Ch.253Sudden Acceleration NPC. (2)

“Jack, what the hell is going on?”

“Don’t tell me you opened that room?”

“Hmm. It’s not that.”

After the four of us, including Green Doll, finished breakfast, I was frowning, preparing to tell my companions about the shitty information I’d heard from Lord Jace Goodwin and the current situation I’d figured out with one of my skills. And just as I was about to speak…

-Creeeeak.

“Yaaawn~! Good morniiing. By the way, does anyone know where my blanket went…”

“Luxuria. Come here and sit down. I have something urgent to tell you.”

“Uh, okay?”

Luxuria, the last of us to wake up, tidied her messy hair with a snap of her fingers and sat down next to Miho with a bewildered look. I immediately began speaking.

“According to Lord Jace Goodwin, the Imperial Army is right at Ponia’s doorstep.”

“What?!”

Green Doll was the most shocked by my words. Of course, he’d be surprised since what he asked me to deliver to the Saint is closely related to the Empire’s current state.

“Wait, how did this happen? When we met three days ago, there was no mention of this!”

“Sister, considering that Imperial spies had already infiltrated the rear territories, this seems entirely possible.”

“Even so, the Adventurer’s Guild should have said something. Jack should have been told about this when he accepted the quest! The quest location is about to become a battlefield!”

I nodded at Chikuyo’s irritated response. Yes, logically speaking, she’s right. However…

“That’s not the main issue. Even if war breaks out, it won’t immediately affect us here.”

“Damn it. This is no time to be sitting around. I need to get to Lizette…!”

“Green Doll. Please hear me out first.”

I grabbed Green Doll, who had abruptly stood up as the situation became urgent, trying to calm him down.

“Do you not understand the situation? She’s the Saint!! You’re the one who told me the Empire is in league with demons, and that there might even be problems within the Holy Nation she belongs to!!”

“Yes, that’s right. But you still need to hear everything first. And frankly, I’m the one who wants to rush out of here more than you do.”

“…What?”

Leaving him standing, I slowly explained everything I had learned earlier.

The war between the Empire and Ponia was originally scheduled to begin a month from now. However, the Empire had somehow managed to move a large army to Ponia’s doorstep without being detected. By tomorrow morning at the latest, this country would become a battlefield. And the person who had accelerated this situation was probably…

“The headmaster of Naty Academy. Naty Naika. It seems she launched a surprise attack on the Empire. That’s why the Empire has also accelerated their actions.”

“Wh-what? That person?!”

“Hmm? Miho, you know her too?”

“Y-yes. She’s the one who became the teacher of Jack’s companion, his little sister, and also protects the other companions…”

Though I thought we hadn’t discussed this in her presence, perhaps it’s because she’s a beastkin? Miho, who somehow knew everything about this, gave a brief explanation about Naika, which I interrupted. What’s important isn’t how strong Naika is.

“Right, so now for the main point. In my opinion, the way the enemy was able to travel over six months’ worth of border distance without being detected… no matter how I think about it, one of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ must be involved.”

“Ah.”

“Huh?”

At my words, three people sighed in understanding, while one demon tilted her head and looked at me. Come on, even you should know who has such abilities.

“Oh, ah. AH! That’s right!! I know who it is! But how do you know about this?”

“I can’t explain why, but I know most of the Seven Deadly Sins’ abilities. Although the previous Luxuria’s abilities were a bit different from what I expected, even if the others are different like her, there’s only one who could move such a large army in an instant. Right?”

“Um, yes. That’s correct.”

“What kind of demon is it? Being able to move such a large army at once… it’s not just about killing the demon itself, but with such an ability, the tide of battle could change in an instant. It seems impossible to even approach…”

“Gula. The Seven Deadly Sin of Gluttony, Gula. And that ability isn’t something that can be used recklessly.”

Luxuria began explaining his abilities. Like herself, he’s a demon who controls others’ emotions. A mental domination type demon, but with a difference. While Luxuria’s power of lust explosively amplifies the target’s sexual desire, controlling it and launching mental attacks to turn them into avatars of lust, Gula first devours his targets to make them “his own” before controlling their minds. The content of his control, unlike Luxuria’s amplification of greed, is…

“He steals their sense of self and turns them into puppets that offer everything they have to him. The result is similar to Avarice, Avaritia, but much more forceful and merciless. While Avarice has the ability to make anything given to others or designated as his own return to him no matter how much time passes, Gula doesn’t stop at just objects—he even steals lifespans. Simply put, he truly devours everything.”

“…Wait. Then.”

“Are you saying he ‘devoured the Imperial Army’ to move them?”

When Chikuyo voiced the horrifying conclusion in a bewildered tone, Luxuria nodded in confirmation. Yes, there’s no other way to explain this situation.

“This is absurd. The demon of Wrath grew to the size of a massive mountain, and now there’s a demon who can freely hide and reveal entire armies? And he even steals lifespans and turns people into puppets. Then, those Imperial soldiers…”

“From what I know of that pig Gula, he would never leave any living being he’s devoured untouched. They must all be soulless puppets by now.”

“That’s insane.”

“How could this be…”

Yes, the Imperial Army has essentially become an undead horde. In the game too, the demon from the Empire was Gluttony (Gula), but the problem is…

‘In the game, Ragni had a contract with Gula. An almost fraudulently one-sided slave contract.’

The Empress of the Empire who deceived even demons. That was Ragni. The conditions she set at that time were so sweet that a demon of greed could never refuse. Because of this, Gula entered the contract thoughtlessly and ended up being treated like her complete slave. In fact, the raid before the [Queen Ragni Bluemoon Ottoman] raid was the Gluttony (Gula) raid, but it was completely overshadowed—treated as just a mid-boss.

“So, what should we do? The fact that you’re holding me back means that Lizette and I have some way to deal with him, right?”

“Let me be clear. Gula’s personal combat power is incomparable to mine. If I had to compare, he has combat power on the level of Wrath (Ira) before reaching maximum size.”

“Ha, Wrath again?”

“After Aigram and the Grand Elder, I’m really getting sick of this.”

Although Luxuria is also one of the Seven Deadly Sins, she’s not a combat-focused boss. So it’s fair to say her combat power is the weakest. However, there’s something she doesn’t know.

“Wrath, huh? From what I felt of his magical energy in Aigram, I thought I might be able to win if I risked my life…”

“No. I’m sorry, but Gluttony is on a different level. Consider the mountain-sized Wrath from that day to be strong.”

“Huh? Why?!”

“…What?”

Perhaps because I claimed the demon was stronger than the information she provided, Luxuria became flustered at my words, and everyone’s faces froze in surprise.

Those here, and the protagonist who has become dear to Green Doll, Saint Lizerotte. Originally, they would have had to learn by getting beaten up, but I have no intention of letting that happen. I won’t hold back my past-life memories for my own safety here.

“His true terror lies in his power. He can reabsorb everything he’s devoured and convert it into his own flesh. As I just mentioned, if he’s devoured an army, he’ll immediately absorb that army to increase his size as soon as he’s in danger. Imagine a being with Wrath-level power growing to at least the size of an army.”

“Eh, really?! I heard Gula’s power was just about taking everything from his opponents!”

When Luxuria tilted her head as if hearing this for the first time, I simply blinked to confirm that I was correct. From the previous Luxuria to the other demons, none of them properly explained their powers to the other Seven Deadly Sins. Probably Avarice didn’t explain his powers to other demons either. That’s why Wrath was weakened within her power.

“…Does Lizette really have to fight such an enemy? Jack, can you help…”

“I’m sorry. Normally I could help, but it’s impossible right now. So, I’ll tell you how to deal with him.”

It’s true. Normally, I would have helped. I understand that Ponia’s leadership isn’t a bunch of complete idiots, and that this country isn’t that bad. I’ve heard properly about how Johnson and the other rangers worked hard for this country, and how the king acknowledged their efforts. I don’t want them to die either. But…

“Please tell Lizerotte this: No matter how massive and gigantic he becomes, there’s only one core body, and those already devoured cannot be saved.”

If it’s like the game, no, if it’s already become significantly stronger than in the game, the Saint will surely understand my words and figure out how to defeat him with her abilities. I told Luxuria to tell Green Doll everything additional she knew, and she frantically shared all her knowledge, including the level of demons under his command.

“…Haah. I have no choice. If this is the fate of the Saint…”

“Please. Because you’re by her side, I can trust and leave this to you.”

“I’ll ask one last thing. Why are you explaining all this but unable to help?”

As Green Doll stood up again, seemingly ready to leave, he asked me this final question, and all my companions looked at me curiously. Honestly, I want to rush out of here too, but I can’t.

“…Ira, my little sister, and my companions are currently in the Empire.”

[Overprotection: Limited to those you want to protect, you can locate their position regardless of distance. (Registered: Ira, Ray Sol, Gor, Ragni Bluemoon, Miho, Chikuyo, new! Green Doll, Salt Non, Luxuria.)]

[Target: Ira – Ottoman Empire.]

[Target: Ray Sol – Ottoman Empire.]

[Target: Ragni Bluemoon – Ottoman Empire.]

[Target: Gor – Ottoman Empire.]

[View detailed target location…]

Looking at the text appearing in my skill status window, I spoke with extreme headache and anxiety.