I gave the black shield a try. It was fairly heavy.
Compared to the other forms, this one was the heaviest.
I cannot handle it with only one hand, but it seemed fine if I used both hands to hold it firmly.
『How is my third form?』
[This is quite good. Up until now…..we've never been able to properly defend against wide-area attacks. How much can this shield defend against?]
『You can defend against most attacks. In addition, you can also expand its area of defense by supplying it with magic.』
[With that, can we defend against wide area attacks?]
『It's possible. Depending on how you use it』
So I can expand its defense zone by using my magical power?
With this black shield, I can fight while protecting others…..yes, it should be possible now. Just as Greed said, it'll depend on how I use it.
And suitably, I'm still in Gallia now. There is no better place to practice.
When I raised my black shield again, Myne approached me with an interested look.
[In the middle of Gallia, unlocking a tier….I'm amazed]
[It's only normal. Greed won't pick the time and place. He's really a greedy one, and selfish too.]
[Ah, that fellow has always been like that since a long time ago. I completely forgot.]
I kinda knew already that Greed and Myne had some kind of relationship in the past. But they don't talk to each other that much.
It doesn't seem like they are on really good terms. Perhaps, they were once battle companions?
I understood about their relationship to some extent, but not too deep either. Also, they didn't interfere with each other. They'll cooperate with each other when it comes to battle too..
How about me then? As a holder of the same kind of skill, what is my relationship compared to Myne?
Well, there are things that don't really need to be worried about. Anyways, I had something to ask to Myne.
[Myne….I have a request, is that okay?]
[U~n, depend]
[Look, my stats are greatly weakened after liberating Greed. Can you help me to raise my stats a little, until I at least can fight on my own? Please!]
Myne seemed to be considering it. Please, say yes.
Travelling through Gallia which full of strong monster with my current stats is just looking to die. Moreover, it's even more dangerous since the monsters always come in horde.
Myne looked at my face, then smiling faintly. What the…that creeps me out.
[Very well. I'll help. You've worked hard to defeat Haniel after all. Moreover, it'll be troublesome if Fate died so easily.]
[Thank you.]
[However, I want you to help me bury this child under this land first.]
Myne pointed to the Haniel's remains. It was broken down, some had even become dust, carried by the wind, but there were still remnants.
The soul had been eaten by me. At the very least, its body can return to the ground.
[I'll be happy to do that]
[Yes….thank you]
That last part was said in a very low voice.
That's surprising. I wonder how that girl really is behind the scenes. I've got to figure her out somehow during our journey. Well let's just help out for now.
In the middle of the cluster of tombstones. That place will be Haniel's final resting place.
Since Myne dug the hole with single blow from her black axe, I could only watch on the side.
After that, I gently insert the remnants of Haniel inside. I had to be extra careful since the remains are still collapsing even now.
There was only few visible remnants, so it didn't take too long to collect them all. To think that what originally was such a large body had been reduced to only a few pieces like this...
It's because I killed it using the killing strike of the second tier, so I should expect nothing less.
After covering the hole back up with her two hands, Myne used the rubble of the village as a tombstone.
The simple grave is completed.
[It's finished]
[Un, it's over.]
For a short while, Myne stared at Haniel's grave. Then as if to shake off something, she shook her head.
[Next is Fate's turn]
[Yeah, I'm thankful.]
[A group of orcs is heading this way. Perhaps they were attracted by the fight earlier.]
[Is that so...how many are they?]
This group of orcs consisted of 2 squads.
That's a huge amount for a mere search party. Perhaps they sensed the outburst of magical power and came to investigate.
By borrowing the power of Gluttony skill, I'll be able to do something soon with this amount of enemies.
[Are you ready?]
[Always ready to go]
[Then let's do this quickly. I'll give the last attack to Fate. I won't allow any mistakes.]
[Aye aye]
The usual, tough Myne.
However, since she'll have to only weaken the monster in order to let me do the decisive strike, won't it be tiring for her? Myne is grouchy, but she's actually a nice fellow.
Oh well, I changed Greed into a black bow to attack from the rear.
As soon as I have sufficient stats, I'll switch to the vanguard. Depending on the situation, I can even try out the black shield, or not. I guess that's too greedy of me.
I should've been exhausted from the fight with Haniel, but strangely I can't help but to feel hungry for a fight..
This is likely because of the Gluttony skill. It's as if it wants me to rework my way up after eating Haniel just now.
Then I will do just that. I'll keep consuming souls and raise my stats. Otherwise, I won't be able to survive Gallia.
Leaving the desolate village, I saw waves of green moving toward here.
2 squads….that's quite a number. I'll have a nice meal today.
[Let's go!]
[I'm amazed with my motivation despite being weak]
[It won't be for long. It'll take only a blink of an eye...that's what I expect.]
By defeating monsters, Gluttony skill will eat the victim's soul and absorb their power.
I started with low stats and only this 1 skill, but now it's possible for me to defeat enemies with over 20 million stats like the machine angel. I'm weakened now, but soon I'll return to that level once more.
According to Myne, it's possible to absorb power endlessly with the Gluttony Skill. With it, one can break through the limit that gods have set.
But such a nice skill does come with shortcoming. I thought I'll be able to hold it at bay for sure. Now that I've faced the Gluttony skill, I understood.
Perhaps, if I eat Tenryu... but, in order to that…. (TL Note: Tenryu : Heavenly Dragon).
[Fate, what's wrong?]
Myne tilted her head while standing over the corpse of an orc.
I had just composed myself. An inorganic voice resounds in my head. It never changes; still as cold as ever.
I managed to get back my power somewhat. If it's just fighting a high orc, I could do it by myself without too much difficulty.
I prepared the black sword and approached the high orc leader.
It seemed that it was about to do something, but too slow. I already cut its neck when we passed each other.
"Gluttony skill activated"
"Durability+203400, Strength+217500, Magic+175300, Spirit+154300, Agility+168400 will be applied to your stats"
"Herculean Strength, Durability Strengthening (Large) will be added to your skill"
Alright, I can already fight without Myne's help with this. While looking at the orcs being swept away, I said:
[What will Myne do next?]
[I will walk around Gallia for a while. Will Fate also come along?]
I see, so that's why she had bought food for herself before this. She used to steal my provisions up till now, so I thought that there was something wrong.
I haven't had a change of heart.
[No, I'll return to the fortress city….there is someone I want to protect.]
[I see…..that's a shame. Then this is farewell.]
I didn't spare any time to say goodbye to Myne, and just walked away with my back to Gallia.
I got lost in thought a bit, and stopped.
[I have one last request.]
[What is it?]
[If somehow…..I lose it...I want Myne to kill me. You are the only one I can ask to do it.]
I'm asking her as a fellow Mortal Sin skill owner.
The one who can beat me, should the Gluttony skill run rampant, is only Myne as far as I know. I want some insurance should that time ever come.
Myne opened her eyes wide, and sighed.
[I understand. I will kill you when that time comes]
[Good…thanks]
With this, I can fight to my heart's content.
Although Greed is bad-mouthing me through the "mind reading", I don't really mind.
This is something important to me after all. Let's return home, to the fortress city where Roxy is.
I bid Myne farewell and returned to my original purpose. I've come so far for this sole purpose after all.
Then, I took out the skull mask from my breast pocket.