Outside of the bunker were the two jesters, Wrath and Greed. They were waiting in the large empty parking lot. Wrath checked his watch, wary of the time. He smiled.
"They'll be here any minute now."
Greed had her hands on her head, annoyingly kicking the shipping container in front of her. Wrath sighed when he saw her.
"What's with you? I know I dragged you here but I thought you would be happy to fight magicians in London."
"You fucking lied to me again, Wrath! You said there would be powerful magicians but not a single one!"
The woman complained. She wanted to kill someone out of frustration. Just like Wrath, her mask covered half of her face.
"You just haven't seen any yet. I heard that Joker is here."
Wrath said, leaning against the shipping container. Greed stared at him in disbelief.
"I'm serious."
"You thought that would make me happy."
"Of course, Joker is known as one of the strongest magicians. Hence her being known as a Wild Card."
The woman scoffed.
"She's the strongest. I know I can't beat her. I do get thrilled when fighting strong opponents but... I can't beat her."
"A big turn-off, huh?"
"It wasn't a turn-on in the first place."
Greed instantly shut down Wrath's teasing joke. She just wasn't in the mood. She was selfish and almost insatiable. It wouldn't be strange for her to take on the mask of Pride or Gluttony. The only reason she didn't was because it wasn't her best redeeming quality.
The one who takes on the mask of 'Greed' is someone who cannot get enough, unlike Gluttony who simply cannot be satisfied.
"Hey, Wrath!"
"What is it?"
Ultimately, it has already been decided that Pride is the most dangerous sin. However, Greed is something capable of overcoming Pride. Something that is just as dangerous. Not because of its strength, but rather its tenacity. The fact that it spreads like a deadly poison.
Greed kicked Wrath away. He tumbled away. A spark of light pierces the container.
"Around 10cm in diameter."
She said, before swiftly turning around. Aindeau was on the roof. Greed raised a brow when she saw him.
'Isn't he with Wrath's employer?'
She thought.
"Hey, what was that for?!"
Ayato darted from behind the container. He grabbed Wrath and pinned him against it. The man coughed.
Greed wanted to keep an eye on the archer but she found someone else who interested her. She smiled as her mana collected.
"Ayato Kyouya!"
"Don't move, or I'll kill him."
He said, pushing his forearm against Wrath's neck.
'Ayato Kyouya? What is he doing here? Plus...'
He looked up at Aindeau, who was standing on top of the bunker. He had an illusive bow in his hands. Wrath felt something amiss.
'Why would he be here? He was aside Morgan. Since he's attacking us...'
"You guys have to stop doing whatever you're doing and tell us where the woman, Ashley, is."
Wrath tried to grab Ayato's arm but he pinned him onto the ground, on his chest. Ayato pressed his knee against his back.
"Sorry, no can do. That's the job."
"If you don't, everyone in London will die before the end of today."
"....."
Wrath looked at Ayato. He analysed his expression. The man narrowed his eyes.
'He doesn't seem to be lying. So, what is it? What was she hiding from m—'
Before he could finish his thought, Wrath felt something brush against his back. Ayato had been launched by a punch from Greed.
Wrath hurriedly rose.
"Are you crazy?! I felt that as well!"
"You're still alive so it's fine."
She had the eyes of a famished beast. Greed focused on Ayato. Wrath held her shoulder.
"Chill out for a second, Greed. I want to talk to Ayato. Something's bothering me."
"He can talk after I kill him."
"He won't be able to talk if you do that!"
Without listening to him, Greed dashed toward the boy. Ayato struggled to get up. As he saw Greed darting at him, he spurred to action.
Ayato jumped out of the way, dodging Greed's attack.
The shipping container exploded.
'Are you serious? When we first fought, she wasn't fighting seriously?!'
"Oi, don't run from me! Let's kill each other, Ayato Kyouya! Let's curse each other after death as well! Let's fight for all eternity!"
She had completely lost her mind. Greed wasn't thinking rationally. Ayato got into a martial arts stance.
'She may have not been serious last time but neither was I. I don't want to reveal my Magic Seal to them, so I'll stick to martial arts the best I can.'
He didn't want to hold back against Greed but after seeing Wrath trying to stop her, he didn't want to kill her. Conversing was possible.
Ayato raised his palm into the air. It was a signal to Aindeau to stop attacking. All that Ayato needed to do was to stop Greed from attacking.
"Easier said than done..."
He muttered.
Greed attacked first. Ayato focused on parrying rather than attacking. Greed's attacks were swift but heavy. They contrasted with her smaller body. As she took a swing, Ayato tapped her fist aside.
"Nfph?!"
The woman made a weird noise after having her attack diverted. She was wide open. Ayato didn't know what to do. He had a hunch that restraining her wouldn't work.
He swung his leg at her.
"Too naive."
Greed lunged forward, punching Ayato in his gut. It hurt. It wasn't pure strength. Ayato tensed his abdomen, trying to hold in the blood that was coming out of his mouth.
Greed's Magic Seal was simple. It was Force Amplification. She can enhance the force of whatever movement she is doing or any object that she holding by 25 times, maximum.
She amplified the force of her punch by 7 times. It was a miracle that only a little blood leaked from Ayato. Of course, that wouldn't nullify the pain burning his abdomen.
Ayato leaned in toward her, pushing Greed off balance. He threw a punch—Greed flipped away, dodging it.
"I guess I'll have to use it now."
The boy ran toward her, his right hand whipped through the air.
"—!"
Greed bopped her head backwards. His hand missed. Ayato grabbed her wrist with his other hand. Greed shrieked. She thought she was going to lose a wrist. And so, she waited for him to use his ability so that she could counterattack.
"What are you doing?"
"Let's talk."
He said.
"No way. Why do you think I'll talk with you? I'll just—"
"The moment you try to attack me, I'll erase your hand. It's not something easily replaced, is it? Will a prosthetic work for you?"
"..."
Greed blankly stared at him. She raised her arm but Wrath put his hand on her shoulder.
"Wait, Greed. Let's hear him out."
The woman clicked her tongue, snatching her arm back from Ayato. She was annoyed that her fight was cut short.
Wrath nodded his head.
"Now, you said something about everyone in London dying. What was that about?"
'So he doesn't know? I guess that's natural.'
Ayato thought. If he wanted to know more and have a higher chance of rescuing Ashley, he needed more help. People who knew—Wrath—would help.
"First, who's your employer?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Can I at least know if your employer is a woman?!"
"...Yes, she is."
Although Ayato didn't know for sure, Ayato had the vague idea that his employer was Morgan. He didn't know anything other than the fact that it was a woman.
"Then, let me say something else, that man on the bunker. Do you recognise him?"
Wrath glanced at Aindeau who gazed down from the bunker. Aindeau was unsure what was going on but was on standby either way.
"Yes, I do."
"Okay, let me explain in full. The woman who was in the bunker is cursed."
Greed raised her brow, confused.
"Cursed?"
"If she's in a state of near death, a meteorite will fall toward Earth and crush London."
The jesters were both surprised. Greed didn't believe it while Wrath put on a wavering smile.
"Oi, are you serious?"
"Tell me where she is. The girl that was imprisoned in here."
Ayato ordered Wrath. The man swallowed his saliva.
"She's..."