Zald continued without emotion, "To me, killing and devouring are the same. Whether it's fighting to survive or eating to maintain life, the essence is no different. The method might vary, but the meaning is the same."
He wasn't exaggerating. As he had said before, Zald had eaten everything.
Ants. Spiders. Bees. Scorpions. The flesh of monsters turned to ash in his mouth. Even the corpses of people who could no longer be called his companions, ue had consumed it all.
And in the end, Zald was the embodiment of his epithet.
Gluttony.
"You… what exactly are you trying to say!?"
Olivas' voice cracked, unable to suppress the raw, primal fear rising within him.
Zald still didn't turn to look at him as he spoke, "It means that I'm here because I've eaten far too much terrible food. Still, even bad food should have the right to be selective."
He gestured vaguely and continued in a matter-of-fact tone, "In my eyes, you're just a picky eater. You like preying on women and children, on those weaker than you, and you avoid anyone stronger. I bet the only insects you've ever eaten are the ones that resemble yourself."
"Guh…!"
Olivas flinched as if struck. Being called out so bluntly forced a moment of hesitation from him.
"Since you only know the taste of maggots, then keep feeding on them quietly." Zald said, waving a hand dismissively. "But if you want me to put something in my mouth, you better serve it in one go."
The warning in his tone was unmistakable. Olivas might have climbed to Level 3 and earned recognition as a capable officer within Evilus but standing in front of this man, he realized something terrifying. He was nothing more than an insect, one that wasn't even worth stepping on.
"Maggots taste foul. They make me want to retch. Just imagining one of them becoming a part of my body makes me want to claw out my throat and end myself."
Olivas's cheek twitched involuntarily. His trademark grin started to collapse.
"…Ha… hahaha…!"
The fear that had coiled tightly in his heart warped into a strange kind of admiration. Cold sweat rolled down his face, and his heartbeat pounded wildly as if sharp fangs were gnawing against it from the inside.
And in that moment, he arrived at a clear, unwavering conclusion.
As long as this overlord was on their side, it didn't matter how many adventurers stood in their way, they could win.
A fanatical gleam shone in his eyes as he envisioned the impending glory of the Evilus.
"Very well. We'll handle the pest control. But when the fighting begins, I'll have to trouble you to go all out."
With those words, their steps came to a halt. They had arrived at their destination.
The artificial labyrinth—Knossos.
"Oh, you're back, Zald-sama." Vito, arms wrapped in bandages, greeted them with a lazy smile.
Zald didn't reply. He simply strode forward, past him, and stood silently by Alfia's side, eyes shutting calmly.
Evilus Council Chamber.
"That's pretty cruel, you know?" Vito said, spreading his arms wide and smirking like a fox. "Ignoring me like that… aren't we companions?"
Despite his injuries, Vito's dominant hand had been spared. While advanced prosthetics were beyond Evilus's means, they still had enough resources to craft crude but functional replacements.
Zald opened his eyes and gave Vito a calm, indifferent look. "Your arm. What happened to it?"
"Ah, well, the mission failed. Spectacularly."
"And Basram?" Zald asked, though the answer was already obvious.
"Dead. Completely useless, wasn't he?"
"Haha, your scorn is showing, big sister."
Vito laughed hollowly, clearly trying to shrug it off.
From the side, the twin elf sisters clutched each other and giggled maliciously.
"Oh dear, Vito-san. That's terrible. Please don't get angry."
"Ahaha! If you die again next time, don't forget to bring your own head back with you."
Vito's face immediately paled. His fists clenched behind his back, knuckles turning white. But he swallowed his rage with a tight-lipped smile.
"…Heh. I just had the misfortune of meeting someone unusual this time."
He thought darkly, 'Next time, I hope that terrifying guy rips those two bitchy elves apart.'
"Olivas, report. What happened over there?"
The sharp voice cut through the room, silencing the tension. A woman with light pink hair and arms crossed stepped forward. Despite the torn sweatshirt and leather pants she wore, no one mistook her identity.
Every adventurer in Orario would recognize her at a glance. One of Evilus' deadliest and most infamous figures. A walking calamity with the codename.
Arachnia.
Valletta Grede — Level 5.
Before Olivas could respond, Valletta interrupted, "We've successfully tied down most of Loki Familia's forces. Even Ganesha Familia can't spare any support. And yet, we still can't take down the target?"
She glared directly at Zald and asked, "Are you really on our side?"
Zald stood still, arms crossed, fingers rhythmically tapping against his armor. The air was silent for a moment before he finally spoke, "I ran into someone who was interested in me. That's all. Don't worry."
"I see. So there's still such terrifying hidden power in this city."
Olivas' voice trembled as he peeled off his own mask, revealing bloodshot eyelids and a twisted grin.
"This city of heroes… no matter how many times you step on it, it refuses to die. It's as disgusting and persistent as a cockroach."
"Oh my. Is someone scared?"
"Afraid already? How pathetic."
Evilus was never a united front. If Erebus hadn't forced them together, they'd probably be killing each other. So now, watching one of their own show weakness, the rest didn't miss the chance to pour salt in the wound. They didn't even try to hide the mockery.
Valletta narrowed her eyes and stepped forward. The atmosphere grew tense, the oppressive weight of her aura increasing with every step.
"An 'interested guy'? What a lazy excuse." She spat. "Don't think that just because you're strong, you can act however you want."
"We're not playing house here."
The atmosphere in the parliament room tensed in an instant. Every pair of eyes was fixed on one man, Zald.
Even the gods sitting high on their thrones, normally aloof and detached, had their expressions subtly shift. Some leaned forward, others narrowed their eyes, but all were focused on the same thing.
They kept their eyes on Erebus, who also lowered his eyes and looked at Zald in confusion.
Erebus asked, "Zald, can you briefly describe the battle situation? Who exactly was your opponent?"
The question echoed through the room.
Of course, Zald was still a figure of renown, a name etched into history. But now, under the scrutiny of so many powerful eyes, he was obligated to answer.
Zald hesitated. His lips parted slightly but no words came out at first. Then, as if seeking support, his eyes unconsciously shifted to the woman sitting beside him.
Alfia.
She immediately noticed his gaze, her brow twitching as she tilted her head slightly, clearly annoyed.
Why are you looking at me?
Her frown deepened.
I didn't tell you to go out there and test your limits. Don't drag me into your mess just because it backfired.
Zald averted his eyes, his expression darkening, as though weighing how best to begin.
Eventually, he spoke, voice low and controlled. "The identity of the opponent is still unclear but he's strong. Incredibly strong. His fighting style is unfamiliar…strange, unlike anyone I've ever faced."
Even now, Zald avoided mentioning that name.
Akira.
"Hmph, what a useless report." Valletta scoffed, arms crossed as she leaned against her chair. "You don't even know who you fought? And you dare call it a minor incident? Looks to me like you hit a wall for the first time."
Zald's scarred face twitched slightly, a trace of displeasure passing through his features.
"Correction." He said firmly. "I didn't lose to him. I merely chose to conserve my strength, for the final battle."
"Pfft. Funny." Valletta sneered.