out my words. I’ll bet he thought that our interests wouldn’t clash, but at the same time, perhaps this Demon of Greed was showing some kindness.

No, perhaps it was me that wanted it that way.

And just as Deije said, I envied him.

I became him.

“Ki ki ki, Leigie of Sloth and Depravity… he sure was an interesting Demon Lord. And a terrifying one… I can’t even feel any ambition towards him. Well, next we meet, I’ll pray we’ll be allies.”

Yeah, exactly. I pray we never cross again.

I looked straight at Deije.

“… Right, let’s meet again, 『Avaritia』.”

“Ki ki ki, seeya, 『Luxuria』.”

Part 3: I Want to Become You

Even if reason permits it, feelings aren’t as forgiving.

That is the nature possessed by Demons.

As such, Heard despises because he is Superbia, and Leigie slacks because he is Acedia. Lize angers because she is Wrath, Deije seeks because he is Avaritia, and Zebul eats because she is Gluttony. There is nothing strange about it.

Lorna is Luxuria, so lusting after Leigie-sama wouldn’t be… strange.

And because I am Invidia, I must envy.

I put all my effort into biting down on my lip… the taste of blood spreads out in my mouth. I can feel the irritating smell in the depths of my nose.

A scene I didn’t want to see, words I didn’t want to hear.

Much different from the vivid flames of Wrath, the muddy fire of『Envy』 licks the insides of my head.

『Envy Vision』

A Skill on the Envy Tree. The power to look up the movements of those I’ve envied. It isn’t just scenery, it’s even possible to hear their voices.

As if the scenes were rolling out before my eyes, my vision was clear, and my sense of hearing was filled with Lorna’s tender voice.

It’s not like I feel any carnal desires towards Leigie-sama, I’m simply jealous.

Of Lorna, who lusts towards her own Lord.

Of Deije who follows his desires, and continues to pursue it.

Of Heard, who has enough overflowing confidence to even look down on the Lord of Gluttony.

Up until now, I’ve only ever used Envy skills within my own room.

My front has always been 『Luxuria』.

Gifted with both intelligence and beauty, one who stands at the forefront of the army. A single woman who governs Lust.

I once envied the Demon Lord of Lust, Lilith Luxeliahart, and the skills I got my hands on were well over the skills of most Lust Demons.

As such, I am… Medea Luxeliahart.

My form reflected in the full body mirror was died with the unsightly emotion of Envy, and tears of blood are flowing down my eyes.

My mind is painted black, a clear repulsive emotion.

As opposed to my feelings, I was favorably proceeding down the Envy Skill Tree.

“Haa… haa…”

Even though I haven’t moved a single step, my chest feels tight.

The breath I let out is hot, and damp.

I try to recall Deije’s words.

As I thought, it’s no good. As long as I don’t carry out my envy here, I have no future.

Even if I am to be killed by Heard Lauder…

None… can get in the way of my jealousy.

If he comes at me with the intentions of disposing me, I just have to beat him at his own game.

The Avaritia Skills I obtained by Envying Deije.

The Luxuria Skills I obtained by Envying Demon Lord of Lust, Lilith.

The Skills I obtained myself by pursuing Invidia.

The Gula Skills I obtained from Zebul’s crushed corpse.

As a General Class, the amount of power I can Envy far exceeds that of Deije’s right hand man Libell the Pursuer.

But that is of no importance to me.

My Envy is… what triggered it? The item that was the source of all of this has to be out there somewhere.

I’m envious.

I’m jealous.

I want to… become you.

『Leigie-sama, it’s time for your meal. 』

With a gentle expression, Lorna calls out to Leigie.

She’s an attendant who has served him for many years. She’s the maid who has the most contact with Leigie-sama, and at the same time, she’s the Demon who saved me.

Her appearance, personality, skill, loyalty. Everything about her is envious.

… If only you weren’t there, I would be the one in your place.

And again, a black fever scorches in my head.

How, why, in just one step will what I desire fall into my hands?

Who is at fault? What is at fault?

If only I had been able to handle Zebul, if only I racked up some achievements, my daily life should have continued on as it always had, and yet…

But right now, what I have the least of is time. Heard will try to kill me without a doubt. That’s the type of Demon he is.

By just envying from afar, I won’t make it in time. My life will lose its meaning. I’ll lose everything.

The feelings I’ve tried so hard to restrain up until now have surpassed the extent where I can hold them back with my power.

My arms, my legs, even when it isn’t cold, they’re shaking.

『Leigie-sama, your hair is disheveled.』

『… I see.』

He was always burrowed into his bed, so there’s no way it could be in line.

In a tone as if it were just a pretext, Lorna touches Leigie-sama’s jet-black hair. His eyes remain closed, and he doesn’t say a word.

The moment she touched it, I saw Lorna’s face get dyed a light red.

She hasn’t said anything. She hasn’t said anything, but I’m jealous.

I heard a rumor on the wind. That Leigie-sama has gotten around to remembering Lorna’s name. His ever-so-reserved attendant was likely the cause of him going out a little while ago as well.

… Even though he hasn’t remembered my name yet.

It’s no good. No good anymore.  It’s definitely no good.

I take rough breaths as I wipe my eyes with a handkerchief. The white cloth, after being brushed against my eyes only once, changed to a shade of vermillion endlessly close to black.

Ah, you are… my longing.

I understand that it’s something without meaning.

But if I… if I was a Demon Lord, I would be able to perfectly imitate Lorna’s form!

Those meaningless ambitions swirled around my head.

No matter how many times they turned, there was no signs of the endless stream of tears stopping. The weight of the handkerchief sucking up my envy was abominable.

I have no time. Whether I can win against Heard, honestly I do not know.

Thinking back to Deije’s warning, the probability is quite low. He’s a man whose nature I do not fully understand. I’m not sure whether he’s hiding anything or not.

Then before that, I’ll fulfill my desire.

I give up on wiping the tears.

I unlock the door, and leave the room.

My legs shake, and I put my hand on the wall to steady myself, as I head towards Leigie-sama’s room. On the way, I passed by one of my subordinates.

She tried to call out greetings to me, but seeing my face, she open her eyes wide with a shocked expression.

There’s no need for you to worry about it. My cravings aren’t pointed at you.

Trying to convey that, I attempted to force a smile onto my face, but seeing that, her face turned pale, and she fled.

(TL: The gender given to the subordinate here is vague, so it can be either male or female)

Ah… if I was able to smile like Lorna, she wouldn’t have run, right?

But that is also a trivial matter.

Before, I had all the time in the world, but until time started running out, I was unable to strengthen my Envy. I am an unsightly Demon, without a doubt.

There are plenty of Demons who have given up on their cravings, but having once tasted being a Minus, I am unable to resign myself.

I grit my teeth.

“It’s no good, definitely…”

“Kusu kusu kusu… what’s no good?”

I was supposed to be talking to myself there.

From around the turn of the passage, a single shadow showed itself.

Golden hair, blue eyes. A Demon wearing a maid outfit equipped with a skirt shorter than Lorna’s.

Hiero. Lorna’s sister. Number two of the house in service to Leigie-sama.

She gives an irritating laugh. While she has an appearance similar to Lorna’s, she wears a different atmosphere.

At the same time, she’s a Superbia Demon like Heard, but she’s a a special one who doesn’t go out in battle.

Why must pride raise such irritating voices? Her expression, tone, every part of her got on my nerves.

“I was driven away by oneechan, but in exchange, I’ve found something quite interesting.”

“…I have no business with you.”

“Kusu kusu kusu, Medea-san, your act is slipping off, you know?”

On her words, I suddenly noticed.

The imitation『Luxuria』 aura I always wore with a skill had been released.

I take deep breaths, and re-cloak myself in Lust.

With interested eyes, she looked over me.

“… I see, I had always been thinking it. No matter the case, your impression was too light for Lust. Kusu kusu kusu…”

Like I care.

I have no need to conceal it a