The Lazy King

The Lazy King Part 2 Chapter 6: Irritum’s Vanagloria

Part 1: Not a God

Keeping rank and file, those white wings lace the sky.

From the earth well up those incarnations of desire, those to become God’s enemy.

Heaven was already a crucible of chaos, of mingling light and darkness.

While they had an absolute scarcity in number, and would originally never be able to form a large force, the Demons’ Legions already numbered more than a thousand.

They each took up on the backs of giant flying dragons greater in size than my own body, and raced across the skies that they hadn’t been permitted to step foot in before. It could even be taken as a forecast of the world’s end.

The air that had received God’s blessing was violated with miasma, and none of it gave off a sense of reality.

And it wasn’t just these skies that the armies were flying about.

Based on the signals from my comrades all over the land, the Demons of the underworld had formed factions to attack all of our Heaven.

Mine numbered five hundred. Even with the army ranked fifth within these holy lands…

Even if our wings granted us the territorial advantage here…

The Demons came in numbers greater than we of Heaven could ever muster.

Demons were wicked souls, dark minds smeared with avarice.

If you think of how human hearts were easier to turn to bad than good, it’s likely just a natural matter of life.

That’s why I cannot bear it.

Those maggots creating this nauseous stench to waft about this Eden.

Wings are town off. An ominous whirlwind raced by in the gaps of the light.

Yet another of the Demons stationed behind me fell to the earth.

The irregular army numbering close to one thousand, and it boasted an exceptionally high amount of power.

A man with jet-black hair sat atop a silver wyvern.

Racing left and right about the Demon’s war, a commander. I could barely capture him in my field of vision, and among these piles of trash, he was the one with the greatest power.

“Hm… so this is all they have. We’ve not even the need to bring trouble to Leigie-sama’s hands.”

“…… !?”

From the Angels rushing up to my rear, countless lights were released to brush out the darkness. For us, that were like God’s household, it was an act as simple as taking a breath of air.

Judgement lightning to purify those masses of negative energy. Released without a sound, it filled the sky, and swallowed up that irregular army.

… And, That was brushed off with nothing but a fist.

The army trembled. On that absurd pride. In fear. In awe.

It was originally something that never should have come to be. Something that was impossible.

Our mission was to take down evil. To fulfill our raison d’être, we were to cast aside our emotions.

My sworn friend who ranked second in my army opened his eyes wide, and called to me in a grim voice.

“Gloria, that man is…”

I received the name of Glory from my God.

I held up my hand to stop my friend, who seemed like he’d rush to join the battle at any moment.

The enemy army was too numerous. And that extraordinary man…

Having been created by God, we surely boast a greater amount of power than them. If it were to be one on one, there would be no way for us to lose.

If only we were to destroy that thing rushing about and tearing our light to pieces, the rest would only be a matter of time.

I’ve not the time to be sunken into darkness of this level.

I stake it on my name of Gloria, I cannot let this go on any further. I shall bring Glory to my God’s side.

An indescribable shout wracked the heavens.

The enemy army took position. Those Demons that originally should have been rushing at us to their hearts content were astonishingly quiet.

Hiding behind the back of their leader, they were nothing more than a bother. If only they gave us the space, we would be able to decrease their numbers, and shoot all of them down.

But that meant that the army’s strength, and command all fell to that single man.

And so there’s but one measure to take. It’s simple.

I turned my head to my comrade three heads higher than me. To the Angel with radiant eyes, and six heavenly wings on his back.

“My friend… I leave the command to you. I’ll take down that one.”

“Gloria… but…”

“Speak not. Your commander is… me.”

I am God’s greatest blade.

No matter how close we may be, I’ll have him obey my command.

Even if I’m at a disadvantage, that level of power, and a soul of that extent, a normal Angel’s power… would never be able to stand to it.

And in that case, I, the one brought forth by God to protect the throne, governing Glory and Justice Gloria Seidthroan will be his opponent.

… In the place of my petty army being outdone by something like a Demon.

From the blessed ten wings adorning my back, I released my power.

Without waiting for an answer from the man, I dashed forth. There’s no obstruction in the skies to these wings. In an instant, I had come before the man’s eyes.

The rising sun. A feeling of catharsis close to omnipotence refined my power.

Now receive it if you will.

The virtue I govern… 『Iustitia』’s authority.

I need no weapons. I directed the palm of my hand to the pitiful male Demon who didn’t even have any wings.

Eternal darkness, and the mud of destruction. You can just fall back to that place.

“『Judgement Rain』”

The spears of lightening handed down to me by God filled the sky.

The man’s dark expression was swallowed up whole.

An Iustitia Skill.

Among the numerous authorities granted to Angels, it was the power most specialized in bringing ruin to Demons.

“Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”

This cathartic feel of turning it all to nill. An endless laughter gushed forth from my heart.

There’s no one to swing their fist before the Glory of God.

No matter how strong in power he may be, in the end, he’s just a negative soul. A filthy wingless mongrel fated to crawl about the earth.

My entire body was covered in a light even greater than before. That itself was the proof of my growth.

The proof that my justice had been recognized by God.

“Gloria… don’t let your guard down.”

My friend behind me made an address with a stern face.

He was a heroic man who had fought a long time as the vanguard of God, but he was too much a worrier.

“… That one is… strong.”

“Affirmative. Among those maggots, he… was decent at least.”

I turn my eyes to my front.

No need to be tense. He’s already gone. I’m not negligent. He’s already gone.

There’s no way for one who’d received God’s grace such as myself to face defeat, and absolute victory was in my hands.

I stopped in midair.

I folded my arms, and glared about the area from which the light had cleared away.

My 『Paradise Field』 Skill vividly grasped the presence of the man who was supposed to have been annihilated.

He was a measly man whose power quantity and quality both fell far below mine. Even among those Demons’ ranking system, he shouldn’t even be classified as a Lord.

Even when compared to the Lords of Demons I had consigned to oblivion before, he should have been undoubtedly weaker.

But he was alive.

It only took an instant for the light to clear. Those standing proud before the swarm of Demons, my family were slightly disturbed.

“So 『Judgement Rain』 doesn’t work. What an irritating man.”

Even after taking up God’s rain of judgement upfront, his expression shoed no pain, and his body wasn’t damaged.

The man frowned a little, and gave a condescending glare. One head higher than my sworn comrade, the glare let out from that high stature was soaked in a temperature of absolute zero, and it wasn’t something a Demon of his rank should be sending at someone like me.

That look and bearing was something I had a recollection of. The sin embraced by a number of Demons I had purified.

“So you’re a 『Superbia』.”

I’ve hunted down more Demons than I can count. I have ample information on them.

An ability to erase another’s Skill, 『Overrule』.

What impudence for him to act so overbearing before an emissary of God. They were the hardest to forgive of all those trash Demons out there.

Even when his power was only that which would fly away if I blew on it, his body gave out a feeling of pressure far surpassing his Mana.

That pressure was something I had a slight recollection of, so I frowned, and observed.

Its identity came to my mind in an instant.

Ah, that’s a form taken on by his willpower.

In the end, those bugs that haven’t even been blessed will become a large calamity if we leave them be.

What a sad thing it is, for there to be a Superbia out to Overrule God’s Judgement.

The man seemed sophisticated. Yet he was a diminutive existence that needed to borrow the power of the dragons to even set foot in heaven.

“… Hm. This is a pointless conflict, but at the very least, I’ll have you become an offering to my lord.”

“Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha, you sure know how to make one laugh. No one lend a hand. This man is… my prey.”

On my laugh, the enemy army shook.

They trembled with fear. Your fate has run out here, at this very moment.

I’ve destroyed hundreds, thousands of Demons. I activate a Skill I’ve used hundreds of times.

The light sharpens, and takes shape at the palm of my hand.

What manifested was a pure-white sword… in order to cut down Demons, 『Sin Breaker』.

I directed it at those unbearable soldiers who seemed to be under the misconception they could attain victory against God.

Speed. Maneuverability. Offensive power. Territorial Advantage.

In these skies, all of them lay with me.

“If you think you can Overrule the Power of God, then…”

All creation came to a stop.

In a split second, I circled around to the man’s rear. Not the wyvern, nor the man, nor even any of my men could follow me with their eyes.

Receiving my 『Iustitia』, the sword let off a dull light.

Right, if he can overcome the might of God, then I myself will…

“… In God’s place, I’ll deliver heavenly retribution unto you.”

＊＊＊＊＊

Oww…

The depths of my head hurt. My dreams of the past were eating into my present reality.

I slowly opened my eyes.

There’s no sound. There’s barely any light. That thin ink-like darkness was what illuminated the room.

No matter how much time passed, the dark was the only thing I could never get used to.

“Damn 『Kaiser』…”

No matter how much I hate him, it isn’t enough. No matter how much will I bring up to kill him, my emotions won’t clear up.

What still existed in the depths of my memory was what despised above all else.

Over the space of many years, that name that had receded to a corner of my memory gained color, and floated up like a bubble of soap. The reason was clear.

“Rank One… The Prideful Kaiser, Heard Lauder, is it…”

How useless.

It’s true that the wall between general and Lord is a severe one. But staying as a General Class, he was a Demon who had power rivalling the Lords of Heaven.

Now as a Lord, I seriously wonder just how much power he’s amassed.

Even if Rank One was an excessive position for him, there’s no doubt he’s a superior Demon Lord.

I was sure I was already gone and done with that matter from long ago.

So why is it that that the Soul Core in my chest is acting up once more?

There was no one about to listen to the words I threw out.

I raised myself from the large canopied bed.

It was a vast bed, where even my two meter build could lie, but in my current state, it might be a little too wide.

Around the bed stood a number of humanoid forms.

Wordlessly, they merely looked over me with their glass-ball-like eyes. Countless Demons. Men, women, all ages. An infinite variety. Their beat was a little faint, but each and every one of them was a Demon.

I’m not sure where I had gone wrong.

No, I didn’t care that something had gone amiss, but I couldn’t determine what to do next.

My wings of light that had once shone so bright were now so dark and wet. This fallen one no longer had any allies, and all that was left was this body itself.

“Ku ku ku ku…”

But that’s fine. This body is more than enough to serve my purpose.

God and friends, and even followers are… unnecessary.

My body aside, there’s but a single thing I need.

I directed the palm of my hand towards one of the Demons standing about like dolls.

Back when I embraced 『Iustitia』, this was definitely not a Skill I desired. But as long as I have it…

Even if… it is the means of a Demon.

I spread out the five sets of wings garnishing my back.

No, I didn’t really care about the reason.

I’m already a Demon. Then… there should be no hesitation in me to carry out my desire.

Now, Heard Lauder. Is it not the time for us to settle that match we were never able to before?

I’ll teach your body the meaning of defeat.

Answering to my will, the eyes of those around produced a dull light.

The countless subordinates surrounding me all bowed at once with mechanical precision.

The darkness coating them was strong enough to override their Sin, and blow away their sense of self. It temporized their souls.

Not of God, but of my power alone…

“Oh wicked ones, perish by my justice.”

Outside the seven sins held by Demons.

In the distant past, when I had been brought to the same level as those I derided as maggots, merely using it made me nauseous, The authority of the greatest of fiends.

When I fell to Demonhood without even understanding the reason, it was what I had held from the start.

And I naturally came to understand that authority's name.

Of 『Irritum』.

Part 2: The Glory I Once Embraced

Fall.

Or so my instincts whispered to me. To trample over all aspects of creation, and put them beneath me.

The emotions higher than ever I felt when I was a Lord of Angels often heightened themselves, but they would never settle down.

That’s exactly why I’m here.

As I sat with my hips to the pitch black throne, a single man knelt before me.

I’m at the summit of Demon Lords.

The Demon of Envy dispatched by Kanon of ruined kneeled as he directed a sharp glare at me.

“Your excellency, what seems to be bothing you?”

“… ‘Tis a trifling matter.”

My subordinate lined up perfectly in the throne room raised not a sound.

Among them there was only one that I couldn’t openly lay hands on. The only one able to speak.

I’ve heard the man before me who was sent to observe was quite a skilled Demon.

There were five observers sent to me in total. Of them, this man was the one who had the most opportunities of coming into contact with me.

The vice chief of the Great Demon King’s personal military body known as the Order of Black. Eins  Grayrol.

He had high abilities, even when compared to my subordinates, a General Class Demon.

He meaning behind her sending an 『Invidia』 to watch me, I could only laugh upon seeing through that little girl’s intent.

Great Demon King, Kanon Iralaude.

Even if she had power, she was a Demon who hadn’t even lived ten thousand years, and she was severely lacking in experience. There were plenty of ways to do it.

If you want to try to control me, then it isn’t numbers you need… send in a Demon Lord Class observer, or we won’t be getting anywhere.

In a succinct tone, with considerable hostility packed into his eyes, he directed his gaze at me.

But he didn’t pay mind to anything else.

What he once held when he was first dispatched here, that unease he got from my doll-like men had long disappeared from within him.

“Your excellency, there is a single matter I wish to inquire towards…”

“… I’ll allow it.”

“Yes. Recently, it seems the number of soldiers in your Legion has been decreasing ever so slightly, but are you aware of this matter?”

A small shadow occasionally flashed through the man’s eyes. That was the light of doubt.

There’s nothing you could call sincerity among Demons.

A foolish question. My army exists for no other purpose than to answer to me.

I’ve already issued orders to those forces stationed all over my lands.

“I’ve dispatched the army.”

“!? … Why? At present, there should not be a hostile force anywhere around your territory.”

Correct. I fear not the power of that Heard Lauder, and anyone else who would set foot on my soil are akin to nothing.

If there was a single possibility for me to fear, it would be that maiden, circling about and crushing Demon Lords.

But that isn’t enough. That isn’t nearly enough.

I know the power of a Valkyrie. Even if she be on the level capable of crushing Lower Level Demon Lords, she won’t be able to touch that Prideful Kaiser.

No, more so, I doubt she’d even be able to stand up to that Iralaude.

Her attributes were too low. Lower Ranks were one thing, but she was nothing but a trifle to us.

Still, in that case this’d never work out.

Rejoice, Valkyrie. I’ll give you some achievements.

“Ku ku ku, Angels…”

On those words, Eins’ features shifted into a questioning expression.

In silence, he blinked a few times. With a voice tinged with caution, he went on.

“An… gels…? I deeply apologize. I don’t really understand what you’re trying to say…”

“I doubt not your ignorance. Now’s not the time.”

Yes, you’ll understand soon enough.

I directed the palm of my hand.

I didn’t even have the need to bind him with my Evil Eyes. Vice chief? Useless. The caution of a Demon of this level can’t even be called as such.

I activated a Skill.

An uplifting feeling no different from the exaltation I felt when using the power of God I embraced raced about my body like lightning.

At the man’s back, a dark fog began to gather.

In a silent stupor, his expression hardened as that darkness gathered before his eyes, and covered the upper half of his face.

The man didn’t raise a scream. His posture didn’t change in the slightest, and only his facial expression twitched mildly in fear.

As if he realized he was forgetting something important.

“… Yes, I beg forgiveness for my rudeness… It was about the Angel attack incident, correct?”

“Correct. You may go report to Kanon Iralaude now.”

The Angel Attack.

A flock of Angels had suddenly launched an attack on the town of Grey Rock.

Grey Rock was a town on the border of the Dark and Crimson Prisons.

The Dark Prison. In the past, it was under the control of the Great Demon of Sloth, Leigie Slaughterdolls, and right now, that vast land was placed under Heard Lauder’s jurisdiction. With three times the area of the Crimson Prison, it was exceedingly vast, and that was to an extent where even Heard’s zone was unable to cover the entire thing.

Eins’ eyes distorted.

“… For me to forget such a thing… it appears I’m a little tired… I will report… swiftly…”

“Ku ku, a foolish man.”

I lifted my palm again.

It’s unnecessary. Your unease, and your questions are unneeded.

Now just forget everything, and give your little report.

I activated up another Skill. Third on Irritum’s Skill Tree. One to coat over the truth with fabrication.

“『Outer Rewrite』”

That muddy darkness ate into the man’s memory, and covered up his original motive.

Like a wall of paper, the Status Abnormality skill was easily breached.

It was all too simple. While a Demon Lord may be able to put up some resistance to it, a General could only muster a soft push.

Without changing his expression once, he emotionlessly looked thought over what had been overwriten.

I don’t know why I gained something like this.

I don’t, but if it is to exist, then I’m just going to put it to use.

In order to make those Demons I’m supposed to despise into my tools.

I waited a little for his mind to smooth over, before addressing him.

“It’s a simple matter, is it not? Noy go forth, loyal apostle of the Great Demon King.”

“Yes, I’ll go… and report.”

Eins left. I watched him off.

Even while my eyes were following him, my mind was occupied by one thing alone. Of my sworn enemy from the past.

I stood, and looked up at the ceiling.

The emotional voice that gushed up from the depths of my soul were released from my mouth.

“HEARD LAUDEEEEEEEERRRRR!!”

In this throne room without another capable of thought, only my wail resounded.

Why, why is it? Why does my sentiment extend to this extent!?

I never felt this for the past few tens of thousands of years, and yet why is it exploding out of my come this far in time?

If I just wanted to destroy him, if I merely regretted having failed to kill him, then all of this would have been easier had I acted before he became a Demon Lord, so why now!?

“Ku ku ku ku ku.”

I naturally poured out a sneer.

In response to that, the systematically lined up thoughtless army raised an ovation.

“Vanity! Vanity! Vanity!”

It didn’t make me happy at all. I’m not sure whether the chills I felt racing around my body were fighting spirit, or fear.

In order to learn that, I’ll have to make him face defeat.

I’ll take down his 『Pride』 with my deceit.

Five sets of wings sprung from my back.

In the past, they were enveloped by a white phosphorescence, but now black mud molded their shape.

At the same time, the worn out body I had hastily made for the time being crumbled away into mist. It was the shape of a militaristic man I had mockingly devised.

I looked at my palm. It was my original body, half that large man’s size, of back when I was still an Angel.

Not specializing in physical strength, but magic, the body known as the 『One who Protects the Throne』 was always disguised as Vanity that I was starting to wonder which one of my shapes was the true disguise.

“Now, stand before me, my beloved maggots.”

My subordinates silently assumed their position in the line. To the swarm of Demons who had lost their wills, and had their desires overridden, I directed my palm.

He is strong. I know that.

Even within this Demon World, Heard Lauder’s strength was heresy. Going at him straight on is close to impossible.

His ability allowed him to escape my hand when he had yet to even become a Lord. Now that he’s reached Demon Lord Level, it will be all the more difficult.

And that’s why my authority lives on.

“… I’ll grant the sky to you.”

Irritum is to hide truth, and make it meaningless.

I activate a Skill.

Their cores. Just the cores are enough.

These low ranking Demons are of no use at all. So I’ll be the one to give them power.

Their existence will take to the air for my sake.

Now dance to my tune if you will.

“『Outer Decorate』”

As I invoked the Skill, the Demons’ bodies started to bubble.

They were diminutive existences. And to conceal that fact, the wriggling darkness took them in, and it only took a few seconds for them to take shape.

Out of lumps of mud, wings begin to form.

Pure white wings.

The masks that had been covering their eyes also turned white, and expanded to cover their entire faces.

What was standing before me was Angels.

Their power was a fabrication, yet a reality. That ostentation was great enough to fool even the world.

There was no difference from what was dwelling in their bodies to the power of light. Therefore, that power existed for them to bring ruin to Demons.

The power to brush away the darkness had been brought forth from a Demon’s ability.

That’s why I had no need to argue with the power I had been granted. There’s no way the beings born from me could be anything else.

“Justice… is it…”

What resided in their body was the authority of『Iustitia』 I once held.

But at this point, that was a word without meaning.

Still, to kill Demons, there was no better suited ability.

Those wings constructed from the blood stained darkness began to shine like light itself.

Strangely enough, the expressions of those inorganic hardened forms of my vanity were barely any different from those subordinates that followed my lead when once I took God’s will to heart without question.

Between Angels and Demons, there wasn’t a single difference.

From when I was an Angel in service to God, to now with no one to follow, all that I had lacked was an absolute sense of self.

It merely piled up. The glory I once embraced.

It merely piled up. The sins I built up after I fell.

I don’t care whether it’s a fake or a lie. The truth is meaningless before my objective.

Power requires a compensation. Decorations require a base.

Mana, power, desires, they all drain out whenever I use a Skill. But even that was something I only experienced as joy.

In proportion to that, my troops became more and more beautiful. With that deceptive light forged of darkness.

Creating Angels was the work of God.

Then even if it be transient, for me to be able to do that, there’s no doubt I’m closer to God than ever I was with those white wings on my back.

When I was part of the vanguard of the sky, I had power. Overwhelming power, God’s love, justice.

How ironic. Even after falling to Demonhood, that power hasn’t fallen in the slightest.

No, more than that…

I licked my lips.

Heavenly troops need a leader. To create a sense of crisis in this land of Demons, a considerable amount of power is necessary.

I selected one from the line, and stacked on even more fabrication.

Before long, an Angel with enough light to call excessive was completed.

I can’t have my power use itself up. Even if he may be lower class among Saint Lords, there should be no hindrance to the destruction of Demons.

The soul colored by Irritum.

The glittering light it gave was the color of an Angel’s, and I found that terribly irritating.

Without letting out a single voice, the Angel stood there.

A shite mask to cover the face. But under that, no expression existed.

On these lands, a presence of light stands out. With the Abyss Zone Skill, their natures would be sensed from a long ways away. If I stayed by their sides, I could eliminate their presence with Skills, but that will become difficult if we separate.

No, even if that isn’t the case… these Angels cannot reside in heaven.

Just as I once did to command my troops, I raised my hand to the sky outside the window.

That sky of chaos stained in a bloody red.

“Conquer.”

The line of Angels all flew out at once.

But in my heart, not a single feeling of nostalgia surfaced.

Even when that scene surely resembled when I was still an Angel, the world I saw back then.

Part 3: Each and Every Desire Should Just be Devoured

Both Demons and Angels had instincts.

Demons and Angels were just right souls and wrong souls. Between them, there was an instinct for them to reject the others’ existence.

An incomprehensible feeling of impatience that would rock the soul just by having one next to another.

Unable to stand an encounter without trying to kill one another, it could be called a second Desire.

Before my eyes, 『Vanity』 was blown away.

I saw the built up months and years of training behind the speed of that punch.

Even that body I had modified to be able to stand up to a Demon Lord’s might , that impregnable fortress of a body was torn apart without being given a chance to react.

Regardless of its truth, not even its soul core remained.

As I thought, the position of Rank One was no decoration.

Dammit, Heard Lauder.

His power was greater than I anticipated. Going at him head on is… nothing more than a stupid move.

I am in no way a warrior. My goal isn’t conflict, but victory.

Not the process, but the glory. From the start, that man was a beast. I’ve no intent to exchange blows with such a brute.

It’s precisely because of their Pride, that Pride Demons are full of weaknesses. That guy’s weakness was especially clear.

I’ve already determined my thoughts on the matter.

But before that…

After Heard ran off to chase Zebul, I walked up in front of the clueless girl he left behind.

She was a young lass with golden hair, and an impertinent expression on her face.

Oblivious to the world, unknown to tragedy, and without any foundation she was one that looked down on everything in creation. Her condescending expression made my skin crawl.

While humming a merry tune, she calmly walked through the lines of soldiers, and regardless of the fact that she hadn’t done a single thing herself, I didn’t feel te slightest hint of indebtedness in her.

I believe Heard called her Hiero. She was cowering behind Heard during the meeting as well.

She was an existence so helplessly weak I couldn’t fathom why that man chose to drag her along.

I hate fools and weaklings.

It’s always been that way. Both Angels and Demons regardless.

For both those Demons that only pursued their desires, and thought everything could be solved with an exchange of blows, and those mindless dolls that thought all they had to do was listen in to God’s orders.

Why is it that I… have to play part to something useless like that?

They’re the ones who should be learning their place.

By the time I noticed it, I was staring fixatedly at her form.

Even when her power was one that would go out if I blew on it, her recklessness on staying in this place was the very thing I hated about Demons of Pride.

Then, if it’s like that… right.

How about I… give you some wisdom.

“Mm? What is it…?”

I extended the arm of the Demon closest to her.

Having her shoulder grabbed, Hiero turned with a blank expression. Her face indicated she believed there wasn’t a single thing to harm her here.

With nothing but pure curiosity, she looked deep into the single Demon’s mask.

It was a humanoid Demon with a large build. The upper half of his face was covered up by a grey mask.

That mask wasn’t just some accessory.

Covering their faces, their expressions, held meaning.

One’s expression was their individuality itself, and by hiding it away, I could bring about changes in their psyche.

It was a means to overwrite their measly spirits with an image of strength.

It was a single ritual.

A way to paint out right and wrong and Angels and Demons with chaos.

“Oh, could it be that you guys can actually move without orders? Kusu kusu kusu… I had thought of you all as nothing but dolls.”

Even when grasped by one two heads higher than her, Hiero’s expression as she looked up at his face was a bright smile.

His arm let out a dull sound as it broke. But the face of the woman who did such a thing didn’t seem to hold the slightest interest in what she had done.

As one who also governed Pride, I had a clear grasp on what power she held.

Unbefitting that soul of hers, a powerful 『Overrule』 Skill.

Ah, how surprising it is.

Without a fragment of understanding as to just what she was talking to, Hiero widened her smile, and tilted her head.

“And, what is it you need?”

… But how interesting.

A sharpened soul.

The power hidden in it had far surpassed her own self. That『Overrule』, the very definition of pride… just what basis does it act on?

And why is Heard dragging a useless woman like this about?

“Interesting…”

“!?”

The arm was released, and Hiero instinctively retreated a distance.

The pride on her face from before vanished, and a stiff expression looked over me.

“W-who are you!?