Ch.370Adjustable NPC. (8)

[Eight] The final raid boss of an episode is only one until ep.5. From ep.6 onwards, they started implementing the typical online MMORPG content expansion. They began adding equipment enhancement content for different parts, and in ep.7 Kingdom of Faith, defeating the Cardinal would enhance armor, while defeating the Pope afterward would enhance weapons—a way to extend the raid content’s lifespan. Honestly, in terms of difficulty, there wasn’t much difference. It just felt twice as annoying.

“So the Pope personally attacked Aigram? How is that possible…”

“It’s possible. I’ve never seen the Pope in person, but from portraits, this generation’s Pope looks like an ordinary old man you could see anywhere if dressed normally.”

When the King of Ponia raised the logical question of how the leader of a country could cross borders and attack an enemy nation alone, Ragni shrugged and shook her head. Even Ragni herself had been outside the imperial palace for over four years, but no imperial citizen recognized her. Well, not appearing in social circles probably had a lot to do with that. From the reports submitted by the Adventurer’s Guild, it seemed no one had even suspected he was the Pope.

“Even so, is the Pope’s power that strong? Even though Aigram wasn’t a city specialized in military power, it still had the reputation of an incomparable [Neutral Trade City]…”

“…Jack.”

“Hmm, Your Majesty. I apologize, but may I ask everyone around us to step out for a moment?”

“Oh? Is it difficult to talk with people present? Well, that’s fine. I trust you all, so let it be so.”

Most of the people in this space are members of the covert operations unit who have become Ragni’s hands and feet, but the rest are people from Ponia. It wouldn’t make sense to leave the King here without his country’s guards, so the Chancellor had teleported quite a few Ponian forces here. Well, even so, there were only about thirty people, including the Knight Commander below.

At the King’s gesture, those nearby bowed their heads, set down their documents, and promptly exited, with the covert operations unit members tactfully following suit. And then.

“Huh? Wh-where is everyone going?! W-wait! I-I brought coffee, please take a cup each!”

Rey, skillfully carrying four trays in both arms and hands, looked confused at the people rushing out and began distributing coffee at the door. Everyone, though puzzled, started accepting cups with thanks… Hey, look at how that guy is looking at Rey. Should I kill him? Hey, where are you looking? I’ll gouge your eyes ou—

“…Jack? I sense killing intent?”

“Ahem!”

“……”

The distribution of coffee served by the blonde beauty secretary—no, the blonde beauty swordswoman—was successfully completed, and Rey entered with just one tray remaining with five cups of coffee, asking, “Where is everyone going? Is it break time?” as she approached us with the cups. Well, why did you make coffee for all those people too?

“Well, everyone’s working hard using their brains. I should at least do this much. Here, my skills might be lacking compared to properly trained maids. Would Your Majesty like to receive first?”

“Oh, thank you. My throat was parched.”

Rey smiled as she handed coffee to the King first, then to me, and then to Ragni in order. After that, excluding her own, one cup remained. Huh? Does Ira drink coffee?

“No? I only drink tea!”

“Could it be for Gor?”

“No. I only consume magic stones.”

“Consume magic stones? What is that…”

When Gor made the golem comment, the King looked puzzled, but I was too lazy to explain, so I just took a sip of my coffee without saying anything. Hmm, Rey makes good coffee. But who is that last cup really for… Oh, the ones I killed? Wait, then there should be two cups left—

“Ah, well, that’s…”

“I understand. Well, that works out. Come out, Luxuria.”

“Huh?”

As Ragni nodded as if she understood everything and called out to the hiding Luxuria, both Rey and Gor opened their eyes wide. Wait, why call her out specifically…?

-Flap!

“…Hmph. I’m still upset, you know? If you think one drink will improve my mood… Coffee is quite delicious, isn’t it?”

“Ah, a demon?!!”

When Ragni called, Luxuria appeared with her wings spread wide, naturally picking up the remaining coffee from the tray and starting to drink it. Seeing her, the King was shocked. Sigh, Ragni, you should have explained before calling her.

“Don’t be too surprised. This demon is Jack’s slave.”

“I’m not a slave! I’m his wife!!”

“Eh? Stupid big sister is not wife though?”

“Eeeek!! Little sister, you’re too cruel!! You’re only cruel to me!! Be nice to me too! Give me love~!!”

“Ha, haha. You. You’ve even tamed a demon? In my day, I was famous for swaying women’s hearts, but a beautiful female-form golem and now a demon? At this point, even the title of ‘heroic womanizer’ would pale in comparison… Ahem. Um, sorry, but could you come down?”

“Hm? Heeh~? Could it be, Your Majesty, that you can see up my skirt? Have you fallen completely for my beau~tiful legs—”

-Click.

-Shing.

“Eep!! I’m down!”

As Luxuria grabbed her skirt hem as if teasing the King, Ragni and Rey each drew their weapons, and Luxuria, her blue skin turning even paler with tension, immediately descended to the ground and knelt submissively.

Haha, the hierarchy has been established? I completely ignored the King’s comment about heroic womanizing and looked at Ragni, who holstered her gun on her thigh and immediately began speaking.

“Your Majesty. As you can see, this demon, Luxuria, is one of the Seven Deadly Sins but sides with humans.”

“More precisely, I’m on Jack’s side!”

“S-Seven Deadly Sins?!”

“Yes! I’m Lust! Nice to meet you?”

“…Use honorifics. Honorifics.”

“But I’m older than you. And I’m the master of lust…”

“Just use them when told. Did you miss your manners education?”

“Stupid sister is stupid so she doesn’t understand unless scolded.”

“…Why am I treated like this? Hey Jack, don’t you think I’m too pitiful? Hmm? Comfort me in bed—Okay, okay! Please stop directing killing intent at me! I’m seriously going to wet myself!! I’ll really soil my panties!!!”

“…Stupid pee-pants big sister.”

“Eeeek?!!”

After Ira’s finishing blow left Luxuria on the verge of tears, I gave her a sympathetic smile and urged Ragni to continue the conversation. At this rate, we won’t finish talking today.

“Ahem! So. What I want to say is, Aigram’s mayor, Avaritia, is also a demon. She’s the Seven Deadly Sin who governs Greed (Avaritia).”

“What, Ra…?”

As Ragni, who had previously heard my explanation, summarized it more concisely and clearly for the King, he collapsed into his chair as if he couldn’t take it anymore. Ah, well. Assassins, demons, and now learning that the leader of an allied city he thought was human is actually one of the Seven Deadly Sins—it must be overwhelming.

“Ha, haha. Avaritia, I even attended her election as the next mayor of the neutral city. Ha, haha. So that’s why. I did feel like her face and body didn’t seem to age at all. So that’s what it was. I’ve been playing the role of king while knowing nothing at a—”

“Your Majesty. Let me tell you, don’t worry too much about that woman. She’s been plowing those fields for her own greed since before the land was recognized as a neutral trade city 400 years ago—a diligent demon, so to speak. Not just Your Majesty, but no country around knew about her. Naturally, neither the Emperor, nor Chancellor Naika, nor I knew.”

Ragni gently placed her hand on the King’s shoulder as he began to blame himself, and continued immediately.

“What’s more important is that the current Kingdom of Faith—specifically the Pope—probably invaded alone after discovering her identity.”

“…I see. An individual capable of wielding holy magic powerful enough to destroy a city would certainly have a tremendous advantage against demons. Haha, how did the Pope discover her identity? As far as I know, relations between Aigram and the Kingdom of Faith were quite poor.”

Because of that, neither high priests nor clergy could settle in Aigram. There were churches, but Avaritia completely blocked the church’s influence from growing. Honestly, I’m puzzled about that part too. There weren’t any scenes in the game where the Pope mentioned Aigram. However.

“If we look at it that way, the mayor was either defeated and captured by the Pope.”

“Or in the worst case, she’s dead.”

“…Even though supply lines are completely cut off, and even if our alliance tries to impose sanctions on them using that as a pretext. If the Kingdom of Faith, knowing she’s a demon, spreads that fact, we lose even that justification.”

We now know why the Pope struck Aigram and why the mayor was defeated, but this only confirms that we’re completely blocked. Even Ragni, the smartest among us, was just holding her chin in thought without a clear answer, when.

“Um, can I say something too?”

“Hm?”

“What is it? If it’s useless talk, I’ll put holes in your wings this time.”

Luxuria, who had been kneeling and muttering “I’m not a bed-wetter,” quietly spoke up while raising her hand to her chest. What could it be? Could Luxuria have found a solution that even Ragni couldn’t…?

“Greed is alive. I can definitely feel that bitch’s demonic energy, though it’s weak. I don’t know where this Aigram place is, but since about two days ago? I’ve been clearly sensing the slimy authority and desire-filled demonic energy she’s emitting. Well, honestly, I didn’t think it had anything to do with Jack, so I didn’t mention it—”

“Really?! Where! Where is it!! Where do you sense it from?!! No, we need to send the covert operations unit immediately…!!”

“That’s incredible information! Is this the power of the Seven Deadly Sins!! If she escaped alive, we should protect her from our side…!!”

“Impressive. Finding demonic energy that even my detection couldn’t pick up. This deserves praise.”

“Hehe. I was helpful? Though I’m still far behind Ragni!”

“Stupid pee-pants big sister, I see you a little differently now!”

“Huh? Eh? Hehe? Oh? Ehe, hehehe!”

As everyone, including Ragni, showered her with praise and brightened their faces, Luxuria genuinely seemed embarrassed, scratching her head and looking at me with a broad smile.

Geez. Don’t smile so cutely. I’m already getting attached to you.

And I also patted her head as she knelt there, giving her more praise.