While I was rendered unable to even stand as soon as the influence of the gluttony skill attacked me, Myne came closer.
Her eyes hadn't changed, still her repelling crimson colored eyes. However, unlike the usual her, there was a hint of loneliness in her gaze.
Myne swung her black axe up, aiming at the kneeling me. She then said.
[Even after I told you...not to touch Tenryu.]
[Even so I don't have any other choice.]
Myne had indeed told me about it. But the sole reason that I even went here was to protect Roxy from the Tenryu. Having done so, I could only feel satisfied.
My heart didn't fear death, and I felt surprisingly fresh.
If I die, I want to die as myself. Blood continued flowing out from my eyes, blurring my sight in crimson color. I felt like I could go insane at any time now.
Myne didn't make any move yet. But she replied after a while.
[Very well.]
I looked at Myne with the last vestige of my strength. Her expression was decisive, hesitation no longer lingered there.
Such a dirty job. I asked her, even though she seemed unwilling, but she's the only one I could ask to.
I closed my eyes.
At that moment, memories of my life flashed in my mind. It started at the Kingdom, Roxy helping me escape the Burixes....how I talked about many things to the barkeep on the tavern I frequented.
Then, leaving the royal capital for Roxy, visiting my hometown, and meeting the Sword Saint Aaron. I promised Aaron to visit him again after I concluded my journey, but it seems that I can't fulfill it. It's shame that I can't see what the reconstructed Hausen looked like.
Then I arrived here in Gallia...in the fortress city Babylon, I got to meet the energetic Roxy again, I couldn't remember….anymore.
Apparently…..it'll be over soon. My consciousness is waning.
[Myne, hurry!]
I could sense her feeling. This is it.
To be honest, I wish I can see Roxy's face….and hear her voice once more.
And then,
[Doooooooooooon't!]
I heard an unexpected voice. Following that voice, I was rolling on the ground after someone seemingly shoved me. Probably the owner of that voice.
It was a voice I've already familiar with, so when I opened my eyes, there was Roxy as I thought. Both of us were covered in dust.
She hugged me, and said.
[What in the world….are you trying to do!]
[…Roxy-sama…!]
No way, I never thought that she'll return here in a rush. No, it was my mistake in the first place.
Roxy Heart isn't someone who would let me fight alone. She rushed back here on her own after evacuating the King's army. However, on my part, it's the worst timing.
This way she'll see the part of me that I don't want her to see. If only I could avoid this…..
And just like that, Roxy told me.
[I….I can't dislike Fate for something like this. Fate is Fate! That's why, please don't do this.]
Roxy's tears fell on my cheek. And at that point, I could feel the comfort that I had seemed to long forget.
I've always been scared. When I thought that she'll come to hate or afraid of what I've become due to the Gluttony skill, I couldn't help but to feel scared.
Even so, she looked into my repelling eyes, and despite the power it held, accepted it.
Even now Roxy Heart hadn't changed at all, the one who made Fate Graphite to become willing to continue living.....she's that wonderful of a person.
Is this feeling of comfort because I was accepted as what I am? I have no idea why, but the gluttony skill begun to calm down on its own. It should've crossed the limit, becoming impossible to stop, and yet...why did it become awfully quiet?
[This is….what on earth…]
Roxy smiled and reached out to my hand, which was trembling due to me having experienced the phenomenon that supposedly impossible.
[Now, let's go back to Babylon.]
I couldn't forget that look on Roxy's face from back then. Back when I was still just a simple gatekeeper. Helping me who had just been attacked by Rafal of Burix, extending her hand to me…. Right now she had the same look as that time.
This made me aware of one thing.
I see now…..I told myself that I want to help her, but in reality it was me who wished to be saved just the way she did to me before.
I wanted someone to save me from the helplessness I felt from having the Gluttony skill.
Why….did I pretend to not notice such a simple thing? Had I gone too far?
Accepting Roxy's hand, I could feel it deep inside my heart. From that point on, I wouldn't lie to her about what I felt anymore.
=====
Luna's voice could be heard.
『You've found it, your pillar......』
When I wanted to ask what she meant, I found myself laying on the bed. Apparently, I was sleeping.
This was the room I'd come to feel familiar with. It's the room of the inn where I've stayed at ever since I arrived in Babylon.
I fell to the left when I tried to wake up.
Right…..I lost my left arm during my fight against Norden――Envy's puppet. When I looked at it, the stump had been bandaged neatly.
It was from the situation earlier, Roxy must be the one who had done this.
I looked around the room and saw no one else. Then I turned to see the clock to check what time it is.
[Eleven o'clock…?]
It seemed that more than a day had passed since then. And then, I noticed that he's not here.
Greed is not here! Where is that cocky bastard 'this me' go!?
I desperate looked around, fearing that he might still lying around in Gallia…just when I started to turn pale, someone knocked on the door..
The blue haired Eris and the white haired Myne entered the room. Somehow....I felt pressured by the presence of those two mortal sin skill holders.
[Hi, it seems that you just woke up.]
[It's been a week, since you slept]
Wait what!? I actually slept for a whole week after that fight. I guess it couldn't be helped, considering that I was dying at that time.
Meanwhile, I noticed the black staff in Eris' hand.
[Greed!?]
[Yeah, I had to retrieve it back from Gallia. After that battle, Myne seemed to forget to bring him back with her.]
Eris gave Myne a sideway glance, while the girl in question is looking elsewhere.
She sighed at this scene.
[Moreover, it seemed that a monster took him by accident, making it hard for me to find him, until I came across it around the vicinity of the center part of Gallia.]
She glared once more at Myne, but was ignored. Although it appeared that Myne is just acting like the usual Myne....I could sense the incompatibility between the two. I just hope that they don't start a fight here.
Since I'm not on tip top shape yet, I might ended sleeping for another week.
Nervously, I received the staff from Eris.
This is the shape of the fourth form. Like this, it feels different from all other forms when I held it in my hand. It's like a decoration, something you won't bring to a battle.
Greed immediately jabbed at me through the"Mind Reading"while I was examining him.
『FFFFaaaaaaaaaaaaatee! You, you made me feel worried.』
[Don't be mad, I survived thanks to that.]
Greed then started a very long sermon for the mistake I did. I felt like something was squirming out of my ears.
And, when it ended,
『A monster took me and brought me along with it travelling a very long way. I thought that I'd never get back here.』
[I can see that.]
『...anyways, there is something important that Fate need to know. It will be better if Eris follow up from here.』
Greed urged me to ask Eris with a serious voice.
Seeing that as a cue, Eris laughed and smiled
[You have defeated Tenryu, showing us your proof . I think it's not the time yet, but now we can't continue with the plan of creating crown tier human by using Roxy's death, since we need your strength. Please, lend us your power.]
[What is this about?]
[Apparently you have no right to decline. It's something that can't be avoided as a Mortal Sin skill holder. But first, since it will be inconvenient for you, let's restore your lost arm.]
Eh, you can actually do such thing!? There should be no recovery type magic in this world….and moreover, you said you can even make a lost body part to regrow?
[It's possible. And you should leave from here before Roxy comes. You'll just endanger her if you are to meet her now.]
Why…. why was it when I heard Roxy's name, the gluttony skill reacted violently…..as if it resented her.
Myne who had been silent the whole time suddenly open her mouth.
[This is….your trademark.]
What I received from Myne was the skull mask that was supposedly broken during the fight against Tenryu. No…I don't remember considering this as my trademark.
I put on the skull mask. But before I left my room, I left behind a letter.
Originally, it's something I should've said directly, but I think I won't be able to meet her for a while.
And that's why, I wrote everything that I wanted to say to Roxy on that letter.
=====