*

　I'm dreaming.
　A boy's dream.
　A boy is looking at the food on a stall.
　An adult and a child give the shopkeeper money to accept the food.
　It's a very common scene, but the boy can't do it because he doesn't have money.
　Because he had no money.
　Even if the boy worked hard, the money he could get was very little.
　At this time, days went by when he couldn't get even the smallest amount of money.
　His stomach was quivering, and the skin on his belly and back felt like it was going to stick together.
　He thought he would starve to death if he didn't.
　So the boy decided to steal.
　It was his first time stealing, but he wasn't aware that it was evil.
　He had grown up in an area where violence was the norm.
　It was impossible for him to feel guilty about it.
　But he didn't take up stealing because he was afraid of failure - of death.
　The boy got through the cracks, grabbed the food - and was easily caught and beaten to a pulp.
　It was at this time that the Seven Evil - the power of greed - was awakened.
　He blocked the adults' movements and got away with it.
　From that day on, the boy continued to steal.
　The crimes escalated and it didn't take long for him to commit murder.
　Still, the boy did not stop.
　The boy had somehow become the head of the organization and called himself King.
　It was a sign of his determination to one day steal the country.
　However, such a dream was thwarted by a deformed knight.

''Don't blame me for this.

　When Mako opened her eyes, a canopy popped into view.
　A soft touch enveloped her hand.
　He moved his gaze suspiciously and saw Yuka holding Mako's hand and propped up on the bed.
　Looking further next to her, I saw Laura sitting in a chair and sleeping.
　Ummmmm, Yuka moaned and opened her eyes.

''Good morning.''
You're in a bad mood.
I have low blood pressure.

　Yuka sat up and scratched her head as she bobbed and scratched her head.
　He should have been by her side all night, but now he couldn't feel any gratitude for her.

'Where are Fene and Liv?'
I'm back at the inn.

　After all, he says in a gruff voice.

'Did you use your skills?'
'Yes. I didn't feel like I was recovering from the use of it, so I was ready to give up and go to bed.
Oh, yeah.

　Makoto let out a sigh, saying that he was right not to be grateful.

'But then again, I didn't think you could be a monster. Is that a spirit art too?''
Maybe.

　After the transformation, his memories are hazy. All I remember is the intense pain and the strong killing intent against my enemy.

''Well, your--''
"Seven bad, seven bad.
'Is that really okay?　I was feeling cursed.
Apparently there's no need to be so anxious.
Why did you believe that?

　Yuka raised her eyebrows quizzically.

'I knew I shouldn't take your word for it?
That's obvious. I wouldn't be using my skills if they weren't so harmful.
Yeah.

　Mako scratched her head. The scammer would approach him saying that he would definitely make money.
　What would he do if he forgot that?

'But I wouldn't have beaten the King if I hadn't changed my god, man.

　The blows didn't get through to the transformed King.
　There's a strange certainty that he could have won because they were in the same ring.

Still, I shouldn't have used it.
It should be a last resort.
....

　Yuka has a look on her face as if she's bitten down on a bitter bug.

'What?'
Flag as death.
'Don't say anything unlucky.
'It's marketed that anyone who learns an ability that is penalized is either going to use their abilities beyond their limits and die or be crippled.
He said I'm too anxious.

　Mako let out a deep sigh and sat up.
　She must have been undressed while she was unconscious, or she was only wearing pants.

'If you think I'm going to scream, you're wrong.
You're doing exactly what I expected you to do.

　I knew that Yuka would definitely have this kind of attitude.
　She doesn't disappoint.
　Mako looked at her right arm and opened her eyes lightly.
　His tattoos, which were only up to his elbows, had spread to his shoulders.
　He suddenly remembered the time he had defeated the King.
　Perhaps it was a spirit or soul thing.
　Thinking about it, it seemed to explain why I had a dream like that.

'Does that mean you can now use the power of greed?
What, are you talking to yourself?
"Yuka, don't move."
Who do you think you are?

　Yuka clicked her tongue and stood up.

'What, you didn't absorb the power of greed?
You were going to use me as a test subject. You ungrateful little shit!
No, he just wanted to try it out.
"If you're going to experiment, start with the rats!
I'm sorry.

　As I thought, it was a bad idea to use him as an experimental subject without saying anything.
　Ummmm, Laura moaned softly and looked up.
　It's a scene that gives you a sense of déjà vu.

''Ma, Mako-sama!
Yo, yo.
....

　Laura's cheeks flushed and--

''Cah!''

　A scream echoed through the room.

'It's the turn of events you were hoping for,'
It seems slightly different, doesn't it?
Well, there's no sign of Makoto-sama!　Nah, you're surprisingly muscular--!

　Laura held her cheeks and shook her head.

'You were expecting me, weren't you?'
No, I didn't.

　I never wanted to see you like this, Makoto said to himself.



　Mako and the others are led by Laura down the corridor of the mansion.
　The hallway is carpeted and furnished in a well-balanced manner.
　It feels like a visit to a millionaire's home.

'It's a fantasy,'
How?
It's not real.
I know how you feel. The first time I saw the school building, I was like, 'Die!　d*mn celebrities! That's what I thought.
I'm not thinking about that.

　Instead of feeling like you're lost in a comic book or movie, this guy, who exudes hatred, is more worthy of the seven evils than you or the King.

'Too much hardship can ruin a person, can't it?'
What makes me such a bad person?
I didn't say you're a bad person. I said people are ruined.
Same thing, right?
That's a different nuance. That's a different nuance.
What's the difference?
It sounds like your worst subject for exams.

　You might as well call it a one-pointed bad person.
　It's the bad part that affects the whole.

I understand.
We're here.

　Laura stopped and knocked on the heavy-looking door.
　After a moment -.

'.........come in.'
I'm sorry, sir.

　A muffled voice sounded and Laura opened the door.

'It's a fantasy,'
Well, you know.

　A young girl is sitting at her desk in a room that reminds me of the Oval Office of the President of the United States.
　What do you call this if you don't call it a fantasy?

''Makoto-sama, I'll be waiting in the hallway...''
Okay.

　Makoto and Yuka walked into the office and stopped away from the desk.
　A slamming sound came from behind me.
　Perhaps it was Laura closing the door.

'Yesterday was a good cause,'
Thank God for happiness.

　Makoto bowed lightly.
　He's a client who pays me 40,000A including the contingency fee.
　It's not a bad idea to return it in a period drama style.

─ I heard you have already been paid 30,000A, is that correct?
Yes, sir.
'Hmm, I was worried that you were being paid. That's a relief.

　Christine patted her chest.

'I see that Laura has promised to give you ten thousand A for success--'
You're not going to pay me?
I'm a lord.

　Christine arched her eyebrows in displeasure.

'I was trying to tell you that a mere 40,000 A per capita wouldn't be enough to repay you.
Does that mean you'll be paying me more?
Well, that's what I'm talking about. Well, that's not the point. I will grant you what you wish in my name.
Why do you have to be here, Makoto?

　Yuka muttered in frustration, but Christine brushed it off brilliantly.

'Whatever?'
Mm, I'll give you Lola as a wife if you like.
No, not the creature.

　A rattling sound came from behind me.

'You've been eavesdropping.
I guess.

　I feel as if Laura's reputation has gone down in one day today.
　When I first met her, I thought she was a stout female knight--''

''What a pompous knight you are.
Don't point that out to me.

　Doesn't this guy have the compassion of a warrior?

What do you think?
Yeah.

　Mako crossed her arms and gave a small snort.
　Christine was the kind of girl who would not only offer her mother's mementos, but also her own men.
　I have a feeling that she'd be willing to swallow a pretty absurd request, but it seems like a bad idea to take advantage of such a child's nature.
　Besides, they are paid 40,000A each, or 160,000A for a team.
　Demanding more than this would be an accusation of greed.

What do you think?
Yeah, I've decided.
Oh, right!

　Christine leaned forward to see what made her happy.

'So what do you want?'
"I need miso and soy sauce.
What do you mean by...?

　Christine asked back deliberately.

'Hey!'

　Yuka smacked Makoto's two arms with the back of her hand.

'They say it's good, so just take as much as you can get!
That's right!　If the Lord wills it, the position, the honour and the woman is at your mercy!
Why the f*ck should I be the one to talk him out of it?

　Mako retorted in disgust.

'That's because you don't want anything from me!
Yes, it's your fault!

　Christine and Yuka accuse Makoto of being friendly.

'But hey, you look like trouble,'
It's a pain in the ass, isn't it?

　Yuka let out a sigh of dismay.

'Then how about honor?'
'It's not like I have a desire for honor. On the contrary, let me ask you, why do you want to thank me?
...it's

　Ugh," snorted Christine.

'What's that?'
It's not your fault!　I want to thank you and you don't want me to!　Even I have a face for a lord!

　Christine flapped her arms and legs like a spoiled child.

'Oh my God, you made me cry,'
I didn't make you cry.
I'm so embarrassed that you couldn't thank me for saving your life twice!
...and your face.

　I was going to leave it until she seriously started crying, but if you ask me, Christine is a lord.
　If Christine can be taken lightly by the other nobles, I feel like I shouldn't be too stubborn.

''I understand.
'Oh, you're finally ready to accept my thanks!　Then I'll give you Lord Lola.
So you said you don't want a living creature.

　Once again, the sound came from the corridor, but this time even Yuka ignored it.

'Laura is a bit of a slow learner, but she's a virgin. If you marry her, she'll be lower class, but she'll be a nobleman.
"Oh, you're a virgin.
Why do you look so happy to see me?
Aren't you happy?
I don't know, it's kind of a hassle first.

　I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by my youth and my libido, but I'm not in a positive mood for a relationship.

Are you looking for an adult relationship?
What do you think?

　Mako tilted her head.

'Could it be that Sef--'
I'm not so sure about that either. I don't feel like I'm burning up.
He's a pain in the ass.

　Yuka made an expression as if she had bitten down on a bitter bug.

''Mm, if that's the case, I'll give you the title of honorary knight.
'What's an honorary knight to do?'
'You don't have to do anything. Just come visit us occasionally.
Well, you're welcome.

　Mako earns the reputation of being an adventurer who is trusted by his lordship, and Christine earns the reputation of being a lord who treats her benefactor well.
　Both have advantages.
　It's truly a win-win relationship.

''Be that as it may, don't forget the miso and soy sauce.
Mm, I'll share my family's stockpile with you.
　Christine nodded with satisfaction.