“Phew.”

Leon sighed deeply, his hand resting on his forehead.

Seeing his sudden change in complexion, I couldn’t help but worry and examined his face closely.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Leon, with a mix of complex emotions in his eyes, as he gazed down at the seal, advised me, “Be careful.”

 “Be careful of what?”

“Sloth constantly provokes his contractors. Be cautious not to be swayed.”

 “He must have a fierce temper.”

Greed is a lecherous, ungrateful personality, but it’s not that vicious. 

“He talks incessantly, it might give you a headache… Since terminating the contract, it seems he’s quieted down.”

Just how noisy does it have to be for even Leon Kreundel to be bothered? It was curious enough to ponder. But I was confident.

“Don’t worry. This is my specialty.”

Even with Greed’s unruliness, I had tamed him.

Adding one more sin wouldn’t change much.

Now that the contract between Sloth and Duke Kreundel had ended, there was nothing more to hesitate about.

“After achieving my goal, I will return the Sealstone to you.”

It was the duty of the four noble families to protect the Sealstones, so it was only right to return it to the Kreundel family after using its abilities. However, Leon’s expression remained dark. I cautiously asked if there was any discomfort arising from the contract termination, wondering if there were any issues affecting him.

“Leon, are you feeling uncomfortable about something?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just…”

After a moment of hesitation, Leon raised his head and looked directly at me.

“Elodie.”

“Yes?”

“Do you really have to proceed with that contract?”

It was puzzling that Leon, who had never mentioned the contract before, was now asking this question. Could it be that his feelings had changed in that brief moment?

“You know how much I desire the power of Sloth.”

“I do.”

“But why are you asking me this?”

With a troubled expression, Leon glanced briefly at the seal stone and sighed again.

“I feel like you might not fully understand, Elodie. The price of sin is not to be taken lightly.”

“…Ah.”

I immediately understood why he was trying to dissuade me from the contract. I see. Leon was concerned about me having to pay the price of the contract.

’I have a weakness for people worrying about me.’

Look at this. 

Leon’s concern for me immediately makes me feel weak. But apart from worry, I had an important reason for not backing down.

 The truth is, I can still use some of the power of sin without the contract, but I can’t tell Leon that. 

Leon had already paid the price, and he was better off not knowing. 

 “It’s okay, I can handle it.”

I couldn’t help but wonder why Leon was so opposed to the contract. What could Sloth have demanded from him as the price for the contract? 

I was curious about what Leon had given as the price, but I swallowed the impolite question. Leon, who was looking at me with determination, nodded as if he understood.

“I always trust that Elodie can handle anything that comes her way, just like she always has. I respect Elodie’s decision.”

“My decisions aren’t always right, but I don’t regret them.”

Checking the time, Leon stood up from his seat.

“I should go now; we don’t know when Bellissa will wake up.”

“Yes. Goodbye, Leon.”

“Yes. I hope everything you want comes true, Elodie.”

Before leaving, Leon, holding the door handle, glanced back at me.

“…Can I contact you again?”

“Were you planning not to contact me once our business was done?”

As if sensing my slight hurt, Leon smiled gently and looked at me.

“I will get in touch.”

With a polite bow, Leon left the drawing room. 

‘It seems like he has become even more affectionate after finding his sister.’

Actually, I felt a bit awkward.

It was something I had to do, as Leon’s affairs needed to be resolved for me to borrow Sloth’s Sealstone. Scratching my cheek, I gazed silently at Sloth’s Sealstone. Summoned alongside it, Greed appeared.

[You better watch out. Its personality is dirty. Really dirty. Super dirty.]

“More than you?”

[What are you saying? I’m a good sin, you know!]

A good sin? What a warm statement, like a nice cup of iced Americano. Ignoring Greed’s words, I gripped Sloth’s Sealstone in my hand.

I wondered what kind of sin it was that even the renowned Duke Leon Kreundel worried about.

As I grasped the Sealstone, the sensation was similar to when I first held Greed’s Sealstone, but this time, there was no forced transportation to another space.

After a moment, as I gazed at Sloth’s Sealstone, what appeared before me was…

“…A donkey?”

It was a donkey.

Seems like there’s a mini animal farm here…

Fortunately, it was probably a very small and cute donkey. However, it was still awkward.

A fox would be easy to pass off as a pet, but how do you explain a donkey?

“Rumors will spread about the Duke parading around with a donkey…”

Wow, this is exciting…

Amidst my inner turmoil, the two sins met after a long time and began their gathering. The donkey gazed lazily at Greed and asked.

[Greed… Are you attached to that human?]

[I’m temporarily subservient. Sloth, you’re in the same position now.]

 [Irkala will not let your treachery…… go unpunished…….]

 […….]

[I don’t like it… let’s kill… kill that human… let’s kill…]

The donkey seemed more uncooperative and sinister than Greed.

Now I understood why Leon had warned me to be careful.

To suggest k*lling someone right in front of them, was uncalled for. The donkey seemed to have no manners. I crossed my arms and warned Sloth.

“What do you want to kill? Quiet down, Donkey.”

[K*ll. K*ll. K*ll.]

“You’re noisy.”

[K*ll. K*ll. K*ll. K*ll. Let’s kill…]

Despite the situation, as a temporary master of sins, I skillfully grabbed a nearby knife and decisively slammed it right next to Sloth’s Sealstone.

Clang! Sloth widened its eyes and turned to look at me.

[K*ll…]

“If you don’t want your Sealstone smashed to pieces and you to die, then shut up.”

[K*ll…]

“Do you want to be smashed to pieces?”

[sc name=”add_image” image_url=”https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOG8uzoUSEWCgysJNldVhcR8Ji3I0Fi4soYqPo5iDPtEWoAOEoTWeVnUzOt9dECSZAumRHBtY-pwrbcKF_1CiHQy566qfQ531FavfeJKgsVbKlowtw=w2400″][/sc]

Fortunately, Sloth quieted down immediately. It was satisfying.

“See? All you have to do is behave!”

[……..]

In a gesture of encouragement, I beamed brightly and exclaimed. Sloth clenched its mouth shut and looked up at me.

With no room for uncooperative sins, I promptly commanded it.

“Get back into the Sealstone.”

No matter how I thought about it, it seemed too conspicuous to be traveling with a donkey. I definitely didn’t want to become a noble known for traveling with a donkey. Really!

[I’ll kill…]

“Shh.”

[…….]

Sloth, my second temporary slave, obediently followed my orders.

“Greed, you get in too.”

[Do I have to?]

“Yeah, you do.”

[D*mn it.]

With Greed sealed within the Sealstone, all preparations were complete. Now, it was time to set off.

“Should I head to the Sevares Estate?”

My heart beat irregularly at the thought that I might be able to wake my father soon.

But before that, there was somewhere I wanted to visit.

The Duke of Perdia’s office.

However, my footsteps faltered as I realized it was empty. Instead, the duke’s aide greeted me.

“His Grace is currently out.”

“…Ah, is that so?”

Even so, I had wanted to see Duke Perdia’s face and speak to him directly before leaving, but it seemed that wouldn’t be possible.

“And the Duchess?”

“I believe Madam is also out. She had some appointments today.”

“What about Jansi and Carlot?”

“The young masters are also out.”

“I see…”

Unfortunately, today of all days, everyone in Perdia was absent from the mansion.

If I went to the Severes mansion like this, it might lead to misunderstandings. As I hesitated, the aide suggested first.

“Do you have a message to convey? I’ll deliver it as soon as they return.”

“Well, then, could you lend me some paper and a pen?”

“Yes, miss.”

I left a letter on the duke’s desk in his office.

‘I hope this will do.’

Leaving potentially final words in written form bothered me, as it might become a farewell message.

***

In front of the capital mansion of Severes.

Not knowing how long it would take, I sent back Perdia’s carriage.

The Severes Capital Mansion remained as imposing as ever.

Due to the shimmering barrier, nothing could be seen inside. I approached the guard at the main gate.

“What brings you here?”

“Could you announce that Elodie Perdia has arrived?”

“Understood.”

Within five minutes, the gates of Severes opened.

I was quite surprised because I thought that due to the unexpected visit, I might have to wait for a long time or even turn back. Instead of the mansion’s butler or servants, it was Felix Hicklemeyer who greeted me.

Seeing Felix after a long time, he was still a cheerful man with a contagious smile.

“You’ve come early, Lady Perdia.”

“Isn’t it late?”

“After waiting for 20 years, a few months’ wait is nothing.”

Felix held out his hand to escort me.

“Please, come inside.”

Even though I didn’t mention why I visited Severes, Felix naturally led the way somewhere.

“Don’t you ask why I’m here?”

“Isn’t it to meet my uncle?”

“Well, yes…”

Was it okay to guide an outsider like this? Unlike me, Felix’s steps were unwavering.

“I hear Lady Perdia’s performance has been quite remarkable?”

“Yes, that’s me, the remarkable Elodie Perdia. Shall I sign something for you?”

Admitting it didn’t erase the awkwardness, but Felix chuckled and nodded.

“Please do sign. I should consider it a Hicklemeyer family heirloom.”

“Just try not to make it an heirloom.”

As we bantered back and forth, we reached our destination quickly.

As expected, he led me to the greenhouse where the Duke of Severes sleeps.

I was greeted by a landscape that didn’t seem to have changed a bit since I first set foot in it. Bright spring flowers swaying in a breeze from somewhere, the sound of water gently flowing. Time seemed to stand still. In the middle of it all, my biological father, Richard Severes, lay asleep in a glass coffin. Like a masterpiece. I looked into my father’s face for the first time in a long time. He was still as handsome as ever.

“Lady Perdia, I have some matters to attend to in my study. Please make yourself at home.”

With a broad smile, Felix gestured for me to take a seat. It was evident that he deliberately made way for me.

I sat down next to the coffin and pulled out the seal stone of sloth.

’Can I really awaken my father?’

I had no certainty, just determination. Closing my eyes, I spoke to Sloth.

“I will use your ability. I’m going to enter this man’s dreams.”

[Do you think I’ll allow it…?]

“It’s an order, Sloth.”

With Sloth’s snort, I lost consciousness… Somewhere in the distance, the sound of waves could be heard.