"Envy. These are, quite literally, feelings of inferiority, resentment, and jealousy. They are base emotional fluctuations that cause one to envy, disparage, and shame others for what they possess but one does not. Humans cannot escape these as long as they are human. Do you understand why?"
—N-No. I haven't harbored such feelings yet... Oh, but. I have thought that Fou is cute, and small... 'It would be nice,' 'so fluffy,' 'looks warm,' I have thought that... Yes.
(Air's envy is too cute, isn't it—?(Explodes))
"Well, that is also envy. Indeed. —As for why envy cannot be separated from us. It is because—"
Envy
"—Master! Master!"
A desperate cry struck her ears.
"Wake up! Master! You're safe, right! Master!"
She sprang up, as if answering that voice.
"Cake!?"
What greeted her upon waking was... not paradise, but:
A desolate room, a floor stained with blood, a dark ceiling.
A room that bore no resemblance to Chaldea... a room that was a mere reproduction of "hell."
"...Huh? Where am I? Where's my room?"
Jeanne hugged the bewildered Ritsuka tightly, with all her might.
"Oh, thank goodness...! I made it in time...!"
"Ow, ow, ow! Jeanne!?"
"Ah—s-sorry. ...N-No. Overlook it! I was worried, you know!"
Jeanne glared threateningly. Ritsuka quickly bowed her head.
"Sorry! Huh? But where are we?"
Ritsuka muttered that this definitely wasn't Chaldea.
"Yes. This squalid place is not Chaldea. It's Solo—the Mage King's—"
Just as Jeanne was about to speak—
"The Tower of Despair! Welcome, 'Senpai,' to this horrifying vortex of malice! I deeply welcome the arrival of your soul! Welcome! To the ball where everyone plucks at despair!"
Like the opening of a theatrical play, a voice boomed out.
"Oh?"
"—!? Master! By my side!"
At the same time, countless petty, miscellaneous vengeful spirits, chimimoryo, swelled forth.
"Can you hear it, this cry! Can you hear it, this voice of resentment! Everyone wholeheartedly welcomes your arrival! —You, who possess the abyss of despair and a single ray of hope! —They praise you with horrifying cheers!"
"Burn—!! Vanish from my Master's sight—!!"
Flames erupted. The embodiment of hellfire gushed forth, scorching the monsters and spirits across the narrow space.
"By your side is an Avenger, though immature, yet sincere! Hahahaha! Good! The Avenger Édouard, who clings to you, has already been invited! Your brilliance is an exception; it even attracts the anomalous! Truly amusing!"
"Stop blabbering and either help or do something! Are you an enemy!?"
"No."
Ritsuka denied it, as if whispering.
"He's probably... like Alter—"
"—Precisely—!!"
"—! Darn it—!!"
One of the spirits slipped past Jeanne's flank and lunged at Ritsuka.
That spirit—was consumed by black flames, completely unlike Jeanne's.
"Who am I! Where is this! Yes, I shall tell you two unchanging truths in this hell where all phenomena act negatively! I am! The 'Avenger' who toys with you at will!"
Next, a flash resembling a high-speed lightning strike momentarily illuminated the prison, and the flames and monsters instantly dispersed.
"O-Oh!? Clock Up!?"
"This guy, he really is like me—!"
"This is the Château d'If, beyond all vengeance! This is hell on earth, where pure and untainted souls are shamed and thrown into despair! And my name, roaring in the abyss of that despair! Carve it into your soul!"
The black, blazing humanoid flame took shape.
A Western coat. A deep-brimmed hat, a brooch on his chest.
"My name! Extra Class, Avenger!! Kuhahahahahaha!! The golden king, the pinnacle of heroes you know! And different from the kind Avenger by your side! I resent and rage against this world! I am the absolute embodiment of human malice—!!"
And—black, gold-veined eyes.
"Let's say, 'nice to meet you'!! O Master, who shall now challenge and confront the seven judgments! Come now, the time for happy slumber is over! There's no time to pause in doubt and confusion, is there? Because! If you cannot overcome the seven judgments, you will die!"
"Huh!? W-What is that!? Inviting someone here and then saying they'll die, what is that!?"
"It is not strange. Considering the world's irrationality, this is a far easier trial. For there is a voice that announces the opening, and there is time to brace oneself for it!"
"Ah, I see, alright, let's go, Jeanne!"
She sat up with a hyoi, cracking her body.
"In short, if I want to return to Chaldea, I have to go through seven trials, right? If I lose, I die, and if I win, I can go back to Chaldea. Is that about it?"
"Precisely. You are quick to understand. If you dislike that, waiting for a miracle to descend here is also an option. Waiting for aid that may never come, opening your mouth like a chick, is also acceptable."
"No way! If there's a path, I'll take it; that's the way I've chosen to live!"
"Kuhahahahahahaha!! Yes, proceed! O blade forged in the vortex of vengeance! But I shall toy with you as I please! I have no intention of becoming Abbé Faria for you! Never let go of that Avenger who is Édouard for you! Come now! The first trial awaits you—!!"
Laughing merrily, the man calling himself Avenger left the room and began walking.
"Hey, he just talked and then walked off! What is he, some kind of narcissistic weirdo...? Are you okay, Master?"
To Jeanne's worried murmur—
"Jeanne... you got really cute while I was asleep!"
Ritsuka laughed in her usual cheerful manner.
"I-Is that so? If you're happy, it's not bad... no, wait! Are you going to trust that guy!? Are you sure!?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine! He's probably a good person. He kindly told me a lot of things! He told me what I need to do here! And above all—"
Ritsuka swiftly approached another monster that appeared and shattered it to pieces with a right straight punch.
"I have Jeanne with me! Thank you! Did Gil and everyone send you? If I'm not alone, I'll be fine! I can do my best!"
"Master..."
"Come on, let's go! Let's overcome these seven judgments! If we don't understand, let's just move forward!"
As if in response to Ritsuka's resolve, the embodiment of their soul's bond took shape.
The ring and bandages Olga Marie gave her.
The Tenka Goken, Doujikiri Yasutsuna, bestowed by Raikou, her mother.
The Bow and Arrow of the Moon Goddess, given by her goddess friend.
Equipping all of these, Ritsuka kicked open the door of the dimly lit prison cell.
"Come on! As Chaldea's representative, let's have a grand tour of hell!"
She extended her hand.
"—Oh, honestly! Now I don't even know which of us came to help who! —Don't leave my side, Master!"
Jeanne gripped it firmly.
"Alright! Let's go gehuff!!"
"Master!?"
"It's dusty!"
"It's because you suddenly shouted! Besides, this place is really filthy, isn't it!?"
"Gil! Thanks for the paradise—!"
The two, clinging together, headed towards the chamber of the first judgment—
"You've come! Yes! In this hell, there is no peace or rest! Only to fall exhausted, or to crush all your enemies! There is no other path for you! Neither lamentation nor wailing will serve as reasons to stop!"
They arrived at a large hall, smashing enemies one after another along the corridor. The ceiling was far above, and the space was as vast as an arena. It seemed strong enough to wreak havoc without issue.
"He's got a lot of energy, that one..."
"—..."
"Master?"
Jeanne spoke to the dazed Master with concern.
"Huh? Oh, oh! I'm fine, I'm fine!"
"Really...?"
"Come now—there's no time to be dazed! There are seven judgments! And seven rulers! Everyone is pulling back their bowstrings, waiting to kill you all! —Now for the opening act! The first judgment! Its ruler is—!!"
—At that instant—
"—!!"
Jeanne blocked the full-force killing intent aimed at Master, and the horrifying, unfurling blade, with her flagstaff.
"How rude. I'll kill you."
"—Christine, Christine, Christine!"
...That's...!
"The poet killed by Okita-san in an ambush!?"
"Precisely!! The murderer crawling in the underground! Seeking the most beautiful voice! Hating all that is ugly! A monster who will kill you with the Sin of Envy!"
"Ah, tonight a new diva takes the stage! Ah, who are you, not 'you,' Christine!"
"—It seems your eyes are clouded. I'll burn those eyes out—!!"
"En-vy—..."
Sway. Ritsuka's vision blurred...
—
Why are you always the best?
Why are you always praised?
You always get ahead.
Why are you always number one?
We don't need you.
—You shouldn't have been born...
—
"MASTER—!!"
"—Huh?"
Her consciousness snapped back, called by the voice amidst a flurry of swordplay with the Phantom and countless other spirits.
"Did you glimpse it? What you just witnessed. That is 'envy.' Resentment, jealousy. What all humans possess. That which presides over a part of your own abyss."
"—Ah, that's what it was. That was 'envy,' huh..."
She muttered vaguely.
"How is it? —Do you feel like letting out a whimper? Do you feel like shedding a tear at the horror of what forms you?"
Avenger questioned her, as if singing.
—Memories from junior high. Memories of when the resentment was severe, no matter what she did, no matter how she tried.
Was it her fault? Did her poor performance irritate everyone?
Then—if she became number one, would everyone look at her differently?
...The answer was no. The bullying only got worse, and she lost things.
She didn't understand why.
Why? Why couldn't she get along with everyone?
If you don't understand something, I'll teach you.
Let's study together.
Isn't it wonderful when everyone can improve together?
Why? Why am I alone?
What...
...What should I do to make everyone friends with me...?
That answer was—
"—! Hahahahaha! Ahahahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!"
She laughed, laughed. She laughed like a madwoman.
"What, so that's what it was! So that's what it was! Envy, I see—I was being envied...! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!"
"————"
Avenger frowned.
"Hey, what's wrong!? Master!? Are you okay!?"
"————Presented with sin, and you still laugh?"
"Of course I laugh! Oh, it's funny! Yes, I was stupid! I didn't understand anything! That's right, that's right!"
"Christi—!!"
At that moment, the Phantom's right arm exploded. A blow from the Goddess's Bow and Arrow.
"Wha!?"
Jeanne's eyes widened in astonishment.
"'I didn't understand anything about those around me!' I see, envy, huh! What, that's what it was! I thought it was something, something without reason!"
She continued to laugh maniacally.
At the same time—
"—!!"
All the vengeful spirits in the chamber of the first judgment were drawn towards Ritsuka.
No. They were being absorbed. Like light drawn to a vacuum, like fools falling into a pitfall.
Into her abyss—they were being slammed!
"Thank you for telling me! Avenger! Ah, I finally feel refreshed! I was 'envied,' wasn't I! What—what! So that's what it was! Then I'll say this!"
She drew a deep breath.
"————I'm sorry I didn't realize!! I should have said 'Let's do it together' myself—!!"
That's right. What she should have done wasn't to ask 'Why, why?'.
It was to ask 'What don't you understand?'.
It was to ask 'Let's do it together!'.
That's right. It has to be. Otherwise, it's a lie.
She didn't explain why she was good at studying.
She didn't explain why she was good at sports.
Unknown. It must have been unsettling. And it led to envy.
Without even showing effort—to be better than others. —That's nothing short of obnoxious!
"C-Christi... ne."
As if intimidated by Master's resolve, the Phantom swayed unsteadily.
"Not knowing envy, yet gathering all attention, that was my sin—! Thank you, Avenger! I feel like my heart has lightened!"
She declared brightly, smiling at the Avenger.
"I won't make the same mistake again! I'll work hard so that people will think, 'I won't lose to a person like that!' so that I don't leave anyone behind!"
"————"
—The girl understood 'envy'.
She accepted it. And with a cheerful smile, she resolved to sublimate it into 'rivalry'.
—One sin, indeed, transformed into light.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! Jeanne! Now, let's overcome the judgment—!!"
"—Yes!! You moldy vengeful spirits stuffed into this horrible tower! Listen closely—!!"
"Christine, Christine—!!"
The Phantom still pressed forward, cradling his right arm.
"Gaa—!?"
Jeanne plunged her sword deep into his throat, and the witch sang aloud.
"I am the witch! Jeanne d'Arc, the foolish woman burned and betrayed by the world! My flag no longer waves for the world! My faith is merely a little girl discarded in the gutter! —What moves me is the flame of hatred! Therefore, be prepared—!! I will burn all that stands in my way and the Master I love with hellfire!! Because! I fight for myself—!!"
"K-Ga—"
"Come on, Master too! A good declaration is important!"
"Okay! —My name is Fujimaru Ritsuka—!!"
She responded loudly.
"My favorite things are communication and all subcultures!! My dislikes are betrayal and prejudice! My motto is 'If there's a will, I'll even make friends with God!' —For the next seven days! I'll be in your care!! Thank you in advance!!"
They exchanged glances, nodding deeply.
"This is my thanks for getting my precious Master caught up in this kind of crappy place—just a little..."
"Gaga, Guga—!"
She pushed the sword deeper.
"—As a greeting—!!!"
She poured explosive flames from within his throat, burning all his internal organs to ash—!!
"Gaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh—!!!!"
"Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!! Monsters, sinners deserve to be burned at the stake! Come now, it's time for atonement! That sin you bear, I shall surely burn it away without fail! This is—from us—!!"
"A declaration of war—!! Do it, Jeanne—!!"
The Master, who had devoured the vengeful spirits with her abyss and light, screamed.
"『Roar, My Wrath, La Grondement Du Haine』—!!"
In response, countless spears and scorching flames—burned away the monster of envy—!!
"Applause!! Applause for our uprising—!!"
"No matter what happens, we won't lose!! We will definitely get out of here—!!"
—Eventually, all ended.
"Hmph, have you learned your lesson? Anyone who compares Master to someone else, I will slaughter them all."
Chakiri, Jeanne sheathed her blade.
"————Hmph!"
Ritsuka's face changed to one of clarity, having understood and accepted one of humanity's evils.
"Good work! Jeanne!"
"Of course. I came to help you, after all. —What's wrong? You've become quite quiet."
Jeanne smirked.
"—...You've devoured envy, Master."
"Yeah! I won't make the same mistake again! I'll definitely ask, 'Let's get better together!'"
She held out her hand.
"Thank you for teaching me, Avenger! From now on, please teach me the remaining six 'meanings of hell'—!"
She smiled brightly at the bottom of hell. Understanding the meaning of the abyss, her brilliance grew stronger.
"—Kuhahahahahahaha! That greed, that desire to seek hell!! Yes, yes! That's right for you! Understand the meaning of hell! And what awaits beyond it! —To that question, I shall answer with but a single word!"
He dramatically unfurled his cape.
"『Wait, and hope』—That's it!! We shall meet again at the next trial!! Kuhaha! Kuhahahahahahahahahahaha!!"
Leaving behind his booming laughter, Avenger vanished into the darkness.
"—Well then, shall we return as well?"
Beside her, Jeanne smiled, holding her hand.
"You and I. And that guy, too. —It looks like this will be a fun tour of hell, doesn't it?"
"—Yeah!!"
—At the bottom of hell, fire and sun laughed and shone brightly.
Deeply, profoundly piercing the abyss that devours the seven sins—
"Incidentally! The reason Ogawa Heights wasn't there was because! No one agreed to my call for it! A regrettable shame! Ehehehehe!"
"—Envy, when reversed, is nothing but self-improvement and ambition. To struggle and reach out even knowing one cannot achieve it. To refine oneself and grow together. At the end of it, to acknowledge each other and laugh together.
Therefore, it cannot be separated. 'Envy' is also the force that drives living beings 'forward.' There are no absolutes in all phenomena of the world. Everything has a front and a back. Air."
—Yes! I will strive diligently, never forgetting self-improvement and ambition!
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